At a Glance

• The Iraqi and Iranian FMs discussed border crossing closures and reviewed bilateral security measures during a Saturday phone call.
• The ministers addressed the recent attack targeting Saudi Arabia.
• Hussein confirmed Iraq's participation in an upcoming summit in Oman focused on the security of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi reviewed regional security and border management on Saturday, focusing on recent border crossing closures and an upcoming eight-nation summit in Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• The Foreign Ministry stated that during a phone call, both ministers “discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as the measures related to the closure of a number of border crossings, the reasons behind their closure, and ways to address the matter.”
• The two sides discussed the attack targeting Saudi Arabia, while affirming the importance of addressing regional tensions through “dialogue and negotiations.”

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Iraqi Foreign Minister Hussein and his Iranian counterpart Araghchi held a phone call on Saturday to address the recent attack targeting Saudi Arabia, subsequent response measures, and the joint committee established to investigate the incident.

The talks also covered preparations for a scheduled meeting in the Sultanate of Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, featuring participation from eight regional nations, including Iraq, Iran, and the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Hussein affirmed “Iraq’s support for the meeting and its outcomes,” confirming that an Iraqi delegation will participate in the talks.

Regarding developments in Yemen, they “affirmed the importance of addressing all outstanding issues and matters through dialogue and negotiations, in a manner that contributes to reducing tensions and enhancing security and stability in the region.”

FYI

The diplomatic engagement between Baghdad and Tehran followed a regional security crisis sparked by an aerial drone attack on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline. 

In response to intelligence tracing the drone launch site to Iraqi territory,  Iraq temporarily closed three key border crossings  with Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi dismissing the top military and police commanders of Maysan province and ordering an investigation into all regional security chiefs.  

The recent drone attack follows July incidents where armed groups utilized Iraqi territory to strike Gulf infrastructure, triggering retaliatory U.S. and Saudi airstrikes against faction infrastructure in Iraq.

Addressing a police and security college joint graduation yesterday, al-Zaidi stated that “We will not allow Iraq to become an arena for the conflicts of others or a launching point for attacks against neighboring countries.” 

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