TEHRAN — The foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq held a joint press conference in Tehran on Sunday, using the occasion to celebrate the diminishing presence of American forces in Iraq and to reinforce a united front against Western interference in regional affairs.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi welcomed his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, emphasizing that the recent handover of the Al Asad airbase from U.S. military control to Iraqi forces was a significant marker of Iraq’s strengthening independence and sovereignty.

“We are very pleased with this development,” Araghchi stated, describing the American drawdown as a necessary step toward regional stability. 

The Al Asad base was used in 2020 to help conduct a U.S. drone attack that assassinated Iran’s top anti-terror icon, General Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad.  Iran retaliated by striking the base with several missiles. U.S. authorities first denied any casualties, but American media later admitted that many soldiers had sustained “brain injuries” during the attack. 

Even before the 2020 saga, Iran had long called for the complete withdrawal of U.S. military assets from West Asia, arguing that history shows Western presence in the region only contributes to insecurity, instability, and terrorism.

Washington’s large-scale military entry into West Asia began with the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, swiftly followed in 2003 by the invasion of Iraq. In both nations, U.S. objectives quickly morphed beyond initial stated goals—fighting terrorism and safeguarding the safety of the people—and instead resulted in prolonged occupations, the toppling of established governments, and massive civilian casualties. Over one million Iraqi civilians were killed by the U.S. and the UK in the 2000s. Afghanistan is still marred by the vestiges of the war and occupation that ended in 2021, with millions of its people scattered around the world and poverty worsening daily.

U.S. military presence in the region has also given rise to countless terrorist and separatist groups, many of which maintain ties with American politicians to this day. Critics are of the mind that Washington’s actions in West Asia are about projecting American hegemony and securing strategic control over the region’s resources.

During the joint press conference, Fuad Hussein echoed Araghchi’s sentiment of mutual security, noting that the stability of both nations is inextricably linked to the security of the entire region. He stressed the “foundational principle” of non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations.

In its 2025 report rolling out U.S. national security strategies in the coming years, the White House said it was planning to diminish presence in West Asia, where over 40,000 American soldiers are stationed in at least 19 military bases. That, however, would require Washington to further force the hand of Israel, its colonial project that has attacked seven regional countries in the past two years, killed over 80,000 people, and plans to expand occupation to include not only all Palestinian lands, but many territories belonging to Arabs and the Turks. Israel also wants Iran to become a fragmented nation.

Fuad Hussein and Araghchi also highlighted the blossoming relationship their countries, noting that what were once tense borders have transformed into corridors of cooperation across economic, cultural, and political spheres. Araghchi pointed to the millions of pilgrims traveling between the two countries annually as evidence of “unbreakable popular bonds.”. He contrasted this organic relationship with the “covert operations” run by Washington and Tel Aviv.

The meeting also addressed the security threats emanating from the region’s periphery, particularly along the borders shared with Iraq. Officials noted that intelligence has confirmed that armed infiltrators responsible for recent acts of violence and sabotage in Iran—including attacks on public and private property and security personnel—received training and equipment from foreign spy agencies, namely the CIA and Mossad, operating out of eastern Iraqi provinces.

Both ministers confirmed they are actively collaborating on a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement to confront these security challenges jointly. “This comprehensive document will be the foundation for decades of mutual support and shared prosperity,” Araghchi stated regarding the bilateral accord, which also targets expanding trade.

“Iraq’s regional role is on an upward trajectory,” Araghchi observed, suggesting Baghdad is increasingly asserting its independence from external pressures—a development Iran views favorably. 

The press conference concluded with both sides affirming their shared commitment to dialogue and rejecting any foreign imposition on their national choices. Fuad Hussein stated that “the security of Iran and the security of Iraq are part of the region’s security”. He also stressed that any attempt to destabilize one neighbor will be met with joint resistance. Araghchi reinforced this stance, declaring, “We will not allow any external force to dictate our path.” He added, “The era of covert operations dictating policy here is over.”

Before leaving Tehran, the Iraqi Foreign Minister held separate meetings with a number of other top Iranian officials, including the country’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and security chief Ali Larijani.