Iran-US conflict leaves Abadi in a dilemma
By rectifying his statement on supporting US sanctions against Iran, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is balancing between the United States and Iran in Iraq to keep both sides as his supportive allies.
Ever since US sanctions on Iran were reactivated on Aug. 7, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has been struggling to balance Iraq's relations between the United States and Iran so as not to lose either of them as a supportive ally.
Abadi's statement Aug. 7 that Iraq will abide by US sanctions triggered Iran's anger; many pro-Iranian parties and militias slammed him and requested that he retreat from his position. Likewise, Iranian officials criticized him and asked Iraq to pay war compensation to Iran for eight years of fighting in the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War if it is going to support US sanctions on Iran.
