“No policy of axes”: The parliamentary foreign affairs committee outlines the features of Iraq’s relationship with Washington and the region.

“No policy of axes”: The parliamentary foreign affairs committee outlines the features of Iraq’s relationship with Washington and the region.

2026-09-23

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The parliamentary foreign relations committee affirmed on Wednesday that the issue of restricting weapons to the state and strengthening the economic partnership with the United States requires an independent Iraqi decision, far removed from regional and international rivalries.

Committee member Sami Oshana told Shafaq News Agency that “Iraq is going through an important phase in its foreign relations, especially with the visit of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi to New York to participate in the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, and the accompanying discussions on political, security and economic issues.”

He added that “restricting weapons to the state must be an Iraqi decision stemming from the constitution and the law, and that this issue must be addressed in a way that preserves the country’s security and stability and prevents the use of Iraqi territory to target neighboring countries.”

Oshana pointed out that “the relationship with the United States should be more focused on economic and investment cooperation, and on benefiting from American expertise and technology, especially in the energy, electricity, communications and banking sectors.”

He explained that “the agreements and memoranda of understanding that were signed between Iraq and American companies during the previous visit need to move from the signing stage to implementation, through clear projects and specific timetables, in order to achieve a direct benefit for the Iraqi economy.”

Oshana continued, saying that “Baghdad is required at the same time to maintain its balanced relations with various countries and not to enter into the politics of axes, because Iraq has common interests with the United States and the countries of the region and its foreign relations cannot be based on conflict.”

He also stressed that “Iraq should be an arena for economic and political cooperation, not an arena for settling scores between regional and international powers,” emphasizing that “national interest and Iraqi sovereignty should be the basis of any understanding or agreement with any party.”

The member of the Foreign Relations Committee pointed out that “the next stage requires cooperation between the government and parliament to ensure the follow-up of international agreements, and the enactment of laws that contribute to protecting investment and providing a suitable environment for foreign companies.”

He concluded by saying that “the success of Al-Zaidi’s visit to the United States and the understandings that were discussed will be measured by the extent to which they are reflected on the Iraqi reality, whether on the economic or security side, and not merely by the statements and agreements announced.”

In the same context, Mustafa Ayash, a member of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, said, “The committee is confidently following the steps of Iraqi diplomacy in general, especially with regard to bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States, and we appreciate the Iraqi government’s balanced performance among international axes, in a way that serves Iraq’s interest and sovereignty at the same time.”

Ayash added to Shafaq News Agency that “the official decision so far maintains its international balance and prioritizes Iraq’s interests over any other considerations,” indicating that “this is what greatly reassures us about the government’s approach in this area.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s visit to New York witnessed intense diplomatic and economic activity on the sidelines of his participation in the United Nations General Assembly meetings, with the aim of strengthening Iraq’s sovereignty and easing regional tensions.

Al-Zaidi held a series of strategic meetings, most notably with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where joint cooperation was emphasized to restrict weapons to the state and dismantle armed factions to ensure stability.

He also met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and discussed with him strengthening economic ties and securing a corridor for Iraqi oil products, in addition to talks with the Jordanian monarch and the Crown Prince of Kuwait on energy, border and electricity interconnection issues.

On the economic front, Al-Zaidi met with officials from the International Monetary Fund and the CEOs of the American companies ExxonMobil and HKN to accelerate oil projects and attract investments.

shafaq.com