The Iraqi parliament has passed a law imposing prison sentences on gay and transgender individuals, stirring international criticism.

Sentences range from 10-15 years for same-sex relations to 1-3 years for gender transition surgeries.

The U.S. State Department and British Foreign Secretary have condemned the new law, highlighting potential societal and economic repercussions.

Iraqi officials justify the law as a defense of societal values and allege Western interference in their legislative process.

Human rights groups are decrying the law, pointing to Iraq's history of rights abuses against the LGBT community.