Clarification

The Foreign Ministry categorically denies what has been circulated regarding a statement attributed to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein to a correspondent of a television channel. The Ministry confirms that the Minister during attending the Panel Discussion organized by the well-known international channel (CNN), in which the Foreign Ministers of Jordan, Syria, France, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Palestine participated, did not made any statement to any media correspondent.

The Ministry clarifies that after the end of the panel discussion one of the audience approached the Minister and asked a question regarding the kidnapped woman (her name was mentioned), and the Minister responded as follows: “The Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, is making great efforts to release her”, then he asked another question regarding whether the kidnapped woman is still alive, and the response to the question was affirmative. 

It’s important to note that the person who asked the questions did not identify himself as a media person, but was one of the participants from the audience present in the room.

Accordingly, the Ministry confirms that what has been reported regarding the Minister’s statement to Channel 1 News is completely unfounded.

Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Iraq 

January 23, 2025