Iraq will freeze funds to armed groups backed by Iran, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis, an official spokesman said.
The move is likely to please Washington, which has long sought to reduce Iran’s influence in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries, where Tehran has allies.
Iran sees its neighbor and ally, Iraq, as crucial to keeping its economy afloat amid sanctions. But Baghdad, a partner of both the United States and Iran, is wary of being caught up in US President Donald Trump’s policies aimed at pressuring Tehran.
Iran has considerable military, political and economic influence in Iraq through the powerful Shiite militias and political parties it supports in Baghdad. However, increased US pressure over the past year comes at a time when Iran has been weakened by Israeli attacks on its regional proxies.
(Vijesti.ba)
