Describing the crisis of trust between Iran and Saudi Arabia as a major problem for regional security, Iraq proposed establishing a joint security coordination council between the two countries.
Qasim al-Araji, the Iraqi prime minister’s security adviser, said in a statement on a program broadcast Sunday by Iraq’s official television channel that the proposal had been conveyed to Iran and Saudi Arabia. Al-Araji did not provide details about how the council would be established or what responsibilities it would assume.
Baghdad proposes coordination to address regional tensions
The proposal came as tensions were rising across the region. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan also discussed regional developments by phone on Tuesday. The two ministers stressed the importance of containing tensions and resolving disputes through peaceful means.
Claims about drones in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said on July 27, 2026, that it had intercepted and destroyed several drones that it said had come from Iraqi territory. The ministry said the drones had attempted to target oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh.
The Riyadh government claimed that Iran-affiliated militias were behind the attacks and reserved the right to respond. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi, meanwhile, ordered security agencies to investigate the information that Saudi Arabia’s drones had been launched from Iraqi territory.
Keeping weapons under the control of the Iraqi state
Qasim al-Araji said bringing weapons under state control was a strategic decision specific to Iraq. Saying that decisions on war and peace belonged solely to the Iraqi state, Al-Araji said this approach was important for state authority.
The Iraqi army announced on June 3, 2026, that a committee had been established and work had begun to bring weapons under state control. The status of armed groups outside the state remains one of the main issues on Iraq’s security and political agenda.
Some armed groups in Iraq are part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, while others operate independently. Political forces and various segments of society are calling for weapons to be brought under state control and for the authority of official security institutions to be strengthened.
