TEHRAN- A top Iraqi political leader has issued a direct warning to the United States, asking it to stay out of Iraq's affairs and stop pushing for more conflict in West Asia.

Seyyed Ammar al-Hakim, head of Iraq's National Wisdom Movement, made it clear that Iraqis will not accept foreign interference in their country's decisions. Speaking at a memorial event, al-Hakim said Iraq is a sovereign nation that does not need anyone acting as its guardian.

"Iraq paid a heavy price to get out from under international sanctions and restrictions," he said. "We will not allow anyone to push us back into that situation."

The Iraqi leader also addressed rising tensions between Iran and the United States. He said Iraqis support dialogue between the two sides, and called on Washington to “stop listening to those who want war.”

"Tensions only benefit the merchants of war and crisis," al-Hakim warned. "Ordinary people in this region are the ones who pay the price with their lives and security."

He stressed that Iran's stability is important for the whole region and urged the U.S. government to understand this reality. According to al-Hakim, American policymakers need to realize that military escalation helps no one.

Al-Hakim also pushed back against any attempts to pressure Iraq into taking sides or following foreign orders. He insisted that all Iraqi decisions must be made by Iraqis through their constitutional institutions.

The speech reflects growing frustration across West Asia with Washington's continued military presence and political meddling. Bedside’s invading Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003, the U.S. has funded terrorist groups across the region to help topple governments it does not see aligned with its policies, and also funded Israeli war efforts against Palestinians, its neighbors, and beyond.