Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani announced today, Monday, that the international community has failed to fulfill its duties towards the people of Gaza, emphasizing Iraq's efforts to achieve a ceasefire. He also mentioned a bilateral agreement with Iran to complete joint projects.
During a joint press conference with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome, noting that the visit to Tehran confirms the depth of relations between the two countries and the extent of their common interests, especially given the sensitive circumstances in the region.
He added, "We held a meeting with the Iranian president, where the Palestinian issue was paramount," stating that "the Palestinian people are being subjected to genocide." Al-Sudani asserted that "our positions regarding the Palestinian issue are shared, and we seek to achieve the most important goal, which is to stop the fire in Gaza."
He reaffirmed Iraq's steadfast position on the Palestinian issue, as expressed by the highest religious authorities and the political and national forces. He pointed out that "the international community has failed to fulfill its duties and obligations toward the people of Gaza," noting that "the people of Gaza have been living in a large prison for decades in front of the watchful eyes of the world."
He stated, "Anyone who wants to contain the conflict and prevent it from spreading in the region must put an end to the aggression of the Zionist entity," adding, "the Palestinian crisis is a result of the criminal policies of the Zionist occupation." He continued, saying, "The decision to drag the region into a comprehensive war is in the hands of the party that is perpetrating aggression against Gaza," noting that "Iraq has proposed the creation of a fund for the reconstruction of Gaza, and we are ready to contribute to it."
He mentioned that "Iraq is playing a role and is in contact with regional countries to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza," emphasizing, "We will continue to communicate to achieve the goal of stopping the fire in Gaza." Al-Sudani confirmed, "We are working diligently to open humanitarian corridors," pointing out that "Iraq has sent convoys of aid to the people of Gaza."
He noted that "there are files that have seen practical steps with Iran, and we will complete the joint projects after they were halted for years, as well as significant opportunities that establish a strategic partnership, the foremost of which is the development road." The Prime Minister clarified that "the joint security committee has succeeded in removing all tension points in the border areas."
For his part, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi affirmed that the Iraqi Prime Minister is working on implementing the security agreement between Iraq and Iran. Raisi stated, "The relations between Iraq and Iran are witnessing significant development," noting that "the Prime Minister is working to implement the security agreement signed between Iraq and Iran."
The Iranian President expressed gratitude to the Iraqi government for its efforts in developing economic relations between the two countries and for railway connectivity, highlighting discussions with the Prime Minister regarding the situation in Gaza. He added, "There are shared positions between Iraq and Iran on the Palestinian issue," mentioning that "the Zionist entity has collapsed after the defeat it suffered."
He reiterated, "There must be a ceasefire and an end to the crimes of the Zionist entity, and humanitarian aid must reach Gaza," indicating that "anyone who supports the Zionist entity is complicit in the crimes it commits in Gaza." He continued, "The Zionist entity suffered a great defeat in Gaza," renewing his thanks to the Iraqi Prime Minister for his positions regarding the Palestinian issue.
The Iraqi Prime Minister arrived today, Monday, in the Iranian capital Tehran at the start of a regional tour. According to his media office, "Al-Sudani began this morning an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries and address the most pressing regional issues of mutual interest, primarily the Palestinian issue."
According to his office, formal reception ceremonies were held for Al-Sudani in Tehran by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, during which the national anthems of both countries were played, and a guard of honor was reviewed.
On Sunday, the spokesperson for the Iraqi government, Bassim Al-Awadi, revealed the objectives of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani's tour, which is scheduled to begin on Monday with a visit to Tehran. Al-Awadi stated that "the goal of the regional tour for Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani is to reach a mutual understanding to stop the aggression on Gaza, contain the war, prevent its expansion, and activate proposals for an urgent truce."
He added: "The visit aims to support efforts to provide and send urgent humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza and to lay the groundwork for understandings that push international and global organizations to activate their international and legal obligations towards the Palestinian issue and provide protection for the Palestinian people."
