Peregraf
The new ambassadors of Iraq were sworn in before President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in a landmark ceremony at Baghdad Palace, marking the most comprehensive renewal of Iraq’s diplomatic corps in over 16 years. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
In his remarks, President Rashid congratulated the ambassadors on their appointment, stressing that the oath of office entrusted them with a heavy responsibility. He underlined that Iraq’s envoys must serve as defenders of national interests abroad, strengthen relations with foreign governments, and promote Iraq as a stable and attractive destination for investment. “This representation is a heavy responsibility and a great trust in carrying the message of defending Iraq’s interests in international forums,” he said, urging them to present “the new Iraq” to the world.
The swearing-in follows years of diplomatic stagnation. According to Peregraf, this is the largest single wave of ambassadorial appointments since 2009, when 63 diplomats were approved. Since then, successive governments struggled to agree on new postings, leaving many embassies without leadership. Out of Iraq’s 70 embassies and 13 consulates, only 27 ambassadors were actively serving before Wednesday’s ceremony, with several already past retirement age or reassigned to internal posts within the Foreign Ministry.
The list of 93 new ambassadors reflects Iraq’s diverse political and social composition. It includes 49 Shiites, 23 Sunni Arabs, 17 Kurds—nine nominated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and eight by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)—and four representatives of minority groups, such as Christians, Yezidis, and Sabian-Mandaeans. The new appointments also feature five women, three of whom are Kurdish, representing a step forward for gender representation in Iraq’s diplomatic service.
President Rashid noted that the final list was drawn from hundreds of candidates and approved by parliament, stressing that the process aimed to balance Iraq’s sectarian and ethnic diversity while selecting qualified figures. He said the new envoys should seize the opportunity to project Iraq’s improved internal stability, strengthen political and economic ties abroad, and encourage global companies to operate in Iraq.
For years, the lack of ambassadors has hindered Iraq’s ability to represent itself internationally. Diplomatic posts in key capitals were often left in the hands of chargés d’affaires, limiting Baghdad’s ability to influence global decision-making or attract investment. Analysts argue that filling these long-vacant posts is vital for Iraq to manage its complex regional relationships, particularly with neighbors Iran and Turkey, while also sustaining partnerships with the United States and European countries.
The ambassadors expressed gratitude for the trust placed in them, pledging to serve Iraq faithfully and enhance its image abroad. For many observers, the ceremony not only ended years of diplomatic paralysis but also signaled a more confident phase in Iraq’s reengagement with the international community.