Iraq Rejects Using Its Territory to Attack Iran

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Prime Minister (PM) Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani emphasized that Iraq rejects any form of use of its territory to launch threats against Iran.

“We reject the use of our territory for any form of cross-border threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Sudani said at a joint press conference in Baghdad with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Regional tensions have risen since the assassination of Hamas political chief, Dr Ismail Haniyeh, in Iran after he attended Pezeshkian’s inauguration ceremony last July.

While Iran and Hamas accused Israel of Haniyeh’s assassination, Tel Aviv has neither denied nor confirmed responsibility.

Pezeshkian arrived in Iraq on a four-day visit on Wednesday morning, his first foreign trip since taking office.

The two sides signed 14 bilateral cooperation agreements during the Iranian President’s visit on Wednesday.

During the press conference, Pezeshkian stressed the importance of implementing the security cooperation agreement between the two countries “to combat terrorism”, particularly focusing on the fight against the Daesh (ISIS) terror group and efforts to curb cross-border smuggling.

“If we come together, we can take significant steps. This trip is a great opportunity to share perspectives and take the next steps within the framework of the agreements and understandings that have been signed,” he said.

(she)