Saudi Foreign Ministry calls on Iraq to uphold Kuwait’s sovereign rights

Saudi Foreign Ministry calls on Iraq to uphold Kuwait’s sovereign rights

Saudi Foreign Ministry Calls on Iraq to Uphold Kuwait’s Sovereign Rights

The Saudi Foreign Ministry has reiterated its demand that Iraq respect Kuwait’s sovereign rights and territorial integrity, particularly regarding maritime boundaries and bilateral agreements. This call aligns with broader Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) efforts to resolve longstanding disputes between Iraq and Kuwait, as outlined in recent ministerial statements and diplomatic exchanges.

The 160th GCC Ministerial Council meeting in Doha emphasized Iraq’s obligation to adhere to international law and bilateral agreements, including the 2012 Khor Abdullah maritime navigation treaty. The council condemned Iraq’s unilateral annulment of the agreement by its Supreme Federal Court in 2023 and urged Iraq to comply with Security Council Resolution 833 (1993), which governs Kuwaiti-Iraqi border demarcation. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait jointly reaffirmed that the Khor Abdullah agreement remains legally binding, rejecting Iraq’s claims to alter terms unilaterally.

Recent tensions escalated after Iraq submitted revised maritime boundary coordinates to the UN in January 2026, asserting sovereignty over disputed areas, including Fasht Al-Qaid and Fasht Al-Aij. Kuwait protested the move, arguing it violates historical agreements and international law. The dispute follows a 2025 joint technical committee meeting between Iraq and Kuwait, where discussions on maritime zones beyond UN marker 162 stalled amid Iraqi concerns over sovereignty.

Economically, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have prioritized cooperation to mitigate regional instability. Their joint statement highlighted shared interests in oil resource management within the Divided Zone, a 2,228-square-mile area where both nations equally exploit natural resources, according to analysis. Bilateral trade reached $2.92 billion in 2022, with plans to expand investments in energy, infrastructure, and technology, as reported. Such collaboration underscores the Gulf states’ strategy to strengthen economic ties while addressing sovereignty disputes diplomatically.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry’s stance reflects broader GCC efforts to stabilize Gulf relations, balancing legal assertions with economic integration. However, unresolved maritime claims and Iraq's constitutional challenges to international treaties highlight ongoing risks to regional cooperation. Investors monitoring the Gulf should note that protracted disputes could impact energy sector projects and cross-border trade, particularly in oil-dependent economies like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.