Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein meets with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas in Baghdad during discussions on bilateral relations and Iraq’s call to reopen the U.S. Consulate in Basra.
Iraq urges reopening of US consulate in Basra during talks with deputy secretary of state
BAGHDAD — Iraq pressed for the reopening of the U.S. Consulate in Basra during a meeting Tuesday between Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said.
The Basra consulate has been closed since September 2018, when the United States withdrew its staff and suspended operations after citing security threats linked to militia activity in the area.
The ministry said Hussein and Rigas discussed political, economic and security cooperation, along with regional developments in Syria and Iran. Both sides reviewed challenges facing the region and the need to support dialogue to reduce tensions, according to the statement.
Hussein outlined Iraq’s efforts to support stabilization and briefed Rigas on post-election political developments, stressing the need to speed up formation of the federal government within constitutional timelines while maintaining balance among political forces. He praised the election atmosphere and higher voter turnout, describing it as important for sustaining political stability.
The ministry said Hussein welcomed the upcoming opening of the new U.S. Consulate compound in Erbil and called for the Basra mission to reopen, describing it as important for strengthening diplomatic engagement and supporting cooperation in the south.
The United States first established a diplomatic office in Erbil in February 2007 and upgraded it to a Consulate General in 2011. It is now building what it has described as its largest consulate in the world in Erbil, a new compound said to be larger than many embassies and expected to be inaugurated within days.
Full statement:
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein, received U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Michael Rigas, in Baghdad on Tuesday, 2 December 2025. The meeting discussed avenues to advance bilateral relations between the Republic of Iraq and the United States, and examined the ongoing frameworks of joint cooperation across political, economic, and security fields.
The two sides also reviewed regional and international challenges facing the region, including efforts aimed at achieving stability and the need to support dialogue, with a focus on the situations in Syria and Iran, and the importance of working to reduce tensions and build understanding to reinforce security and stability in the region.
H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein underscored the importance of reducing regional tensions, affirming Iraq’s role in supporting stabilization efforts. H.E. provided an overview of the political developments following the elections, stressing the need to expedite the formation of the federal government within the constitutional timelines, while maintaining balance among political forces to ensure the proper functioning of the democratic process and the activation of both parliament and government, in a manner that contributes to the effective implementation of government programs.
H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein also praised the positive environment in which the elections were conducted and the increased voter turnout, underscoring the importance of sustaining political stability in the country. H.E. further commended the upcoming opening of the U.S. Consulate in Erbil and its significance in strengthening diplomatic cooperation between the two countries, while emphasizing the need to reopen the U.S. Consulate in Basra.
H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein stressed the importance of continued coordination between Iraq and the United States and the need to advance cooperation in the fields of economy, infrastructure, and investment, in ways that promote development and encourage the return of American companies to invest in Iraq. H.E. also called for a review of travel advisories to Iraq in light of the security stability the country is witnessing, and to facilitate investment opportunities.
For his part, Mr. Michael Rigas expressed the United States’ appreciation for the progress Iraq has made in strengthening stability and security, affirming his country’s support for the efforts undertaken in this regard. He also noted the importance of continuing regional and international coordination to address economic, political, and security challenges, and affirmed the importance of working within a positive bilateral relationship with the Government of Iraq.