Iraqi premier receives renewed invitation to visit Riyadh from Saudi spy chief

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi received a renewed invitation to visit the Saudi capital as he held talks with intelligence chief Khalid bin Ali Al Humaidan in Baghdad on Friday, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA). The meeting focused on bolstering coordination regarding regional security developments and enhancing bilateral cooperation, the premier's office said in a statement.

Al Humaidan arrived with an accompanying delegation and discussed ways to strengthen ties with the Iraqi premier, the statement added. Both sides agreed on the importance of continuing security coordination and intelligence sharing to address emerging challenges and prevent regional escalation.

Sovereignty commitments

Al-Zaidi reaffirmed his government's commitment to deepening cooperation with Saudi Arabia in a manner that serves shared interests and contributes to stability across the region. He reiterated Iraq's "firm position" on safeguarding its sovereignty and national interests, pledging that Iraqi territory would not be used as a launching point for actions targeting other nations.

The two sides agreed to take appropriate measures within the legal framework to strengthen mutual trust and enhance their capacity to address security threats, the statement noted. The renewed invitation to Riyadh signals ongoing efforts to deepen ties between Baghdad and Riyadh amid complex geopolitical dynamics in the Gulf.