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Americans Are Not Being Told the Truth About Iraq - 2002-12-15

Feb 11, 2026 February 11, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Tariq Aziz, Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister, claims that the U.S. government is misleading Americans about the situation in Iraq and its military intentions. He argues that the U.S. aims to change Iraq's regime and control its oil resources. Aziz warns that only a miracle can prevent war and urges Americans to resist their government's demands.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Aziz's comments underscore the contentious debate over U.S. military intervention in Iraq and its implications for regional stability.

👥 Key Players

Tariq Aziz MENTIONED
Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq
"As a high-ranking official in Saddam Hussein's regime, Aziz's statements reflect the Iraqi government's perspective on U.S. intentions and the geopolitical dynamics of the region."
George W. Bush MENTIONED
President of the United States (at the time)
"Bush's administration was pivotal in shaping U.S. foreign policy towards Iraq, including the justification for military intervention."

📰 What Happened

Tariq Aziz criticized the U.S. government during an interview, claiming that Americans are being misled about the reasons for potential military action against Iraq. He argued that the U.S. aims to change Iraq's regime and control its oil resources.

  • Aziz stated that only a miracle could prevent war in Iraq.
  • He urged Americans to focus on their own issues rather than interfere in Iraq.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Iran views U.S. military actions in Iraq as a threat to its influence in the region and a potential precursor to similar actions against itself.
🌍 Regional: The statements reflect broader regional anxieties about U.S. intentions and the potential for conflict, impacting relations among Middle Eastern countries.
🌐 International: For the international community, Aziz's claims highlight the complexities of U.S. foreign policy and the narratives surrounding the justification for war.

📚 Background

In the early 2000s, the U.S. was preparing for military action against Iraq, citing concerns over weapons of mass destruction and regime change. This period was marked by significant anti-war sentiment and skepticism about U.S. motives.

U.S.-Iraq relations Middle Eastern geopolitics
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
As a statement from a high-ranking Iraqi official, it reflects the Iraqi government's stance, which may be biased against U.S. actions and interests.

Tariq Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, states that Americans are not being told the truths about Iraq. In an interview with the American news network Fox News, Mr. Aziz said President Bush has misled Americans regarding the necessity of military operations to remove Saddam Hussein. He stated that freeing Iraq is not Washington's responsibility and that Americans should focus on their own affairs and not interfere in others' matters. Mr. Aziz claimed that Washington's main goal is to change the regime in Iraq. He alleged that the U.S. wants to occupy Iraq to control Middle Eastern oil. Mr. Aziz mentioned that only a miracle could prevent the outbreak of war and advised Americans to protect their long-term interests by standing against the demands of the U.S. government.

🌐

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

Translation confidence: 85%

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