Al-Sudani's Advisor Denies Any Sanctions On Rafidain Bank And Confirms Continued Gas Supplies From Iran, 14 MARCH

 Al-Sudani's Advisor Denies Any Sanctions On Rafidain Bank And Confirms Continued Gas Supplies From Iran

economy |12/03/2025  Mawazine News – Baghdad  The Prime Minister's advisor for foreign relations, Farhad Alaa Al-Din, denied the existence of US sanctions on Rafidain Bank.

While noting that the American exception regarding importing gas from Iran continues, he confirmed that some factions have offered to join the Popular Mobilization Forces under conditions. Alaa al-Din said in a televised interview: 

“Iraq is a country well-versed in managing foreign affairs and has a legacy in that,” noting that “the philosophy of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani regarding foreign relations is that the Iraqi interest comes first, and from here the country’s foreign policy is adopted.” He added that “the path of the state and government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, works from the starting point of Iraq’s interest first.” 

Regarding Iraq’s relationship with the United States, Alaa al-Din indicated that “we had excellent and distinguished relations with the previous American administration,” noting that “the new American administration came with a set of promises to American voters, and part of these promises are related to the foreign policy of the United States, including ending the so-called endless wars.”

 He explained that “the American letter that we received does not contain the information circulating in the media,” noting that “US Representative Joe Wilson tweeted more than 200 tweets in 15 months and did not mention Iraq even once.” 

He explained that “Joe Wilson attended a meeting with al-Sudani and was not He talked about Iraq before January 13, but after that date, he started tweeting about Iraq on a daily basis,” stressing that “the American authorities denied any connection to what Joe Wilson was talking about regarding Iraq.” 

He pointed out that “the US Treasury denied any intention to punish Rafidain Bank, and that American companies are working to restructure Rafidain Bank and there is no intention to punish it,” noting that “the Prime Minister is busy and does not care about Joe Wilson’s tweets.” 

He stressed that “Iraq has not been a priority for America since 2011,” stating: 

“We are working to change the American view that Iraq is not part of the Iranian file.” Regarding the issue of armed factions, Alaa al-Din indicated that “the issue of factions is an internal discussion, not an external one,” stressing that “the dissolution of the factions is among the points of the supreme authority, Mr. Sistani, and the government program.”

 He continued, “Some factions have offered to join the Popular Mobilization Forces with conditions,” warning against restricting the weapons of the factions by force, as this leads to a civil war. He stressed that “the discussion about the fate of the factions occurs every day.

” Regarding the fate of the kidnapped Zionist researcher, Elizabeth Tsurkov explained that "Tsurkov entered legally and is protected from the government's responsibility," noting that "Tsurkov's continued absence will cause future problems for Iraq."

 He explained that "according to the government's information, Tsurkov is alive.

" Regarding the cancellation of the US waiver for importing energy from Iran, he indicated that "the cancellation of the waiver targeted the import of electricity, but the gas waiver continues," noting that "Turkey began importing gas from Turkmenistan via Iran after the implementation of US sanctions.

" Regarding the events in Syria, Alaa Al-Din said: "The events on the Syrian coast are not encouraging for Iraq to open up to the head of the Syrian administration, Ahmed Al-Sharaa," stressing that "ISIS obtained supplies and seized weapons in Syria, and Iraq is concerned about them." 

He continued, "We have security cooperation channels with Syria."Regarding Iraq's relationship with China, he explained that "25% of Iraqi oil is purchased by China and we have a great interest in it," noting that "Iraq's relationship with China and Russia is commercial, not political.

" Regarding Iraq's relationship with Saudi Arabia, he indicated that "our relations with Saudi Arabia are at their best and there is no concern from Saudi Arabia about the development of Iraq's relationship with Qatar." He stressed that "Iraq is returning today to the Arab fold more than ever before," noting that "Iraq has transformed from an arena of conflict to an arena where countries meet." 

He pointed out that "the path of development has transformed Iraq into an area where the interests of the countries of the region meet," stressing that "Iraq played a calming role between Iran and America, especially in Syria." 

Regarding the presence of the international coalition in Iraq, he indicated that "nothing has changed with the agreement to end the international coalition in Iraq and we are awaiting the US administration's opinion on its presence," indicating that "the end of the international coalition will make Iraq determine the type of foreign forces it needs."
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