Baghdad sacks ambassador to Iran following quarrel with Iraqi nationals

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Sa’ad Jawad Qandeel will replace Rajeh al-Mousawi as the Iraqi Ambassador to Iran, announced Iraqi Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Mahjoub in a statement released on Friday.

Mousawi’s replacement came days after he was summoned back to Baghdad due to footage being circulated on social media networks of him yelling at a number of Iraqi citizens in Iran over recent national unrest at home, causing widespread criticism. 

Baghdad’s envoy was asked by Iraqi nationals during a visit to a Shia mosque in Iran’s capital about the dire situation that Iraq now faces, particularly in Basra where lack of public services, corruption, and thousands of cases of water poisoning sparked widespread and sometimes violent protests. 

The video shows Musawi responding to Iraqis by shouting: “I’m not on trial. Ask your [Iraqi] Prime Minister and his government.”

The footage led the Foreign Ministry to investigate his behavior during the incident.

“Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari has ordered Mr. al-Mousawi's immediate return to Baghdad amid accusations that he had engaged in irresponsible behavior towards Iraqi nationals residing in Iran,” Mahjoub said in a statement a few days ago.

An investigation will be opened, and "legal measures will be taken," the ministry’s spokesperson added.

The Sept. 7 burning of the Iranian Consulate in Basra during the protests resulted in increased diplomatic tensions between the two neighbors. Tehran, in response to the attack on their mission’s building, summoned Mousawi to discuss the matter.

Editing by John J. Catherine