In its first comment on the debate over Iraq's compliance with US sanctions on Iran, the US Embassy in Baghdad issued a clarification on Wednesday, reaffirming Iraq's commitment to sanctions.
The Embassy statements of State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauertof reported by the Iraqi media were inaccurate, confirming there was no violation of US sanctions against Iran.
The embassy said in an explanatory statement that after reviewing the question and answer, the spokeswoman referred to efforts to resolve issues in the relationship between the Iraqi government and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The statement said that Nauert explained “countries that violate sanctions will be held accountable,” referring to the partial sanctions on Iran.
Meanwhile, Director General of Financial Operations in the Central Bank, Mahmoud Dagher, explained in press statements that for a long time now, US dollar had not been used in trading with Iran. He asserted that in trade exchanges between the two countries, no Iraqi bank or banking system uses the dollar.
Leader at Dawa Party, Jassem Mohammad Jaafar, said that the United States is sending a warning sign to the Iraqi leadership that it must abide by the sanctions against Iran.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Jaafar admitted that the US is sending a warning to the Prime Minister, pointing out that Abadi faces great pressure from the US and Iran, both demanding a supportive position.
When asked about the position of other parties and political blocs on the issue of sanctions, Jaafar believes that political forces left Abadi alone at this difficult stage, adding that it seemed everyone was looking for a way to replace the current PM with their own nominee.
Abadi will not take part in any injustice against the Iranian people, but he will not compromise his country’s interests, indicated Jaafar.
“I think he is able to overcome the crisis... US-Iranian escalation does not serve Iraq in any way," he stressed.
Member of Fatah coalition Amer al-Fayez, asserted on Wednesday that State Department’s threat of the US State of Iraq on the commitment to US sanctions against Iran is a flagrant interference in foreign policy.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with Prime Minister of Iraq and Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government. The Secretary expressed appreciation for the two leaders’ progress in resolving outstanding Baghdad-Erbil issues according to the Iraqi constitution’s framework for dialogue.
In his conversations with each leader, the Secretary emphasized the importance of forming a moderate new Iraqi government, pursuant to the constitutional timeline, that is responsive to the expectations of the Iraqi people.
The Secretary commended recent successful joint operations by Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga against ISIS. Finally, the Secretary underscored continuing US support for a strong, sovereign, and prosperous Iraq as outlined in the bilateral Strategic Framework Agreement with Iraq.
