Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind Iraq's next prime minister, calling Ali al-Zaidi on Thursday and inviting him to visit the White House once he solidifies his grip on government. The move marks a decisive shift in how the Trump administration plans to shape Iraqi politics going forward.
Trump posted on Truth Social shortly after the call, congratulating al-Zaidi and pledging a fresh start between the two nations. "This is the beginning of a tremendous new chapter between our Nations," the president wrote, framing the relationship in sweeping terms of "Prosperity, Stability, and Success like never seen before."
The endorsement carries real weight in Baghdad. Iraq's dominant parliamentary bloc, the Coordination Framework, formally nominated al-Zaidi to the premiership just days ago after weeks of internal wrangling. His path to the nomination was paved by Washington's open hostility toward his predecessor, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Trump had publicly opposed al-Maliki and threatened to cut off aid to Iraq if lawmakers chose him.
Al-Zaidi is a businessman without prior political experience. He chairs Al-Janoob Islamic Bank, a position that drew attention in 2024 when Iraq's central bank barred the institution from dollar dealings as part of U.S. pressure to stanch money laundering and the flow of funds to Iran. Neither the bank nor al-Zaidi himself face American sanctions.
His nomination emerged as a compromise that appeased multiple power centers. The Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shiite parties aligned with Tehran, had initially backed al-Maliki. But Trump's public veto forced recalculation. Al-Zaidi's business acumen and economic connections offered enough polish and independence to satisfy both the bloc and Washington.
Upon nomination, al-Zaidi pledged to steer Iraq toward balance in its regional and international posture. He acknowledged the stakes facing any new leader. "This appointment comes at a sensitive time that requires concerted efforts from all political and social forces," he said.
The challenges are substantial. Iraq's constitution gives al-Zaidi 30 days to assemble and present a Cabinet to parliament, where a slate of ministers needs 167 votes for confirmation. Beyond the mechanics of government formation, the incoming prime minister inherits a nation reeling from the Iran war that spilled across its borders and economic turmoil stemming from Hormuz Strait closures that have choked oil exports, the lifeblood of Iraq's economy.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Trump's quick embrace of al-Zaidi sends a clear message to Baghdad that opposition to Iran takes priority over hands-off diplomacy, and markets prefer a businessman to a political operative when the alternative is someone Washington views as Tehran's man."
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