Iraq rejects the
participation of Israeli forces in the planned US-led security alliance to
protect shipping in the Arabian Gulf, Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali al-Hakim
said Monday.
Washington is drawing together a group of nations to jointly patrol the strategic Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran’s belligerent activities in the Arabian Gulf, including Tehran’s seizure of a British-flagged ship last month.
Reports emerged last week that Iran’s arch nemesis Israel was open to contributing forces to the alliance.
Baghdad is especially concerned about ongoing tensions between its allies in Washington and Tehran, fearing any escalation could drag Iraq into another war.
“Iraq will work to lower tensions in our region through calm negotiations,” Hakim later added. “The presence of Western forces in the region would raise tensions.”