Iraq is under growing pressure to stay neutral as international leaders warn against its involvement in escalating regional conflicts.
The French Foreign Minister, during his visit to Baghdad, stated that Iraq must not be drawn into the escalating tensions in the Middle East. This warning had previously been issued by the Kurdistan Region as well, urging Iraq to avoid becoming a party to regional conflict.
Following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to the White House in December of last year and the reimplementation of the “maximum pressure” policy on Iran, nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran resumed earlier this month.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein expressed hope for the success of the talks, saying, “This is necessary to protect the region from the threat of war,” adding that “there is no alternative to dialogue.” The overall context suggests that strong efforts should be made to prevent Iraq from becoming entangled in the region’s wars.
Dr. Nasih Ghafour, a Kurdish politician, told The Kurdish Globe: “Iraq must not be the reason or the route through which regional wars expand. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Iraq as part of a Middle East tour. In a press conference, he emphasized: ‘It is important that Iraq not be drawn into conflicts that it has not chosen to be part of.’ That was the clearest and most direct warning to Iraq. Baghdad must remain neutral and approach the situation wisely. This war, near or far, has no direct connection to Iraq. Armed or illegal groups must not use Iraq as a platform to escalate this conflict.”
Since October 2023, the war in Gaza has been ongoing. In its aftermath, Iran-backed proxy forces began launching missiles and drone attacks on Israel, creating a volatile situation across the region. The tensions continue and now pose a growing threat not only to Iraq but to several other countries.
Dr. Nasih Ghafour added: “Iraq, which is caught between its alliances with both Iran and the United States, has tried to stay neutral and avoid being dragged into war. The Prime Minister of Iraq has made significant efforts in this regard, and so far, Iraq has succeeded in remaining relatively safe.”
Previously, the French Foreign Minister had praised the Iraqi government’s efforts to maintain national stability, stating: “We are confident that a strong and sovereign Iraq is a source of stability for the entire region — a region currently shaken by the fallout of the October 7 conflict and the destabilizing activities that followed.”
The Kurdish Globe