Iraqi Foreign Minister Urges US-Iran Talks as US Military Mission Ends

October 2, 2026 at 01:03 PM1 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein called on the United States and Iran to return to negotiations, saying Baghdad is prepared to facilitate talks. He described the end of the US military mission in Iraq as a new chapter in Iraqi sovereignty and bilateral relations with Washington. Hussein spoke to RFE/RL in Washington amid regional fallout from the US-Iran conflict.

Key Facts

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Baghdad wants the United States and Iran to return to negotiations and is prepared to facilitate talks if both sides approach Iraq.
Hussein described the end of the US military mission in Iraq as a new chapter in Iraqi sovereignty and in the relationship between Baghdad and Washington.
Iraq has been hit by attacks, disruptions to oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, and the risk of being drawn deeper into the US-Iran confrontation.
Hussein said Iraq plans to start discussions with the United States on a bilateral security agreement.

Call for Diplomacy

Hussein said every war must end and that diplomacy must be the right channel to solve the problem. He stated that the current conflict in the Gulf between the United States and Iran must end, and that there is no alternative except diplomatic channels. Hussein told RFE/RL that the conflict has already become a wider regional confrontation.

US Military Mission Ends

Hussein said the end of the US military mission marks a new page in Iraq's political situation, noting that American forces were present in Baghdad from 2003 to 2011 and returned to fight ISIS. He expressed gratitude to the American people, the American government, and other allies who fought alongside Iraq against ISIS. Hussein said Iraq will strengthen its relationship with the United States in economy, energy, and political fields.