In a diplomatic breakthrough that could reshape regional cooperation, Iraq and Turkey are on the verge of finalizing a landmark water management agreement, officials from both countries announced after high-level talks in Ankara on Friday, October 10, 2025. The agreement, years in the making, is set to regulate the crucial flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers—lifelines for millions in drought-stricken Iraq—and address a deepening crisis that has threatened livelihoods and regional stability.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, leading a delegation to Ankara, described the situation in stark terms. "Severe water scarcity has deeply affected Iraq," he said, according to Kurdistan24. He emphasized that the drought conditions facing Iraq were "alarming and increasingly threatening," a sentiment echoed by environmental monitoring groups and international observers. Hussein’s delegation arrived in Turkey specifically to tackle the urgent issue of water cooperation, reflecting the gravity of the crisis at home.
The talks, as reported by Al-Monitor, focused on forging joint mechanisms to manage shared water resources and counter the severe drought and water scarcity now gripping Iraq. These discussions, involving experts from both nations, have been ongoing for over a year. Friday’s meeting, however, marked a pivotal moment. Hussein revealed that the two sides had achieved "two main objectives related to the water dossier." The first, he explained, was the drafting and finalization of a memorandum concerning a framework agreement on water management—a document that both parties now expect to sign soon in Baghdad. Hussein formally invited his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, to the Iraqi capital to witness the signing.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking alongside Hussein at a joint press conference, underscored a shared commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation. "We agreed to settle disputes through dialogue, not confrontation," Fidan stated, as quoted by Shafaq News, reinforcing a message of cooperation that both sides hope will extend beyond the water issue to broader regional stability.
But while the diplomatic mood was optimistic, the facts on the ground remain sobering. In recent months, Turkey pledged to increase water releases into Iraq’s rivers to 420 cubic meters per second (m³/s) to help alleviate the drought. Yet, monitoring groups report that only 120 m³/s has actually been delivered—far below Ankara’s commitment, and a shortfall that has exacerbated Baghdad’s crisis, according to Shafaq News. The gap between promise and delivery has fueled frustration in Iraq, where farmers and city dwellers alike face mounting water shortages.
Hussein did not shy away from these concerns. He acknowledged the ongoing difficulties but expressed cautious optimism that Turkey would soon fulfill its pledge. "I am pleased with the results of today’s meeting and hopeful that Türkiye will soon begin releasing more water to Iraq," he said, as reported by Kurdistan24. He reiterated his confidence that the two countries are "on the verge of reaching a comprehensive understanding" over the water issue.
Beyond the immediate technicalities of water release, the talks in Ankara reflected a broader recalibration of Iraq-Turkey relations. Hussein highlighted that the Tigris and Euphrates are not the only threads tying the two nations together. "Our security situations are also interconnected," he pointed out. "Just as Türkiye’s security matters to us, Iraq’s stability is equally important for Türkiye." This sentiment was echoed in his remarks about the wider Middle East, where he warned that "conflict remains a threat to the entire region" and called for "an environment conducive to dialogue and understanding. War is not an option; it endangers all of us."
The diplomatic thaw extended beyond water. The resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) through Turkey’s Ceyhan Port was also on the agenda. Hussein welcomed this development as a "positive step that will strengthen and improve relations between Iraq and Türkiye." According to Kurdistan24, Turkey had expressed readiness as early as a year prior to facilitate these exports, and the current agreement marks a significant achievement in economic cooperation. The move is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Iraq’s economy and further cement energy ties between the two neighbors.
Amid these positive signals, the shadow of past disputes still lingers. The 1973 Turkey-Iraq Crude Oil Pipeline Agreement is set to terminate on July 27, 2026, following a Turkish presidential decree published in July 2025. This looming deadline adds urgency to the current rapprochement, as both sides seek to lay the groundwork for future energy cooperation and avoid a repeat of past disruptions.
The Ankara meeting also touched on regional security and the interconnected challenges facing both countries. Hussein reaffirmed Iraq’s support for Turkey’s ongoing peace process, arguing that "the success of the peace process in Türkiye would positively impact Iraq’s own security." He called for collective action to resolve regional tensions through negotiation, warning that "the choice of war poses a grave threat to the entire region. Therefore, we must work collectively to establish mechanisms for dialogue and mutual understanding."
For Iraq, the stakes could hardly be higher. Years of drought, compounded by upstream dam projects and climate change, have left the country’s rivers at historic lows. The Tigris and Euphrates, once the cradle of Mesopotamian civilization, now run thin, straining agriculture, industry, and daily life. According to Shafaq News, the new water management agreement aims to establish a sustainable framework for sharing these vital resources and preventing future crises.
Turkey, for its part, faces its own pressures. Domestic water needs are rising, and Ankara has often argued that it must balance its obligations to neighbors with the demands of its own population. Yet, as both ministers made clear, the risks of inaction—environmental degradation, economic strife, and even conflict—are simply too great to ignore.
The mood in Ankara at the close of Friday’s talks was one of cautious hope. Both sides reaffirmed their mutual interest in achieving tangible progress on water, energy, and security. As Hussein put it, "We must all work together to build an environment conducive to dialogue and understanding." With the signing of the new water management agreement now imminent, Iraq and Turkey appear poised to turn a page in their often fraught relationship—one that could have ripple effects across the region.
While challenges remain, the diplomatic momentum and renewed spirit of cooperation offer a rare glimmer of optimism. For the millions who depend on the Tigris and Euphrates, and for a region long haunted by scarcity and strife, the prospect of a sustainable, negotiated solution is more than just a diplomatic achievement—it’s a lifeline.