The Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, refused to apologize for naming the “Arabian Gulf” instead of the “Persian Gulf” as Iran had asked him, stressing that Iraq is part of the Arab system and keen on perpetuating the relationship with the Arab Gulf states, while referring to the continuation of mediation between Saudi Arabia. and Iran.
Last Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abdul Amir Allahian announced the summoning of the Iraqi ambassador to Tehran, in protest against the use of a name he described as “falsified,” in the 25th edition of the Arab Gulf Championship, which is currently being held in the city of Basra. Corrected this issue (this error) in a recent article on the virtual space.
“This is a reality for the Arab Gulf states,” Al-Sudani said, in an interview with the German “Deutsche Welle” channel, on the sidelines of his visit to Berlin, adding, “We do not want to get involved in these problems that some are trying to raise.”
And the Iraqi Prime Minister continued, “We respect all points of view, and today we are part of the Arab system, and we are keen on perpetuating our relationship with the Arab Gulf states.”
He pointed out that “the last championship is clear as a station for meeting these countries in Iraq after the return of nearly 43 years.”
Regarding his country’s relations with the Gulf states and Iran, Al-Sudani revealed that “Baghdad continues its efforts to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran,” adding: “We are finding a response from Iran and Saudi Arabia, and we are continuing these attempts to resume meetings in Baghdad soon.”
He continued: “Bringing points of view between Iran and the countries of the region, including Saudi Arabia, is an approach that the Iraqi government has followed and continues to follow, and it will contribute to easing tensions in the region, which will reflect on the security of Iraq and the region.”
And he indicated that “any attack on any part or spot in Iraq is unacceptable, whether it is from Iran or Turkey,” noting that “we faced the recent attacks that took place in the border areas with an official position of rejection, and at the same time, we were keen on continuing the dialogue.” With these countries, with whom we have distinguished relations and common interests.
Al-Sudani stressed that “the Iraqi borders enjoy the focus of the Iraqi security services to prevent the infiltration of terrorists in the first place, and the growth of drug activity,” noting that “balanced relations between Iraq and neighboring countries according to the principle of mutual respect, common interests, and non-interference in internal affairs is the best approach for us as a government.”
Earlier last week, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had taken what it described as “necessary measures” after Iraq used the name “Arabian Gulf” instead of “Persian”.
On the eighth of January, the Iranian parliament attacked the Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani, and the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, in language that seemed “arrogant” against the backdrop of statements about the Gulf Cup in its 25th edition hosted by Basra, and they mentioned the term “Arabian Gulf”, which Iran strongly objects to it.
The Sadrist movement, led by Muqtada al-Sadr, responded to the Iranian Parliament’s demand for the leader of the movement to apologize after he tweeted about the “Arabian Gulf” term.
The Iranian Football Association objected to naming the championship as the “Arabian Gulf” instead of the “Persian Gulf”, and submitted a protest note to the President of the International Federation of Football in this regard.
Iraqi football experts believe that this matter, which has emerged recently, on the football scene, may negatively affect the 25th edition of the Arab Gulf Cup hosted by Basra, and the smoothness of the tournament, and they warned against moving to a political arena that strips the positive essence of the tournament.
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