Iran’s Ambassador to Baghdad: U.S. Surveillance Flights Monitor Iran from Iraqi Airspace
WANA (Dec 27) – Iran’s ambassador to Iraq says U.S. aircraft are using Iraqi airspace to conduct surveillance on Iran, adding that Tehran is prepared to support Iraq’s political system if formally requested by the Iraqi government.
He also stressed that Iraqi armed groups have reached a level of political maturity that allows them to make decisions independently of Tehran.
Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadegh, Iran’s ambassador in Baghdad, made the remarks in an interview with the Iraqi television network Dijlah.
He said Iraqi armed groups remain hesitant about the issue of placing all weapons exclusively under the control of the national army, largely due to concerns over domestic consequences rather than external influence. While Iran has long-standing relations with these groups, he noted, they have now reached a stage where they can make independent decisions.
Iran–Iraq Border Calm; No Evidence of Airstrikes Near Iraqi Kurdistan
WANA (Nov 29) – Late last night, several Telegram channels and social media pages circulated claims that 60 Iranian fighter jets had violated Iraqi airspace and that a joint exercise involving the IRGC Quds Force and the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Air Force had been conducted near the Iraqi border. The posts attributed these […]
Al-Sadegh emphasized that Tehran respects Iraq’s sovereignty and supports the decisions of the Iraqi government, stating that Iran will engage positively with any approach that preserves both the rights of armed groups and the authority of the central government.
Addressing the U.S. presence in Iraq, the Iranian ambassador said the appointment of a U.S. presidential special envoy for Iraq does not align with the country’s current conditions. He added that even a reduction in the level of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Baghdad to chargé d’affaires status could be considered.
On economic issues, Al-Sadegh said that during the premiership of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Iraq has paid larger portions of Iran’s outstanding dues—particularly related to electricity—than under previous governments. Nevertheless, he pointed to Iranian funds still held in Iraqi banks, saying U.S. pressure has prevented Tehran from accessing them.
Iran Halts Gas Exports to Iraq
WANA (Dec 23) – Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity announced that Iran has completely halted gas exports to the country, citing emergency conditions. According to Iraq’s official news agency (INA), Ahmed Mousa, spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, said gas imports from Iran have been fully suspended. As a result, the shutdown of some […]
He criticized Washington’s policy of restricting access to U.S. dollars for Iraqi traders who do business with Iran, calling it an obstacle to the natural development of bilateral economic relations. According to Al-Sadegh, trade between Iran and Iraq has surpassed $12 billion, a figure he said still falls short of the two countries’ actual potential.
On regional tensions, the Iranian ambassador said Tehran remains fully prepared to respond to any hostile action by Israel, adding that Israel’s reliance on U.S. mediation to secure a ceasefire reflects the pressure it faces. He said Iran’s acceptance of a ceasefire was aimed at countering accusations that Tehran seeks to prolong conflict.
Al-Sadegh also reiterated that U.S. reconnaissance flights are operating from Iraqi airspace to gather intelligence on Iran. In this context, he reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to support Iraq’s political system should the Iraqi government make a formal request.
President Pezeshkian Attends a Gathering of Cultural, Religious, and Academic Elites and a Group of Tribes in Basra, Iraq. 13 Sep 2024 / WANA News Agency
Regarding Palestine, he described the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation as a purely Palestinian decision and a natural response to blockade conditions. He added that the so-called Axis of Resistance has become more interconnected and resilient, despite recent regional developments.
The ambassador described Iran’s relations with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as “friendly” and praised the region’s stance during recent regional confrontations. He said high-level visits and coordination between the two sides will continue.
In closing, Al-Sadegh called for a comprehensive security agreement among Gulf countries to ensure regional stability without foreign intervention. He firmly rejected allegations that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, stressing that Tehran’s official policy opposes weapons of mass destruction and supports a “strong and prosperous Iraq” as a cornerstone of regional stability.
Efforts Underway to Free Mohammadreza Nouri in Exchange for Israeli Detainee
WANA (May 25) – Media reports have revealed that negotiations are underway to secure the release of Mohammadreza Nouri, a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who was captured by U.S. forces in Iraq two years ago on disputed charges. Nouri, along with several Iraqi citizens accused of involvement in the killing […]
