Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein during a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq on October 18, 2026. Photo: Murtadha al-Sudani/Anadolu Agency (AA)
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated on Sunday that Baghdad is attempting to arrange a meeting between Iran and the Gulf States as part of diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and advance regional stability.
Hussein’s remarks took place during his speech at the conclusion of the 52nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where he confirmed that Iraq was maintaining contacts with both sides to facilitate dialogue, according to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA).
There are ongoing discussions between Iraq, the Gulf countries, and Iran aimed at bringing their viewpoints closer together, according to Hussein.
“We are trying to organize a meeting in Baghdad between Iran and the Gulf States,” Hussein said, without specifying a date or the degree of representation expected.
The proposal comes amid regional tensions that severely impacted maritime shipping and security in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
The goal of the diplomatic framework is to bring together Iran and the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman—to address common security issues.
Hussein stressed that the region cannot purchase security from elsewhere and that internal collaboration is the only way to establish stability.
Although Hussein and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met in Baghdad on the sidelines of the summit to reaffirm a commitment to communication, the date of the joint meeting has not yet been disclosed.