Backlash from Waltz remarks could impact Baghdad-Erbil relations

The announcement last week by a sitting U.S. congressman about plans to push through a legislative amendment that would impose sanctions on Iraq’s judiciary has sparked widespread condemnation from Iraqi officials and could impact Baghdad-Erbil relations.

U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz, who serves on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, told reporters that he plans to introduce an amendment to the foreign appropriations bill, designating the Supreme Judicial Council and its president, Faiq Zaydan, as Iranian-controlled assets. In a post on X, Waltz claimed that Zaydan is "at the center of Iran’s plot to turn Iraq into a client state" and that labeling Zaydan as such would be the first step in dismantling Tehran’s network of control.

In response, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement condemning Waltz's remarks as "blatant interference" in Iraq's internal affairs. The ministry stressed that attempting to influence the judiciary violates the core principles of state sovereignty and the judiciary's role in ensuring justice, equality, and stability.

The condemnation from the Foreign Ministry was echoed by other officials. Acting Parliament Speaker Muhsin Al-Mandalawi called on the ministry to reject this "offensive intervention," stating that if the amendment were passed, it would constitute “a dangerous turning point” in Baghdad-Washington relations.