The Iraqi government spokesperson, Bassem Al-Awadi, has leveled serious accusations against the United States, alleging violations of international law and deception regarding the circumstances surrounding retaliatory strikes following a recent attack in Jordan.
In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday, Al-Awadi asserted that the strikes, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including civilians, and left 25 wounded, were carried out under false pretenses. He accused the U.S. of deliberately distorting facts and misleading international public opinion by falsely claiming prior coordination for the aggression.
Al-Awadi emphasized Iraq’s firm stance against allowing its territory to be used for settling scores between external parties. He underscored that Iraq’s sovereignty and land should not serve as battlegrounds for demonstrating force or sending messages between adversaries.
Warning of the grave consequences of the aggressive strike, Al-Awadi stated that it jeopardized security in Iraq and the wider region, contradicting efforts to establish stability.
The Iraqi government spokesperson pledged that Iraq would fulfill its moral, national, and constitutional responsibility to safeguard its land, cities, and the lives of its citizens through all necessary means.
The U.S. initiated airstrikes targeting groups supported by Iran in Syria and Iraq in response to an attack on a base in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the airstrikes conducted on Friday evening targeted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. The operation involved more than 85 targets and utilized over 125 precision munitions, including long-range bombers flown from the United States.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby stated that the strikes aimed to degrade capabilities and send a message to Iran and its supported groups to cease attacks on Americans. Kirby emphasized that the goal was to halt the attacks and avoid conflict with Iran.