White House says talks on embassy relocation were in their ‘very early stages’
If so, “this will necessitate the formation of a force to liberate Jerusalem,” he said without elaborating.
The Iraqi leader went on to call on Islamic countries to shut the U.S. and Israeli embassies on their land if Washington acted to move its diplomatic headquarters to Jerusalem.
“It also means that the U.S. embassy in Iraq must be closed immediately,” he said.
While Israel claims the city as its “eternal capital” after occupying East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israel war, the international community does not recognize the claim and foreign embassies are currently located in Tel Aviv.
On Monday, the White House said there have been “no decisions” on the embassy move to Jerusalem, saying talks on the relocation were in their “very early stages”.
Earlier this month, Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to relocate the embassy and recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The bill is still winding its way through the Senate.