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.



UNRWA Says Determined to Keep Working in Gaza Despite Israeli Ban

Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS
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UNRWA Says Determined to Keep Working in Gaza Despite Israeli Ban

Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS

The head of the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees said Friday it is determined to keep working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank after an Israeli ban on its operations takes effect Jan. 30.

Philippe Lazzarini told reporters that shutting down the agency known as UNRWA would “massively weaken the international humanitarian response” in Gaza.

That’s because UNRWA is the only body capable of providing essential health care and education in Gaza, he said, which will be especially needed once the ceasefire takes effect.

Israel alleges Hamas and other militants in Gaza have infiltrated UNRWA, using its facilities and taking aid — claims for which it has provided little evidence.

Established in 1949, UNRWA offers support to the 6 million Palestinian refugees and their descendants around the Mideast.

Right now, nearly all of the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza rely on the agency for primary health care, and its 650,000 children depend on UNRWA for education. Lazzarini said ending UNRWA’s operations would be “catastrophic.”