Iraqi PM stresses strengthening bilateral ties with Iran after Persian Gulf misnomer

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has called for the expansion of ties with Iran after the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Arab country’s ambassador to Tehran in strong protest over distorting the name of the universally-recognized Persian Gulf at a biennial football competition.

Sudani described the Baghdad-Tehran relations as deeply-rooted and historical, stressing that the common border between Iran and Iraq runs for more than 1,200 kilometers and the two neighboring countries have cultural, religious and social commonalities, the National Iraqi News Agency reported.

He added, “Tehran has been supportive of political developments in Iraq following a change in the country’s political system in 2003. Iran assisted Iraq in the fight against the Daesh terrorist group. The two countries maintain positive relations, and their cooperation and relations are away from interference in each other’s domestic affairs.”

Sudani highlighted that “the Baghdad government does not support political polarization, neither in the region nor anywhere in the world, and pursues the principle of balanced relations to interact with neighboring countries.”

“We also announce initiatives aimed at economic partnership so that Iraq will be the venue where regional countries would come together in accordance with the common interests of their respective nations,” he pointed out.

“Iraq has also developed initiatives designed to bridge differences between Iran and Arab states. In my opinion, reduction of existing tensions and convergence of viewpoints will help ensure the security of Iraq and the region,” Saudi said.

On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Iraqi Ambassador to Tehran Nasir Abdul Mohsen Abdullah had been summoned by his Ministry after Iraqi officials used a misnomer instead of the historically authentic name of the body of water lapping Iran's southern shores.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kan’ani said on Monday that Tehran has expressed its objection to Baghdad over using the fake misnomer of “Arabian Gulf” to refer to the Persian Gulf.

The Iraqi southern city of Basra is hosting the return matches of a regional soccer competition, and Iraq set up billboards to welcome the foreign teams to the “25th Arabian Gulf Cup.” 

Several international scientific conferences have been held in recent years to discuss the historical roots of the Persian Gulf.

Researchers from the most reputable academic centers worldwide are unanimous in their opinions that the body of water has been referred to as the Persian Gulf throughout history.

Some regional countries and Western publications, however, continue to distort historical facts by omitting “Persian” from the full name or using a misnomer.

ME