Envoy Upbeat on Ties With New Iraqi Gov’t

Iran’s ambassador in Baghdad said Tehran’s relations with the new Iraqi government are expected to be positive, as both countries have agreed on improving mutual ties. 
“Agreements have been made on improving bilateral ties in the form of new deals,” Iraj Masjedi also said in an interview with Al Alam, ISNA reported. 
Former Iraqi premier, Adel Abdul Mahdi, resigned in November after massive anti-government protests. Iraqi President Barham Salih’s first two designated prime ministers withdrew, as they failed to secure enough support to form a government. 
His third choice, Mustafa al Kadhimi, however, will soon begin his term after a majority of his proposed Cabinet gained parliamentary approval last week. 
Masjedi noted that Kadhimi’s government has the support of all Iraqi political groups, hoping his appointment would result in security and stability in the troubled country. 
He also said the US plot against Tehran and Baghdad’s energy trade will not succeed, especially since Iraq needs the electricity it imports from Iran at a competitive price. 
“The US is exerting much pressure to deny Iraq of the energy it imports from Iran, but those pressures will be fruitless,” he concluded. 
The US has imposed sweeping sanctions on the Iran after exiting the 2015 nuclear deal, which includes the export of natural gas and electricity. 
However, it has given Iraq a temporary exemption, which has been repeatedly extended.