National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Araji confirmed that the Iraqi government is striving with all its might to keep Iraq away from the specter of war and is making great diplomatic efforts in this regard. Al-Araji said in a televised statement that the Iraqi government is the one that exclusively has the authority to issue the decision of war and peace and that Iraq has no intention of entering into a war that may have dire consequences. He added that Iraq has the right to defend itself and respond forcefully if it is subjected to aggression and violation of its sovereignty, and this decision is exclusively in the hands of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces who is working to reduce escalation in Iraq and the region. Source: National Iraqi News Agency