Iranian Judiciary Chief Warns of ‘Malicious Acts’ in Iraq

Sudani receives the delegation of the Iranian Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei in Baghdad on Wednesday. (Governmental media)
Sudani receives the delegation of the Iranian Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei in Baghdad on Wednesday. (Governmental media)
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Iranian Judiciary Chief Warns of ‘Malicious Acts’ in Iraq

Sudani receives the delegation of the Iranian Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei in Baghdad on Wednesday. (Governmental media)
Sudani receives the delegation of the Iranian Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei in Baghdad on Wednesday. (Governmental media)

Iranian Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei warned on Wednesday during his visit to Baghdad of the “malicious acts” carried out by Israel and the US in Iraq.

His visit coincided with Iraqi officials stressing the crucial need to strengthen bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly in investment and trade.

According to an Iraqi statement, Mohseni arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday to discuss the regional situation and the reinforcement of judicial coordination between the two countries.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani underscored the pivotal role of Iraq in advancing dialogue in the region.

The Iraqi government said in a statement that they discussed bilateral ties and coordination in various topics of common interest.

The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office reported that Ejei and Sudani discussed joint efforts to confront terrorism and drug trafficking. The meeting further touched on the developments in Gaza and the continuous barbaric crimes committed by the occupation against civilians.

Sudani stressed the need to level up political pressure from the Islamic and Arab world to end the genocide in Gaza.

Speaking in a meeting with members of Iraq’s Coordination Framework, Mohseni Ejei stressed the importance of cooperation between Iran and Iraq.

He said that the US and the Zionist regime are “carrying out malicious actions against Islamic countries, including Iran and Iraq.”

Ejei went on to stress that there is a need for unity and cooperation between the two countries "more than ever".

Mohseni Ejei concluded his visit to Baghdad by visiting the location where General Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolution Guards Corps, was assassinated by a US strike near Baghdad International Airport in January 2020.

The visit comes amid diplomatic deliberations between Baghdad and Washington regarding the fate of international military presence. While Iraqi government officials assert that the talks are geared towards orchestrating the departure of foreign forces, the US Ministry of Defense has refuted such claims.

- Coordination with Riyadh

Al-Sudani emphasized the significance of coordinating stances with Saudi Arabia on regulating the energy market and oil prices within the framework of OPEC.

Al Sudani met Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting discussed expanding the economic partnership between the two countries.

“Iraq welcomes the entry of Saudi companies into the Iraqi market, in which there are many great investment opportunities today," Al Sudani said. He highlighted the “advanced level” of relations between the two countries, especially in the investment and energy sectors.

The Saudi minister conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, expressing his country's desire to continue strengthening bilateral partnership and cooperation with Iraq in various fields.



Israel Business Leaders Urge Netanyahu to Keep Defense Chief Gallant 

 Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is received by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (not pictured) at the Pentagon in Washington, US, June 25, 2024. (Reuters)
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is received by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (not pictured) at the Pentagon in Washington, US, June 25, 2024. (Reuters)
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Israel Business Leaders Urge Netanyahu to Keep Defense Chief Gallant 

 Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is received by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (not pictured) at the Pentagon in Washington, US, June 25, 2024. (Reuters)
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is received by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (not pictured) at the Pentagon in Washington, US, June 25, 2024. (Reuters)

Israel's Business Forum on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to not fire his defense minister, saying it would create more division and weaken the country after reports of an imminent political shake-up rattled the country.

Israel's leading television channels and news websites have reported that Netanyahu, under pressure from far-right coalition partners, was contemplating firing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and replacing him with a former ally turned rival, Gideon Saar, who is currently a member of the opposition.

The forum, which consists of 200 heads of Israel's largest companies that employ many private sector workers, said Netanyahu should stop "messing around with petty politics" during a war.

"Immediately stop the process of replacing (Gallant)," the forum said in a statement. "The firing of the minister weakens Israel in the eyes of her enemies, and will further deepen the division in the people of Israel."

Such a move would be a shock to the political and security landscape, especially as the war with Hamas in Gaza rages on and with the looming threat of all-out war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Netanyahu denied that he was in negotiations with Saar, though he did not refer to his plans for Gallant. Saar denied that he was negotiating with some members of the coalition.

"The prime minister knows better than anyone that all the economic indicators also prove that Israel is deteriorating into an economic abyss and sinking into a deep recession," the forum said. "The last thing Israel needs at this time is the firing of a defense minister - which will continue to shock the country."

On Monday, official data showed the economy grew an annualized 0.7% in the second quarter, revised down from a prior estimate of 1.2%. On a per capita basis, the economy contracted 0.9% in the quarter.

In March 2023, Netanyahu fired Gallant after he broke ranks with the government and urged a halt to a highly contested plan to overhaul the judicial system. That triggered mass protests and Netanyahu backtracked.