Baghdad: The Foreign Ministry of Iraq has conveyed to the US Charg© d'Affaires, Joshua Harris, that the ongoing war poses a threat to the nation's security and sovereignty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made this statement on Friday during a meeting between the Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations, Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Bahr Al-Uloom, and Harris at the Ministry's headquarters.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Undersecretary highlighted Iraq's concerns over the continuation of the conflict, which has resulted in direct attacks on various regions, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Recent military strikes have targeted areas such as Baghdad, Kirkuk, Anbar, and Babylon, leading to the deaths of 14 fighters and injuring 24 others. The Iraqi government condemned these attacks as violations of its sovereignty.

The Undersecretary reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to ensuring the security of diplomatic missions and their personnel in line with international obligations, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. He emphasized the pursuit of perpetrators responsible for attacks on diplomatic missions and the government's efforts to enhance security measures.

Furthermore, the importance of the strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States was stressed, particularly in countering ISIS terrorism. The Undersecretary urged the US to coordinate with Iraqi authorities on any threats from Iraqi territory and to avoid unilateral actions. He called for a comprehensive understanding of regional dynamics to manage the crisis effectively.

In response, Harris reiterated the United States' dedication to its strategic partnership with Iraq, focusing on joint efforts with the Iraqi government and institutions in areas such as military capacity building and technical support. Harris clarified that the US's conflict is with Iran and emphasized a policy of limited defensive responses to threats.

The meeting concluded with Harris praising Iraq's efforts to safeguard American diplomatic facilities and personnel, urging further actions to secure missions in Baghdad and Erbil, and bring attackers to justice.