Middle East Institute Hosts FM for Dialogue on Regional Developments and Their Implications for Iraq

The Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C., hosted Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Fuad Hussein, on Thursday, 1 October 2026, for a dialogue session moderated by Ambassador Stuart Jones, President of the Institute, and attended by a number of officials, researchers and media representatives, including current and former officials from the U.S. Administration, the White House and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The session addressed the repercussions of the war on Iran and its implications for regional security and the Iraqi economy, particularly the impact of disruptions to the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz on energy markets and Iraqi revenues. The Minister stressed the interconnectedness of the security of Iraq, Iran and the Gulf states, noting the importance of maintaining the stability of states and their institutions amid the current regional challenges.

Regarding Iraqi oil exports, the Minister referred to the resumption of oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and the transportation of oil from the Kurdistan Region through the pipeline to Türkiye, at a rate of approximately 250,000 barrels per day, underscoring the importance of maintaining the flow of oil exports in supporting the Iraqi economy and meeting the needs of global markets.

The session also addressed the understandings reached by the Iraqi Government with Türkiye regarding the withdrawal of Turkish forces from the Bashiqa area, in addition to the issue of placing weapons under the control of the state. The Ministry affirmed that this issue is an internal Iraqi matter governed by the provisions of the Constitution, noting that the Government has begun taking the necessary measures to move forward in this direction.

The discussions also touched upon the implications of the U.S. midterm elections for the course of the war and political developments in the region. The Minister warned of the possibility of a deterioration in the situation if a political settlement is not reached, stressing the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from widening and its repercussions for regional security and stability.