Asaib ahl al-Haq: Past Iraqi premiers’ Washington visits yielded nothing for Iraq – Shafaq News

Shafaq News-
Baghdad

Past visits by
Iraqi prime ministers to Washington produced no concrete results, Sadiqoon*
bloc lawmaker Mohammed al-Baldawi said Monday, urging Prime Minister Ali
al-Zaidi to break that pattern during his current trip to the United States.

Read more: Iraq PM al-Zaidi to Washington with energy deals front, “militia file” unresolved

Al-Baldawi told
Shafaq News that the previous governments signed multiple agreements with
Washington that “never reached implementation,” singling out the “security
agreement” that failed to meet its objectives during the ISIS advance into
Iraqi territory. The United States has since continued to impose sanctions on
Iraqi banks and individuals, blocked Baghdad from purchasing air defense
systems and advanced weapons, and restricted contracts with international
companies for developing Iraq’s electricity sector.

Read more: Iraq’s al-Zaidi rebalances Iran ties before Washington visit

“The
problem is not Iraq’s commitment, but Washington’s willingness to implement
what is agreed upon,” al-Baldawi said, adding that Iraq supports balanced
relations with all countries but expects reciprocity.

Al-Zaidi’s
visit, he said, should prioritize strengthening Iraq’s sovereignty and
defensive capabilities, lifting sanctions on Iraqi banks and individuals, and
encouraging American investment.

Al-Zaidi
departed Baghdad early Monday at the head of an official government and
economic delegation for a formal visit to the United States.

Read more: US-Iraq security agreements keep failing

*Sadiqoon is
the political wing of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iran-aligned Iraqi Shiite armed
faction that holds seats in Iraq’s parliament.