Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan discussed developments in the region and the consequences of rising tensions during a phone call.
The two ministers stressed the need to keep tensions under control and resolve disputes through peaceful means by returning to negotiations and dialogue. They also called for preventing the tensions from spreading to a wider area and worsening their impact on the region’s security and stability.
Baghdad and Riyadh stress the importance of coordination
Fuad Hussein said coordination and consultation between Iraq and Saudi Arabia should continue. Hussein also underscored the importance of maintaining contacts with the countries concerned over regional developments.
The phone call took place after the Saudi Defense Ministry announced on July 27, 2026, that it had intercepted and destroyed several unmanned aerial vehicles allegedly launched from Iraqi territory as they attempted to target facilities in the Eastern Province and oil facilities in Riyadh.
Riyadh said it reserved the right to respond, alleging that Iran-linked militias were behind the attacks. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zaidy also ordered security agencies that same day to investigate information indicating that unmanned aerial vehicles targeting Saudi Arabia had taken off from Iraqi territory.
Clashes involving Iran raised tensions
Developments that increased regional tensions also included attacks carried out by the United States against Iran between July 8 and 24, 2026, and Iran’s announcement that it had targeted U.S. military facilities and equipment in several Arab countries.
The United States and Iran had previously signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 to begin negotiations aimed at reaching a final agreement. As talks became more difficult because of disputes over safe passage and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, contacts between Iran and Oman resumed to determine safe routes for ships passing through the strait.
Reciprocal attacks were also among the factors driving tensions in the region. The United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, while Iran announced that more than 3,000 people had been killed and said the attacks had also caused casualties on the U.S. and Israeli sides.
