28 Mar 2024
Monday 12 November 2018 - 16:43
Story Code : 326444

Iraq urges U.S. to consider its position in talks on Iran sanctions

Reuters - Iraqs president on Sunday urged the United States to consider Baghdads political and economic position as the countries negotiate on relief for Iraq from Washingtons reimposed sanctions against Iran.

The United States said on Friday Iraq can continue to import natural gas and energy supplies from Iran for a period of 45 days, so long as Iraq does not pay Iran for imports in U.S. dollars. Sanctions on Tehrans oil sector took effect on Nov 5.

We do not want Iraq to be burdened with the U.S. sanctions on Iran, Barham Salih, the newly elected President, told reporters during a visit to the Gulf Arab state of Kuwait.

Iraq wanted to maintain balanced relations with all its neighbors and the international community, he said.

Iran is a neighboring country and our interest lies in having good and stable relations with Iran, he said, adding the Iraqi people also wanted to deepen Arab and Gulf ties.

Iraq needs to rebuild its economy and infrastructure as it emerges from a ruinous conflict with Islamic State.

Iraq central bank officials said in August that the countrys economy is closely linked to non-Arab Iran, which is locked in several proxy wars with Saudi Arabia in the region.

Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy; Editing by Toby Chopra and Alexandra Hudson
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