Iraq needs Iran to survive

WITH BAGHDAD DEPENDENT ON TEHRAN, IT PLANS TO ASK US TO SOFTEN ITS STANCE Trump says there will be consequences for nations that do business with Iran.

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.

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

Washington has said there will be consequences for nations that do not respect the sanctions.

Baghdad is in a difficult position. It imports crucial supplies from ally Iran but its other major ally is the US, 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 they would respect all the US sanctions but faced criticism from rivals.

The officials say 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 US 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.”

Iraqi officials fear shortages of key items if Baghdad complies with all the sanctions. This could lead to political turmoil at a delicate time in Iraqi politics.

Iraq imports many goods from Iran including food, agricultural products, home appliances, air conditioners and spare car parts.