Tillerson demands Iranian militias leave Iraq

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson demands that Iranian “militias” leave Iraq at a press conference in Riyadh, where the US diplomat is holding talks with top Gulf officials.

“Certainly Iranian militias that are in Iraq, now that the fighting against (the Islamic State group) is coming to a close, those militias need to go home,” Tillerson says at a press conference in Riyadh. “All foreign fighters need to go home.”

Tillerson’s Gulf visit comes as part of concerted efforts to curb Shiite Iran’s influence in the region including boosting the clout of Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia in Iraq, where Iran backs Shiite militias fighting in the north.

Tillerson’s visit also follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an aggressive strategy against Tehran and his decision to decertify the Iran nuclear deal.

— AFP