In a significant phone conversation on Tuesday, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani conveyed a firm message to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing that Iraq must not be utilized as a staging ground for military operations targeting neighboring countries. This appeal comes amid heightened regional tensions following a series of aggressive strikes and counterstrikes involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Iraq shares a long and complex border with Iran, a country that has been at the center of recent military escalations. On February 28, the US and Israel launched extensive airstrikes targeting Iranian positions, which in turn prompted Iran to retaliate with missile and drone attacks directed at Gulf states. These developments have turned Iraq’s airspace into a highly contested zone, with fighter jets and missiles crisscrossing the skies from multiple directions shortly after the conflict erupted.
Prime Minister Sudani’s office released a statement highlighting his insistence on the importance of safeguarding Iraq’s sovereignty. He underscored the critical need to prevent Iraqi airspace, land, and waters from being exploited for military purposes against any neighboring nation or the broader region. The prime minister also firmly rejected any attempts to involve Iraq in the ongoing conflicts, stressing that violations of Iraqi airspace by any party are unacceptable and must be avoided.
Historically, Iraq has often found itself caught in the crossfire between Washington and Tehran, serving as a proxy battleground for their competing interests. Since the onset of the current conflict, Iraq has been drawn into the turmoil, with US and Israeli strikes targeting Iran-backed militias operating within its borders. These groups have responded by launching attacks on US military bases not only in Iraq but also in the wider Middle East region, further complicating the security situation.
Meanwhile, the US State Department, through spokesman Tommy Pigott, conveyed that Secretary Rubio urged Iraqi authorities to take all necessary precautions to protect American diplomatic staff and facilities within the country. This call for enhanced security comes in the wake of recent rocket attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad, which were successfully intercepted by Iraqi air defense systems on Saturday.
In addition to threats in Baghdad, US air defenses have been actively countering drone incursions almost daily over Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region. Erbil hosts a US consulate complex, making it a critical location for American diplomatic and intelligence operations in northern Iraq. The frequent drone interceptions underscore the persistent security challenges faced by US personnel amid the volatile regional environment.
As the conflict continues to unfold, Iraq finds itself in a precarious position, striving to maintain its neutrality while navigating pressures from powerful regional and international actors. Prime Minister Sudani’s call to respect Iraqi sovereignty and avoid turning the country into a battleground reflects Baghdad’s desire to prevent further destabilization and protect its territorial integrity amid the escalating Middle East tensions.
