Iraq, Al-Fatah Alliance denounces US domination of the country's economic affairs

A well-known Iraqi politician has denounced the US control of his country's economic affairs, which prevents Baghdad from paying its gas and electricity debt to Iran. "We want an Iraq independent from the United States," said Hadi al-Ameri, head of the Fatah (Conquest) alliance, during his speech to the Iraqi parliament. "It is an embarrassment for Iraq to be controlled by an employee of the US Treasury Department. All [Iraqi] politicians should unite to realize the country's economic sovereignty," he said. Ameri's remarks concerned US obstruction of Iraq's efforts to clear arrears.

US sanctions on Iran prevented Iraq from paying some 11 billion euros ($12.1 billion) it deposited in an account at the Trade Bank of Iraq for gas and electricity imports from the Islamic Republic. Washington has threatened to sanction Baghdad too if the latter tries to pay off its debt in cash. Earlier this month it was reported that Iran had cut gas supplies to Iraq in a renewed attempt to force the Arab country to pay its debts for previous energy imports. Known for its anti-US positions al-Ameri has repeatedly denounced Washington's role in the creation of the Daesh monster, at the same time praising the support and assistance that neighboring Iran has given to his country during the war on foreign-sponsored ISIS terrorism .