Iraq defends security MoU with Iran, reiterates national sovereignty In response to US State Dept remarks

The Iraqi Embassy in the United States issued a clarification statement in response to comments by US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, affirming Iraq’s status as a fully sovereign state with the right to enter agreements in line with its Constitution, national laws, and supreme interests.

“In response to remarks made by the Spokesperson of the US Department of State [Tammy Bruce - ed.] during her recent press briefing, the Iraqi Embassy in the USA affirms that Iraq is a fully sovereign state, with the inherent right to conclude agreements and memoranda of understanding in accordance with its Constitution, national laws, and supreme interests,” the statement published on X reads, Caliber.Az reports.

Clarification Statement

In response to remarks made by the Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State during her recent press briefing, the @IraqinUSA affirms that Iraq is a fully sovereign state, pic.twitter.com/xrB9B2mgNv

— سفارة العراق – واشنطن| Iraqi Embassy in Washington (@IraqinUSA) August 12, 2025

The statement further noted that “Iraq maintains relations of friendship and cooperation with a wide range of countries, including its geographic neighbors, the United States of America, and other friendly nations, and is committed to fostering these relations on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests.”

The Embassy also stressed that Iraq is “not subordinate to the policy of any other state, and that its decisions are guided solely by its independent national will.” 

The statement added that the recently signed security agreement with Iran is part of bilateral cooperation aimed at “safeguarding security and managing the shared border, thereby contributing to the stability and security of both countries and serving the broader security of the region.”

The clarification follows remarks by Bruce during a press briefing on August 12, in which she said the United States “opposes any legislation that is inconsistent with the goals of our bilateral security assistance and partnership and runs counter to strengthening Iraq’s existing security institutions.” 

“We support genuine Iraqi sovereignty, not legislation that would turn Iraq into an Iranian satellite state,” she stated.

The comments came after Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, arrived in Baghdad on August 11 for a two-day official visit. During the visit, Iraq’s National Security Adviser and Larijani signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance security coordination along the countries’ shared border.

By Sabina Mammadli