Zidan and U.S. envoy discuss plan on state monopoly on arms
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — The President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Dr. Faiq Zidan, met on Monday, September 7, 2026, with the newly appointed Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Iraq, Stephen Fagin.
The high-level diplomatic meeting focused on judicial mechanisms to support the federal government’s enforcement of its program to restrict arms possession exclusively to state authorities, advancing national rule of law while reinforcing Iraq’s positive standing within the international community.
Judicial and Political Framework on Arms Control
- Judicial Enforcement Backing: Judge Dr. Faiq Zidan reiterated the judiciary’s constitutional mandate to support executive security operations aimed at curbing unauthorized weapons, holding illicit armed groups accountable, and upholding statutory penalties.
- Coordination Committee Formulation: The arms-monopoly strategy is being drafted under a phased plan adopted by the Coordination Framework via a specialized committee.
- Timing & Implementation Strategy: The committee will formally publish the terms and operational guidelines of the arms-control initiative once consultations are finalized and designated milestones are met.
- Constitutional Compliance & Foreign Relations: Discussions underscored that enforcing state authority over weaponry aligns directly with the Iraqi Constitution and statutory law, while safeguarding sovereign diplomatic ties with Washington and multilateral partners.
Strategic Dimensions of the Engagement
| Focus Area | Operational Track | Intended Outcome |
| Monopoly on Arms | Specialized judicial enforcement alongside interior security forces | Consolidates federal authority and reins in unregulated armed actors. |
| Coordination Framework Committee | Drafting policy roadmaps and phased surrender/licensing criteria | Ensures domestic political consensus behind executive disarmament actions. |
| U.S.-Iraq Bilateral Relations | Diplomatic engagement with Chargé d’Affaires Stephen Fagin | Reassures international partners on sovereign security and institutional stability. |
| Rule of Law & Sovereignty | Applying constitutional provisions governing public order | Protects national sovereignty and prevents non-state security overreach. |
The meeting reflects deliberate alignment between Iraq’s highest judicial leadership and governing political coalitions on the weapons file, directly addressing long-standing international and domestic concerns over unregulated arms.
By integrating judicial oversight into the security and legislative frameworks managed by the government, Iraqi authorities aim to demonstrate substantive progress in institutional discipline, public safety, and statutory sovereignty.