Baghdad – Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday to strengthen political, economic, and security ties between the two countries.
The two officials emphasized the importance of Iraq’s sovereignty in maintaining regional stability and commended Baghdad’s ongoing role in encouraging dialogue and easing regional tensions. Secretary Rubio highlighted Iraq’s recent hosting of a major U.S. trade mission, which resulted in multibillion-dollar agreements with American companies.
In energy cooperation, Iraq recently signed deals with U.S. firms to significantly expand its electricity capacity, including solar power. Minister Hussein encouraged further American investment, particularly in strategic infrastructure and energy diversification, reaffirming Iraq’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in natural gas within the coming years.
These energy efforts come as Iraq seeks alternatives following the end of a U.S. waiver that had allowed it to import electricity from Iran. Iraq is now exploring options including domestic gas development and imports from neighboring countries such as Jordan and Turkey.
Counterterrorism remained a key focus, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to defeating ISIS. While praising U.S. leadership in the international coalition, Iraq reiterated its position that it no longer requires foreign combat forces, with the coalition’s combat mission expected to conclude by September.
The meeting also covered developments in Syria, where the fall of the Assad regime has led to concerns in Baghdad about the potential rise of extremist factions. Hussein stressed the need for an inclusive political solution in Syria to ensure long-term regional security, warning that instability there could directly impact Iraq’s security landscape.
