Iraq’s foreign minister met with Italy’s defense minister in Rome and discussed developing military cooperation, continuing the training of Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga, and tensions between the United States and Iran.
On Friday, 16 October 2026, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met with Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto at the Italian Ministry of Defense headquarters to strengthen bilateral relations and develop joint cooperation in the military and security fields.
During the meeting, they discussed the role of the international anti-terrorism coalition in Iraq and the participation of Italian forces in operations to defeat ISIS; they also addressed Italy’s role in training Iraq’s armed forces, including the Peshmerga forces, to enhance their capabilities, and both sides affirmed the continuation of joint efforts to prevent the resurgence of terrorism.
On the other hand, Italy’s defense minister stressed that Iraq is a key pillar of regional stability and that his country is ready to continue providing support. He also referred to the military and security courses and programs that Italy has provided for officers of Iraq’s armed forces, including officers of the Peshmerga forces.
Iraq’s foreign minister expressed his appreciation for the Italian government’s cooperation in training Iraqi and Peshmerga officers, and stated that despite the extensive experience of the security forces, ISIS remains a threat ideologically and through its sleeper cells. In another part of the meeting, Fuad Hussein stressed that Iraq is not seeking war and warned that efforts to reduce tensions, particularly between the United States and Iran, were becoming more complicated. Meanwhile, the repercussions of these disputes on the economies of the region and Europe, as well as the pending arms files related to the period of the former regime, were examined.
