Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi's Visit to Washington (2026)

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeydi’s visit to Washington was his first foreign trip following his confirmation as prime minister by parliament in May 2026. The official visit took place between 13–18 July 2026 in the United States of America. During the visit, Prime Minister al-Zeydi met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on 14 July 2026, and subsequently visited the U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon), where he held talks with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between the two countries in the fields of energy, trade, investment, and technology. Discussions also addressed the disarmament of non-state armed groups in Iraq, Iran’s influence in Iraq, and the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq.

^{U.S. President Donald Trump met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi at the White House during his visit to Washington, July 14, 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)}

Ali al-Zeydi is a businessman with no prior political experience who was appointed prime minister after months of political instability following Iraq’s general elections at the end of 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump openly opposed al-Zeydi’s candidacy citing the previous prime minister’s close ties to Iran, and stated that if al-Maliki became prime minister, the United States would cut its support for Iraq; al-Maliki withdrew his candidacy in April 2026.

During the preparation for the visit, a meeting was held on 15 June 2026 between Prime Minister al-Zeydi and U.S. Presidential Special Representative Tom Barrack. Following this meeting, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a joint statement indicating that Special Representative Barrack conveyed President Trump’s expectation to host al-Zeydi at the White House in mid-July. During the same meeting, both sides discussed a shared vision for the complete disarmament and dissolution of all armed groups operating outside the authority of the Iraqi state, emphasizing the urgency of completing these efforts.^【1】

The same joint statement also included commitments to deepen trade and investment relations between the two countries. The finalization of Starlink’s operating license in Iraq, the initiation of negotiations between Chevron and the West Qurna-2 and Nasiriya oil fields, the resumption of operations by HKN, Western Zagros, and Hunt companies under full security guarantees, and the advancement of a memorandum of understanding between TI Capital and the Kirkuk-Baniyas oil pipeline rehabilitation project were welcomed. Furthermore, the joint commitment to enhance cooperation through Excelerate Energy’s integrated LNG import terminal project in Al-Zubayr to support Iraq’s electricity needs was reiterated.^【2】

^{U.S. President Donald Trump met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi at the White House during his visit to Washington, July 14, 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)}

According to an announcement from the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office, the purpose of the visit was defined as strengthening economic and development partnerships, attracting investments, and expanding the role of U.S. companies in infrastructure projects. It was reported that the Iraqi delegation traveling to Washington comprised more than 70 members, including ministers, the Governor of the Central Bank, the National Security Advisor, members of parliament, and business leaders. It was also stated that Iraq was seeking a credit line of up to 8 billion dollars from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).^【3】

14 July 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump received Prime Minister Ali al-Zeydi in the Oval Office of the White House. Following the meeting, a joint press conference was held. Trump described the talks as a “good meeting”, noted an “extraordinary chemistry” between the two leaders, and invited al-Zeydi to an impromptu lunch.^【4】

In the press conference following the meeting, Trump addressed the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, saying, “I always said, don’t go into Iraq. Don’t attack Iraq. Frankly, they attacked the wrong country and caused massive damage.” When asked about the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, Trump stated that the region no longer required a military presence, that oil companies had established partnerships with Iraq, and that the U.S. would remain in the region to protect Iraq if necessary, but that he did not believe such a presence was needed.^【5】

During the same meeting, Trump asserted that Iran was engaging in “bullying” in the region, claimed that Iran’s military capacity had been “destroyed,” and stated that the atmosphere of fear previously associated with Iran no longer existed. He further alleged that an agreement had been reached with Iran two days earlier, but that Iran had reneged on it and fired the first shot.

^{U.S. President Donald Trump met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi at the White House during his visit to Washington, July 14, 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)}

Prime Minister al-Zeydi, in his remarks, emphasized that Iraq’s fight against the Daesh terrorist organization had cost the country more than 400 billion dollars, noted that many Iraqi cities remain largely in ruins and that large segments of the population continue to live in camps, and stated that Iraq was demanding an “equitable share” within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).^【6】

Trump described al-Zeydi as a “magnificent champion, a new champion,” affirmed that Iraq possessed enormous potential due to its oil resources, predicted that numerous agreements would be signed between the two countries, and emphasized that many jobs would be created. Prime Minister al-Zeydi stated that the visit was “unlike any other” and marked the beginning of an “economic partnership,” noting that U.S.-Iraq relations had shifted from a military to an economic axis.

On 14 July, Prime Minister al-Zeydi visited the Pentagon and was received by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The meeting addressed the Global Coalition Against Daesh, the conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve, and the future of U.S.-Iraq relations.^【7】

Hegseth is a veteran of the Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom), having served with the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army between 2005 and 2006. During the meeting, Hegseth reiterated that the complete withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq was planned for 30 September, a timeline previously confirmed by both Trump and al-Zeydi during their White House meeting. Hegseth also stated that Iran and its regional proxies continued to pose a threat to Iraq, but affirmed that the United States would stand with Iraq.

In his remarks at the Pentagon, Prime Minister al-Zeydi thanked the U.S. military for its support in the fight against Daesh and expressed his expectation that American commercial activity would increase in the region following the conclusion of the U.S. military mission. According to U.S. Trade Representative data, the total value of goods and services traded between the United States and Iraq as of 2024 was approximately 12 billion dollars.^【8】

During his Washington visit, Prime Minister al-Zeydi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to have all armed groups in the country surrender their weapons to the state by 30 September 2026. Al-Zeydi stated, “The government’s program is to limit arms possession to the state. We will cooperate with those who surrender their weapons,” and declared that no organization outside the state would be permitted to carry arms after 30 September.^【9】

The Washington administration has tied increased defense and economic cooperation to progress in disarming militia forces and has opposed the involvement of Iran-linked groups within the Iraqi government.

Following al-Zeydi’s visit, Akrem al-Kaabi, Secretary-General of the Iran-backed Nujaba Movement, condemned Trump’s statements, rejecting what he described as efforts to establish American dominance over Iraq. Al-Kaabi also called on the Iraqi government to terminate the operations of American companies in the electricity sector and replace them with other firms.^【10】

^{U.S. President Donald Trump met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi at the White House during his visit to Washington, July 14, 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)}

According to Reuters, one of the primary objectives of Prime Minister al-Zeydi’s Washington visit was to attract large-scale U.S. investment into Iraq’s oil, natural gas, and electricity sectors following the damage inflicted by the war with Iran. In this context, negotiations were initiated with Chevron regarding major upstream projects, support was pledged for U.S.-backed energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) initiatives, security guarantees were extended to American operators active in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region, and plans were revived for strategic export pipelines connecting Iraq to Mediterranean markets.^【11】

Among the initiatives approved by al-Zeydi’s cabinet was an agreement with U.S.-based HKN Energy for the development of the Hemrin oil field in northern Iraq, and the finalization of a comprehensive cooperation agreement between the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity and General Electric to expand Iraq’s electricity generation and transmission infrastructure. Al-Zeydi stated that the government planned to significantly increase oil production over the next three years, aiming to raise current daily output of approximately 4.5 million barrels to 7 million barrels.

According to Iraqi officials, an agreement is expected to be signed between Iraq, Chevron, and TI Capital with the Qatari-based UCC company for the construction of an oil pipeline connecting Basra in southern Iraq to Haditha in western Iraq, and from there to the Ceyhan Port in Turkey and the Baniyas Port on the Syrian coast. The proposed pipeline is projected to have a capacity of approximately 2 million barrels per day.^【12】

It was noted that approximately 90 percent of Iraq’s oil exports, within a total daily export volume of 3.4 million barrels, transit through the Hormuz Strait, and that disruptions in this strait during the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict have severely impacted Iraq’s economy.

^{U.S. President Donald Trump met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi at the White House during his visit to Washington, July 14, 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)}

According to an official announcement by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) on 18 July 2026, a total of 50 agreements and memoranda of understanding with a combined value of 60 billion dollars were signed between Iraq and the United States during Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zeydi’s Washington visit. According to a written statement from the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Press Office, Prime Minister al-Zeydi attended a large-scale business conference hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in his honor. The conference was attended by numerous business leaders, traders, representatives of American corporations, banks, financial institutions, investment firms, and various industrial and technology sectors.^【13】

Speaking at the conference, Prime Minister al-Zeydi identified the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as one of the key centers where economic decisions are made, and emphasized his government’s commitment to communication, dialogue, and cooperation with the institution. Al-Zeydi stressed that Iraq’s economy sought not only contractors to implement projects or supply materials, but true development and growth partners. He affirmed that his government was working to transform the country’s natural and mineral resources into employment opportunities that support prosperity and economic growth.

On the same day, the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Press Office announced that 48 agreements, memoranda of understanding, and partnership declarations had been signed between Iraqi and U.S. public and private sector institutions in various fields including oil, energy, technology, finance, agriculture, education, and pharmaceuticals. In this context, the Iraqi Ministries of Oil and Electricity and their affiliated companies signed various cooperation and partnership agreements with U.S. companies including ExxonMobil, KBR, GE Vernova, Shell, and Halliburton. Additionally, a cooperation agreement was concluded between Starlink and the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC).^【14】

The package also included a memorandum of understanding between the technology company Keysight Technology and Iraq’s private sector, a cooperation agreement with PepsiCo, partnerships in education, and private sector agreements related to pharmaceutical production and supply. Furthermore, memoranda of understanding were signed with KBR, UOP, Polaris, the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), and the electronic network solutions provider PPTA. Two separate agreements were also signed with Frito-Lay to support the development of the agricultural sector. Partnership agreements were also concluded with various companies operating in agriculture, trade, and industry.