‘Strategic mistake’ – Iraq BLASTS Donald Trump’s sanctions against Iran in stinging attack

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi stated in a press conference on Tuesday that he was opposed to President Trump’s decision to impose his first wave of sanctions on Monday, which targets Iran’s trade in metals, acquisition of dollar bank notes, and transactions related to the Iranian rial currency.

He said: “We are against international sanctions and there is an experience in Iraq that led to the weakening of the country and the people.

“As a matter of principle, we are against sanctions in the region.

“Blockade and sanctions destroy societies and do not weaken regimes.”

The Iraqi leader nevertheless vowed to abide by the sanctions, while not condoning the US’s controversial decision.

He said: “We consider them a strategic mistake and incorrect but we will abide by them to protect the interests of our people.

“We will not interact with them or support them but we will abide by them.”

The sanctions were also firmly criticised by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who accused the US of launching “psychological warfare” against the Middle Eastern nation following its decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal.

Speaking in a televised speech on Monday, he said: “They want to launch psychological warfare against the Iranian nation and create divisions among the people.

“America will regret imposing sanctions on Iran.

“They are already isolated in the world.

“They are imposing sanctions on Iranian children, patients and the nation.”

Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, also called on European businesses trading with Iran to defy President Trump’s threats to block all businesses trading with the country from accessing the US market.

Speaking in Wellington, New Zealand on Tuesday, Ms Mogherini said: “We are doing our best to keep Iran in the deal, to keep Iran benefiting from the economic benefits that the agreement brings to the people of Iran, because we believe this is in the security interests of not only our region but also of the world.

“If there is one piece of international agreements on nuclear non-proliferation that is delivering, it has to be maintained.

“We are encouraging small and medium enterprises in particular to increase business with and in Iran as part of something that for us is a security priority.”

The US leader nevertheless hailed his sanctions, and claimed they are helping to deliver “world peace”.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “The Iran sanctions have officially been case.

“These are the most biting sanctions ever imposed, and in November they ratchet up yet another level.

“Anyone doing business with Iran will not be doing business with the United States.

“I am asking for world peace, nothing less!”