2026-07-17T17:24:29+00:00
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Shafaq News- Washington
US Presidential Envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack said on Friday
that Iraq is leading a new regional security and strategic framework by linking
the Gulf, the Levant, Turkiye, and Egypt through economic and infrastructure
cooperation.
Speaking at the US-Iraq Business Summit in Washington,
Barrack noted that diplomacy, intelligence, and military strategies often
follow the private sector, labeling business leaders as the “best
diplomats” in advancing energy, electricity, and regional connectivity
projects.
“This project will shift dependence away from maritime
shipping through the Strait of Hormuz toward overland routes and integrated
logistics networks, reducing the strategic importance of the strait within two
years.”
He also highlighted the importance of the “Middle
Corridor,” which stretches from Turkiye and Azerbaijan through Central
Asia, saying it could transport vast quantities of natural gas to Europe. He
described regional trade integration as “the real alternative” to
military conflict.
Barrack criticized previous foreign policies toward the region,
saying intervention and efforts to change governments had failed and that the
region needs strong leaders with clarity and transparency to achieve
prosperity. He expressed confidence in Iraqi Prime Minister Ali
Al-Zaidi’s leadership and urged American and international businesses to
support investment in Iraq, stressing, “such backing could help transform two
decades of instability into a lasting security and economic partnership.”