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Khatami: When Iraqis are allowed to govern themselves, their internal conflicts will be resolved - 2003-07-03

Feb 10, 2026 February 10, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami emphasized that Iraq's internal religious and political conflicts will be resolved once Iraqis gain self-governance. He blamed the ongoing violence on remnants of the Ba'ath Party and extremist groups, while also expressing Iran's willingness to cooperate with the IAEA's director during his upcoming visit.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Khatami's call for Iraqi self-governance highlights Iran's strategic interests in promoting stability in Iraq amidst ongoing violence.

👥 Key Players

Mohammad Khatami MENTIONED
President of Iran
"Khatami was a reformist leader who promoted dialogue and cooperation, influencing Iran's domestic and foreign policy during his presidency."
Mohamed ElBaradei MENTIONED
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
"ElBaradei's role is crucial in overseeing nuclear non-proliferation and ensuring that Iran complies with international nuclear agreements."

📰 What Happened

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami stated that Iraq's internal conflicts will be resolved through self-governance by Iraqis. He attributed ongoing violence to the remnants of the Ba'ath Party and extremist groups, while also expressing Iran's readiness to cooperate with the IAEA's director during his upcoming visit.

  • Khatami emphasized the importance of Iraqi self-governance in resolving sectarian conflicts.
  • He linked the violence in Iraq to the influence of the Ba'ath Party and extremist factions.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Khatami's remarks reflect Iran's interest in a stable Iraq, which is crucial for its own security and regional influence.
🌍 Regional: The resolution of sectarian conflicts in Iraq could lead to greater stability in the Middle East, affecting neighboring countries.
🌐 International: The international community, particularly the U.S. and its allies, is concerned about Iran's influence in Iraq and the potential for increased sectarian violence.

📚 Background

The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 led to the toppling of Saddam Hussein and significant sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni groups, creating a power vacuum that Iran sought to fill.

Iran-Iraq relations Shia-Sunni sectarian conflict
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
As a statement from the Iranian president, this reflects the official stance of the Iranian government and may emphasize its narrative on regional issues.

Mohammad Khatami, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, states that the long-standing religious and political disputes between the Shia and Sunni communities in Iraq will be resolved when Iraqis are allowed to govern themselves. In a conversation with reporters in Tehran on Wednesday, Khatami attributed the ongoing violence in the country to remnants of the Ba'ath Party of Iraq and extremist groups. He also mentioned that Iran will fully cooperate with Mohamed ElBaradei, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who is scheduled to visit Tehran next week.

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

Translation confidence: 85%

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