Aug 16, 2018

Ever since US sanctions on Iran were reactivated on Aug. 7, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has been struggling to balance Iraq's relations between the United States and Iran so as not to lose either of them as a supportive ally.

Abadi's statement Aug. 7 that Iraq will abide by US sanctions triggered Iran's anger; many pro-Iranian parties and militias slammed him and requested that he retreat from his position. Likewise, Iranian officials criticized him and asked Iraq to pay war compensation to Iran for eight years of fighting in the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War if it is going to support US sanctions on Iran.

After the backlash against him, Abadi finally clarified on Aug. 13 his previous statement, saying that he plans to only abide by part of the sanctions but not all of them. "Iraq will not use the dollar in its trade with Iran," Abadi said, adding that Iraq will trade with Iran using other currencies.

A day after Abadi’s clarification, the US State Department reacted to his new position. In a press conference Aug. 14, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert was asked what the US response was to Abadi's position. “You know our concerns about Iran and about trading with Iran, and we will continue to hold countries accountable for any violation of sanctions,” Nauert replied.

Abadi’s change of position clearly shows that he was under a great deal of pressure from Iran. Iranian news agency Mashregh News, which is associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, quoted Iraqi officials and experts as saying that Abadi’s initial position in regards to abiding by US sanctions was made to satisfy the United States in order to guaranty himself a second term. In reality, he actually lost this chance, as the leaders of his party, Islamic Dawa, are now discussing his removal from the party.