Iran says political differences 'always' been part of Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Differences between Iraqi political parties have always existed in the war-torn country, an Iranian diplomat said Sunday while calling on Iraq's opposing blocs to engage in dialogue amid growing protests in Baghdad.

"We believe that Iraqi political movements and parties and organizations can work peacefully and respectfully within the country's constitution and legal mechanisms," Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry said in his weekly presser, adding that "internal political differences have always” existed in Iraq. 

Tehran is a major player in Baghdad and has major influence over the country's politics as it backs the largest Shiite parliamentary faction, the Coordination Framework, which emerged as the top faction following the withdrawal of Muqtada al-Sadr and 73 of his MPs from the legislature.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran always respects the choice of the Iraqi people and emphasizes that dialogue is the best way to solve the internal problems of this country," Kanaani continued.

Iraq's political impasse has seemingly reached new depths, sparking new tensions and fear of further escalations.

Sadr supporters staged an open-ended sit-in at the Iraqi parliament on Saturday after they pulled down heavy concrete barricades on roads to Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone, storming the area as they protested the Coordination Framework’s pick for Iraqi premiership.

However, Sadr on Sunday urged for wider protests in a tweet and Iran-backed framework responded by declaring counter-protests "in defense of the Iraqi state,” set for Monday afternoon in Baghdad. 

"We call on the Iraqi people who believe in law, constitution, and constitutional legitimacy to defend the state and its institutions," the framework's statement read, calling the legitimacy of the state a "red line" and claiming that Sadrist protestors are destabilizing Iraqi institutions.

However, despite the framework’s calls for protests, several leaders from within the faction urged holding a national dialogue to address the situation – an indication that the framework is divisive in its approach to the turmoil.

Leader of the Fatih Alliance Hadi al-Amiri on Monday called on Sadr and the framework to find a solution to the issues to prevent triggering further uncertainty in Iraq. The alliance is a core component of the Coordination Framework.

Saleh Mohammed al-Iraqi, a figure known as a “minister of Sadr,” responded to Amiri saying his call for dialogue will be accepted under certain conditions, including the withdrawal of Amiri and his alliance from the framework and the selection of a “guarantor” that will save “Iraq from the teeth of corruption.” 

He also called for nationwide protests, except for Najaf at 5:00 pm later in the day. 

Iraq is experiencing a record period devoid of a cabinet at nearly ten months.

Sadr emerged as the winner of the October elections but withdrew from the parliament in June after failing to strike an agreement with the framework on government formation.

The move led the framework to become the largest in the parliament.

Iraqi officials, the United Nations, and the United States have expressed concerns amid rising tensions in Baghdad, urging peaceful and inclusive talks to form the government.

The Kurdistan Region’s President Nechirvan Barzani has offered to host talks between Sadr and the framework, a gesture that was welcomed by the latter.

Updated at 1:09 pm

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