US President Donald Trump will host Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House next month amid talks on armed groups and bilateral ties.
“Special Presidential Envoy Barrack conveyed President Trump looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Al-Zaidi to the White House mid-July to discuss the future of this important relationship,” said a joint statement from the Iraqi leader and Trump’s special envoy to Iraq, Tom Barrack, issued by the embassy.
Backstory…
Recently, the United States has increased pressure on Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed organisations. In early May, Washington pledged that it would resume security assistance and financial transfers to Iraq once “concrete steps” were taken against the groups.
Following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East in late February, armed groups launched attacks on US targets in Iraq before a truce came into effect on April 8.
Relations between Washington and Baghdad have since become strained, mainly as a result of US strikes targeting some of the militias.
Since taking office in the middle of May, the Iraqi prime minister, Al-Zaidi has pledged to uphold the state’s monopoly on weaponry.
Additionally, he has reiterated Iraq’s dedication to strengthening commercial and investment ties with Washington.
Meanwhile, Iraq has long been a battleground between the United States and Iran, with successive governments negotiating a delicate balance between them.
US-Iran Peace Deal
The United States and Iran previously announced that they reached a deal to end the Middle East war on all fronts including Lebanon, and to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. However, they offered little indication on the question of Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Washington and Islamabad said the peace deal was to be signed on Friday in Switzerland, signalling what would be a major breakthrough to ending months of war that have taken thousands of lives and roiled energy markets.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
