Amman: Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan engaged in discussions on Wednesday regarding the impending visits by an Iraqi security delegation and Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi to Saudi Arabia. This dialogue comes just one week after collaborative US-Saudi airstrikes targeted Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq.
According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting occurred during a ministerial gathering on Jerusalem in Amman, the capital of Jordan, as stated in a report from Iraq's Foreign Ministry shared by the Iraqi News Agency (INA). The two ministers were focused on organizing the security delegation's visit and arranging reciprocal visits across various levels to bolster bilateral cooperation and coordination.
Hussein later shared details of the discussions on the social media platform X, noting that the talks also included preparations for Al-Zaidi's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, although a specific date was not provided. This would mark Al-Zaidi's first official visit to the kingdom since he assumed office in May.
Reports last week indicated that Al-Zaidi's visit was expected but delayed due to tensions following attacks that Saudi Arabia claimed originated from Iraqi territory. Both Baghdad and Riyadh have refrained from officially commenting on these reports.
The meeting between Hussein and Prince Faisal followed a week after precise airstrikes by US and Saudi forces on targets associated with Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq. US Central Command stated that the operation aimed at sites linked to attacks on US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia has indicated it may take further military steps if Iranian-backed groups continue their assaults.
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a major Iranian-backed Shiite coalition, reported that the strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 20 of its members, injured 32 others, and caused significant damage. In response to these events, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi emphasized the importance of preventing any threats from Iraqi territory against neighboring countries, directing authorities to establish measures to deter similar future incidents.
Hussein outlined the Iraqi government's initiative to place all weapons under state control. Prince Faisal expressed Saudi Arabia's support for Iraq's new government and its efforts to bolster national security and maintain regional stability. The Iraqi government aims to consolidate all weapons under state control and enhance the strength of its security institutions as part of a broader strategy to ensure internal stability and mitigate the effects of regional tensions.
Additionally, the ministers discussed regional security implications on oil export routes and energy supplies, alongside regional efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic. On June 18, the US and Iran had signed a framework agreement and initiated talks toward a final deal, but negotiations stalled due to disagreements regarding security guarantees and navigation freedom through the Strait of Hormuz.
Tensions surged last month as the US executed strikes inside Iran, leading Tehran to retaliate by targeting what it identified as US military facilities in several Arab nations, particularly Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.