Iraq has evidence outside parties use its territory to attack neighbours: Foreign minister

Iraq has evidence that external parties have been using its territory to attack neighbouring countries, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Saturday. Hussein said Baghdad was investigating attacks launched from Iraqi soil against Gulf states and wanted to resolve its differences with Saudi Arabia "through frank dialogue". Riyadh has accused Iran-aligned groups in Iraq of targeting its oil infrastructure. In September, Baghdad confirmed that the drones that struck the kingdom’s East-West pipeline had been launched from Iraqi territory. Last month, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi assured Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Iraq would not be used as a launchpad for attacks on the kingdom. During the interview, Hussein said Baghdad was negotiating with Iran-aligned factions to bring their weapons under state control, a process he said must rely on dialogue, not force. He added that Iraq had told Tehran it welcomed friendship and an alliance but rejected interference in its internal affairs. Iraq lost about $60bn while oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz were suspended following the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Hussein said. Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein attends a meeting on Syria, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 12 January 2025 (REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed)