Turkish-Iranian Diplomatic Row Erupts Over Iraq

A diplomatic row erupted between Turkey and Iran after the Iranian ambassador to Iraq, Iraj Masjedi, had made controversial statements on his country’s opposition to Turkish military intervention in Iraq.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry summoned Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Farazmand on February 28 and informed him of Ankara’s strong rejection of Masjedi’s statements in Baghdad.

The ministry confirmed that what Ankara expects from Iran is for it to support Turkey in its fight against terrorism, not oppose it. It also said both Turkey and Iran agree that the presence of the (Kurdistan Workers' Party) PKK in northern Iraq constitutes a common threat.

Farazmand was also informed that in order for the Iraqi government to be able to combat the PKK effectively, support must be given to efforts invested in curbing the activities of all armed militias tied to the Kurdish group.

The ministry complained about Masjedi failing to acknowledge the threat posed by the PKK in Iraq.

More so, the Turkish ambassador in Tehran was summoned by the Iranian Foreign Ministry following accusations made by Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu on Iran harboring PKK elements.

Turkish Ambassador to Iran Darya Ores was officially notified of Iran's protest to Soylu’s ‘unacceptable’ remarks.

During the meeting, the statements of the Turkish ambassador to Iraq were also considered unjustified and criticized.

“We reject military intervention in Iraq and Turkish forces should not pose a threat or violate Iraqi soil,” Iran’s ambassador to Iraq, Masjedi, told Kurdish media outlet Rudaw on Saturday.

“The security of the Iraqi area should be maintained by Iraqi forces and [Kurdistan] Region forces in their area.

“We do not accept at all, be it Turkey or any other country to intervene in Iraq militarily or have a military presence in Iraq.

"Therefore, we believe the Turks must return to their international position and be stationed there, and the security of Iraq be maintained by Iraqis."

The Turkish ambassador to Iraq, Fatih Yildiz, responded using Twitter.

“The ambassador of Iran would be the last person to lecture Turkey about respecting borders of Iraq,” he said.

The statements prompted a response from the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Mohammed Al Halbousi, who urged foreign diplomats to focus on their role as representatives of their countries.

“The duty of the representatives of diplomatic missions in Iraq is to represent their countries and enhance bilateral co-operation,” he said.

“Some of those representatives have to realize this very well, and not to meddle and to respect the sovereignty of Iraq in order not to be treated the same.”

Jordan outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood and confiscated its assets on Wednesday after members of the group were found to be linked to a sabotage plot, Interior Minister Mazen Fraya said.

Jordan said last week it had arrested 16 Muslim Brotherhood members, saying they were plotting attacks involving rockets and drones on targets inside the kingdom. Jordan also attributed a foiled plot in 2024 to a Muslim Brotherhood cell in Jordan.

According to Reuters, Fraya said all the activities of the group would be banned and anyone promoting its ideology would be held accountable by law.

The ban includes publishing anything by the group and closure and confiscation of all its offices and property, he added.

Fraya said Muslim Brotherhood members had planned attacks on security targets and sensitive locations in the kingdom, aiming to destabilize the country, but did not disclose what these targets were.

Security forces said last week they had found a rocket manufacturing facility alongside a drone factory where short-range rockets were being developed, with at least one missile ready to be launched.

Turkish-Iranian Diplomatic Row Erupts Over Iraq