Sadr explained he had failed in his efforts to form a national government due to increased pressure from both inside and outside of the movement, NRT reported.
He stated the party would make a new decision if the government could not be formed within one month.
Sadr announced he was "honored” to not resort to the courts in order to form a new government and stated he was "honored to have the largest parliamentary bloc in the history of Iraq.”
"We have an option left that we must try, which is going to the national opposition for a period of no less than thirty days,” he said.
Sadr gave the Coordination Framework, a loose coalition of Shia parties which has opposed the Sadrist Movement in parliament, a period of 40 days beginning on March 31 to reach an agreement with other parties on forming a new government.
The period for parliament to elect a new president of the republic passed in early April, following delays parliament sessions that MPs refused to attended, leading to a lack of quorum necessary to hold the sessions.
Reporter's code: 50101