following irans exploitation and diversion of shared rivers without prior notification eg on the karkheh river the two states decided to form a joint technical committee in order to address issues of mutual concern iraqs ministry of water resources reports that this committee holds regular meetings and organizes technical exchange visits it can be assumed that the periodic trilateral meetings on water issues and other matters have been put on hold a crucial issue for iraqiturkish relations on the tigris river will be the completion of the llisu dam and reservoir as it is likely to impact overall discharge and flow regime of the river significantly especially in downstream iraq