Finland has today condemned Iran’s missile attacks on OIR bases in Erbil and Ayn al-Asad

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto called Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Javad Zarif, expressing that Finland firmly condemns the attack and demanding an explanation as to why crisis management troops taking part in counter-terrorism were targeted. Minister Zarif reiterated Iran’s views and assured that Iran has no intention of escalating the situation any further.

During the call, Minister Haavisto said it was utterly unreasonable that  Finnish and other international crisis management troops participating in the OIR operation against ISIS in Iraq are now facing new threats from Iran’s missile attacks today.

In addition to the telephone conversation, Foreign Minister Haavisto met the Iraqi Ambassador Matheel Al-Sabti and Ahmad Hosseini, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Iran in Helsinki.

Iraq was requested to provide more details on the decision taken by its Parliament last Sunday regarding international presence in Iraq, which will affect the continuation and safety of the OIR operation. OIR is being conducted in the country at the request of the Iraqi Government.

Minister Haavisto intends to contact Iraq’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Alhakim by telephone on Wednesday.

All parties should avoid violence and actions that could lead to further escalation of the situation.