Iraq’s Abadi on tightrope over US sanctions on Iran
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi’s support for renewed US sanctions on Iran has placed his departing government in a difficult position and highlighted his fragile relationship with Tehran.
Since last week, the Iraqi leader has come under increasing pressure from Iran after he announced that he had no choice but to abide by the embargo imposed by US President Donald Trump, a move that has angered Tehran.
Conflicting reports emerged yesterday about a visit by Mr Al Abadi to Iran. An unidentified Iraqi official told AFP that Iran had cancelled the visit because of his support for the sanctions. But his spokesman denied any plan for the trip.
“We usually announce a state visit by publishing a statement at least two days before it is scheduled to take place, and in this case we haven’t done that and we cannot announce its cancellation,” Saad Al Hadithi told The National.
Since taking office in 2014, the premier has sought to project an image of independence from Iran while keeping friendly relations with the country.
Washington began reintroducing sanctions, which had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, on Iran last week. Mr Trump withdrew from the pact in May.
The US government said the renewed sanctions were intended to put pressure on Tehran to halt its support for international terrorism, its military activity in the Middle East and its ballistic missile programme.
The US stance puts Mr Al Abadi in an awkward position between Iraq’s two biggest allies, Washington and Tehran.
His statement will probably cause more damage to himself than Iran as he is trying to form a government, Amir Handjani, senior resident fellow at The Atlantic Council think tank in Washington told The National.
“He is not Iran’s candidate of choice,” Mr Handjani said. “This further isolates him from Tehran. Iran wants Hadi Al Ameri. He is the candidate of choice and this further cements that for Iran.
“A red line for Iran will always be that they cannot have an Iraqi government in power that is anti-Iranian.”
Tehran has maintained close ties to Baghdad’s government since the 2003 US-led invasion toppled former dictator Saddam Hussein, Tehran’s arch-enemy, and continues to work for a government in Baghdad that is supportive of Iranian interests.
“Iran’s strategic objective in Iraq doesn’t change,” Mr Handjani said. “They want an Iraqi government that is mindful of the fact that they have to walk a tightrope in balancing multiple factions – the Kurds, the Sunnis.”
Iraq is the second-largest importer of Iranian-made non-hydrocarbon products, buying goods worth about US$6 billion (Dh22.04bn) last year.
But since 2003, Iraq has also forged close ties with Washington, forcing its government to delicately balance relations with both.
Iraq has occasionally mediated between Iran and the US and sponsored talks between them. More sanctions are set to follow on November 5.