As the shadow of regional conflict deepens, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi engaged in direct telephone talks with US President Donald Trump to emphasize that Baghdad will refuse to let its land serve as a launching pad for attacks against neighbors, according to al-Zaidi's office and reported by Al Jazeera.

The conversation unfolded as diplomatic channels work overtime to head off potential renewed American strikes against Iran, with al-Zaidi's office stating that the two leaders reviewed the evolving security landscape and prospects for the next phase. According to the same source, the Iraqi prime minister underscored the vital importance of respecting state sovereignty and relying on dialogue rather than arms to preserve regional stability.

Key Facts

  • Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi spoke with US President Donald Trump via telephone on Thursday to discuss regional security developments, as reported by Al Jazeera based on statements from the prime minister's office.
  • Al-Zaidi stressed that Baghdad remains committed to ensuring Iraqi territory is not utilized for strikes against neighboring states, according to Al Jazeera.
  • Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein warned in an interview with Dijlah TV, cited by Al Jazeera, that the potential for renewed US military action against Iran is no secret and cautioned domestic armed groups against participating in any retaliatory measures.
  • Hussein told Dijlah TV that dragging Iraqi society into the wider conflict would result in a disaster, adding that neither the populace nor the armed forces are prepared for war, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Background

According to Al Jazeera, Iraq has faced immense pressure trying to navigate between American and Iranian interests ever since the US launched its war on Iran in February. Since assuming office in May, Prime Minister al-Zaidi has made it a priority to disarm fighter factions inside the country, including potent pro-Iran groups that previously launched regional strikes in support of Tehran.

Foreign Minister Hussein explained to Dijlah TV, via Al Jazeera, that the nation has effectively turned into a multi-sided battlefield subjected to attacks from the US, Iran, and internal armed factions. He noted that while Baghdad maintains good relations with both Washington and Tehran, it has lost upwards of $60 billion in oil revenues. Most of Iraq's oil exports typically transit the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran largely closed after the war began, though Iraq remains one of the few nations granted a specific exemption by Iran to navigate the waterway freely.

Why it matters

For observers across South Asia, including Pakistan, the unfolding crisis in Iraq underscores the severe economic and diplomatic vulnerabilities faced by nations caught between major global and regional powers. The steep financial toll—exemplified by billions in lost energy revenues and restricted trade routes—highlights how swiftly broader geopolitical confrontations can destabilize national economies and threaten regional security architectures.