The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Saturday rejected US interference in its affairs after the US Embassy issued a statement telling neighboring Iran to respect Iraq’s sovereignty and allow demobilization of Shia militias.
The US Embassy in Baghdad had posted a message on Twitter on Tuesday saying Tehran must “respect the sovereignty of the Iraqi government and permit the disarming, demobilization and reintegration” of Shia militias.
It was one of several statements issued on the embassy’s Twitter account outlining its demands before new US sanctions on Iran’s oil and financial sectors take effect on Monday. The sanctions worry Iraq, as it imports crucial supplies from Iran.
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement it “rejects interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, especially domestic security reform” and demanded the Twitter post be removed, Reuters reported.
Iraq’s Shia militias, which took part in an international campaign to defeat the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group, were formally included in the security forces this year. Some militias are backed by Iran.
The United States has said it would grant Baghdad a waiver on Iranian gas and energy imports.
