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U.S. warns Iraq of plan to ignore sanctions against Iran

After Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced earlier this week that his country does not plan to abide by the U.S. sanctions against neighbor, the Islamic Republic of Iran; The United States has threatened Iraq with sanctions similar to those it imposed on Iran if it does not comply. Prime Minister al-Abadi said on Sunday, in a press conference, that while his country will not use the U.S. dollar in transactions with Iran, Baghdad will continue to fulfill its trade agreements with Tehran. “I frankly didn’t say that I abide by the sanctions. I said, yes we will abide by our commitment in the Iran issue, not use the dollar currency in transaction, not abiding by the U.S. sanctions,” Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said.

 

U.S. State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert responded to a question on the statement made by the Iraqi leader, in which she emphasized that Washington will continue to hold countries accountable for any violation of sanctions vis a vis the Islamic Republic. “You know our concerns about Iran and about trading with Iran, and we will continue to hold countries accountable for any violation of sanctions,” U.S. State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

 

The State Department spokeswoman further underscored the American position, stressing that the United States will remain firm in its policy of standing up against Iran’s malign activities. I think we’ve been very clear in terms of our policy regarding Iran and our concerns and our continued concerns about Iran’s bad behavior around the world. We are not the only nation to have seen that, witnessed that, who have been hurt by it, many other countries as well. And we remain firm in our policy of standing up against Iran, against its malign activities,” U.S. State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.