Iraqi Foreign Ministry: Iraq's Losses from the US-Iran War Reached $60 Billion - Sarmad

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirmed on Friday that Iraq’s losses from the conflict between the United States and Iran amounted to approximately $60 billion.

The statement came during a meeting between Hussein and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in Rome, where the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation, alongside regional and international developments.

According to a statement from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting addressed prospects for developing security and military cooperation, particularly following the end of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq, as well as outstanding financial and military files with the Iraqi government and Italian companies dating back to the former regime.

The two sides also discussed the repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine war on European security, developments in the regional conflict, and their impact on Iraq and Gulf states.

Hussein expressed Iraq’s appreciation for Italy’s supportive stance in its war against terrorism and the defeat of the “Daesh” (ISIS) group, commending its efforts in training the Federal Police and Peshmerga forces.

He emphasized the necessity for the European Union and European countries to play an active role in supporting peace initiatives and encouraging conflict parties to return to negotiations, thereby contributing to de-escalation.

The foreign minister stated that the continuation of the US-Iran conflict has exacerbated the global energy crisis and heightened inflation concerns, negatively affecting several economies, including those in Europe.

For his part, Tajani praised the robustness of Iraqi-Italian relations, reaffirming his country’s support for Iraq across various fields.

Both sides agreed to continue communication and coordination on issues of mutual interest, while Hussein extended an invitation to his Italian counterpart to visit Iraq.