Iraq Unaffected by Weakening Iranian Influence, Says Mohsen al-Mandalawi
“Meanwhile, Baghdad looking to chart its own diplomatic path in the region and limit the power of armed groups,”
Jan. 27, 2025
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Iraq will not be negatively affected by the weakening of Iran's influence in the Middle East, Mohsen al-Mandalawi, Iraq's deputy parliament speaker, told Reuters, on Sunday.
“Meanwhile, Baghdad looking to chart its own diplomatic path in the region and limit the power of armed groups,” al-Mandalawi added.
Al-Mandalawi is the leader of the Iraqi Al-Asas Coalition, the largest electoral political coalition that includes 22 civil parties.
Al-Mandalawi's remarks come after seismic shifts in the Middle East, which include the heavy degradation of Iran's armed allies in Gaza and Lebanon, and the overthrow of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.
Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a joint press conference at Saad-Abad Palace in Tehran. They highlighted mutual concerns over regional stability and discussed shared strategies to address pressing security and political issues.
The visit came as the United States has intensified its demands on Iraq to disband militias loyal to Iran and bring all paramilitary forces under the authority of the Iraqi army. These demands are part of Washington's broader efforts to curb Iranian influence in the region.
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