Iraqi Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako says Israel’s attempted “regime change” strategy in Iran could “only worsen the situation” in the Middle East.
Newsroom, June 29, 2025, Gaudium Press – Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq, has warned that Israel’s apparent strategy of pursuing “regime change” in Iran could destabilize the Middle East further, drawing parallels to Iraq’s traumatic experience following the US-led invasion in 2003. Speaking to the Vatican’s Fides news service on June 25, Sako emphasized that regime change is a matter for a country’s citizens and cautioned against external interventions that could exacerbate regional conflicts.
Sako’s remarks come as a US-brokered ceasefire has temporarily halted hostilities between Israel and Iran, offering a fragile pause in a region long plagued by violence. Reflecting on Iraq’s history, the cardinal highlighted the devastating consequences of foreign-imposed regime change, which he said left Iraq grappling with instability, corruption, and sectarianism more than two decades later.
“Regime change is a matter for the citizens of the country,” Sako told Fides. “The sovereignty of countries must be respected, and problems should be resolved through sincere and courageous dialogue. Imposing another regime would only worsen the situation.”
Sako pointed to Iraq’s experience as a cautionary tale. “Twenty-two years after the fall of the regime in Iraq, there is still no true citizenship, no law, no security, and no stability,” he said. “Corruption and sectarianism persist.” The cardinal underscored that any change must come from within, driven by the will of the people, rather than external forces.
The Iraqi Christian community, which Sako represents, has faced significant hardship, particularly during the rise of ISIS, which led to widespread displacement and persecution. “Christians, like all Iraqis, have suffered greatly because of ISIS,” he said. “Such suffering leads to exodus and emigration. To this day, we are marginalized, our villages are occupied by militias, and the parliamentary seats reserved for Christians are being usurped.”
Despite these challenges, Sako expressed hope for the future, rooted in the resilience and faith of Iraq’s Christian community. “We believe we have a calling in this land, with our faith. Therefore, we can stay confident and look toward a brighter future,” he said.
Sako also called for a renewed commitment to peace in the region, urging global leaders to reject “the discourse of hatred, violence, and war.” He described peace as a “gift” that must be actively preserved. “It is a pity if we destroy life and what has been built,” he said. “Peace is a gift; we must welcome it and preserve it with enthusiasm, making the defense of peace an authentic life commitment.”
The cardinal’s comments reflect growing concerns about the potential for further escalation in the Middle East, particularly as Israel’s military actions aimed at weakening Iran’s regime have drawn international scrutiny. Sako’s plea for dialogue and respect for national sovereignty underscores the need for diplomatic solutions to prevent further suffering in a region already scarred by decades of conflict.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCAN News
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