Ayad Allawi on Iraq’s Role in US-Iran Tensions

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: First and foremost, how serious is Iraq’s threat and its vote in parliament to expel U.S. forces?

AYAD ALLAWI, FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF IRAQ: I don’t think it’s very serious, really, because, you know, frankly speaking, we need to arrange rules of engagements. Unfortunately, the government did not do the rules of engagements with the forces assembled to fight ISIS, including the United States, of course, forces. And the rules of engagements have — should have been very important to write down and to agree upon. This never happened really. And that is why the attack four days ago on Iraq soil was, frankly speaking, undermining the sovereignty of the country.

AMANPOUR: So, you agree with the current leadership in Iraq that this violated Iraq’s sovereignty?

ALLAWI: Of course. Absolutely. But also, the leadership in Iraq bear responsibility at the same time. I have told them long ago that they should really write down rules of engagements and agree with the Americans on rules of engagement. What they can do and what can they — should not do. Unfortunately, this never happened. And I think this was a grave mistake that the Iraq has committee and as well as the Americans also.

AMANPOUR: And what do you think is the next step since President Trump has threatened to sanction your country? I mean, can your country actually afford to be sanctioned?

ALLAWI: No, our country is very tired from the wars. And let me express my views also on what happened, not only on this occasion. But there have been victims of American and Iranian confrontations. And the — frankly speaking, what happened is the Iraqi people are suffering because of this confrontation.

AMANPOUR: So, Iraq is being used as the battleground for this —

ALLAWI: Exactly.

AMANPOUR: — essential proxy war — not proxy war but indirect war between Iran and the U.S.?

ALLAWI: No, no. This is a proxy. It is a proxy war. And unfortunately, Iran also played a very negative role in interfering in Iraqi politics and confiscated the decision of the Iraqi people, in 2010 and now. And even Soleimani agrees. Soleimani told me once, I met twice with a group of people and said, we are against you. I said, yes, fine, and I’m against you also. But why are you against me? I am defending my country and you are an intruder in the country and you are trying to play with the results of the elections.

AMANPOUR: So, Iran was having a direct influence politically as well as militarily?

ALLAWI: Politically, absolutely, and militarily. And through proxies, of course.