ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker, on Sunday, stated that the new US administration views Iraq through the lens of Iran, particularly in efforts to limit Tehran's influence. “I think that the [US] administration [led by President Donald Trump] sees Iraq very much in the lens or the perspective of Iran,” Schenker told Rudaw, adding that “we've seen the President issue a security memorandum that talks about the importance of Iraq in terms of limiting Iranian ability to launder money and bring American dollars back into Iran.” Trump restored the maximum pressure policy against Iran in early February, arguing that Tehran is “too close” to obtaining nuclear weapons, but expressed interest in negotiating a deal with Iran. For its part, Tehran has repeatedly denied any intentions of developing nuclear weapons. In response to Trump, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said it is “unwise” to negotiate with the US. Schenker anticipated that Iraq would be “important in terms of the maximum pressure campaign that's coming on Iran.” He added, “I think what Trump believes is that you put pressure and then you engage in a good faith negotiation. We'll see if the Iranians bite. I think at this point, they're not only concerned about all their proxies and their regional hegemonic project, I think they're concerned about regime survival,” he added. Tehran’s Foreign Minister in early February stated that enforcing the “maximum pressure” policy was a “failed experience” the first time around, anticipating a similar failure for its restoration. Abbas Araghchi also urged “maximum wisdom” instead and suggested lifting economic pressures, stressing that “it is not difficult to reach practical assurances that Iran will not have nuclear weapons.” Importantly, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani held a phone call with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday where they emphasized “the strategic partnership and the importance of Iraq’s stability and sovereignty,” according to the readout from the US State Department spokesperson. The readout added that the two officials “discussed reducing Iran’s malign influence and continuing efforts to prevent [the Islamic State] ISIS from resurging and destabilizing the broader region.”
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