Iraq Severs Relations during the June 1967 War

War began on 5 June 1967 after a mounting crisis involving Egypt, Israel, and their neighbors. Israel's opening attacks and rapid advances produced military disaster for Arab governments and intense anger over the role of outside powers. [1] [2]

At 1:20 in the morning on 7 June 1967, Iraqi Foreign Ministry official Nuri Jamil summoned the American chargé d’affaires in Baghdad. Iraq, he said, had broken relations with the United States and Britain, alleging that they had aided Israel in the war then underway. [2]

Chargé Herbert Duncan asked how the embassy’s staff and premises would be protected. American installations had already suffered damage on the two preceding days. Jamil offered no firm departure deadline, saying only that winding up the mission should take a reasonable period. A convoy carrying dependents left fifteen minutes after the meeting began. [2]

The break did not end every official contact. By April 1973, Salim Yusuf Mansoor headed an Iraqi interests section in Washington. His discussions with a State Department officer concerned satellite communications, diplomatic procedures, and repairs to Iraq’s buildings. Such practical business continued while the two countries lacked normal ambassadorial relations. [3]

Related Diplomats

1. Nuri Jamil [2]
2. Salim Yusuf Mansoor [3]

Related Reading

• Iraq and the United States