Iraqi Prime Minister: We Do Not Want to Enter Iran-Saudi Arabia Confrontation

Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, stated, "We do not want to get involved in regional confrontations. If there is a confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Baghdad will not intervene." Mr. Abadi made these remarks on May 30 during an interview with the satellite network "Al-Iraqiya." He mentioned, "Iraq is not the gateway to Iran." In recent months, Mr. Abadi has repeatedly emphasized Baghdad's independence from Tehran and has criticized the open presence of Qassem Soleimani in battles against the group known as the "Islamic State." In mid-April, in an interview with the German newspaper "Der Spiegel," he stressed that "the structure of his government is not dictated by Iran." He also acknowledged Iran's involvement in battles against Sunni extremist militias, stating, "They [Iranians] do this for their own national security. ISIS is a significant threat to Iran as well. Even if I upset the Iranians now, they will continue their support for us." Shortly after, a spokesperson at the "Center for Strategic and International Studies" in Washington, D.C., welcomed Iran's assistance in combating the "Islamic State" in Iraq but noted that the open presence of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, on the battlefields in that country was a "bad idea." The latest remarks from the Iraqi Prime Minister come amid escalating battles in Yemen, where the Houthi rebels have overthrown the government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, and the Saudi-led coalition is conducting airstrikes against them, raising discussions of a "proxy war" between Tehran and Riyadh. The Houthis are supported by senior Iranian officials, while Hadi's government is backed by Saudi Arabia. Tehran supports the central government's battles in Iraq against the group known as the "Islamic State." At the same time, Shiite militias in that country also receive support from Tehran.