Formal letters

Iraq urges UN to address Israeli threats, emphasizes commitment to stability

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that it has sent formal letters to the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, condemning what it described as Israeli threats to target Iraq.

The letters called for decisive international action against Israeli aggression, emphasizing Iraq’s commitment to regional stability and international law.

In a strongly worded statement, the ministry declared, “Iraq has sent identical messages to the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation regarding threats by the Israeli entity to attack Iraq.” The statement accused Israel of employing a deliberate strategy to “create unfounded pretexts to escalate conflicts in the region.”

Iraqi officials reiterated the country’s role as a stabilizing force in the Middle East. “Iraq is a cornerstone of stability in its regional and international surroundings and is among the most committed nations to the principles of the UN Charter,” the ministry said. It further criticized Israel’s recent communication to the UN Security Council, describing it as “a transparent attempt to justify further conflict in the region.”

The ministry expressed particular alarm over reports of Israeli allegations linking Iraqi territory to attacks by Iranian-backed militias. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani dismissed the claims, saying, “This is a pretext for Israel to expand the war in the region and an excuse to justify aggression against Iraq. We reject these unfounded accusations.”

The diplomatic exchanges were triggered by a letter from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to the UN Security Council, urging it to pressure Iraq’s government to end attacks by Iran-backed militias against Israel. Sa’ar stated, “This evening I sent a letter to the president of the UN Security Council in which I called for immediate action regarding the activity of the pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, whose territory is being used to attack Israel.”.

In response, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani dismissed the Israeli complaint, describing it as “pretext and argument to attack Iraq” and to “expand the war in the region.