Rubio and Hussein “discussed the importance of Iraqi sovereignty for regional security and stability. The Secretary praised Iraq’s efforts to promote regional de-escalation and constructive dialogue,” US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
During the meeting, Rubio praised Baghdad for hosting “the first-ever U.S. Department of Commerce-designated trade mission in Baghdad earlier this month, resulting in billions of dollars in agreements with U.S. companies,” according to the readout.
In March, Iraq signed energy deals with US firms GE Vernova and UGT Renewables. GE Vernova has committed to producing 24,000 megawatts of electricity, while UGT will implement a 3,000-megawatt solar power project.
Hussein called on American companies to “increase investment in Iraq and contribute to its strategic projects,” according to a statement from his office.
The Iraqi foreign ministry said that besides discussing bilateral cooperation and security partnerships, Hussein told Rubio that Iraq is striving to achieve gas independence.
“Iraq has begun taking concrete steps toward diversifying energy sources and reducing reliance on imported gas,” the ministry cited Hussein as saying. “Iraq will seek to achieve gas independence, and, within the next few years, will achieve self-sufficiency.”
Baghdad is stepping up efforts to increase domestic energy production after Washington rescinded a waiver in March that allowed Iraq to import electricity from neighboring Iran. The waiver was revoked as part of Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear and military programs.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has held meetings with energy officials to explore alternatives, including utilizing its natural gas and importing electricity from Jordan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan.
Hussein and Rubio also discussed the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), according to the Iraqi foreign ministry.
Hussein “praised the role of the United States and its leadership of the international coalition in combating terrorism. For his part, Secretary Rubio affirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Iraq’s stability, commending the joint efforts made in combating ISIS,” the statement said.
The Iraqi government has said that it no longer requires the continued presence of US-led coalition troops in its original form. The coalition was established in 2014 in response to ISIS’s rapid territorial expansion in Iraq and Syria, following a formal invitation from the Iraqi government. Baghdad and Washington have agreed to end the coalition’s combat mission in Iraq by September.
In Syria, Iraq is closely monitoring the aftermath of the ouster of dictator Bashar al-Assad. Many in Baghdad are concerned about the jihadist roots of the transitional administration now in place.
“Syria’s stability reflects positively on security in Iraq,” Hussein told Rubio, calling for a “comprehensive political process” that is inclusive of all Syrians and boosts stability.
In early December, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) toppled Assad’s regime and in late January, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was appointed interim president.
Although the new leadership in Damascus has pledged an inclusive political process, minority groups - including Kurds, Druze, Christians, and Alawites - have censured it as exclusionary on multiple occasions.
Hussein has expressed concern about the broader security implications of instability in Syria, especially the potential for extremist groups like ISIS to exploit the evolving political and security landscape.
