Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during his first international visit since taking office, criticised Western nations, accusing Israel of committing atrocities in Gaza using American and European weapons.
Speaking in Baghdad on Wednesday, Pezeshkian condemned Israel’s actions, claiming it was targeting civilians, including women and children, and bombing hospitals and schools.
His remarks come as Gaza continues to face heavy destruction and high civilian casualties, with local health officials reporting over 40,000 Palestinians killed and 90 per cent of the population displaced since the conflict erupted in October.
Pezeshkian’s trip highlights Iran’s efforts to strengthen ties with Iraq, a critical ally due to shared economic, political, and religious interests, particularly since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. The relationship remains crucial as regional tensions escalate, pulling both Shia-majority countries deeper into Middle Eastern conflicts, especially in light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Earlier on Tuesday, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom announced sanctions following accusation by the US that Iran had supplied weapons to Russia. The measures include revoking air service agreements with Iran and imposing restrictions on Iran Air, limiting its ability to operate flights to Europe.
Tehran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi, asserted on Wednesday that Iran has not provided ballistic missiles to Russia, dismissing claims by the United States and its allies as being based on “faulty intelligence.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani also condemned the sanctions imposed by the European nations, labelling them as “economic terrorism” targeting the Iranian people. He also warned that the three European nations would face “appropriate and proportionate action” in response.
The three European countries also declared their intention to target key individuals and entities involved in Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its alleged weapons transfers to Russia.
In response, Kanaani refuted the allegations, stating, “Any claim that the Islamic Republic of Iran has sold ballistic missiles to the Russian Federation is completely baseless and false.”
Before Pezeshkian’s arrival, an explosion occurred near Baghdad International Airport at a site used by US forces, news agency Associated Press stated. The US Embassy described it as an attack on the Baghdad Diplomatic Services Compound, though there were no casualties, and the cause remains unclear.
During a joint press conference, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani confirmed the signing of 14 agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, including a pledge that Iraq’s airspace would not be used for attacks on Iran. Pezeshkian also plans to visit significant Shia shrines and discuss a railway project linking Iraq’s southern city of Basra to Iran, underscoring Tehran’s long-standing influence in Iraq.
Despite these close ties, tensions remain. Over the past six years, Iran has launched missile strikes on Iraqi soil, targeting Kurdish militias, US bases, and alleged Israeli sites. The presence of US troops in Iraq continues to be a point of contention, with Iranian-backed militias targeting American forces, prompting retaliatory airstrikes.
(With inputs from AP)
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