Iranian media react to populist cleric's victory in Iraq elections
There is some speculation in Iranian media that populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s election victory is tantamount to a greater Saudi role in Iraq.
The Sairoon (On the Move) Alliance of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is set to win Iraq's parliamentary elections — an unexpected outcome that has caught the attention of Iranian media.
Over 91% of votes in 16 of Iraq's 18 provinces have been counted so far, and based on the announced results, Iran-backed Shiite politician Hadi al-Ameri's Fatah (Conquest) Coalition is in second place, while current Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's Nasr (Victory) Coalition came in third.
The Reformist Shargh newspaper wrote that the surprising results of the Iraqi elections may signal a greater Saudi influence in Baghdad.
“The recent proximity of Muqtada al-Sadr to Saudi Arabia has led the Sairoon Alliance to be partly considered as a group backed by the Saudis and … to some extent means greater influence of Saudi Arabia [in Iraq] compared to its regional rivals,” wrote Shargh on May 15, adding, “Sadr's supporters are opposed to Iranian influence and are vehemently anti-American.”
