Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi defended his stance on US sanctions against Iran on Monday in the face of harsh criticism from Tehran and its allies in Baghdad.
“Some people want to put pressure on us to place the interests of gangs ahead of those of the Iraqi people,” he told a news conference. “This is not possible.”
Mr Al Abadi has cancelled a visit to Iran, his press office said on Sunday, after announcing last week that Iraq would reluctantly comply with renewed US sanctions against Tehran.
“We don’t support the sanctions because they are a strategic error, but we will comply with them,” said Mr Al Abadi, whose country is an ally of both Tehran and Washington.
“In general, sanctions are unjust,” the Prime minister added.
His position has drawn fire from several groups close to Tehran, especially the Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Badr paramilitary movements.
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Read more:
Iraq's Abadi pulled by competing US and Iranian forces
Donald Trump reimposes sanctions on Iran but is ready to meet Hassan Rouhani
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On Sunday, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s representative in Baghdad also lashed out at Mr Al Abadi.
“It’s a disloyal attitude towards the honest position of Iran and the blood of the martyrs this country has spilt to defend the land of Iraq” against jihadists, said Moujtaba Al Hussein.
“We are saddened by this position which shows he has been defeated psychologically in the face of the Americans,” he said.
Mr Al Abadi stood firm on Monday, although Baghdad is in the midst of political jockeying to form a new government after the results of May’s parliamentary elections were finalised last week following a recount.
“Our economic situation is also difficult and we sympathise with Iran,” said Mr Al Abadi, who was appointed prime minister in 2014 with Western backing and by consensus between the leading factions in Iraqi politics.
“But at the same time I will not make grand slogans that destroy my people and my country just to make certain people happy,” he said.
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Company%20Profile
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What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Company%20Profile
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Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
