Iraqi FM: Iran threat of violence unacceptable, calls for Kuwait meeting on waterways dispute

Hussein said another meeting had been scheduled with Raisi in New York, during the UN General Assembly. (FILE/AFP)
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Updated 19 September 2023
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Iraqi FM: Iran threat of violence unacceptable, calls for Kuwait meeting on waterways dispute

  • Fuad Hussein said policy adopted by Iraqi government was non-violent
  • Conceded Iraq had problems both internally and with neighbors, though

NEW YORK: Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has told Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi that any threat of violence against the Kurdistan Region or violation of Iraqi sovereignty is unacceptable to the government in Baghdad.

“The threat of attack or violence against the Kurdistan region and the violation of Iraqi sovereignty is unacceptable, a fact we have explicitly mentioned in Tehran. (The) Kurdistan Regional Government and (the) Kurdistan Region have adhered to the security agreement,” Hussein said in an interview with Al Arabiya’s Diplomatic Avenue.

“Therefore, we need Iran to adhere to the agreement and not use violence against Iraqi sovereignty.

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“I do not expect any Iranian attack and I wish for even violent language not to be directed towards Iraq.”

He said he had attended separate meetings with Raisi and the Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in which they discussed the security agreement between the two countries, made to prevent any cross-border clashes in the future.

Iraq, Hussein said, had upheld its part of the agreement.

“It is clear that the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government have taken the necessary measures towards the implementation of the security agreement, including the return of those who were in the border regions to camps, for whom five camps were established to live in,” Hussein said, adding that the task was completed in less than a week.

“Iran is well aware of this matter,” he added. “Second, we let them (the Kurds) choose between leaving, staying as refugees in the camps, or benefiting from the Iranian amnesty and returning there.”

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He said the Iraqi contingent had invited the representatives of the Iranian Embassy and Tehran’s consulate in Erbil, in addition to Iranian, Iraqi and international media representatives, to visit the sites to witness first-hand what happened during the process and in the campsite.

Hussein said another meeting had been scheduled with Raisi in New York, during the UN General Assembly.

On relations with Kuwait, he said efforts would be made for a meeting in New York between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to clarify the situation over access to the Khor Abdullah waterway.

The estuary is Iraq’s only entrance to the Gulf, through which most of its oil exports and imported goods are shipped.

Iraq and Kuwait had previously struck a maritime border deal where the two countries shared access to the Khor Abdullah.

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The deal drew a line down the middle of the estuary, stipulating that each country would exercise its sovereignty over the part which lay within their territorial waters.

But critics say the agreement is unfair and that Kuwait has no right to control any part of Khor Abdullah, which was historically Iraqi.

In 2013, the Iraqi Parliament approved the shared waterway agreement with a simple majority.

But earlier this month the deal was struck down by the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court, which annulled the law ratifying the 2012 agreement. The judges ruled the 2013 law was unconstitutional and would have required two thirds majority in the Iraqi Parliament instead of a simple majority.

“The federal court is an independent entity and its decisions stem from this independence,” Hussein said.

“However, its decisions in general, and this decision in particular, will be revised in all aspects, namely the legal and political aspects, as well as revising the agreement relevant to these decisions.

“I believe that the correct way to resolve the problems between the two countries is dialogue as we have no other options,” he explained.

He said negotiations would be resumed.

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“Our policy lies in building distinguished relationships with our neighboring countries. If problems emerge, we have no way to overcome them except through dialogue and negotiations.”

Hussein reiterated his commitment to peaceful resolution.

“This government and all Iraqi governments, after the changes, stress the fact that enjoying distinguished relations with the neighboring countries is the priority, namely those it went through wars and conflicts with. If issues arose back then, and some problems now exist, I believe they could be resolved through dialogue and negotiations.”

He said the policy adopted by the government was non-violent, “as we have no intention of going back to the old policies that have been buried. We are about to resolve all problems through negotiations and dialogues.”

Hussein conceded that Iraq had problems both internally and with its neighbors, though.

“The internal problem resides in the presence of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) in Iraq, whereas the Iraqi constitution prohibits the presence of such operatives or categories on Iraqi territory and the use of weapons against a neighboring country,” he said.

“This is part of the Iraqi constitution to which we adhere. However, this has been the case since 1991 or 1992. Nonetheless, this does not give the neighboring country Turkiye the right to military intervention and violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

“Once again, regarding Turkiye, we are holding a continuous dialogue and we will also be meeting here with the (Turkish) minister of foreign affairs to ensure the continuity of the discussions regarding the issue to resolve it.”


