Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said on Saturday that the United States had formally requested Baghdad to close all border crossings with Iran, except for two, warning that military escalation in the region could resume.
In a televised interview monitored by (Iraqi Press), Hussein said the suspension of oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz had cost Iraq approximately $60 billion. He added that exports had resumed following understandings reached with both Washington and Tehran.
He stated that Iraq had conveyed to Iran its commitment to maintaining friendly and allied relations, while making clear its rejection of any interference in Iraqi domestic affairs. Hussein also revealed that Baghdad has information suggesting that foreign parties have used Iraqi territory to launch attacks against neighboring countries.
Regarding relations with Saudi Arabia, he stressed that Iraq is seeking to settle outstanding differences through frank dialogue and mutual understanding.
On the issue of bringing all weapons under state control, Hussein emphasized that the matter should be addressed through dialogue rather than armed confrontation. He also disclosed that communications with Iran are ongoing over the weapons held by Iraqi factions.
He noted that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaydi had reached understandings with four factions. Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have agreed to regulate and control their weapons, while discussions continue with Harakat al-Nujaba and Kataib Hezbollah to reach similar arrangements.
On security developments, Hussein said ISIS groups are present on the Syrian side of the Iraqi border, adding that a joint committee comprising Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Turkey is coordinating efforts to combat the group inside Syrian territory.
