U.S. troops' withdrawal sign of Iraq's strengthened independence: Iranian FM

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (R) and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein attend a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Araghchi attended a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday the U.S. troops' withdrawal from the Ayn al-Asad Airbase in Iraq signifies the strengthening of the Arab state's independence and sovereignty.

Araghchi made the remarks during a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that the country's army has taken full control of the Ayn al-Asad Airbase in the western province of Anbar following the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

"The U.S. military forces' withdrawal from the Ayn al-Asad Airbase and the conclusion of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) are clear signs of the strengthening of Iraq's independence, stability and national sovereignty, and we are very happy about it," Araghchi said.

Iraq is capable of "playing a positive role in promoting dialogue and interaction and resolving the existing obstacles to relations in the region," he said, voicing Iran's readiness to raise the level of bilateral relations.

He also commended Iraq's supportive stance toward the Iranian people, following his detailed briefing to the Iraqi counterpart on Iran's recent unrest.

For his part, the Iraqi foreign minister said he believes that the security of Iraq and Iran is intertwined with that of the region.

Hussein highlighted the need for continued Iran-Iraq dialogue, saying, "We underline the principle of the indivisibility of the region's security and believe that each regional state's stability guarantees the neighbors' security."

"We stressed non-interference in countries' internal affairs and agreed to continue consultations to counter regional challenges," he added.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (R) and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein attend a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Araghchi attended a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (R) shakes hands with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein at a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Araghchi attended a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (R) and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein attend a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Araghchi attended a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (R) attends a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. Araghchi attended a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, following discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments. (Xinhua/Shadati)