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Tariq Aziz: Washington Cannot Decide on the Removal of the President of Iraq

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

Tariq Aziz asserted that the U.S. has no authority to remove the Iraqi president, emphasizing Iraq's readiness to defend against what it calls American aggression. This statement follows President Bush's declaration of intent to oust Saddam Hussein, amidst ongoing tensions over weapons inspections.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The statements reflect a critical moment in U.S.-Iraq relations, with potential implications for regional stability and international norms.

👥 Key Players

Tariq Aziz MENTIONED
Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq
"As a senior Iraqi official, his statements reflect the Iraqi government's stance against U.S. intervention and highlight Iraq's sovereignty."
George W. Bush MENTIONED
President of the United States
"His administration's policies towards Iraq, including the intention to remove Saddam Hussein, have significant implications for U.S. foreign policy and regional stability."
Saddam Hussein MENTIONED
President of Iraq
"His leadership and defiance against international resolutions are central to the tensions between Iraq and the U.S., impacting regional dynamics."

📰 What Happened

Tariq Aziz claimed that the U.S. has no authority to remove Saddam Hussein, asserting Iraq's readiness to defend itself against American actions. This statement followed President Bush's declaration of intent to oust Hussein amid ongoing disputes over weapons inspections.

  • Aziz emphasized Iraq's sovereignty and readiness to counter U.S. aggression.
  • Bush's administration is actively seeking to remove Saddam Hussein due to non-compliance with UN resolutions.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Iran views U.S. actions in Iraq as a threat to its own security and regional influence, particularly given its historical rivalry with Iraq.
🌍 Regional: The removal of Saddam Hussein could alter the balance of power in the Middle East, impacting Iran's relationships with neighboring countries.
🌐 International: The U.S. pursuit of regime change in Iraq raises questions about international law and the legitimacy of unilateral military action.

📚 Background

The U.S. was concerned about Iraq's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction and its defiance of UN resolutions, leading to calls for regime change. This period marked the lead-up to the 2003 Iraq War.

Iraq War U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
As a statement from an Iraqi official, it reflects the government's position and may downplay threats from the U.S. while emphasizing national sovereignty.

Tariq Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, stated in an interview with reporters in South Africa that Washington cannot decide on the removal of the President of Iraq because it did not appoint him to that position. This statement comes a day after President Bush mentioned that the U.S. is seeking to remove Saddam Hussein from power using all its resources. Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq, is ignoring United Nations resolutions regarding the entry of new weapons inspectors into Iraq, and the inspectors' work confirms that there are no more weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

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

Translation confidence: 85%

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