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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali ez-Zeydi said an invitation will be sent to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Development Road Project, describing the transport corridor as a strategic investment for Iraq's future.

Speaking to Iraqi state television, Zeydi said work on the project will begin once the budget is approved, and set out plans to raise oil output, bring weapons under state control and keep Iraq out of regional wars.

Erdoğan to be invited to ceremony

Zeydi called the Development Road Project a strategic investment for Iraq's future and said it would become the country's "third river." The prime minister said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Zeydi discussed the matter during talks in Baghdad the other day.

"We will invite President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the groundbreaking ceremony of the Development Road Project. Work on the project will start after the budget is approved," Zeydi said.

Oil output and export routes

Iraq aims to raise daily oil production to 10 million barrels by 2032, Zeydi said, laying out the country's plans to expand output.

Oil exports have at times stopped and resumed because of regional conditions, the prime minister said. Iraq is working on new pipeline networks to secure those exports and reduce its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, with the goal of diversifying its export routes. Zeydi said work is also under way to reactivate the Ceyhan route.

Weapons under state control

Zeydi said files covering three armed groups have been completed and talks continue with four more. "Bringing weapons under the state's control is a final, irreversible decision," Zeydi said, adding that the goal is to leave no weapons outside state control as of June 30, 2027.

The end of foreign forces in the country would also remove the pretexts offered for carrying weapons, Zeydi said, adding that "there is not a single U.S. soldier in Iraq, even in an advisory capacity." On Sinjar, Zeydi said an understanding had been reached with the Şengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) on handing over Sinjar Mountain and integrating the group's members into Hashd al-Shaabi.

Iraq to stay out of wars

"Iraq will not take part in any war. Iraq will remain a point of meeting and dialogue between the parties," Zeydi said when assessing Iraq's stance toward regional and international tensions.

Key takeaways

• Iraq will invite President Erdoğan to the Development Road Project's groundbreaking ceremony
• The project will start after the budget is approved and is described as Iraq's "third river"
• Iraq targets 10 million barrels of daily oil output by 2032 and is working on new pipeline networks
• The aim is to leave no weapons outside state control by June 30, 2027