America has increased pressure on Iraq to take action against pro-Iran groups. He has stopped the transfer of $500 million cash going to Iraq. The move is in response to attacks on US interests.
Washington: America has increased pressure on Baghdad to control pro-Iran armed groups. According to a report in ‘Wall Street Journal’, America has stopped a plane carrying about 500 million dollars ($500 million) cash going to Iraq. The purpose of this move is to put pressure on Iraq to take action against pro-Iran groups.
The report said that the US Treasury Department stopped a cargo plane carrying $500 million in cash from taking off. The money came from the sale of Iraq’s oil and was kept in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Now America has stopped the transfer of this money.
America has taken this step in protest against the attacks on its interests in Iraq. Washington is angry with the growing influence and activities of pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq. Additionally, the US has also stopped funding for the fight against ISIS and anti-terrorism training for the Iraqi army.
Washington has expressed strong displeasure over several incidents, including the attack on American diplomats in Baghdad on April 8. However, the Central Bank of Iraq says that the reason for non-availability of money is due to technical problems arising due to the war. The bank also claimed that there is no shortage of dollars in the country. At the same time, the US Treasury Department or the Trump Administration has not yet given any official statement on this report.
This incident shows how much the Iraqi government is struggling to maintain a diplomatic balance between the US and Iran. The US State Department has given clear instructions to Iraq to immediately disband these armed groups and stop giving them any kind of political or economic protection.