The Iraqi Foreign Ministry announced that the United States, in a clear and direct intervention, has threatened Baghdad that it will impose sanctions on Iraqi individuals and institutions if Nouri al-Maliki is elected as Iraqi Prime Minister.
This threat has been raised while the process of forming a new Iraqi government after the recent elections is still ongoing, and the name of former Prime Minister and leader of the Government of Law coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, is being considered as one of the serious options.
American officials are apparently concerned about Maliki’s return to power because during his term as prime minister, he pursued policies close to Iran and strengthened relations between Baghdad and Tehran.
The threat of sanctions reflects Washington’s efforts to influence the composition of the future Iraqi government and prevent the presence of figures close to the axis of resistance.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry considered this action an example of interference in the country’s internal affairs and a violation of national sovereignty, and emphasized that the selection of the prime minister will be based on the will of the Iraqi people and domestic political forces.
