Overview
- Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi met GCC Secretary General Jasem Al Budaiwi in Baghdad on Wednesday to pledge a “new phase” of full sovereignty, rule of law and deeper ties with Gulf states.
- The GCC chief said the bloc is ready to broaden partnership with Iraq and delivered a Gulf message pressing for practical steps to strengthen bilateral links and regional stability.
- Iraq’s foreign minister, Fuad Hussein, received Al Budaiwi on Tuesday to stress dialogue, de‑escalation and respect for sovereignty and proposed hosting a Baghdad meeting of the six GCC states plus Iran and Iraq to discuss security and cooperation.
- Baghdad is tying its outreach to domestic moves to fight corruption, place weapons under state control and consolidate government authority in areas where Iranian‑aligned groups previously launched attacks toward Gulf countries.
- If talks proceed, Gulf states are expected to condition deeper political and economic engagement on clear security guarantees, demonstrable Iraqi control over armed groups and concrete, multilateral steps to reduce cross‑border attacks.