Saudi-Iraq talks gather pace despite tensions over Iran-backed groups

AMMAN/BAGHDAD – Iraq and Saudi Arabia are pressing ahead with plans for high-level security and political visits despite last week’s military strikes against Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, signalling that both governments are determined to prevent the latest regional crisis from disrupting rapidly expanding bilateral ties.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, met on Wednesday on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting on Jerusalem in Amman, where they reviewed preparations for an Iraqi security delegation’s visit to the kingdom and discussed Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s planned trip to Riyadh.

Hussein later confirmed that the talks focused on strengthening bilateral coordination and preparing for reciprocal visits, including what would be Zaidi’s first official visit to Saudi Arabia since taking office in May.

The diplomatic engagement comes only days after US and Saudi forces carried out precision strikes on sites linked to Iranian-backed armed groups inside Iraq, targeting organisations Washington said had been involved in attacks against US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.

The strikes, which Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces said killed at least 20 of their members, threatened to complicate relations between Baghdad and Riyadh. Instead, both governments have accelerated diplomatic contacts, highlighting a shared interest in preserving strategic cooperation.

Baghdad has sought to reassure Gulf neighbours that Iraqi territory will not be used to threaten regional security. Last Saturday, Zaidi ordered security agencies to prevent “any violation or threat” against neighbouring countries originating from Iraq and instructed officials to introduce stronger measures to deter future attacks.

The Iraqi government has repeatedly pledged to bring all weapons under state control as part of broader efforts to strengthen national institutions and insulate the country from escalating regional rivalries.

Saudi Arabia has publicly backed those efforts. During Wednesday’s meeting, Prince Faisal reiterated the kingdom’s support for Iraq’s new government and its attempts to reinforce security and stability, according to Iraqi officials.

The ministers also discussed wider regional developments, including their impact on oil exports and energy supplies, as well as diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after months of disruption caused by the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel.

Although recent military developments have heightened tensions across the region, Wednesday’s meeting suggested neither Baghdad nor Riyadh intends to allow security crises involving Iranian-aligned factions to define their relationship.

Instead, both governments appear focused on protecting an increasingly important partnership built around economic cooperation, regional connectivity and shared security interests, even as Iraq continues to face the difficult challenge of asserting full state authority over heavily armed non-state actors.