Iraq says tries to stop US from blacklisting Iran's IRGC

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Tuesday that his country had tried to stop the U.S. decision to designate Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a "terrorist organization."

"We tried to stop the decision to include the IRGC on the terrorism list, and contacted King Abdullah of Jordan, the U.S. government and the Egyptian government," Abdul Mahdi told a press conference after the weekly cabinet meeting.

"We explained to them that the decision could have negative impacts on Iraq and the entire region, and that such escalation could further disturb the region," Abdul Mahdi said.

"We have told Iran and America that we do not want Iraq to be a field of conflicts," he added.

Abdul Mahdi's comment came a day after the United States designated Iran's IRGC as a "foreign terrorist organization," a move that is expected to further complicate the Middle East situation.

Iran also designated the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and all its affiliates as "a terrorist group" on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Iraqi President Barham Salih met with Kenneth McKenzie, commander of CENTCOM, in the capital Baghdad, calling for reducing tension in the Middle East.