Iraq declares its maritime sovereignty: A strong message against the ambitions of Kuwait and the Gulf states
Iraq declares its maritime sovereignty: A strong message against the ambitions of Kuwait and the Gulf states
2-25-2026
Information / Baghdad…
In a move described by analysts and strategists as historic, Iraq has officially deposited its maritime border maps and precise coordinates with the United Nations, in a clear affirmation of its national sovereignty and rejection of any attempts by its neighbors, particularly Kuwait and the Gulf states, to infringe upon its maritime rights.
This step comes after decades of disputes over maritime routes and border issues, during which some Gulf states attempted to exploit the ambiguity of Iraq’s maritime coordinates to impose a fait accompli on Iraqi waters, posing a direct threat to its economic, political, and sovereign interests.
Experts confirmed that depositing the maritime maps strengthens Iraq’s legal and diplomatic position in international forums and paves the way for the Ministry of Oil to begin oil and gas exploration and development in pristine maritime areas, especially around Khor Abdullah, free from any external pressure or interference. It also protects the national fish stocks from harassment and ensures freedom of navigation for Iraqi fishermen in territorial waters.
The national maritime economy is strengthened by supporting port infrastructure and attracting global investments in a stable and transparent maritime environment. This gives Iraq greater negotiating power in any future discussions regarding maritime borders, shifting its stance from reactive to proactive legal action.
Regarding this matter, Bahaa al-Araji, head of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition parliamentary bloc, affirms that Iraq now possesses a significant bargaining chip after depositing the official maps with the United Nations. He emphasizes that this step reinforces Iraq’s legal and political position in any regional or international negotiations.
Speaking to the Al-Maalomah news agency, al-Araji stated, “Depositing the maps with the United Nations grants Iraq additional negotiating power in border and sovereignty matters.” He added, “This step represents an international guarantee of Iraq’s rights and places it in a stronger position in the face of any potential disputes.”
He further stated that “Iraq needs to leverage this bargaining chip to advance its national interests and protect its territory,” noting that “the next phase requires extensive diplomatic efforts to capitalize on this legal achievement.”
Al-Araji pointed out that “the maps deposited with the United Nations will contribute to ending any dispute over the borders and give Iraq a firm position before the international community,” stressing that “this step will positively impact national security and sovereignty.”
For her part, MP Alia Nassif affirmed that Iraq has strengthened its legal position after depositing the water maps with the United Nations, emphasizing that Kuwait now has only two options: either to object or to enter into direct negotiations with Iraq.
Nassif told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “depositing the water maps with the United Nations is an important step that establishes Iraq’s rights in Khor Abdullah and its territorial waters,” adding that “this step gives Iraq a strong negotiating card before the international community.”
She added that “Kuwait is now required to deal with the new reality; it must either officially object before the United Nations or enter into negotiations with Iraq to resolve the issue,” noting that “delaying a resolution to this matter threatens to increase political tension between the two countries.”
Nasif pointed out that “Iraq is proceeding with establishing its water and sovereign rights through legal and diplomatic channels,” stressing that “the maps deposited with the United Nations will form the basis for any future negotiations.”
These moves come at a time of intense diplomatic activity in the region, with Baghdad emphasizing that the delimitation of maritime zones is a sovereign matter based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Iraq has affirmed its commitment to good neighborly relations built on mutual respect, but without compromising its national rights.
Observers believe this step sends a strong message to anyone attempting to interfere with Iraqi sovereignty and establishes a new phase of strategic balance in the Arabian Gulf. This makes Iraq an active participant in any negotiations concerning maritime resources, navigation and fishing interests, and energy resources, and puts an end to any ambitions that some neighboring countries might pursue. It also confirms that Iraq is a true Gulf power with full rights in its territorial waters.
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