Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein issued a strong warning on Saturday. He stated that dragging Iraq into regional wars would destroy both the country and its armed factions. His comments came during a televised interview on Shams TV.
Hussein firmly rejected the idea of unified battlefronts. According to him, Iraq’s battlefield is Iraqi and Iraqi alone. He emphasized that Baghdad will never accept being a launchpad for other nations’ conflicts.
He explained that Iraq’s stability comes from a two-pronged strategy. Domestically, it engages in dialogue with armed groups. Internationally, it relies on diplomacy to contain regional tensions.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and top Shia leaders had warned faction leaders against acting on their own. At the same time, Baghdad communicated with Washington and European powers. Their goal was to stop the Gaza conflict from spilling into Iraq.
The key phrase “Iraq’s foreign policy stance” guided much of Hussein’s interview. He stressed that it remains based on dialogue and restraint. Even though strikes on US bases continue, Baghdad’s firm approach has limited further escalation.
On disarmament, Hussein made it clear: violence is not the solution. He warned that using force could spark a civil war. Instead, he urged Shia groups to lead talks, followed by a national dialogue involving all Iraqis.
He compared Iraq’s situation to Lebanon. In his view, years of trying to disarm Hezbollah only brought more chaos. Weapons outside government control must be handled wisely, not aggressively.
Regarding the PMF Law in parliament, Hussein said he was the only minister to oppose it. He argued that timing matters, especially in a fragile regional environment.
He also addressed foreign relations. Hussein dismissed claims that Iran controls Iraq. He acknowledged Tehran’s influence but insisted Iraq makes independent decisions.
On the U.S. side, he admitted Washington opposes the PMF Law. Still, he believes Iraq must have one unified military command.
In terms of global alliances, Hussein credited the Global Coalition with saving Baghdad and Erbil from ISIS. “Without them, ISIS might still rule,” he said.
He also questioned who would protect Iraq in the next crisis. Once again, he returned to Iraq’s foreign policy stance—emphasizing diplomacy, not war.
Speaking on internal matters, he blamed Baghdad’s centralist mindset for the Kurdistan Region dispute. He called for long-overdue federal legislation, including the Oil and Gas Law.
On Syria, Hussein described the country as fragmented. Foreign troops and ISIS cells still operate there. He pushed for decentralization and democracy to bring stability.
He clarified that Kurdish independence is not on the agenda. Kurds in Syria, he noted, want democratic rights within a unified country.
In conclusion, Hussein repeated that Iraq’s foreign policy stance is built on avoiding war, embracing diplomacy, and preserving sovereignty. These principles, he said, must guide Iraq forward.
