Khamenei to Iraqi Prime Minister: Do Not Trust America

Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, on Tuesday, June 30, during a meeting with Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, urged him not to trust the Americans, stating that they are "waiting for an opportunity to strike." He also called for "vigilance against the Americans" and added: "Do not trust them at all because America and its affiliates oppose the independence, identity, and unity of Iraq." These accusations have previously been made by the leader of the Islamic Republic and other Iranian officials, while the U.S. has repeatedly expressed its commitment to maintaining Iraq's independence and unity. Iraqi forces have received support from the U.S.-led international coalition in their operations against ISIS. Ayatollah Khamenei further described the "emergence of discord and division in Iraq as the opportunity sought by America to strike" and added: "This opportunity should not be given to them. Moreover, the entry of American forces into Iraq under the pretext of training and other issues should be prevented." Khamenei's remarks come as Iyad Allawi, the Vice President of Iraq, criticized Iran's "interference" in Iraq, stating, "Iran has even interfered in the decision-making of the Iraqi people." The Vice President added that he believes the Islamic Republic's support for Shia groups in Iraq has created obstacles to overcoming sectarian divides in the upcoming parliamentary elections. He stated, "We do not want elections based on 'sectarianism' and are looking for an 'inclusive' political process." The fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) was another topic Khamenei raised during his meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister. He praised what he called the "unity and cohesion of all political and religious currents in Iraq" in the fight against this group and supported the activities of the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi). The Hashd al-Shaabi includes Shia militias in Iraq that support the central government and are also backed by Iran, with commanders of the Revolutionary Guard among them; recently, Iranian media reported the death of one of these commanders in Iraq. This paramilitary force is also part of the military campaign in the battle to liberate Mosul, which is primarily composed of the army, federal police, and Iraqi counter-terrorism forces, and is supported by the U.S. Meanwhile, Ayatollah Khamenei spoke of the "opposition of America and its affiliates" to the Hashd al-Shaabi, stating: "The Americans' opposition to the popular forces is because they want Iraq to lose an important factor of its power." Khamenei's statements regarding America and the Hashd al-Shaabi were made to the Iraqi Prime Minister, while the report from Khamenei's website did not mention al-Abadi's reaction to them. At the same time, according to the state news agency IRNA, Fuad Masum, the President of Iraq, stated on Tuesday in an interview with the Kurdish-language news network Rudaw, close to Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, that Iraq does not view America from Iran's perspective. He added: "Iraq wants its relations with Iran, but at the same time, it maintains its political independence and does not want to be part of the policies of one government or any other country in the region." In another part of his remarks regarding Kurdish concerns about the "extension of Hashd al-Shaabi near the borders of the Kurdistan region of Iraq," Masum said: "Hashd al-Shaabi was the result of an emergency situation, and vast areas of Iraq were under threat from ISIS, and it was necessary for everyone to take up arms against the terrorists." Fuad Masum added: "Although the law has set the number of Hashd al-Shaabi forces at 40,000, some have committed kidnappings under the pretext of the presence of ISIS terrorists, which has raised concerns." According to Khamenei's website, he accused "America and some of its client states in the region" during his meeting with Haider al-Abadi of "not seeking to destroy and eradicate ISIS because ISIS was created with their support and money, and they want an ISIS that is in their grasp to remain in Iraq." This accusation comes at a time when the military forces of the U.S.-led international coalition support the operations of Iraqi forces in the war against the Islamic State (ISIS). At the same time, this coalition also supports operations in the war against this group in Syria. Khamenei's opposition to holding a referendum for independence in Iraqi Kurdistan was emphasized during his meeting with Haider al-Abadi, where he stressed the need to "maintain the territorial integrity of Iraq" and stated: "The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a neighbor, opposes some murmurs regarding holding a referendum for the separation of a part of Iraq and considers those who promote this issue as opponents of Iraq's independence and identity." He called for Iraq to remain "unified" and said: "The Iraqi government must be strengthened in every way, and it is the duty of all political and religious currents in Iraq to support the established government." Previously, Massoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, announced on June 7 that a referendum for the independence of the region would be held on September 24. One of Mr. Barzani's advisors has stated that the referendum will also take place in disputed areas with the central government, namely Kirkuk, Khanqin, Makhmour, and Sinjar. The central government of Iraq and the governments of Iran and Turkey have expressed their opposition to this referendum. Germany has also warned about the "unilateral action" to hold a referendum in the region, and the U.S. State Department has stated: "We support a united, stable, and federal Iraq." The U.S. State Department has also added: "We understand and respect the legitimate aspirations of the people of Iraqi Kurdistan." The Kurdistan Region, with a population of nearly five million and having elections, a parliament, a president, and armed forces, currently enjoys a significant degree of autonomy. According to Khamenei's website, the Iraqi Prime Minister also expressed "gratitude for the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the fight against ISIS," stating: "Today, Iraq is united and cohesive in the fight against ISIS, and all political and religious currents agree on the necessity of continuing the fight against ISIS until its eradication." He requested continued support from Iran, adding: "We need the help and assistance of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the stage of fighting ISIS and also in the stage after ISIS, which is the stage of stability, peace, and reconstruction." Mr. al-Abadi, who arrived in Tehran on Tuesday, had previously met with Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran. The Iraqi Prime Minister had traveled to Saudi Arabia before his trip to Tehran and discussed bilateral relations and regional issues with officials of that country. According to Reuters, the two countries announced that they would take action to form a coordination council to enhance strategic relations. Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad in 2015 after 25 years, and the country's foreign minister also visited Iraq about four months ago.