Iraqi PM visits Turkiye to boost ties despite complex challenges

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi travelled to Turkiye on Tuesday with ministers and senior officials, his first visit there since taking office in May. Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said the talks would cover “strategic cooperation” as well as security, water and economic issues, reflecting a relationship that has remained important despite recurring disputes.

A central item is oil transit. Al Jazeera, citing an Iraqi Oil Ministry source, reported that officials were in Ankara to work on a one-year extension of the previous oil-export agreement while a new pipeline deal is negotiated. The source said Iraq views some Turkish demands as difficult, including higher per-barrel fees and a minimum export capacity of 1.5 million barrels per day. Baghdad is also seeking alternative export routes after the US-Israel war on Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz increased the urgency of moving crude through Turkiye and potentially onward to the Mediterranean.

The visit is also expected to address Iraq’s Development Route, a proposed 1,200km rail and highway corridor from al-Fao port to the northern border area near Turkiye and Syria. Al Jazeera cited Iraqi officials and analysts saying Baghdad wants Turkish expertise in energy, infrastructure and transport, though armed-group attacks and competing regional corridor plans may complicate progress.

Water and security remain sensitive. Iraq has long complained that Turkish dams reduce flows in the Tigris and Euphrates. On security, Ankara maintains forces in northern Iraq against the PKK, which Turkiye, the US and EU designate as a terrorist group. Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera said Iraq has strong incentives to improve ties, but domestic power struggles and Turkish-Iranian rivalry could limit what al-Zaidi can achieve.