PM Al-Zaidi and Jordanian FM Safadi discuss Basra-Aqaba oil pipeline in D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IraqiNews.com) — On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi held a strategic meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi at his residence in Washington, D.C..

The high-level meeting, held on the sidelines of the Prime Minister’s official visit to the United States, focused on advancing major economic partnerships and enhancing regional energy infrastructure, notably the long-planned Basra-Aqaba Strategic Oil Pipeline and the bilateral electrical interconnection project.

During the diplomatic session, Minister Safadi delivered an official invitation from King Abdullah II of Jordan for Prime Minister al-Zaidi to make an official state visit to Amman. The invitation reflects the deep historical ties and growing strategic cooperation between Iraq and Jordan.

Strategic Energy Initiatives: Iraq-Jordan Bilateral Axis

• Basra-Aqaba Pipeline: Direct efforts to fast-track the execution phases of the pipeline designed to export Iraqi crude oil from southern oil fields via Jordan’s Red Sea port of Aqaba.
• Electrical Interconnection: Pushing forward technical timelines to finalize the cross-border electricity grid linkage to stabilize Iraq’s domestic power supply.
• Amman State Visit: Prime Minister al-Zaidi accepted an official invitation from King Abdullah II to continue bilateral coordination in Jordan.
• Diplomatic Alignment: Reaffirming a commitment to balanced regional diplomacy and using peaceful, constructive channels to resolve regional disputes.

A primary focus of the meeting was the immediate implementation of the Basra-Aqaba oil pipeline, a vital project aimed at diversifying Iraq’s oil export routes and securing stable energy access for Jordan. This discussion builds on a previous bilateral meeting in Baghdad earlier this month, where Prime Minister al-Zaidi hosted an Jordanian ministerial delegation to align trade protocols and investment opportunities.

By utilizing his presence in Washington, al-Zaidi is positioning the pipeline as a key project for international investment and regional trade stability.

Simultaneously, both officials reviewed progress on the ongoing electricity grid interconnection. Once fully operational, this power-sharing project will significantly reinforce Iraq’s southern and central power distribution networks.

The meeting also addressed pressing regional issues, with both al-Zaidi and Safadi underscoring the importance of diplomatic channels to manage conflicts and preserve regional security. Minister Safadi reaffirmed Jordan’s consistent support for Iraq’s sovereign economic reforms and its ongoing efforts to enforce the rule of law, noting that a stable, economically integrated Iraq is vital for the development of the entire Middle East.