In an interview with the Egyptian al-Ahram newspaper, Nuri al-Makeli said, “The regional countries are aware of Iran’s reaction to such an attack and know the consequences of such a matter for the region”.
Explaining his country’s stance regarding any possible attack on Iran by America or any other country, he stressed, “We are definitely against this.”
Stating that in case of war, Iraqis would receive the greatest damage, he added that “all of our oil exports are being done through ports and if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, Iraq will not be able to make its oil revenues.”
“This matter will also lead to provocation in the region including Iraq, Lebanon, and the Persian Gulf,” he said.
“I always speak about this issue with Americans and other parties, and I have realized that the White House is also against a military attack on Iran as they are aware of the consequences and reactions, too” the Iraqi prime minister noted.
Responding to a question on the extent of Iraq’s worry about Iran’s nuclear program, Maliki said, “When there is an atmosphere of threat of war, as when there is talk of nuclear weapons, we are naturally worried since we are part of the region”.
“The international stand on nuclear weapons in the Arab region worries us, and we regret the international community’s negligence about nuclear weapons. We are against nuclear weapons and we do not want anyone to possess them, neither Iran nor any other country,” he added.
“What does silence on Israel’s nuclear weapons mean? This worries us. The international community must free us of Israel’s nuclear weapons so that no one else would seek to produce such weapons” noted the Iraqi prime minister.