Iraq PM Says No Evidence Gulf Attacks Originated from Iraqi Territory

BAGHDAD, June 30: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi said there is "no evidence" that attacks targeting Gulf states were launched from Iraqi territory, while reaffirming that Baghdad will not allow its land to be used to threaten neighboring countries.

In an interview published by the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Al-Zaidi said all Iraqi security force commanders had been instructed to prevent any attempt to use Iraqi territory as a launch point for attacks.

"We will not accept dictates from outside our borders, neither from the East nor the West. Iraq's decision belongs to its people," he said, adding that the country seeks to strengthen relations with neighboring states and the wider international community. He said upcoming official visits to Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Iran are planned following a recent trip to the United States.

Addressing domestic security, Al-Zaidi reiterated that the government is determined to ensure that weapons remain exclusively under state control. He announced Sept. 21 as the deadline for armed factions to surrender their weapons, saying there is "no place for weapons outside the state."

The prime minister said Iraq has already received weapons from several armed groups and stressed that dismantling the organizational ties between armed factions and their fighters is essential to restoring full state authority.

On corruption, Al-Zaidi described it as "a threat to the existence of the Iraqi state" and vowed to continue an irreversible anti-corruption campaign. He said he had instructed the Finance Ministry to establish a special account to recover embezzled public funds and pledged not to accept a salary, gifts or misuse public money during his term.

His remarks came after Iraqi authorities announced the arrest of several officials and lawmakers in corruption cases and the seizure of around $23 million in cash, 70 properties, 21 luxury vehicles, and about 3 kilograms of gold jewelry as part of ongoing investigations.