US Keen to Form Alliance with Iraq, Syria Away from Iran’s Influence

Iraq and Syria are reportedly on the verge of signing an economic agreement, a development being facilitated under U.S. sponsorship. Sources indicate that this pact is slated to be finalized during Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's visit to Washington in mid-July. This potential agreement is seen as a significant step towards forging a new regional alliance that deliberately distances itself from Iran's sphere of influence.

Further signaling the diplomatic momentum, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is expected to travel to Washington around the same time. His visit is anticipated to include meetings with Prime Minister al-Zaidi or other Iraqi officials accompanying him. These discussions are likely to occur on the sidelines of the Iraqi prime minister's broader engagements in the U.S. capital.

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al-Zaidi’s team is making special preparations to sign a regional economic agreement that includes Syria.

Western sources suggest that the talks will follow an anticipated meeting between Prime Minister al-Zaidi and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack is reportedly sponsoring the agreement between Baghdad and Damascus. There is also a possibility that other Arab nations could join this emerging alliance at a later stage, contingent upon the finalization of ongoing technical and political understandings.

While an Iraqi source neither confirmed nor denied potential meetings between al-Zaidi and Syrian officials in Washington, a political advisor from the previous Iraqi government stated that al-Zaidi's team is making specific preparations for a regional economic agreement that includes Syria. Another Iraqi source detailed that al-Zaidi's visit, scheduled from July 15 for about four days, will involve meetings with the U.S. president, congressional leaders from both parties, and representatives of American oil companies, followed by a trip to Texas for energy firm discussions.

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the prime minister will travel to Washington at the invitation of the US president, and the meeting with Trump tops the agenda