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Abdul Tawab Howaish Says America's Intent in Attacking Iraq is to Seize Iraq's Oil Resources - 2002-09-30

Feb 12, 2026 February 12, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Abdul Tawab Howaish, Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister, claims that the U.S. invasion of Iraq is motivated by a desire to control its oil resources rather than concerns over weapons of mass destruction. This statement was made during his visit to Belarus, emphasizing Iraq's lack of such weapons and the damage inflicted by previous bombings.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Howaish's claims highlight the contentious narrative surrounding U.S. involvement in Iraq, framing it as an imperialistic move for oil control.

👥 Key Players

Abdul Tawab Howaish MENTIONED
Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq
"As a high-ranking official in Iraq, Howaish's statements reflect the Iraqi government's stance on U.S. actions and their implications for national sovereignty and resources."
United States MENTIONED
Foreign government
"The U.S. military intervention in Iraq has significant geopolitical implications, particularly concerning oil resources and regional stability."

📰 What Happened

Abdul Tawab Howaish accused the United States of intending to seize Iraq's oil resources rather than focusing on the alleged weapons of mass destruction. He emphasized Iraq's lack of such weapons and the damage done to its military capabilities during the Gulf War.

  • Howaish claims there are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
  • The Gulf War bombings in 1991 severely damaged Iraq's weapon manufacturing facilities.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Iran may view U.S. actions in Iraq as a threat to its own regional influence and interests, particularly concerning oil resources.
🌍 Regional: The accusation could exacerbate tensions between Iraq and the U.S., affecting regional stability and relations with neighboring countries.
🌐 International: This statement reflects broader concerns about U.S. motives in the Middle East, influencing international perceptions and diplomatic relations.

📚 Background

In the early 2000s, the U.S. was preparing for military action against Iraq based on claims of weapons of mass destruction, which were later found to be unfounded. This period was marked by significant geopolitical tensions.

Gulf War U.S.-Iraq relations
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
As a statement from an Iraqi government official, it reflects the official stance of Iraq, which may be biased against U.S. actions.

Abdul Tawab Howaish, the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, states that America's intent in attacking Iraq is not related to the desire to destroy weapons of mass destruction, but rather the goal is to seize Iraq's oil resources. The Deputy Prime Minister, who is currently visiting Belarus, mentioned that there are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and that the bombings in 1991 during the Gulf War severely damaged Iraq's weapon manufacturing facilities. He added that international inspectors who were in Iraq until 1998 had the opportunity to see this situation firsthand.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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