Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein affirmed that the Iraqi economy is the most affected and the primary victim of the ongoing conflict and its repercussions. At the same time, he pointed to intensive government efforts to discuss the Iranian flight ban crisis with the American side, in addition to revealing a new timeline regarding the issue of restricting weapons to the state.
Statements and Repercussions of the Flight Ban In televised statements to the "Al Arabiya" channel, Hussein explained that the Iraqi government officially informed the Iranian side of the details regarding the flight ban imposed on Iranian airlines, which went into effect last Wednesday. He noted Baghdad's intention to open discussions with Washington to provide the necessary services for Iranian aviation. The minister also confirmed that Iraq continues to export oil through the Strait of Hormuz in close cooperation with the American side.
The File of Restricting Weapons and the Departure of the International Coalition On the internal and security front, the Foreign Minister addressed the issue of factional weapons and the future of the foreign military presence, outlining the following key milestones:
Faction Dialogues: He emphasized that the issue of handing over weapons is a purely internal Iraqi matter, noting that negotiation channels with the leaders of armed factions are ongoing in this regard.
International Coalition Withdrawal: He announced that the country will enter a new phase once the official withdrawal of the International Coalition forces, scheduled for September 30 (i.e., in a few days), is completed.
Plan to Restrict Weapons: Baghdad revealed its intention to introduce a "new plan" to restrict weapons to the state's control, with the expectation that this file will be fully resolved by June 2027.
US Warnings Regarding the Future of the State These developments coincide with prominent diplomatic warnings; US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned last Wednesday that keeping weapons outside state control could drag Iraq toward the risk of "fragmentation and splintering." He called for an end to the presence of independent armed forces, clearly linking the weapons issue to the future unity and cohesion of the Iraqi state.
It is noteworthy that these developments come against the backdrop of a strict sanctions package announced by the US Treasury Department on September 8 targeting the Iranian aviation sector. This also occurs at a time when the timeline for disarming the factions has been restructured to extend until mid-2027, running parallel to the withdrawal of the International Coalition.
