During a press conference in Baghdad with Iranian President Masoud Bzshkian, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reiterated his firm rejection of the “expansion of conflict” that has been ongoing in the Gaza Strip for over 11 months.
Iraq’s PM al-Sudani stated, “Our joint positions against this aggression are clear and firm, and we have repeatedly emphasized our rejection of expanding the conflict and our opposition to the violation of state sovereignty.”
He urged the international community to fulfil its legal and moral obligations.
President Bzshkian, who was on his first foreign visit since his election in July, arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday morning seeking to bolster bilateral relations.
His office released a statement following their meeting, which included a photograph of the two leaders shaking hands at the airport.
Bzshkian has prioritized strengthening ties with neighbouring countries to mitigate Iran’s international isolation and lessen the impact of Western sanctions on the Islamic Republic’s economy.
In August, he noted, “Relations with neighbouring countries can neutralize a significant amount of pressure resulting from the sanctions.”
During his campaign, Bzshkian also pledged to revive the 2015 international agreement that lifted economic sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear activities.
The United States unilaterally withdrew from this deal in 2018, reimposing severe sanctions, particularly on oil exports.
Bzshkian has appointed the 2015 deal’s architect, diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif, as his deputy for strategic affairs, aiming to re-engage Iran on the international stage.
Relations between Iraq and Iran have strengthened over the past two decades, particularly after the 2003 American invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, several other Egyptian ministries, and the Egyptian Red Crescent, announced the launch of an initiative to provide urgent support to over 100,000 of the most needy children, their caregivers, and medically evacuated patients in Egypt.
This initiative, supported by a €5.4 million grant from the European Union, aims to enhance basic services in the host communities in North Sinai and the neighbouring areas.
