Sudani to Tehran: We Reject Unilateral Actions by Any Nation in Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, in Baghdad, Iraq, February 5, 2024. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, in Baghdad, Iraq, February 5, 2024. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
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Sudani to Tehran: We Reject Unilateral Actions by Any Nation in Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, in Baghdad, Iraq, February 5, 2024. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, in Baghdad, Iraq, February 5, 2024. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani informed on Monday Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian of Baghdad’s rejection of “any unilateral actions by any nation that violate international principles of mutual respect.”

Sudani received Ahmadian in Baghdad, stressing his country’s keenness on the principle of good neighborliness and establishing “the best relations with regional and world countries.”

At the same time, the relations must not be exploited at the expense of Iraq’s sovereignty and security, said a government statement.

Relations between Baghdad and Tehran have grown strained after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack against a Kurdish businessman’s residence in Erbil in January, claiming he was collaborating with Israel.

Iraq denied the allegations and threatened to file a complaint against Iran at the United Nations Security Council.

Ahmadian underscored Iran’s “commitment to Iraq’s security and stability,” continued the government statement. This was Ahmadian’s first visit to Iraq since assuming his post in June 2023.



UN Chief: UNIFIL Uncovered Over 100 Hezbollah Arms Caches in South Lebanon

This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)
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UN Chief: UNIFIL Uncovered Over 100 Hezbollah Arms Caches in South Lebanon

This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R), shaking hands with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz (L), upon his arrival at the forces' headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Pascual Gorriz / UNIFIL / AFP)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday the UN peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, has uncovered over 100 weapons caches belonging to Hezbollah or other armed groups since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect on Nov. 27.

He reiterated that Lebanese government forces as well as UN peacekeepers are the only sides who should have armed presence south of the Litani river near the border with Israel. He said the presence of other forces, an apparent reference to Hezbollah, “undermine Lebanon’s stability.”

Guterres made his comments Friday during a visit to the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura in south Lebanon near the border with Israel.

Speaking about military operations by Israeli troops inside Lebanon since the announcement of the 60-day truce, Guterres said: “They must stop.”

He said such operations were in violation of Security Council resolution 1701, adding Israel must withdraw from Lebanese territories.

Addressing the assembled leadership of the UN mission, he emphasized the critical role of peacekeepers, stating: “You are not just on the Blue Line of Lebanon but on the frontline of peace. The UNIFIL mission is the most challenging environment for peacekeepers anywhere.”

After returning to the capital Beirut in the afternoon, the Secretary-General held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was also visiting the Lebanese capital.

The Secretary-General's visit will continue on Saturday, with a full day of meetings in Beirut.

He is scheduled to meet President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri.