Iraq possesses evidence that external actors have been using its territory to launch attacks on neighbouring countries, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said on Saturday.
Baghdad is actively investigating assaults launched from Iraqi soil against Gulf states, Hussein told reporters in an exclusive interview. He added that the government is seeking to resolve ongoing disagreements with Saudi Arabia through direct dialogue.
Saudi Arabia has previously accused Iran-aligned groups operating inside Iraq of targeting its vital oil infrastructure. In September, Baghdad officially confirmed that drone strikes directed at the kingdom’s East-West pipeline had indeed originated from Iraqi territory.
To address these security concerns, Hussein said Baghdad is currently negotiating with Iran-aligned armed factions. The objective is to bring all of their weapons under state control. He insisted this process must be pursued through dialogue rather than force, and confirmed that Iraq is in direct contact with Tehran regarding the issue.
The Iraqi government initially established a deadline for armed factions to disarm by 30 September, coinciding with the scheduled departure of the US-led international coalition to combat ISIL. However, Baghdad pushed back that deadline to June 2027 after encountering resistance, despite long-standing pressure from Washington to fulfil its disarmament pledges.
Addressing Iraq’s delicate diplomatic balancing act between Tehran and Washington, Hussein confirmed that the United States has formally requested the closure of all but two border crossings with Iran. He emphasised that while Iraq welcomes friendship and an alliance with Tehran, it firmly rejects any interference in its internal affairs.
Hussein revealed that Iraq has lost approximately $60bn due to the suspension of oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz. Shipments have now resumed following understandings reached with both Washington and Tehran.
Regarding post-coalition security and the ongoing threat from ISIL, Hussein announced that Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Turkiye have formed a joint committee to combat the group’s presence in Syria.
