Iraq Seeks to Prevent War Escalation Between Iran and Israel

Iraqi officials have intensified efforts to prevent further escalation of the war between Iran and Israel, with key diplomats engaging in phone calls with their international counterparts. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein emphasized the importance of preventing the war's expansion, while the country's media outlets have highlighted the need for urgent action from the international community to halt military operations. Amidst the tensions, Iraq's government has taken steps to ensure food security, adopting a comprehensive plan to preserve national food supplies.

Key Takeaways:

• Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein engaged in a phone call with French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, stressing the need for preventing war escalation and an immediate ceasefire.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the two ministers discussed regional developments and the need for the international community to take urgent action to halt military operations.
• Iraq's government has adopted a package of measures to ensure national food security, including a comprehensive plan to strengthen strategic food stockpiles and facilitate import procedures.
• Phone calls between Iraqi and Turkish officials also highlighted the ongoing regional developments and the importance of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference scheduled to be held in Istanbul early next week.
• Al-Sabah newspaper editorialized that the acceleration of the war against Iran poses a catastrophic threat to the region, with uncertain outcomes and potential regional spread.
• Al-Zaman newspaper reported on the government's efforts to ensure food security, including import procedures, a strategic stockpile of food commodities, and coordination with the private sector.

Statistics:

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on the risks of continued escalation, warning of wider international crises, both economically and humanitarily.
• Iraq's government has strengthened its strategic stockpile of food commodities by contracting to import large quantities of rice and securing local sugar and oil.
• The Ministry of Trade has temporarily exempted customs procedures for basic food items to help ensure a smooth flow of goods into local markets in emergency situations.

Sources:

• National Iraqi News Agency
• Al-Zawraa newspaper
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Al-Sabah newspaper
• Al-Zaman newspaper
• Iraqi Journalists Syndicate