Shafaq News – Baghdad
Caretaker Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed
Shia Al-Sudani said Iraq is working to arrange direct talks between the United
States and Iran in Baghdad, citing Iraq’s balanced relations with both sides,
during a televised interview with Al-Mayadeen TV.
Iran and the United States
Al-Sudani said Iraq’s relationship with
Iran is built on “solid foundations,” pointing to shared religious, cultural,
and social ties, as well as Tehran’s support for Iraq during the war against
ISIS. He said he has not observed “any form of guardianship, interference, or
influence” by Iran in Iraq’s internal affairs, adding that bilateral relations
continue within a positive framework.
Read more: Iran shifts strategy in Iraq: From hard power to political integration
On ties with the United States,
Al-Sudani described the relationship as having a special status, calling
Washington a strategic partner that played a role in toppling Iraq’s former
dictatorship in 2003 and later supported Baghdad in confronting ISIS through
the US-led Global Coalition.
He said his government has worked to
organize relations with the United States in both security and economic
domains, particularly to benefit from US companies and advanced technologies,
pointing out that the Strategic Framework Agreement signed between Baghdad and
Washington is not limited to military or security cooperation, but includes
broad political, economic, educational, and cultural areas.
“Iraq’s balanced relations with both
Iran and the United States give it leverage to act as a mediator…Baghdad
continues efforts to arrange direct talks between the two sides in the Iraqi
capital,” Al-Sudani revealed, adding that US officials had expressed acceptance
of holding dialogue with Iran in Baghdad, and that this was discussed during
the visit of US Envoy Tom Barrack to Iraq while he was traveling to Syria.
Iran, according to Al-Sudani, also agreed to engage in serious talks without
dictates or threats, a position he described as logical.
The Iraqi PM said that Iraq advised the
US side to adopt “a respectful” approach toward Iran and to avoid threats,
arguing that negotiations “require trust and cannot proceed under military
pressure.” Iraq has also called for lifting economic sanctions on Iran as a
goodwill gesture to help revive negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
Read more: The US exits Iraq: A withdrawal heralds a sovereign future
Government Formation and a Second Term
On domestic politics, Al-Sudani said
most forces within the Coordination Framework—a coalition of mainly Shiite
political blocs—are keen to form a strong government capable of confronting
future challenges. He acknowledged that political forces remain deadlocked over
selecting a prime minister, noting that no final decision has yet been made.
He said his bloc, the Development and
Reconstruction (Al-Ima’ar Wal Tanmiya), which is a core component of the
Framework, put forward an initiative to break the stalemate. The initiative, he
explained, is based on consensus in choosing the prime minister and on setting
clear criteria, including public trust, proven executive experience, and a
clear program to address challenges facing the country.
“National acceptability is a fundamental
condition for nominating a prime minister-designate. The prime minister is for
all Iraqis.”
On speculation about a second term,
Al-Sudani clarified it is “not a personal ambition,” but rather an expression
of readiness to assume responsibility and complete a project his government has
already begun.
Read more: Iraq begins 90-day countdown to form government as political fault lines re-emerge
Weapons and Foreign Forces in Iraq
Al-Sudani considered that there is no
longer any justification for the presence of foreign troops in Iraq, noting
that the Iraqi constitution stipulates that weapons must be restricted to state
security forces.
He said Iraqi forces will take full
control of Ain Al-Asad Air Base within days, with a second phase involving
Harir Air Base in the Kurdistan Region.
A series of parliamentary and government
decisions after the territorial defeat of ISIS in 2017, including a 2020
non-binding parliamentary resolution calling for an end to the presence of
foreign forces after the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi
Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a US strike
near Baghdad airport.
Addressing the controversy regarding
disarming some factions, he said that limiting arms to the state is “one of the
core commitments in the government program,” stressing that the policy of
confining weapons to state control was not prompted by pressure from any
country or envoy, but is part of the government’s own agenda, “All national
parties agree on addressing the issue.”
On the PMF, Al-Sudani said the group
played a major role in fighting terrorism alongside other security agencies and
is now part of the official security system. “PMF is a legally established
body, integrated with the armed forces, operating under the authority of the
commander-in-chief, and responsible for security across wide areas of the
country.”
Iraq’s Regional and International
Relations
Al-Sudani said Iraq maintains firm
positions on strategic issues, foremost the Palestinian cause, which he
described as enjoying clear official and popular support in Iraq.
He said Iraq’s relations with regional
and global partners are based on economic cooperation, reflecting the country’s
geopolitical location and its natural and human resources.
“Iraq’s relations with Arab states
follow a single, consistent standard without discrimination.”
On Lebanon, Al-Sudani said Iraq’s
position in support of the Lebanese people remains firm, revealing that Baghdad
has begun procedures to open an Iraqi office in Lebanon to follow up on Iraq’s
contribution to reconstruction after the Israeli war, describing the step as
reflecting the will of the Iraqi people.
Regarding Syria, Al-Sudani said
relations continue based on shared “strategic interests, with ongoing
communication and a bilateral security coordination committee still active.”
Iraq, according to the PM, urged
Damascus to pursue an inclusive political process that encompasses all
components and to issue a clear stance rejecting terrorism, ISIS, and
extremism.
“Iraq is committed to Syria’s unity and
territorial integrity and sees significant opportunities for economic
cooperation, including reviving the Kirkuk–Baniyas oil export pipeline.”
On the security level, Al-Sudani said
Baghdad is closely monitoring the situation in Syria amid growing ISIS
activity, noting that Iraq continues to carry out joint operations with Syrian
authorities to combat drug trafficking inside Syrian territory.
Read more: Kirkuk–Baniyas Pipeline: Iraq’s direct oil lifeline to the Mediterranean
