Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Aboudi met on Monday, August 24, 2026, with the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Joshua Harris, to discuss bilateral security cooperation, regional de-escalation, and Baghdad’s ongoing measures to restrict weapons exclusively to state control.
According to an official statement issued by the National Security Advisory, Al-Aboudi reaffirmed that the Iraqi government remains committed to maintaining national stability, mitigating broader regional tensions, and regulating the state monopoly over arms.
Key Discussion Pillars & Security Priorities
State Monopoly Over Arms: Al-Aboudi emphasized the government’s systematic implementation of regulatory frameworks designed to consolidate all weapons under official state security command.
Institutional Governance & Sovereign Decision-Making: Underlined Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi’s administrative vision focused on strengthening national defense and security institutions to support independent sovereign policymaking and economic recovery.
Counter-Terrorism & Intelligence Sharing: Reviewed shared security mechanisms between Baghdad and Washington, focusing on counter-terror operations, joint training, and strategic intelligence exchange.
Regional De-escalation: Discussed ongoing diplomatic and security initiatives to defuse regional friction and reinforce stability across the Middle East.
U.S. Diplomatic Backing: Harris affirmed Washington’s support for the Iraqi government’s security roadmap, institutional sovereignty, and regional stabilization initiatives.
The meeting between Al-Aboudi and Harris underscores consistent coordination between Baghdad and Washington on key security priorities, coming shortly after high-level diplomatic discussions on the U.S.–Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement.
By synchronizing counter-terrorism efforts with domestic initiatives to restrict unregulated weapons, Iraqi authorities aim to reinforce sovereign command structures, improve internal stability, and foster a secure environment for long-term economic investment.