Iran’s Ambassador to Baghdad: U.S. Surveillance Flights Monitor Iran from Iraqi Airspace

According to Khabaronline, an Iranian news agency, Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadegh, Iran’s ambassador in Baghdad, made the remarks in an interview with the Iraqi television network Dijlah. He said Iraqi armed groups remain hesitant about the issue of placing all weapons exclusively under the control of the national army, largely due to concerns over domestic consequences rather than external influence. While Iran has long-standing relations with these groups, he noted, they have now reached a stage where they can make independent decisions.

Al-Sadegh emphasized that Tehran respects Iraq’s sovereignty and supports the decisions of the Iraqi government, stating that Iran will engage positively with any approach that preserves both the rights of armed groups and the authority of the central government.

Addressing the U.S. presence in Iraq, the Iranian ambassador said the appointment of a U.S. presidential special envoy for Iraq does not align with the country’s current conditions. He added that even a reduction in the level of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Baghdad to chargé d’affaires status could be considered.

On economic issues, Al-Sadegh said that during the premiership of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Iraq has paid larger portions of Iran’s outstanding dues—particularly related to electricity—than under previous governments. Nevertheless, he pointed to Iranian funds still held in Iraqi banks, saying U.S. pressure has prevented Tehran from accessing them.

He criticized Washington’s policy of restricting access to U.S. dollars for Iraqi traders who do business with Iran, calling it an obstacle to the natural development of bilateral economic relations. According to Al-Sadegh, trade between Iran and Iraq has surpassed $12 billion, a figure he said still falls short of the two countries’ actual potential.

On regional tensions, the Iranian ambassador said Tehran remains fully prepared to respond to any hostile action by Israel, adding that Israel’s reliance on U.S. mediation to secure a ceasefire reflects the pressure it faces. He said Iran’s acceptance of a ceasefire was aimed at countering accusations that Tehran seeks to prolong conflict.

Al-Sadegh also reiterated that U.S. reconnaissance flights are operating from Iraqi airspace to gather intelligence on Iran. In this context, he reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to support Iraq’s political system should the Iraqi government make a formal request.

Regarding Palestine, he described the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation as a purely Palestinian decision and a natural response to blockade conditions. He added that the so-called Axis of Resistance has become more interconnected and resilient, despite recent regional developments.

The ambassador described Iran’s relations with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as “friendly” and praised the region’s stance during recent regional confrontations. He said high-level visits and coordination between the two sides will continue.

In closing, Al-Sadegh called for a comprehensive security agreement among Gulf countries to ensure regional stability without foreign intervention. He firmly rejected allegations that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, stressing that Tehran’s official policy opposes weapons of mass destruction and supports a “strong and prosperous Iraq” as a cornerstone of regional stability.