Foreign Intervention Detrimental for Iraq, Entire Region

Iran opposes any foreign intervention in the internal affairs of neighboring Iraq and considers it detrimental to the Arab country, as well as the entire region, the president said. 
In a phone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Saturday afternoon, Hassan Rouhani also said the presence of American troops in regional countries, including Iraq, is a source of instability. 
“Americans have always had a destructive role in the region and the faster implementation of the Iraqi Parliament’s resolution on expelling American troops can help establish peace and stability in this country and the region,” he said.
Iraqi lawmakers issued the resolution in January 2020, after the US assassinated in a drone strike an Iranian top commander General Qasem Soleimani who was on a mission in Baghdad, along with an Iraqi militia leader and their companions.   
Rouhani stressed that regional issues need to be resolved by regional countries, expressing Iran’s readiness to cooperate with countries of the region to preserve peace and security.
He later highlighted the great potential for bilateral cooperation with Iraq, calling for the development of economic interactions alongside political ties. 
Pointing to previous agreements between Tehran and Baghdad, including on the Shalamcheh-Basra rail project, the president stressed the need to speed up their implementation. 
“Fortunately, important steps have been taken in this regard and we need to consolidate and develop these relations further,” he said. 
Rouhani also referred to the billions of dollars of Iran’s money illegally blocked in Iraq due to US sanctions, which have not been released yet despite the promises of Iraqi officials. 
The US imposed tough sanctions on Tehran after its withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and threatened other countries with penalties for doing business with Iran. 
During the phone call, Kadhimi described Iran as a friendly country and a good neighbor, appreciating Iran’s assistance to establish stability and security in Iraq. 
He described US sanctions on Tehran as illegal and unfair, adding that the change in the American administration has fortunately provided new conditions for the countries’ cooperation.
The Iraqi premier said Baghdad will do whatever it can toward the complete lifting of sanctions against Iran. 
Kadhimi also said the two neighbors should develop their relations in all fields, including business and trade, describing the Shalamcheh-Basra railroad as an important step toward this end. 
“A special committee has been formed in the country to facilitate the process of the transit of goods between the two countries.