Despite the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) office in Baghdad confirming to Asharq Al-Awsat that it operates private bureaus in Tehran and other neighboring countries, observers noted that Plasschaert’s visit to Tehran has stirred doubts about the nature of the role played by the mission.
Local media and critics in Baghdad are questioning whether or not UNAMI’s work should involve visiting Iraq’s regional neighbors.
UNAMI said it runs offices across the region because of the great influence geopolitics has over Iraq.