In Call With Pezeshkian, Iraq's PM Al-Sudani Vows Territory Won't Be Used for Attacks on Iran
Peregraf — Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, Iraq's Prime Minister, told Iran's President in a phone call on Wednesday that Baghdad will not allow any party or individual to use Iraqi territory as a launching point for attacks against Iran, while also warning that strikes on Iraq violate the country's sovereignty.
According to the Iraqi Prime Minister's Media Office, al-Sudani made the remarks during a call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the 12th day of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, as military exchanges across the region continue.
During the conversation, al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to regional stability and stressed that the Iraqi government is determined to prevent its territory from being used to threaten neighboring countries.
"Iraq will not allow any party or individuals to use Iraqi territory as a launching point for attacks against Iran," al-Sudani said, according to the statement.
At the same time, the Iraqi leader underscored that attacks targeting Iraq itself are unacceptable and undermine the country's sovereignty and security.
"Such actions constitute a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and security," the statement said, adding that they also weaken Baghdad's efforts to promote de-escalation and encourage dialogue in the region.
Condemnation of War and Call for Diplomacy
Al-Sudani also reiterated Iraq's rejection of what he described as an "unjust war" targeting Iran, emphasizing Baghdad's support for diplomatic solutions over military confrontation.
He said Iraq remains ready to exert all possible efforts to help end the conflict and return to negotiations and peaceful solutions, warning that the use of force threatens both regional and international stability.
The Prime Minister stressed that Iraq's policy is rooted in preserving regional security and protecting the interests of neighboring peoples, while avoiding being drawn into wider conflicts.
Condolences to Iran
During the call, al-Sudani also conveyed condolences on behalf of the Iraqi government and people following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The Iraqi statement referred to Khamenei as having been "martyred."
He extended sympathies to Khamenei's family and to the Iranian people, while also wishing a swift recovery for those wounded.
Iranian Response
For his part, President Pezeshkian thanked Iraq for its stance rejecting the use of force to resolve disputes and praised Baghdad's efforts to maintain regional stability.
He also affirmed Iran's commitment to respecting Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the Iraqi readout of the call.
The call comes on the 12th day of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, with Iraq increasingly seeking to balance its relations with neighboring Iran and its Western partners while preventing its territory from becoming a battleground for regional rivalries.
Baghdad has repeatedly stated that it will not allow Iraqi soil to be used for attacks against neighboring states, while also calling for respect for Iraq's sovereignty and the protection of its territory from external strikes.