Iraqi, US officials discuss ties and regional tensions

BAGHDAD — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Thursday received the U.S. chargé d’affaires, Joshua Harris, in Baghdad to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments and the formation of Iraq’s next government, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said.

According to the ministry, the meeting focused on Iraqi-U.S. relations and ways to strengthen them “in a manner that serves the mutual interests of both countries.”

Earlier this week, Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, met in Baghdad with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris as reports circulated that al-Maliki had been nominated for a third term as prime minister. According to a statement from al-Maliki’s media office, the talks covered bilateral relations, regional and international developments, and ways to enhance cooperation under the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement.

Full statement:

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq Receives the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States of America in Baghdad

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein, received on Thursday, 15 January 2026, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Joshua Harris, in Baghdad. During the meeting, the two sides discussed Iraqi–U.S. relations and avenues to strengthen them in a manner that serves the mutual interests of both countries.

H.E. Fuad Hussein was also briefed on the outcomes of the Chargé d’Affaires’ visit to the Kurdistan Region and his meetings with the leaders of the two Kurdish parties—the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

The discussions further addressed the process of forming the next Iraqi government, the ongoing tensions in the region, and a review of the U.S policy regarding current regional developments.