Iraqi Prime Minister: "We Will Prevent Attacks on Iran from Iraqi Territory"

Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, Iraq's New Prime Minister, Balancing Between the US and Iran
Pressuring Pro-Iran Militias While Easing Iran's Security Concerns

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, the newly appointed Prime Minister of Iraq, attempted to improve relations with Iran. Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi stated that he would not tolerate any threats against Iran on Iraqi soil.

Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, the newly appointed Prime Minister of Iraq (fourth from the left), is entering the presidential palace guided by Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

On the 21st (local time), during his visit to Iran, Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi made these remarks while meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. His statement was intended to prevent U.S. troops stationed in Iraq from taking military action against Iran.

Furthermore, this remark implies that even if a military conflict occurs between the U.S. and Iran, Iraq will not become a battlefield. Earlier this January, after General Qasem Soleimani, a symbol of the Iranian military, was killed in a U.S. drone strike, there were significant concerns within Iraq that it could become a battleground between the U.S. and Iran.

In a press conference broadcasted through Iranian state TV, Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi said, "The Iraqi people want both countries to maintain good relations under the principle of non-interference in internal affairs."

Al-Kadhimi, who officially took office in May, has been striving to balance the two major forces within Iraq: the U.S. and Iran. His choice of Iran as his first destination for an official visit appears to be a result of this consideration. Until now, he has been criticized for being pro-American while pressuring pro-Iranian militia forces. After his inauguration, the Iraqi regular army arrested and then released militias supported by Iran. These actions had previously been supported by the U.S.

However, this visit to Iran seems to have been an effort to dispel suspicions of conflict. Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei praised militias within Iraq, defending those supported by Iran.

Khamenei also stated, "Iran will not interfere in the relationship between Iraq and the United States."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.