House Republicans Advocate for Sanctions Against Iraq Over Iran’s Dominance

FIRST ON FOX: A bipartisan duo of House Republicans is calling on Secretary Marco Rubio to impose sanctions on Iraq due to what they describe as its complete subjugation by Iran. This plea is part of the United States’ broader ‘maximum pressure’ strategy aimed at curtailing Tehran’s influence.

Representatives Joe Wilson from South Carolina and Greg Steube from Florida expressed profound concern in their recent letter to the Secretary of State and the interim National Security Advisor. They emphasized that since the start of the Iraq War, over 4,400 American service members have made the ultimate sacrifice, yet the current state of Iraq resembles that of a puppet regime under Tehran’s control.

The Role of the Obama Administration

The letter further criticizes the Obama administration for its role in Iraq’s political landscape. The lawmakers assert that former President Barack Obama and his envoy, Brett McGurk, effectively propped up Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, whose governance was marred by severe political repression. This environment, they contend, fostered the resurgence of ISIS and laid the groundwork for Iran’s increasing sway over Iraq.

“The Obama administration doubled down on its mistakes by relying on Iranian-backed militias to combat ISIS,” the representatives stated. “The fallout from those flawed choices has become undeniable: Iranian-aligned forces now possess unchecked authority in Iraq’s government and security apparatus.”

U.S. Military Support to Iraq

Since 2015, the United States has allocated $1.25 billion in foreign military financing to support Iraqi forces, alongside additional funding for Iraq’s interior ministry and defense ministry. However, despite this support, Iran’s influence remains rampant. In 2021, Iraq even issued an arrest warrant for former President Donald Trump for the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, despite the fact that the U.S. still maintains approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq to collaborate with local forces against ISIS.

Call for Sanctions and Aid Cuts

Wilson and Steube are pressing for the Biden administration to halt all foreign aid to Iraq until the country relocates itself from Iran’s grasp. Their letter specifically advocates for the imposition of sanctions on Iraq’s importation of Iranian gas. At present, only the financial transactions related to gas imports are under sanction, allowing Iran to supply fuel to Iraq without upfront payment, expecting repayment through other means.

End of Waivers

In March, the Trump administration ended a waiver that previously allowed Iraq to purchase Iranian electricity, further tightening the noose around Iran’s financial interactions with Iraq.

Designation of Iranian-backed Groups

The lawmakers are also urging the designation of the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iranian-supported paramilitary faction operating within Iraq, as a foreign terrorist organization. They contend that the financial backers of this group, as well as Iraq’s state banks that support Iran, should be subjected to sanctions. The demand extends to political figures in Iraq who permit Iranian influence to persist unchecked.

The representatives concluded their letter with a clear request: “We urge you to take immediate action to implement these crucial policies and ensure that American resources are no longer utilized to reinforce Iran’s control over Iraq.”

Historical Context of U.S. Involvement

The United States initially invaded Iraq in 2003, resulting in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Troop levels gradually decreased after the withdrawal in 2011, but U.S. forces returned in 2014 at the helm of a coalition effort to combat the Islamic State. This complicated history highlights the ongoing geopolitical ramifications of both U.S. military action and Iran’s expanding role within the region.

International Coalition Contributions

Additionally, other countries such as Germany, France, Spain, and Italy are contributing hundreds of troops to this coalition, highlighting a multinational effort in stabilizing Iraq. Reports have surfaced indicating that the Biden administration is contemplating a drawdown of U.S. troop presence in Iraq within the year, although no definitive decision has been reached yet.

Fox News Digital has reached out for comments from both the State Department and the Iraqi Embassy to gain further insight into the implications of these developments.