The U.S. has not seen an indication that Iraq is seeking to acquiring the S-400 from Russia.
Speaking to media, U.S. Brig. Gen. Andrew Croft said that the U.S. has not seen an indication that Iraq will purchase the S-400. He noted in reference to the reported deal, “I’ve only seen that in the open press. It’s a very expensive complicated system, but I’ve seen no evidence that that is actually going to happen.”
According to the brigadier general, the Iraqi government has not discussed the subject of the S-400 with the U.S.
Iraq’s Foreign Minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, told reporters in February that the S-400 “issue is being studied in every detail. All necessary decisions aimed at strengthening Iraq will be made after that.”
The Iraqi Ambassador to Russia, Haider Mansour Hadi, clarified that there are no active negotiations between Russia and Iraq over the S-400. He stated, “There is no delegation in Moscow now to purchase S-400. When the Iraqi government decides to buy S-400, of course, this will be announced, and the issue will be discussed by the two countries.”
The U.S. could potentially impose sanctions on Iraq should it purchase the S-400.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in reference to media questions about the S-400 and Iraq, “We are communicating with governments all around the world, such as Iraq and others, about the CAATSA law, and making those governments aware of how they could run afoul of the CAATSA law and the potential repercussions as a result.”
CAATSA, the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, was signed into law last year. Part of the act targets Russian arms sales.
Military markets analyst, covering Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa.
