Published on 4/30/2026
US President Donald Trump made a phone call with the Iraqi Prime Minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, in which he congratulated him on his official assignment to form the new government and invited him to visit Washington after forming his government.
Trump said that he wishes Al-Zaidi success in his efforts to form a new government “free of terrorism” and capable of building a bright future for Iraq.
He added, “This is the beginning of a new chapter between Iraq and the United States, full of prosperity, stability, and unprecedented success,” noting that Washington looks forward to a new, strong, and vibrant relationship between Iraq and the United States.
For its part, the media office of the Iraqi Prime Minister said that Al-Zaidi received a phone call today, Thursday, from Trump, during which he congratulated him on the occasion of his assignment to form the new government, and extended an official invitation to him to visit Washington after the formation of the government.
He pointed out that the call reviewed the bilateral strategic relations between Baghdad and Washington, and ways to develop and strengthen them in various fields, pointing out that the two sides emphasized joint work and bilateral cooperation in order to consolidate stability in the region.
Last Monday, Al-Zaidi was assigned to form the government after his nomination by the coordinating framework composed of the main Shiite forces in Iraq (except for the Sadrist movement), instead of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, whose nomination was met with American opposition.
According to a quota system between the political forces, the position of President of the Republic goes to the Kurdish component and is occupied by Nizar Amidi, while the position of Prime Minister goes to the Shiite component, and the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives goes to the Sunni component and is occupied by Haibat Al-Halbousi.
Al-Maliki’s nomination for the “coordinating framework” had previously collided with an “American veto,” as Trump’s statements rejecting him constituted a major stumbling block that caused a decline in his chances of being appointed, which led to the dispersion of opinions within the framework between adherence to sovereignty in the selection and fear of international isolation.
Prior to Trump’s call, Al-Zaidi discussed with the American envoy to Syria and Washington’s ambassador to Ankara, Thomas Barrack, strengthening relations between the two countries and consolidating the strategic partnership.
A statement issued by Al-Zaidi’s office stated that he received a call from the American envoy congratulating him on the occasion of his official assignment to form the new government.
He stated that “ways were discussed to strengthen relations between Iraq and the United States, and to enhance cooperation in many fields in a way that contributes to consolidating the strategic partnership between the two countries.”
Al-Zaidi – a businessman and banker – faces a difficult task, as he must complete the formation of the government within the next thirty days in a country riven by sharp political tensions.
The assignment put an end to a months-long crisis following US President Donald Trump’s threat to cut off all forms of support for Iraq if Al-Maliki assumed the presidency of the government again after having previously held it twice.
Since the outbreak of war in the Middle East with joint American-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, groups supported by Tehran have targeted American interests in Iraq and in a number of countries in the region.
