Iraqi Prime Minister Says His Government Does Not Play ‘Messenger’ Role Between Iran and the US

In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press, the Iraqi Prime Minister says his country continues to need American assistance and support; he also stated regarding the transmission of messages between Iranian and American officials that Baghdad does not play the “messenger” role.

Mustafa al-Kadhimi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, who recently met with leaders of the Islamic Republic, will soon travel to the United States to hold talks with officials of that country.

Mr. al-Kadhimi emphasized in this interview that although not directly in the military field, Baghdad needs American assistance to confront threats posed by the group known as ISIS.

The Iraqi Prime Minister says cooperation can have different levels and areas depending on the circumstances.

He stated that he is committed to presenting solutions for implementing reforms in security institutions.

Iraq is among the regions where tensions between Iran and America surrounding it have intensified significantly.

The US Army, on the orders of President Donald Trump in December, targeted and killed Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, and several of their companions with a rocket strike.

Various reports have been published regarding the reasons behind the Trump administration’s killing of Qasem Soleimani; including a recent report by CNN that attributed one of the reasons to Tehran’s support for Taliban fighters.

The United Nations Human Rights Rapporteur described the killing of Qasem Soleimani near Baghdad Airport by the US on July 7 as “unlawful.” The US State Department responded by calling the UN report a “whitewashing of the shameful past” of Qasem Soleimani.

The killing of Qasem Soleimani led to a chain of events; including a missile attack on two bases where US forces were stationed in Iraq, which resulted in no casualties. On the same day, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards air defense system shot down a civilian airliner in Tehran, resulting in all passengers being killed.

Mr. al-Kadhimi became Prime Minister in April amid these tensions and internal crises in Iraq. In response to the Associated Press question of whether he was carrying a message from his recent visit to Tehran for America, he replied: “We in Iraq do not play the role of messenger.”

The government of Mr. al-Kadhimi faces numerous challenges, including one of them being ending the separate activities of Shiite paramilitary groups, disarming them, and consolidating the army. This has also led to tensions with some paramilitary groups supported by the Islamic Republic.

Paramilitary groups continue to carry out attacks on bases and government facilities, as well as the Green Zone of Baghdad, which is home to the US Embassy and other countries.

Of course, these are only part of the challenges facing the Baghdad government; protests continue in this country, a deep economic crisis looms, COVID-19 is widespread, and widespread corruption casts a shadow over institutions and mechanisms.

According to reports, Mustafa al-Kadhimi is scheduled to travel to Washington on August 20 to meet with Donald Trump.

Source: Radio Farda