Iraq to ask US for exemptions on some Iran sanctions

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s economy is so closely linked to Iran that Baghdad is going to ask Washington for permission to ignore some US sanctions on its neighbour, Iraqi government and central bank officials said.

US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from an international deal aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear programme earlier this year and reimposed trade sanctions.

Baghdad is position.

Iraq imports crucial supplies from Iran but its other major ally is in a difficult the United States, which provides security assistance and training.

The request would mark an important change in political tactics for Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi.

He initially said Baghdad would respect all the US sanctions but faced heavy criticism from rivals.

The officials said a delegation will travel to Washington to ask for exemptions in applying the sanctions. They did not say when that trip would take place.

“The government plans to ask Washington for a waiver. It’s going to happen soon,” one central bank official said. An official in Abadi’s office declined to comment.

An official in the US State Department said it was discussing Iran policy with its partners around the world.

“We have given the same message to all countries around the world that the president has said, the United States is fully committed to enforcing all of our sanctions,” the official said.

“Iraq is a friend and important partner of the US and we are committed to ensuring Iraqi stability and prosperity.”