Syria welcomes EU sanctions against former Assad security officials

Updated 6 sec ago
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Syria welcomes EU sanctions against former Assad security officials

  • The EU has imposed sanctions on Suhail al-Hassan, Ghiyath Dallah, Miqdad Fathiyeh, Mudallal Khoury, Imad Khoury
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs say they repeatedly assaulted Syrian security personnel, civilians

LONDON: The Syrian Arab Republic has welcomed an EU decision to impose sanctions on former security figures in former dictator Bashar Assad’s regime, which collapsed in December 2024.

Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision reflected a growing acknowledgment of the extent of the violations committed by former figures in the Assad regime against Syrians and their role in fueling violent sectarian events.

The EU has imposed sanctions on Suhail al-Hassan, Ghiyath Dallah, Miqdad Fathiyeh, Mudallal Khoury and Imad Khoury. The ministry said the five were involved in committing serious crimes against Syrians and, in March, played a direct role in fueling sectarian strife in the coastal towns of Banias, Latika and Jableh.

It added they had repeatedly assaulted Syrian security personnel and civilians and attempted to destabilize the coastal areas.

The ministry said a report investigating the coastal events would be submitted to the presidency and those responsible would be held accountable.

“The Syrian government reiterates its commitment to prosecute all those involved in these crimes, wherever they may be, inside or outside the country, to ensure that they are brought to justice and that the victims receive justice,” it said in a statement.


Explosion heard in Syrian capital, cause unclear

Updated 8 min 45 sec ago
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Explosion heard in Syrian capital, cause unclear

DAMASCUS: A large blast was heard in Damascus and smoke could be seen rising on the western edges of the city, Reuters reporters and witnesses said.

The cause of the blast was not immediately clear.

More to follow...


UNRWA chief says cash flow crisis may force him into ‘unprecedented decision’

Updated 24 June 2025
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UNRWA chief says cash flow crisis may force him into ‘unprecedented decision’

  • Philippe Lazzarini said the UNRWA faced a $200 million deficit
  • “Without additional funding I will soon have to take an unprecedented decision affecting our services to Palestinian refugees“

GENEVA: The head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency said on Tuesday he may have to take an “unprecedented decision” about the services it provides if funding is not found soon to ease a cash flow crisis.

Philippe Lazzarini said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) faced a $200 million deficit.

“Cash flow is managed on a weekly basis,” he told reporters in Berlin. “Without additional funding I will soon have to take an unprecedented decision affecting our services to Palestinian refugees.”

Lazzarini gave no further details of what that decision might entail.

The United States was UNRWA’s biggest donor but President Donald Trump announced broad cuts in foreign aid, including to UNRWA, earlier this year.

Other Western governments’ aid budgets are also under pressure following calls by Trump for more spending on defense as Russia’s war in Ukraine drags on.

UNRWA provides aid, health and education services to millions in the Palestinian territories and neighboring Arab countries of Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

Lazzarini said that two weeks ago he had been about to suspend 10,000-15,000 UNRWA staff in the region because of the cash flow crisis but an advance contribution from a donor had given the agency respite for the next two months.

“Just to process the payroll of our staff we need $60 million a month. We have no visibility anymore beyond September,” he added.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has requested a strategic assessment of the impact of the UNRWA mandate and will propose how the right of Palestinian refugees can be protected, Lazzarini said.

Israel has banned UNRWA from operating on its territory, accusing it of employing members of Palestinian militant group Hamas who took part in the October 2023 attacks on Israel that led to the war in Gaza.

UNRWA said as the ban went into effect this year that operations in the Gaza Strip and West Bank would also suffer.

The UN has said it will investigate all accusations made by Israel and asked Israel for evidence, which it says has not been forthcoming. Lazzarini has said that UNRWA has been the target of a disinformation campaign.


Emirati FM reviews regional crisis with Azerbaijani counterpart

Updated 24 June 2025
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Emirati FM reviews regional crisis with Azerbaijani counterpart

  • Ministers discussed latest developments in the Middle East and their impact on regional security

LONDON: UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan discussed several regional issues with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, during a phone call on Tuesday.

The ministers discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and their impact on regional peace and security. Azerbaijan shares part of its southern border with Iran, which has been locked in conflict with Israel since June 13, before a ceasefire was announced on Tuesday.

Sheikh Abdullah and Bayramov said that enhancing diplomacy and dialogue is crucial for tackling the crisis, and fostering the foundations of enduring security in the region and beyond, the Emirates News Agency reported.

Both parties also discussed opportunities to enhance collaboration across various sectors and strengthen cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Baku, WAM added.


