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The new maritime map includes areas claimed by Kuwait [Getty]
From NewArab by Dana Taib Menmy
Iraq has filed a new map showing its maritime borders and saying that this is in compliance with international law, but this has caused an incident with Kuwait
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday announced that it had submitted updated geographic coordinates to the United Nations, thereby formally delineating Iraq’s maritime boundaries in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
This submission prompted an official protest from Kuwait, which contends that elements of Iraq’s filing infringe upon Kuwaiti maritime sovereignty.
In a statement, Iraq's foreign ministry said that the submission was delivered to the UN Secretary-General on 19 January and 9 February 2026. It contains specified geographic coordinates and an illustrative map, as mandated by Articles 16(2), 75(2), and 84(2) of the convention.
The ministry indicated that the submission defines Iraq’s straight baselines and those based on the lowest low-water line for measuring its territorial sea.
It further delineates the boundaries of Iraq’s territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and continental shelf. The coordinates were prepared using the internationally recognised World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS-84).
The ministry stated that this filing supersedes previous submissions from December 7, 2021, and April 15, 2011. The update aims to align Iraq’s maritime data with international law and to enhance legal clarity regarding its maritime zones.
The coordinates and map are accessible on the official website of the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, under the Office of Legal Affairs, for use by member states and stakeholders.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry reiterated Iraq’s commitment to international law and its intention to regulate maritime rights within established legal frameworks, thereby promoting regional stability and cooperation.
Kuwait Summons Iraqi Chargé d’Affaires
In response, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Saturday that it had expressed concern about Iraq’s submission of maritime coordinates and the accompanying map to the United Nations.
Kuwait asserted that Iraq’s submission includes claims affecting Kuwaiti sovereignty over specific maritime areas and features, such as Fasht Al-Qaid and Fasht Al-Aij, which Kuwait maintains have never been subject to dispute concerning its full sovereignty.
The ministry indicated that the submission defines Iraq’s straight baselines and those based on the lowest low-water line for measuring its territorial sea.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry summoned the Iraqi chargé d’affaires and delivered an official protest rejecting what it described as Iraqi claims infringing upon Kuwait’s maritime sovereignty and associated features.
Kuwait urged Iraq to consider the historical relationship between the two countries and to act in accordance with international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and existing bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding.
This development occurs amid ongoing legal and political repercussions arising from Iraq’s maritime arrangements with Kuwait, particularly following the Supreme Federal Court's annulment of the Khor Abdullah maritime agreement in 2023.
The treaty, signed in 2012 and ratified by Iraq’s parliament in 2013 as Law 42, regulated navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway. The court ruled it unconstitutional because the required two-thirds parliamentary majority for ratifying international agreements was absent.
The ruling initiated debate concerning Iraq’s constitutional obligations, international commitments, and maritime rights in the Gulf. It also raised concerns in Kuwait and further complicated bilateral maritime arrangements.
Some Iraqi lawmakers and legal experts argue that the annulment renders the treaty void and obliges the government to notify the United Nations and the International Maritime Organisation.
In contrast, other government officials maintain that the agreement remains valid until it is replaced or re-ratified through constitutional procedures.
In April, independent MP and former transport minister Amir Abdul Jabbar Ismael filed a complaint against Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani under Article 329 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which addresses abuse of power and obstruction of justice.
Ismael alleged that al-Sudani instructed ministries not to forward the court’s ruling to the UN and the International Maritime Organisation, as required by the annulled treaty.
Sheikh Latif Mustafa, a constitutional law expert and former Iraqi MP, stated last year to The New Arab that the treaty cannot be reinstated unless the court reverses its decision or parliament reapproves the agreement with the requisite majority, both of which he considers improbable.
Numerous experts and public figures have instead advocated for renewed negotiations with Kuwait under updated legal and maritime frameworks and the debate has highlighted Iraq’s broader maritime vulnerabilities, as a nearly-landlocked nation.
On July 17, 2025, Iraq and Kuwait held the tenth session of their Joint Technical and Legal Committee on maritime borders. Discussions focused on the area beyond UN marker 162, the final point established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 833 in 1993.
While Kuwait confirmed the meeting, Iraq has not issued a formal statement. Reports of the talks drew criticism from Iraqi lawmakers and former officials, who warned that negotiations beyond marker 162 could undermine Iraq’s sovereignty and affect access to key infrastructure such as the Grand Faw Port.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry summoned the Iraqi chargé d’affaires and delivered an official protest rejecting what it described as Iraqi claims infringing upon Kuwait’s maritime sovereignty and associated features.
Kuwait urged Iraq to consider the historical relationship between the two countries and to act in accordance with international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and existing bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding.
This development occurs amid ongoing legal and political repercussions arising from Iraq’s maritime arrangements with Kuwait, particularly following the Supreme Federal Court's annulment of the Khor Abdullah maritime agreement in 2023.
The treaty, signed in 2012 and ratified by Iraq’s parliament in 2013 as Law 42, regulated navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway. The court ruled it unconstitutional because the required two-thirds parliamentary majority for ratifying international agreements was absent.
The ruling initiated debate concerning Iraq’s constitutional obligations, international commitments, and maritime rights in the Gulf. It also raised concerns in Kuwait and further complicated bilateral maritime arrangements.
Some Iraqi lawmakers and legal experts argue that the annulment renders the treaty void and obliges the government to notify the United Nations and the International Maritime Organisation.
In contrast, other government officials maintain that the agreement remains valid until it is replaced or re-ratified through constitutional procedures.
In April, independent MP and former transport minister Amir Abdul Jabbar Ismael filed a complaint against Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani under Article 329 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which addresses abuse of power and obstruction of justice.
Ismael alleged that al-Sudani instructed ministries not to forward the court’s ruling to the UN and the International Maritime Organisation, as required by the annulled treaty.
Sheikh Latif Mustafa, a constitutional law expert and former Iraqi MP, stated last year to The New Arab that the treaty cannot be reinstated unless the court reverses its decision or parliament reapproves the agreement with the requisite majority, both of which he considers improbable.
Numerous experts and public figures have instead advocated for renewed negotiations with Kuwait under updated legal and maritime frameworks and the debate has highlighted Iraq’s broader maritime vulnerabilities, as a nearly-landlocked nation.
On July 17, 2025, Iraq and Kuwait held the tenth session of their Joint Technical and Legal Committee on maritime borders. Discussions focused on the area beyond UN marker 162, the final point established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 833 in 1993.
While Kuwait confirmed the meeting, Iraq has not issued a formal statement. Reports of the talks drew criticism from Iraqi lawmakers and former officials, who warned that negotiations beyond marker 162 could undermine Iraq’s sovereignty and affect access to key infrastructure such as the Grand Faw Port.
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