Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Jordan on October 26 to meet with King Abdullah II and Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, highlighting Baghdad's efforts to strengthen ties with its western neighbor amid regional tensions. The visit led to the signing of nine cooperation documents and discussions on expanding trade, energy links, and security coordination.
Zaidi's visit to Amman was his first official trip to Jordan since taking office. It followed a visit to Saudi Arabia on October 14 and comes as Iraq is seeking to diversify its economic partnerships and strengthen ties with neighboring Arab countries.
According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Zaidi returned to Baghdad after meeting Jordanian officials, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Iraqi businesspeople and investors. The visit included expanded bilateral talks and the signing of memoranda of understanding covering higher education, environmental protection, consumer protection, diplomatic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Iraqi Prime Minister's Office said the discussions focused on increasing cooperation in economic, commercial, industrial, and security matters. "Jordan is a strategic partner for Iraq, and we look forward to more cooperation and joint coordination to deal with all challenges and advance the consolidation of bilateral relations," Zaidi said, according to his office.
The visit illustrates the importance of Jordan for Iraq at a time when Baghdad faces challenges involving Iran, Syria and the security of its borders.
Iraq, Jordan's historic ties rooted in shared Hashemite rule
Iraq and Jordan have longstanding historical, political and economic ties. Both countries were ruled by branches of the Hashemite dynasty during the twentieth century, until Iraq's monarchy was overthrown in 1958. Jordan's Hashemite monarchy still rules the kingdom today.
During the 1980s, Jordan became an important economic partner for Iraq. During the Iran-Iraq War, the port of Aqaba gave Iraq access to international trade routes, while the highway connecting Amman and Baghdad became an important commercial corridor. Jordan also maintained relations with Iraq during Saddam Hussein's rule, when Iraqi oil supplies and trade mattered to the Jordanian economy.
The US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 transformed the relationship. Many Iraqis fled to Jordan as refugees. Extremists also threatened Jordan from Iraq. In subsequent years, the rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria posed another challenge to relations between Baghdad and Amman. ISIS invaded Iraq in 2014. This presented threats to Jordan. The US deployed forces to Jordan and to the Tanaf base in Syria near the Jordan-Syria-Iraq border.
Iraq and Jordan share a border of almost 180km. Trade is important but could grow in the next few years. Therefore, the security of Anbar province in Iraq is essential to relations, trade, and security. The province covers a vast area of western Iraq and borders Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Its location makes it strategically important for transportation, trade and regional security.
The importance of this cooperation was underscored by the recent attack on a church in Jordan's Karak. Nine people were murdered and 40 wounded in the October 23 attack. Jordanian security forces subsequently arrested three suspects.
Iraq, Jordan discuss proposed duty-free economic zone to boost trade
Economic cooperation was a central focus of Zaidi's visit. This is no surprise, as he was a banker before becoming prime minister. According to Rudaw, the Iraqi prime minister emphasized the importance of establishing a duty-free economic zone between Iraq and Jordan. Zaidi said the proposed free zone would increase trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan also stressed the importance of implementing existing economic projects. "We want to move joint economic projects between the two countries to the stage of actual ground implementation, following practical steps and clear timelines," Hassan said, according to Jordan's Petra news agency, as quoted by Rudaw.
The nine agreements signed during the visit represent efforts to expand cooperation across several sectors. However, the announced documents did not include a specific agreement establishing the proposed free trade zone.
Jordan previously imported between 10,000 and 15,000 barrels of Iraqi crude oil per day under a bilateral agreement, reports indicate. According to Rudaw, deliveries have been suspended since late December 2025 following the expiration of the agreement and difficulties obtaining suitable crude.
Jordan's Energy Ministry said the kingdom imported approximately 2.76 million barrels of Iraqi oil during 2025. Another major project under discussion is the proposed Basra-Aqaba oil pipeline, which would connect Iraq's southern oilfields to Jordan's Red Sea port. The pipeline could provide Iraq with an alternative export route and reduce its dependence on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq is also increasing exports through Syria. Jordan offers Iraq both a commercial partner and a potential alternative route for exporting oil.
The two countries also participate in a trilateral cooperation mechanism with Egypt, focused on energy, electricity, infrastructure and trade. Zaidi is expected to visit Cairo on November 23, according to Egyptian officials cited by Rudaw.
The visit to Jordan also comes as Zaidi is expected to travel to Syria for talks with officials in Damascus. According to previous reporting by Kurdistan24, the Iraqi prime minister had planned to visit Syria before traveling to Jordan, but the trip was postponed.
Iraq seeks stronger ties with Jordan, Syria to secure borders and reduce reliance on Iran
The proposed visit is important because Iraq's western border security is closely connected to developments in Syria. For Baghdad, improving relations with both Jordan and Syria could help reopen commercial routes and reduce dependence on infrastructure and trade corridors linked to Iran or the Persian Gulf. Security also remains a major issue. Iraq must maintain control of its borders, prevent militant infiltration, and address the influence of armed factions operating within the country.
Jordan has its own concerns about instability in Syria, particularly along its northern border, where smuggling networks and armed groups have posed security challenges. These shared concerns create opportunities for greater coordination among the three countries.
Zaidi's visit to Jordan reflects a broader effort by Baghdad to strengthen relations with Arab neighbors while managing its complicated relationship with Iran. Iraq has economic and political ties with Tehran, but it is also seeking to expand trade, investment, and energy cooperation with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other regional partners. This could weaken its Iranian influence. Iraq is doing the heavy lifting now for the future. Jordan and Syria are part of this vision. This would essentially reunite the three Arab kingdoms that almost came into being in the 1920s. France, at the time, moved in Syria, pushing the Hashemites into Iraq and Jordan. The Ba’ath Party then came to power in Syria and Iraq.
For Jordan, closer ties with Iraq offer economic benefits and opportunities for greater regional integration. The next stage will depend on whether the agreements signed in Amman lead to practical results. A proposed free trade zone, electricity interconnection projects, and the Basra-Aqaba pipeline are among the initiatives that could deepen bilateral relations.
The larger question is whether Iraq can move these diplomatic initiatives into new economic corridors and stronger regional partnerships. Much work remains to be done. Keeping Iran from destabilizing Iraq will be important.