Baghdad Chaos Detrimental to Both Iran and Iraq’s National Interests: Analyst

Sabbah Zanganeh, an expert in Middle Eastern affairs, stressed that Tehran should beware of its attitudes towards the ongoing tension in its neighbouring country, Iraq, particularly towards the recent turmoil caused by proponents of Muqtada al-Sadr, the prominent Iraqi figure.

What follows is the IFP’s translation of excerpts from Zanganeh’s interview with Fararu.

“Iran should stay neutral towards Muqtada al-Sadr, but must guard against tension without appearing to be supporting any group in particular,” Zanganeh said.

“Iran supports [the introduction of] reforms in Iraq, but these changes should take place through legal and official channels,” he went on to say.

Therefore, he added, “Chaos in Iraq is to the detriment of both Iraq and Iran’s national interests.”