Iraq deepens ties with Jordan as Baghdad looks to strengthen regional alliances - analysis

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Jordan on October 26, meeting King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, resulting in nine cooperation agreements covering trade, energy, security, and other sectors. The visit highlights Baghdad's efforts to strengthen ties with Arab neighbors amid regional tensions, following a trip to Saudi Arabia and ahead of planned visits to Cairo and Syria. Discussions included a proposed duty-free economic zone and the Basra-Aqaba oil pipeline.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Jordan on October 26, meeting King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, in a trip that produced nine cooperation agreements and signaled Baghdad's push to strengthen ties with Arab neighbors. The agreements cover trade, energy, security, higher education, environmental protection, consumer protection, diplomatic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Discussions also focused on a proposed duty-free economic zone and the Basra-Aqaba oil pipeline, which would provide Iraq an alternative export route for oil. The visit comes as Iraq seeks to diversify its economic partnerships and reduce dependence on Iran, amid regional tensions involving Iran, Syria, and border security. Zaidi previously visited Saudi Arabia on October 14 and is expected to travel to Cairo on November 23; a planned visit to Syria was postponed. The article notes that Iraq-Jordan oil deliveries were suspended in late December 2025 after the expiration of a bilateral agreement, with Jordan having imported 2.76 million barrels of Iraqi oil in 2025. The visit underscores the strategic importance of Jordan for Iraq, particularly in light of the October 23 attack on a church in Karak, Jordan, which killed nine people and wounded 40. The framing relies on official statements and historical context, with limited analysis of domestic political dynamics or specific implementation timelines.