Iran believes that the only way out of the current crisis in Iraq is through a political approach, the Iranian Foreign Ministry affirmed Tuesday.

"Iran believes that the only solution for Iraq out the current crisis is to resort to dialogue-oriented approaches, maintain citizen's rights, respect the country's legal organizations, adhere to the constitution and political processes," the Ministry stressed in a statement, expressing its appreciation for the wisdom of the Iraqi government and people for overcoming sedition.

The statement added that Iran hoped that all political groups and movements in Iraq would pave the way for the formation of a new government through accountability and constructive contribution to the political process.

According to the statement, the Islamic Republic of Iran always seeks a stable, secure, powerful Iraq that plays a constructive role in regional developments.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry also called on all Iraqi people and political parties to respect each other's rights and demands in a peaceful and dialogue-oriented process, pursue these demands through legal channels, and make collective efforts to establish peace.

On Tuesday, the leader of the Sadrist movement in Iraq, Muqtada Al-Sadr, apologized to the Iraqi people in his first speech since announcing his retirement from political life, and the beginning of the armed clashes that took place in the country and resulted in about 23 deaths and hundreds of injuries. 

The Iraqi leader stressed that "the revolution that was marred by violence is no longer a revolution, and I am now criticizing the revolution of the Sadrist movement," noting that "recent events have made Iraq a prisoner of corruption and violence at the same time."

He also warned that “the party is disciplined and obedient, and I wash my hands of those who do not withdraw from the parliament building within an hour.”

After Al-Sadr's televised speech ended, Al Mayadeen's correspondent said that supporters of the Sadrist movement began to withdraw massively from the Green Zone across the Jumhuriya Bridge, adding that the curfew in Baghdad and other areas was lifted following Al-Sadr's speech.

Dozens of Al-Sadr's supporters stormed the Green Zone in Baghdad, shortly after Al-Sadr announced his retirement from politics, and the police used water cannons against the demonstrators, where the government building and foreign embassies are located.

The Iraqi authorities imposed a nationwide curfew that began at 19:00 local time (16:00 GMT) on Monday until further notice, the Iraqi Security Forces Joint Command announced, which was lifted later on Tuesday.

As the violence mounted in the Iraqi capital on Monday, the head of the Sadrist parliamentary bloc in Iraq, Hassan Al-Adhari, announced that Al-Sadr will go on a hunger strike until the violence stops.

Al-Sadr's supporters have been staging a sit-in outside Iraq's parliament for several weeks, after storming it on July 30 to protest the Coordination Framework's nomination of Mohammad Shiya Al-Sudani for Prime Minister.

The Framework wants to set conditions, and it is also demanding a transitional government ahead of fresh polls in the country. But Al-Sadr has been calling for the dissolution of parliament for months in order to pave the way for new elections.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi convened talks with party leaders earlier this month, but the Sadrists shunned them.

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