Iraq will not be negatively impacted by Iran's declining regional influence, Iraq's deputy parliament speaker has said as Baghdad pursues an independent diplomatic course and seeks to curb the power of armed groups.
Mohsen al-Mandalawi made the comment in a recent interview with Reuters, reflecting on significant shifts in the Middle East, including the weakening of Iran-aligned armed groups in Gaza and Lebanon and the overthrow of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad by rebel forces.
"Today, we have stability. Foreign companies are coming to Iraq," said Mandalawi, himself a businessman with interests in Iraqi hotels, hospitals and cash transfer services.
"Iraq has started to take on its natural role among Arab states. Iran is a neighbor with whom we have historical ties. Our geographical position and our relations with Arab states are separate matters," he said, speaking at his office in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, home to government institutions and foreign embassies.
"I don't think that the weakening of Iran will negatively impact Iraq."
Mandalawi’s support for limiting the power of Iran-backed armed groups comes despite his affiliation with Iraq's Shiite Coordination Framework, a bloc of politicians with close ties to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Iraq attempts to balance its relations with Tehran and Washington has been complicated by attacks on US troops and Israel by these groups following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein recently said that Baghdad is actively working to persuade these factions to disarm.
Mandalawi acknowledged that this process will take time but believes it is achievable given Iraq's growing focus on political and economic development.
"Limiting arms to the state is important and I hope that it will be implemented," he said.
