Ankara: Iraq's government on Thursday rejected allegations that it had facilitated recent US-Saudi strikes, stating it neither approved nor had prior knowledge of the attacks and would not permit its territory to be used to target neighboring countries.

According to Anadolu Agency, government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi conveyed that the Ministerial Council for National Security condemned the US-Saudi attacks, viewing them as a breach of Iraq's sovereignty. "The government has always believed that diplomacy and dialogue are the only way to spare the region further crises and escalation," Aboudi stated.

He emphasized that Iraq "has not and will not allow" its territory to serve as a launchpad for attacks against neighboring nations, asserting that the government neither sanctioned the strikes nor had prior knowledge of them. Following the attacks, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's planned visit to Saudi Arabia has been postponed.

Aboudi affirmed Iraq's commitment to maintaining partnerships and good-neighborly relations with all countries, while avoiding entanglement in regional conflicts. He reported that the strikes targeted seven Iraqi provinces, resulting in the death of over 18 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces and injuring 20 others.

Baghdad has requested that Saudi Arabia provide evidence supporting its allegations that Iraqi territory was used to launch attacks, with investigative committees formed by the Iraqi government finding no evidence to support such claims. "We call on Saudi Arabia to share the security information it possesses so it can be verified," Aboudi remarked.

He reiterated that September 30 remains the deadline for ending the presence of the US-led international coalition against Daesh/ISIS in Iraq. These comments came a day after the US and Saudi Arabia executed coordinated strikes on targets in Iraq, with Baghdad condemning the attacks as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Saudi Arabia stated the strikes were a self-defense measure under Article 51 of the UN Charter, following attacks launched from Iraqi territory against its petroleum facilities. US President Donald Trump has claimed the strikes were coordinated with the Iraqi government, a claim Baghdad has consistently denied, maintaining it neither authorized nor had prior knowledge of the operation.