MNA – Iraqi President Fuad Masum said Mon. that due to the circumstances of Iraq and the nature of its relations with Iran, complying with new US sanctions against Tehran will be "difficult".

“The circumstances Iraq and the nature of its relations with Iran make it difficult for us to abide by the implementation of sanctions imposed by Washington against Iran,” Iraqi President Fuad Masum said in an interview with US-based Arabic-language satellite TV channel, Alhurra, on Monday.

He went on to add, "Iraq should not side with one party against another party in the current conflicts."

Donald Trump pulled the US out of the landmark Iran nuclear deal dubbed JCPOA on May 8, and re-imposed the first batch of sanctions against Iran on August 6. The US hostility toward the JCPOA and its subsequent withdrawal did not receive support from any other resignations to the deal, including E3, China and Russia. As Iran moved forward to implement a new currency plan on Tue. to reign in currency rates and ease a dollar shortage, EU governing body in a joint statement read out by foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, said an updated Blocking Statute enters into force on 7 August to protect EU companies doing business with Iran from US extra-territorial sanctions.

Mogherini and the E3 foreign ministers expressed deep regret over the re-imposition of sanctions by the US, and stressed their firm resolve to keep financial channels with Iran open.