Iraq's government pledges its territory will not become a launchpad for attacks on neighbours

The Iraqi government said in a statement on the evening of Saturday, 1 August 2026 (10 Mordad 1405), that the country's armed forces renew their commitment not to allow Iraqi territory to be used as a launchpad or a corridor for attacks against neighbouring countries. The statement followed a meeting chaired by Ali al-Zaidi, the commander in chief of Iraq's armed forces.

According to the statement, the meeting reviewed the prevention of any aggression or threat against neighbouring countries originating from Iraqi soil, and orders were issued to draw up deterrent mechanisms in this area. The statement was issued after warnings from Syria and Jordan about reining in paramilitary groups in Iraq.

Iraq is one of the largest markets for Iran's non oil exports and is the venue for the Iraqi central bank's dollar auction, so its security developments feed into the trade routes and currency channels between the two countries.