Iraq PM to meet Trump in Washington over Iran ties

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is in Washington for a crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump, a visit underscored by the US administration's intensified pressure on Baghdad to curtail Iranian influence. This meeting occurs against a backdrop of escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran, long-time adversaries whose rivalry has frequently turned Iraq into a proxy battleground.

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His government has given armed groups, which Washington designates as terrorist organisations, until September 30 to disarm, coinciding with the end of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition’s mission.

Zaidi, a businessman who assumed office earlier this year with US backing, has pledged to bolster Iraq's fragile economy and disarm pro-Iran armed groups that have targeted US facilities. In an op-ed published ahead of his visit, Zaidi emphasized his government's commitment to ensuring "the state possesses the legitimate monopoly on the use of force." His administration has set a September 30 deadline for these armed groups to disarm, coinciding with the end of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition's mission in Iraq.

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even if the current government adopts a more US-friendly path, prioritising the economy, “it doesn’t mean that Iraq is turning against Iran”. Iraq “must maintain the long-standing balance” between its allies, he said.

Despite adopting a more US-friendly stance and prioritizing economic development, senior Iraqi officials stress that Baghdad must maintain a delicate balance between its key allies, the US and Iran. The recent funeral procession in Iraq's holy cities for Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike, highlights the complex regional dynamics at play.

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I stand committed to ensuring that the state possesses the legitimate monopoly on the use of force.

The Iraqi government believes that consolidating state control over arms is essential for attracting foreign investment. Zaidi's message to the United States is that Iraq "stands apart from regional alignments and conflicts, and chooses instead the path of development." This stance comes after Washington resumed cash shipments for Iraq's oil revenue, which had been suspended earlier this year as a pressure tactic to encourage the disarmament of pro-Iran groups. However, the path forward remains challenging, as some armed groups have signaled their refusal to disarm, particularly while regional conflicts persist.

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my message to the United States is that Iraq “stands apart from regional alignments and conflicts, and chooses instead the path of development”.