United States Opens a Legation in Baghdad

The Iraqi state emerged from the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and British administration after the First World War. The 1930 convention between Iraq, Britain, and the United States recognized Iraq while acknowledging Britain's special relationship with the kingdom and protecting American commercial, educational, and other interests. [1] [2]

The convention anticipated a further treaty once Britain's special relations with Iraq ended. [2] [3]

The United States established diplomatic relations with Iraq on 30 March 1931, when it appointed Alexander K. Sloan as chargé d’affaires in Baghdad. Recognition had come the previous year through a convention signed by the United States, Britain, and Iraq. The new legation grew out of an existing American consulate. [1] [3]

The State Department had waited for the convention’s ratification before deciding how to raise the level of representation. In February 1931, Secretary of State Henry Stimson told the American ambassador in London that Sloan, then consul in Baghdad, could initially head the legation. Sloan presented his letter of credence to King Faisal on 16 June. [3] [4]

Iraq’s resident Washington mission followed in April 1942. Ali Jawdat al-Ayyubi presented credentials as minister on 4 May. The legation became an embassy in March 1947; Ali Jawdat returned to present ambassadorial credentials the following month. [5]

Related Diplomats

1. Ali Jawdat al-Ayyubi [5]

Related Reading

• Iraq and the United States