Iraq’s foreign minister welcomes his Turkish counterpart during a meeting in Baghdad on March 14, 2024, with Iraqi and Turkish flags displayed behind them.
Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discusses Iran tensions with Turkish counterpart ahead of Tehran visit
BAGHDAD — Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed regional developments, including rising tensions involving Iran, during a phone call Saturday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement, the ministry said Hussein spoke with Fidan, describing Türkiye as a “friendly” country, and reviewed bilateral relations and “ways to develop them across various fields.”
The two ministers also discussed regional conditions, “particularly the ongoing tensions between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their repercussions for the security and stability of the region,” the statement said.
The call came ahead of Hussein’s planned visit to Iran. A senior Iraqi official told the Iraqi News Agency that Hussein is scheduled to travel to Tehran on Sunday for a one-day official visit, during which he is expected to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the speaker of parliament, senior Iranian officials and Iran’s national security adviser. The talks are expected to focus on bilateral relations and regional issues.
According to the Foreign Ministry statement, Hussein and Fidan also reviewed developments in Iraq’s domestic political landscape and ongoing efforts to form a new government, stressing the importance of political stability and regional cooperation in a way that serves the interests of countries in the region.
Iran has faced repeated waves of protests in recent years driven by economic hardship, political restrictions and social grievances. Rights groups say authorities have responded with mass arrests, internet shutdowns and the use of force. The United States has condemned the crackdowns, imposed sanctions on Iranian officials and security bodies and cited human rights concerns in its criticism of Tehran.