BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 28 (NNN-NINA) – Iraqi prominent Shiite cleric, Moqtada al-Sadr, called to stop dragging Iraq into U.S.-Iran conflict, and suggested to close the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
A statement by al-Sadr said, he is concerned about the “increase of interventions” in the Iraqi affairs that aimed at dragging Iraq into the U.S.-Iran conflict, and made 10 proposals, including closing the U.S. embassy in Baghdad and withdrawing Iraqi militias from neighbouring Syria.
“My concerns are increasing day by day, as I see that the interventions from both sides (U.S. and Iran) in Iraqi affairs took roots and deepened,” al-Sadr said.
He said that the weakness of the Iraqi government, political infighting and widespread corruption, made Iraq depend on both sides and unable to give up, according to the statement.
Al-Sadr called for closure of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad if Iraq is dragged in this conflict, warning that, the embassy will be under fire of the resistance fighters again, referring to the attacks carried out by militias previously, on the Green Zone, where the U.S. embassy is located.
Al-Sadr’s proposals also included sending delegations to the United Nations, European Union, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and Saudi Arabia, to ease the tension in the Middle East region.
His comments came, amid anger among Iraq Shiite parties against the United States, after the U.S. embassy in Baghdad accused Iranian leader, Ali Khamenei of corruption.
Al-Sadr’s statement came a few days after U.S. President, Donald Trump, decided not to reissue the sanction waivers, allowing major importers to continue buying Iran’s oil when they expire in early May.
Following the exit from Iran nuclear deal in May last year, the Trump’s administration has kept piling up pressure on Iran, through a series of sanctions and designations, which have been strongly opposed and criticised by Tehran.– NNN-NINA
