Iraq embarrasses Iran over economic interference and arms issue, says political scientist
Iraqi political scientist Iyad Al-Anbar says Baghdad has put Iran in an awkward position over its economic influence and the weapons crisis.
Key Takeaways
AIPolitical science professor Iyad Al-Anbar said Iraq has embarrassed Iran, which has stifled the resources of the Iraqi economy.
Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya FM, Al-Anbar added that those calling for Iraq to serve Iran’s interests may simply be seeking media attention.
He noted that Iraqi leaders had not previously addressed Iran’s prevention of oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but Baghdad has now embarrassed Tehran after Iranian officials spoke of special ties with Iraq, even though Iran itself has been a main cause of Iraq’s economic hardship and salary crisis.
The professor also said that Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf raised the issue of restricting Iraqi factions’ weapons to state control, but Iraq’s response on this matter was clear.
He continued that the weapons issue in Iraq is complex, involving security and political factors, as well as the chaos resulting from US management of Iraqi affairs and Iranian influence during a period of political instability. He said the current situation is a consequence of these factors, but the government now has a clear stance: there will be no weapons outside state control after September 30.
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