Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi attended the funeral procession of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last week and subsequently met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. This meeting is viewed by the White House as a significant achievement, indicating a shift in Iraq's foreign relations towards the United States and away from Iran. Zaidi, who took office in May, was a compromise candidate supported by both Shiite political factions and the Trump administration. He has expressed intentions to combat corruption and manage Iran-backed militias cautiously.
During his visit, Zaidi did not address Iran directly but focused on enhancing economic relations with the U.S., the planned withdrawal of U.S. troops by September, and ensuring that all weapons in Iraq are under state control. U.S. officials believe that Zaidi's actions reflect a commitment to an 'Iraq first' agenda. The disarmament of Iranian-backed militias was a key topic during his discussions with Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, with U.S. officials hoping for concrete steps from Zaidi on this issue.