Iran recognizes and respects the vote of the Iraqi people in parliamentary elections last week, which was won by Moqtada al-Sadr's political bloc, and is prepared to cooperate with the future government in the neighboring country.
"We consider Iraq an independent sovereign state and respect the vote of the Iraqi people. Whoever takes the helm of the government in the country our relations will continue to grow," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi told a press briefing in Tehran on Monday, Tasnim News Agency reported.
In the first election since the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group was degraded in the country, the Sairoon electoral list backed by Sadr, who has challenged both the United States and Iran, captured 54 parliamentary seats. The Al-Fatih bloc led by Hadi al-Amiri, who has maintained close ties with Iran for decades, was in second place, while Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, once seen as the front-runner, trailed in third.
Clear Nature
"The nature of Iran-Iraq relations under any circumstances and government is clear. We are optimistic about our future cooperation with the Iraqi government," Qasemi said, adding that Iraq has the right to set its own policies as a sovereign state. He called Iraq an "important neighbor” and said Iran has interaction with the majority of parties and groups in that country.
The Foreign Ministry official expressed hope that the new government in Baghdad would be formed soon.
Coalition Talks
Sadr cannot become prime minister because he did not run in the election. However, the victory of his bloc puts him in a position to have a strong say in the crucial negotiations.
Winning the largest number of seats does not automatically guarantee that the Shia cleric will be able to hand-pick a prime minister.
As no electoral list won an outright majority, parties will have to align themselves to try and form a bloc large enough for the parliamentary majority necessary to nominate a candidate.
The government should be formed within 90 days of the official results, but negotiations are expected to drag on for months.
Sadr met with his two main political rivals after his bloc was declared the winner in what he portrayed as part of an inclusive discussion about government formation, according to Reuters.
Peaceful Election
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Leader of Islamic Revolution, congratulated the Iraqi people and government for holding a peaceful election. "We are pleased that the election in the country was held in a peaceful and secure atmosphere. Whatever the Iraqi people decide is desired by us," Tasnim quoted him as saying on Sunday.
Presence in Syria to Continue
The Foreign Ministry spokesman reiterated Tehran’s policy of providing support for Damascus in the fight against terrorism and said the Islamic Republic’s advisory mission in Syria will continue so long as the Arab country’s government wants it.
Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Monday, Bahram Qassemi pointed to recent reports about Russia’s call for the withdrawal of all foreign military forces from Syria and said, “No one can force Iran to do anything,” Tasnim News Agency reported.
“As long as terrorism exists and the government in Damascus wants, Iran will continue its presence (in Syria),” he stressed.
“Those who have entered Syria without the consent of the Syrian government should leave,” the spokesman said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin during talks with the visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on May 17 said due to the success of the anti-terror campaign by Syrian forces, foreign troops should leave the country and make way for a political process.
Russian presidential envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev stressed later that “This statement involves all foreign troops in Syria including the Turkish, American, Iranian and Hezbollah.”
