Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi concluded a series of high-level meetings in Washington this week, aiming to establish a new chapter in bilateral relations between Baghdad and the United States. The visit, which included discussions with President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, signals a potential shift toward stronger commercial and security cooperation.
Secretary Hegseth confirmed the discussions in a statement posted to social media, emphasizing that the future of the partnership hinges on Iraq’s ability to assert its sovereignty. According to Hegseth, Iraq is expected to disarm Iran-aligned militias that have been responsible for over 600 attacks on US personnel throughout the spring. The US is currently transitioning its military posture, looking toward the Iraqi Security Forces and the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga to lead efforts in the ongoing mission to defeat ISIS as the broader Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) mission winds down.
The diplomatic push faces significant domestic hurdles. Pro-Iranian factions within Iraq remain openly hostile to the rapprochement. According to reports from Shafaq News, the Secretary-General of the Al-Nujaba Movement, Akram Al-Kaabi, publicly criticized the meetings, accusing US corporate interests of sabotaging Iraq’s electricity sector and rejecting the administration’s stance on the late Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Despite the resistance, the White House appears to be betting on al-Zaidi—a former businessperson—to stabilize Iraq. The administration is banking on personal diplomacy to secure a more reliable partner in Baghdad, provided the Iraqi government can successfully manage its internal security challenges.