Abadi: Iraq Opposes US Sanctions Against Iran but Complies for Its Own Interests

The Prime Minister of Iraq stated that Baghdad does not agree with US sanctions against Iran but complies with them to protect its own interests. Haider al-Abadi said on Tuesday, August 7, at a press conference: "In principle, we oppose sanctions in the region. Blockades and sanctions only destroy communities, rather than weaken governments." He referred to the US sanctions against Iran as a "strategic mistake," but at the same time stated: "We follow the sanctions to protect our people's interests. We do not support these sanctions, but we comply with them." Donald Trump, the President of the United States, emphasized on Tuesday, with the start of the first phase of sanctions against Tehran, that anyone who trades with Iran will not be able to trade with the United States. The disputes between Iran and the United States have continuously increased during Donald Trump's presidency, but both countries are among Iraq's largest allies, and thus the return of Washington's sanctions puts Abadi's government in a difficult position. The first round of sanctions against Iran, which returned following the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, includes trade in metals, coal, automotive industries, and access to dollars. Following these sanctions, oil prices increased on Tuesday as global markets are concerned that these sanctions will lead to a reduction in oil reserves. The US will target Iran's oil industry in the next phase of sanctions, which begins on November 4. The US President has referred to the sanctions against Tehran as the "most biting sanctions." In this context, Hassan Rouhani stated that the US will regret imposing sanctions. The full text of Donald Trump's statement regarding the resumption of US sanctions against Iran has been reported. Mogherini emphasized that encouraging increased trade with Iran is vital to preserving the JCPOA. Qasemi stated that we are not afraid of negotiations, but it is unlikely that Trump is willing to negotiate. Trump warned that anyone who trades with Iran will not have a deal with the US. Oil prices have risen in the shadow of US sanctions against Iran. Daimler has halted cooperation with Iran following US sanctions. The game-changing dynamics of "proxies"; war against the people in the streets of Iran. The crisis in Iran; the responsibility of opponents and the possibility of radicalizing Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iranian crisis.