Baghdad-INA
National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji on Friday denied reports that Iraq pays transit fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, calling them false.
In a post on the X platform, al-Araji said Iran had previously stated that Iraq is exempt from transit procedures in the strategic waterway.
He described reports suggesting Iraq pays such fees as “baseless allegations.”
Regarding wider regional dynamics, al-Araji said the Middle East is “one of the most geopolitically important regions in the world,” citing its strategic location linking three continents, its vast energy resources, and key maritime routes that directly affect the global economy.
He added that, amid shifts in the international system, the region has become a major arena for competition among global and regional powers seeking to expand their political, military and economic influence
He said this competition has increasingly shaped regional security dynamics, as international rivalries intersect with domestic challenges, underscoring the need for collective regional cooperation to ensure stability and protect national interests.