Iraq’s foreign minister holds talks with Turkish, Iranian counterparts in Doha

NEWSROOM — Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met Sunday with the Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers in Doha for talks on bilateral ties, regional security, and the Israeli attack on Qatar, according to statements from his office.

In his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Hussein discussed water management and releases from Turkey, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, and the situation in Syria, stressing “the importance of its stability and territorial integrity.” He said Iraq’s parliamentary elections “will be held on schedule, with preparations well underway to ensure their success and to strengthen the democratic path in the country.” Both ministers condemned “the Israeli attack on the Qatari capital, Doha,” expressing support for Qatar’s leadership and people.

Later, Hussein met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to review bilateral relations and regional challenges. Hussein proposed a Gulf-Iraq-Iran dialogue on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York “with the aim of enhancing dialogue and regional coordination.” The two ministers also condemned “the heinous aggression carried out by Israel against the sisterly State of Qatar, stressing the grave threat it poses to the stability of the region.”

Iraqi Foreign Ministry’s statement about Hussein and Fidan’s meeting:

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Fuad Hussein, met on Sunday, September 14, 2025, with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mr. Hakan Fidan, on the sidelines of the preparatory meeting of foreign ministers held in Doha.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and joint files between the two countries, foremost among them the management of the water issue and water releases from the Turkish side. They also addressed the gravity of the current situation in the region and the Israeli policies that pose a clear threat to its security and stability.

The discussions also touched on the course of talks between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, in addition to developments related to this matter. The situation in Syria was also reviewed, with both ministers stressing the importance of its stability and territorial integrity in light of Israeli attempts to undermine its security.

In another context, Mr. Fuad Hussein responded to an inquiry from the Turkish Foreign Minister regarding the upcoming elections in Iraq, emphasizing that they will be held on schedule, with preparations well underway to ensure their success and to strengthen the democratic path in the country.

The meeting concluded with the two ministers condemning the Israeli attack on the Qatari capital, Doha, reiterating their solidarity with the sisterly State of Qatar, its leadership, and its people.

Iraqi Foreign Ministry’s statement about Hussein and Araghchi’s meeting:

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Fuad Hussein, also met on Sunday, September 14, 2025, with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mr. Abbas Araghchi, on the sidelines of the preparatory meeting of foreign ministers for the Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, convened in Doha to address the Israeli aggression against the sisterly State of Qatar.

The meeting discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between Iraq and Iran, as well as regional and international developments of common concern and the political and security challenges they entail.

Mr. Hussein also put forward an initiative to hold a joint meeting that would bring together the Gulf States, Iraq, and Iran on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with the aim of enhancing dialogue and regional coordination.

The two ministers condemned the heinous aggression carried out by Israel against the sisterly State of Qatar, stressing the grave threat it poses to the stability of the region.