Trump says Israel-Iran ceasefire in effect after deal initially faltered

Updated 24 June 2025
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Trump says Israel-Iran ceasefire in effect after deal initially faltered

  • Israel earlier accused Iran of launching missiles into its airspace after truce was supposed to take effect
  • Trump: “All planes will turn around and head home, while doing friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt”

BEERSHEBA, Israel: US President Donald Trump said a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was in effect Tuesday after the deal initially faltered and the American leader expressed deep frustration with both sides.

Israel had earlier accused Iran of launching missiles into its airspace after the truce was supposed to take effect and the Israeli finance minister vowed “Tehran will tremble.”

Iran’s military denied firing on Israel, state media reported — but explosions boomed and sirens sounded across northern Israel midmorning, and an Israeli military official said two Iranian missiles were intercepted.

Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for a NATO summit that in his view, both sides had violated the nascent agreement. He had particularly strong words for Israel, a close ally, while suggesting Iran may have fired on the country by mistake.

But later he said the deal was saved.

“ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly “Plane Wave” to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!” Trump said in his Truth Social post.

Indeed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he held off on tougher strike against Iran after speaking to Trump.

The conflict, now in its 12th day, began with Israel targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, saying it could not allow Tehran to develop atomic weapons — and that it feared the Islamic Republic was close. Iran has long maintained that its program is peaceful.

Many worried the war might widen after the US joined the attacks by dropping bunker-buster bombs over the weekend and Israel expanded the kinds of targets it was hitting.

But after Tehran launched a limited retaliatory strike on a US military base in Qatar on Monday, Trump announced the ceasefire.

Israel accuses Iran of violating the truce. Iran denies that

The deal got off to a rocky start.

An Israeli military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military regulations said Iran launched two missiles at Israel hours into the tenuous ceasefire. Both were intercepted, the official said.

Iranian state television reported that the military denied firing missiles after the start of the ceasefire — while accusing Israel of conducting strikes.

As Trump spoke to reporters at the White House before departing for the NATO summit, he expressed disappointment with both sides.

Iran “violated it but Israel violated it too,” Trump said. ”I’m not happy with Israel.”

Trump’s frustration was palpable, using an expletive to hammer home his point.

“We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f— — they’re doing,” he said.

Later, however, he announced that Israel had backed off its threat to attack Tehran and would turn its jets around.

Netanyahu’s office said Israel struck an Iranian radar in response to the Iranian missile attack early Tuesday — but held off on something bigger.

“Following President Trump’s conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel refrained from additional attacks,” Netanyahu’s office said.

Breakthrough announced after hostilities spread

Netanyahu said Israel had agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with Iran, in coordination with Trump, after the country achieved all of its war goals, including removing the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that his country would not fire at Israel if it was not fired upon, but that a “final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.”

It’s unclear what role Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s leader, played in the talks. He said earlier on social media that he would not surrender.

Trump said Tuesday that he wasn’t seeking regime change in Iran, two days after first floating the idea.

“Regime change takes chaos,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

Over the weekend, he mused on his social media account that “if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???”

The ceasefire came after hostilities spread further across the region.

Israel’s military said Iran launched 20 missiles toward Israel before the ceasefire began on Tuesday morning. Police said they damaged at least three densely packed residential buildings in the city of Beersheba. First responders said they retrieved four bodies from one building and were searching for more. Earlier, the Fire and Rescue service said five bodies were found before revising the number downward. At least 20 people were injured.

Outside, the shells of burned out cars littered the streets. Broken glass and rubble covered the area. Police said some people were injured while inside their apartments’ reinforced safe rooms, which are meant to withstand rockets but not direct hits from ballistic missiles.

Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a US military base in Qatar, retaliating for earlier American bombing of its nuclear sites. The US was warned by Iran in advance, and there were no casualties.

Drones attacked military bases in Iraq overnight, including some housing US troops, the Iraqi army and a US military official said Tuesday.

A senior US military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly, said US forces had shot down drones attacking Ain Assad in the desert in western Iraq and at a base next to the Baghdad airport, while another one crashed.

No casualties were reported and no group claimed responsibility for the attacks in Iraq. Some Iran-backed Iraqi militias had previously threatened to target US bases if the US attacked Iran.

Conflict has killed hundreds

In Israel, at least 28 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the war. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 974 people and wounded 3,458 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists.

The group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from Iranian unrest, said of those killed, it identified 387 civilians and 268 security force personnel.

The US has evacuated some 250 American citizens and their immediate family members from Israel by government, military and charter flights that began over the weekend, a State Department official said.

There are roughly 700,000 American citizens, most of them dual US-Israeli citizens, believed to be in Israel.