Speaker of Parliament Mashhadani, President Rashid discuss Israel-Iran tensions, warn of ‘dangerous development’

BAGHDAD — Parliament Speaker Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani and President Abdul Latif Rashid met on Tuesday to discuss ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, internal cooperation, and security.

In a statement from Al-Mashhadani’s media office, the two officials described the Israeli attacks on Iran’ as “a dangerous development” and “an escalation in the region’s conflict dynamics.” They expressed support for the Iraqi government’s efforts to protect the country’s “sovereignty.”

Iraq’s Foreign Ministry announced Friday that it had submitted a formal complaint to the United Nations Security Council, condemning what it described as Israeli violations of Iraqi airspace and calling on the Council “to take legal and moral action” to prevent further incidents. “These practices represent a flagrant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty,” the ministry said in a statement.

The meeting covered a range of other issues, including “the need” for enhanced air defenses. The two agreed on “purchasing advanced and modern weaponry, supplying Iraq with air defense systems” through collaboration between the Security and Defense Committee and the Ministry of Defense.

Statement from Al-Mashhadani’s media office:

The Speaker of the Parliament, Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, received today, Tuesday, the President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Rashid, to discuss the ongoing situation in the region.

During the meeting, they discussed the general situation in the country, the relationship between the parliament and the presidency, prospects for joint cooperation between the two presidencies in service of the public interest, and the dangerous situation in the region following the Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran and their implications for Iraq and the region.

The two presidents affirmed their condemnation of the aggression carried out by the Zionist occupation forces against neighboring Iran, targeting its military, civilian, and scientific facilities, describing it as a dangerous development and an escalation in the region’s conflict dynamics.

They stressed their support for the government’s efforts to preserve Iraq’s sovereignty and to prevent the use of its land, airspace, and waters in attacks against neighboring countries, as well as to maintain internal security, stability, and societal unity.

On the security front, the two presidents emphasized the need to protect the country’s borders and airspace by purchasing advanced and modern weaponry, supplying Iraq with air defense systems, and activating air defenses through the Security and Defense Committee in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense.

The meeting also addressed the electoral entitlement, where the Speaker of the Parliament emphasized activating the role of the Electoral Commission, instructing it to monitor negative practices and punish those using political and personal money, and ensuring that elections are held on schedule.

The President of the Republic reviewed the outcomes of his participation in the Oceans Meeting in Nice, which was attended by world and European leaders, where he delivered Iraq’s speech as the chair of the Group of 77. He addressed the impact of oceans on the climate and Iraq’s demand for an increased share of water resources, and the activation of trade, diplomatic, and political agreements. He also noted the success of the Baghdad Summit and the praise it received from world leaders, affirming that Iraq’s presence in Nice was important.

It was agreed to hold regular meetings including the three presidencies to address internal problems and remove obstacles to legislation, such as the Oil and Gas Law.