Exclusive: Miles Caggins: Washington is using the “weapon of economics” to distance Iraq from Tehran
Exclusive: Miles Caggins: Washington is using the “weapon of economics” to distance Iraq from Tehran
2026-04-22
Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
American political analyst Miles Caggins said on Wednesday that the United States is using its economic tools to put pressure on Iraq and reduce Iran’s influence there through several measures.
Caggins was a colonel in the U.S. Army, and served three crucial military tours in Iraq between 2003 and 2020. He also served as the official spokesman and communications director for the international coalition to defeat ISIS.
Central under surveillance
Kagenz told Shafaq News Agency, “The United States is using all elements of its power to encourage Iraq to move away from Iranian control, especially since everyone has witnessed the military attacks launched by outlaw groups, such as Kataib Hezbollah, on oil facilities and consulates, but the most important thing now is to use economic power.”
He added that “Washington is currently reviewing its monetary policy towards the Central Bank of Iraq with the aim of pushing Baghdad to end its dependence on Iran in importing natural gas, and to stop the oil smuggling and money laundering operations that are taking place in favor of Tehran through Iraqi banking channels.”
Kagins noted that “Washington wants a stable, sovereign Iraq, but clearly prefers that it be within the orbit of its partnership with it, both security-wise and economically,” explaining that “outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani indicated, in an article in Newsweek, his desire to reset the relationship to be between equals, and Washington is now using economic ties as leverage to ensure that there is a future prime minister who is more willing to work with the United States and less inclined toward Tehran.”
The American political analyst continued, saying: “Since 2003, the United States has had a strong hand in the Iraqi banking system, and the reason is the rampant corruption and money laundering operations in favor of the Iranian regime and the financing of militias,” citing the example of “Syria,” where officials in the Central Bank began to come to Washington and receive positive treatment because they showed seriousness in transparency within one year, and Iraq needs to do the same, eliminate corruption, and provide a clear vision for its banking system instead of being held hostage to smuggling.
Washington’s partnership with Kurdistan
Regarding Kurdistan, Caggins stressed that “the region has been subjected to more than 700 missile and drone attacks, targeting American oil facilities, civilian homes, and even French forces, as well as the Words Warriors companies that work there on projects to supply fuel to the US military in cooperation with local refineries (such as Kar and Lanas),” considering that “resuming the region’s oil exports via Ceyhan is vital, and Washington needs to strengthen its partnership with the region, which represents a model of productivity despite the challenges.”
The biggest challenge
Regarding the “ISIS” organization, the American political analyst believes that “ISIS” is not the biggest challenge, but rather the biggest challenge is political instability, stressing that “ISIS” was only able to enter Iraq in 2014 because of political failure and a feeling of marginalization in certain areas.
Kagenz continued, “If Baghdad fails to deliver real services (24-hour electricity, roads, and schools) and eliminate the corruption that puts Iraq at the bottom of the global transparency list, the environment will remain ripe for crises.”
According to Kagens, Americans want to see a successful and prosperous Iraq, adding: “I personally will attend the Iraq-France World Cup match in Philadelphia, and I will wear the Iraqi national team jersey, and I hope that Iraq will become a safe place for all my American friends to visit and invest in.”
Peace through strength
Regarding developments in the war with Iran, Caggins explained that “US President Donald Trump’s philosophy is peace through strength. He uses his speeches and tweets to intimidate the Iranian regime and force it to comply with his demands. However, what is noticeable is the pattern of ups and downs in his statements, as sharp escalation is followed by talk of negotiations, and in the end, Trump will seek to declare victory, and so will Tehran.”
He added that “Trump’s real goals are to end the war to lower fuel prices in America and ensure the Republican Party wins the next election.”
He pointed out that “the deal will include Iran’s agreement to stop uranium enrichment in exchange for lifting the sanctions that have crushed its economy, and most importantly, oil,” stressing that “Washington wants greater control and oversight of Iranian oil sales (about two million barrels per day), and this will give the United States a major advantage in the global energy conflict against China.”
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