Iran denies recent attacks on US forces in Iraq
Recent attacks on Iraq by Iran, have set obstacles in on-going discussions for US sanctions to be lifted.
CAPE TOWN, March 16 (ANA) – The head of the United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog says a US return to the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran is still possible. However, both sides must be willing to compromise, according to European Parliamentarians.
Iran announced on February 15 that it would no longer enforce “voluntary accountability measures” in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal and other provisions in Iran’s Safeguards Agreement, according to the UN.
“We must address Iran-backed militias and Iran’s destabilising activities in Iraq, as well as the remaining ISIS elements,” US ambassador to the UN Richard Mills, told the 15-member UN Security Council.
Iran has told the UN that allegations of its involvement in attacks on US interests in Iraq are “absolutely unfounded and lacking legal credibility”.
The US said on Tuesday that tackling Iran-backed militias, Iran’s destabilising activities in the region, and remaining Islamic State elements would help create a favourable environment for peaceful elections in Iraq later this year.
One of the most significant obstacles to establishing a conducive atmosphere for credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections, according to Mills, “is the presence of armed militias, violent extremists and spoilers”.
According to ABC news, Iran confirmed that before the country agrees to comply with the agreement, the US must meet its own obligations under the agreement by lifting sanctions.
On Monday, a US service member was wounded in a rocket attack on US-led forces in northern Iraq, adding pressure to the discussions around lifting sanctions.
Syria’s UN envoy Majid Takht-Ravanchi “decisively” denied allegations that Iran-backed paramilitary forces were behind recent attacks against the US in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has not had any involvement, directly or indirectly, in any armed attacks by any entities or individuals against the United States in Iraq,” Takht-Ravanchi said, according to Al Jazeera.
“Such reckless attempts to inflame tensions pose grave threats to Iraq’s stability said UN Iraq special envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert told the Security Council on Tuesday.
Iran began limiting IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) inspections of its nuclear facilities last month due to its continuing violations of the JCPOA.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay