Key facts
- President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will pursue numerous deals with Iraq and extract oil.
- Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met with Trump at the White House to discuss economic partnerships.
- Al-Zaidi, a businessman with no prior political experience, was chosen as a consensus candidate after months of deadlock.
- Discussions included Iraq's efforts to disarm Iran-backed militias by September 30.
- An agreement is expected to be signed for the construction of an oil pipeline connecting Basra to Haditha.
President Donald Trump welcomed Iraq's new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, to the White House, highlighting a "tremendous chemistry" between them. Al-Zaidi, a wealthy businessman with no prior political experience, emerged as a consensus candidate after months of deadlock and was endorsed by Trump, who had threatened to cut off U.S. support if another candidate was chosen. Al-Zaidi stated his visit would focus on announcing an "economic partnership" between the two countries.
Discussions also centered on Iran, with Iraq under pressure to disarm Iran-backed militias operating within its borders by the end of September. A Trump administration official indicated that U.S. decisions would be informed by Iraq's progress in this regard. Al-Zaidi has been likened to the "Trump of the Middle East" due to his business background and outsider status, though experts note the complexities of his position and the challenges he faces in dismantling entrenched political systems and combating corruption.
An oil pipeline deal is also poised to be finalized, involving Iraq, U.S. companies Chevron and TI Capital, and Qatar's UCC for the construction of a pipeline connecting Basra to Haditha. Experts anticipate significant U.S. pressure on al-Zaidi regarding militia disarmament, with al-Zaidi likely to request U.S. support in return.