Iraq
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (left) in a meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (right) on August 30, 2022. Photo: Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Dialogue and complying with Iraq’s constitution could end the paralyzing political crisis in the country, Iran said Tuesday after a top Iraqi diplomat met with several Iranian officials in Tehran.
"Iran has always wanted a stable, secure, and powerful Iraq that plays a constructive role in the region and has never withheld support for political and legal processes and institutions in that country," read a statement from Iran’s foreign ministry.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein convened separately with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, where the three discussed improving bilateral ties and the situation in Baghdad as violent demonstrations between supporters of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and rivals pro-Iran Coordination Framework struck the capital.
During the meeting with Raisi, Hussein stressed prioritizing "the language of dialogue to create a safe and stable environment," while noting that "the stability of Iraq is also important to its neighbor, Iran."
Tehran is a major player in Baghdad's politics and has heavy influence over the country's political situation as it backs the largest Shiite parliamentary faction - the Coordination Framework - which emerged as the top faction in the parliament following the resignation of Sadr and his 73 MPs from the legislature.
"Iran hoped that all political groups and movements in Iraq would pave the way for formation of a new government through accountability and constructive contribution to the political process," Iran's statement continued.
Tensions escalated in Baghdad on Monday after Sadr announced he was quitting politics, setting off violent clashes between his supporters and Coordination Framework loyalists in the capital's high-security Green Zone which led to the death of 30 of his supporters.
Iran closed its border to Iraq amid the violence, but reopened it later and resumed flights with the country.
The situation died down as Sadr's supporters pulled back from the area after he asked them to withdraw within an hour or face consequences, and Coordination Framework supporters shortly withdrew after their rivals as well.
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