Iraqi prime minister’s top advisor urges U.S to prevent escalation with Israel

BAGHDAD — A top advisor to the Iraqi prime minister has called on the United States to fulfill its ‘responsibilities’ as a strategic partner by deterring threats and preventing further tensions with Israel.

Fadi Al-Shammari, the political advisor to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, emphasized in an interview on Al-Hadath channel that the Iraqi government has taken significant measures to ensure its territory is not used as a platform for external attacks. His comments followed Israel’s recent communication to the United Nations Security Council, alleging that attacks on its territory originated from Iraq by the iranian-backed militias.

Al-Shammari firmly rejected these accusations, stating that the attacks in question were launched from Syria, not Iraq. “Iraq is committed to safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring its land is not used for aggression against any country,” he said, adding that Iraqi security forces are actively pursuing those responsible, whether domestic or foreign.

He also urged the United States to act decisively. “As a key partner, the U. S. must take concrete steps to deter threats and protect Iraq from external dangers,” Al-Shammari said.

“Our dialogue with American officials continues, and they are fully aware of the efforts made by the Iraqi government to combat groups seeking to exploit our territory for hostile actions,” he added.

Here are some key excerpts from Fadi al-Shammari’s interview on Al-Hadath channel:

The Israeli threats are not new; they recur repeatedly, as evidenced by the complaint submitted to the United Nations Security Council. This serves as an attempt to reinforce the narrative of such threats.

From the onset of the crisis, Iraq’s position has been clear: decisions of war and peace rest solely in the hands of the Iraqi government.

Iraq has consistently ensured that its territory is not used as a theater for military operations, thereby shielding itself from becoming a battleground for conflict. The government has taken diplomatic, humanitarian, and media approaches to address such challenges and has thwarted numerous attempts by various groups to use Iraqi soil as a base for attacks.

There were entities seeking to target external interests from within Iraq, but the Iraqi government implemented a series of measures to prevent this.

The attacks carried out by factions originate from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, the Iraqi government, through its security and military apparatus, is fulfilling its duty to prevent Iraq from being turned into a stage for conflict by any party, whether external or internal.

Since the beginning, Iraq has charted a clear course supported by political, constitutional, religious, and social frameworks. Its path remains diplomatic, focused on assisting Lebanon and Palestine through humanitarian and media efforts.

In terms of military and security policy, Iraq neither accepts nor allows any actions that could drag it into being a battlefield. The government has implemented a series of measures to confront and prevent attempts to involve Iraq in military conflicts.

Iraq views the United States as a partner, as outlined in the Strategic Framework Agreement and the Security Agreement signed months ago. As a partner, the U.S. must bear its responsibilities in deterring and responding to external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.

Our discussions with the Americans are ongoing. They remain present and are fully informed about the Iraqi government’s efforts to track and counter groups attempting to use Iraqi territory as a launchpad for external attacks.

The U.S. is also aware of the political efforts underway within Iraq’s political institutions—a continuous process since the beginning of the crisis.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani has directed Iraq’s security forces, air command, and intelligence agencies to monitor any attempts or entities that seek to breach Iraqi security, whether internal or external. Iraq is prepared to fulfill its responsibilities in deterring any aggression, regardless of its source. Additionally, the government has strengthened its security presence near the western borders and is actively pursuing anyone attempting to use Iraqi territory as a base for external attacks.