DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji held a "productive meeting" with US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue Conference in Bahrain on Saturday, discussing enhanced security cooperation, information and expertise exchange, and joint efforts against terrorism and narcotics trafficking.

Araji wrote on X the discussions "focused on enhancing security cooperation between Iraq and the United States" and on "strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries," particularly in the areas of information and expertise exchange and combating terrorism and narcotics.

He added that the meeting also reviewed "Iraq’s active role in promoting regional stability" through the Iraqi government’s policy of "non-alignment in conflicts" and its commitment to "bridging regional and international perspectives" in a manner that advances security, peace, and sustainable development across the region and the world.

Baghdad and Washington have shared an intimate security relationship since the US invasion and overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003, with both sides cooperating extensively in the fight against Islamic State (ISIS) remnants.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani in October that a small group of US military advisors will remain in Iraq to coordinate with forces in neighboring Syria to combat ISIS, despite a prior agreement that would have seen US personnel depart by September 2025. 

In August, Iraq faced US criticism after Araji and Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani signed a security memorandum of understanding with Iran focused on enhancing border coordination between the neighboring states.

Washington warned the move could deepen Iranian influence in Iraq, especially amid ongoing debate over a controversial bill to formalize the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Baghdad rejected the accusations, stressing that Iraq is a sovereign state free to sign agreements based on its national interests.

The Iranian embassy in Washington condemned the US position as "unacceptable interference," arguing the cooperation aims to support border security and regional stability.

The Manama Dialogue "is a unique forum for government ministers and policymakers, as well as members of the expert, opinion-forming and business communities, to debate the Middle East’s most pressing foreign-policy, defence and security challenges," according to the event's website. "Held annually since 2004 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Dialogue is a central element of the Middle East’s security architecture."