Shafaq News-
Baghdad
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and France’s Ministerfor Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, reviewed escalating tensionsbetween the United States and Iran during a phone call on Saturday.
According to a statement, the discussions focused on thepotential impact of the US–Iran standoff on regional stability. The twoofficials also considered Hussein’s upcoming trip to Iran, along with France’sand the European Union’s approach to relations with Tehran.
Earlier, Hussein held separate phone conversations withSaudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Turkish Foreign Minister HakanFidan, further covering the US-Iran tensions and their possible consequences forthe region.
Speaking to Shafaq News, an Iranian source previouslyconfirmed that Hussein is scheduled to visit Tehran on Sunday for a one-dayofficial trip. He is expected to meet Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi and othersenior officials to discuss Baghdad–Tehran relations and the latestdevelopments in the Washington–Tehran tension.
The unrest in Iran began on December 28, 2025, after therial fell to about 1.45 million per US dollar, sparking sharp increases in foodprices and inflation. The Human Rights Activists News Agency has documented3,090 confirmed deaths, with 3,882 additional cases under review, at least2,055 serious injuries, and 22,123 arrests nationwide. Iranian authoritiesacknowledge roughly 2,000 fatalities.
Iranian officials have accused the United States and Israelof fueling instability, with Araghchi arguing that demonstrations beganpeacefully before turning violent due to what he described as the “infiltrationof armed groups.” Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned ofpossible military options targeting Iran’s security apparatus, while stoppingshort of a final decision since the protests erupted. He has also imposed a 25%tariff on countries trading with Iran and suspended planned engagements withIranian officials.
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