Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani said that we are facing a problem in the relationship between Iraq, Iran, and America, as if we are the only country between the two countries, and there are those who assume that in order to be a friend of America, you must speak badly about Iran, and vice versa.

He added during his participation in a dialogue symposium held by the American institutions Al-Monitor and Semaphore on the sidelines of his visit to New York that there are Arab countries that have distinct and strategic relations with the two countries, so why does Iraq have not this balance in the relationship?

He said that Iran is a neighboring country with which we have borders exceeding 2,200 km, and we have common interests with them, adding that a few weeks ago, Iraq hosted more than 3 million Iranian visitors during the Arbaeen visit, and the Iraqis received them in their homes, and this is a religious commonality that cannot be ignored.

He continued: Iran has supported the political process since 2003 and supports efforts to combat terrorism. America is a strategic partner and participated in the war efforts against ISIS, and on this basis we build our policies and relations.

Al-Sudani stressed that the common interests of Iraq are the compass by which we move, and we do not submit to the desires of others, and what serves our national interest we consider the optimal path for our foreign policy.

He said that Iraq played a major role in bringing viewpoints closer between opposing countries, which was clearly reflected in the stability of the region

He added: We do not want Iraq to be an arena for settling conflicts, as this will not serve Iraq and the countries of the region

He said: The sensitivity of our region requires this balanced, independent policy that represents the prescribed role of Iraqi diplomacy./End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency