Iraq and Iran discuss oil transit and militia disarmament

During a visit to Baghdad, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf engaged in high-level discussions with Iraqi officials regarding national security and economic stability. A primary focus of the talks was Iraq's request for special facilitation to allow its oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq relies on oil revenues for approximately 90% of its annual budget, and recent navigation restrictions have reportedly caused a 75% decline in oil exports, severely impacting government revenue.

Discussions also centered on the sensitive issue of armed factions in Iraq. Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Halbousi urged Iran to support the Iraqi government's efforts to consolidate all weapons under state control. In response, Qalibaf proposed a temporary arrangement where the weapons of pro-Iranian factions remain with the groups themselves or are deposited with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) rather than being handed directly to the central government. Qalibaf argued that transferring weapons to the government at this time would place them under United States influence. This proposal comes as the Iraqi government faces a September 30 deadline to end the presence of weapons outside official state institutions.