MNA� Iran has cut electricity supplies to Iraq due to unpaid bills, the Ministry of Electricity in Baghdad said on Friday.

This has exacerbated the country�s electricity crisis, the Middle East Monitor quoted Anadolu as reporting on Saturday.

The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity spokesman Mosaab Al-Madras said that the supply cut affected Iraq�s Dhi Qar, Maysan and Basra provinces, although he did not give details of the debt to Iran.

The unpaid bills are estimated at around $1 billion, the Middle East Monitor's report added.

According to the ministry, Iraq produces 15,700 megawatts of electricity, but needs more than 23,000 megawatts per hour to ensure a non-stop supply to homes and public buildings. Iraqis are outraged at the power cuts in summer temperature of more than 50 degrees Celsius.