Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Washington on Monday for an official visit as his government seeks to open a new chapter in relations with the United States centered on investment and economic cooperation. The Trump administration, however, is focused on additional concerns about whether Baghdad can curb Iran-backed armed factions and consolidate the state’s monopoly on the use of force.
Al-Zaidi arrived in the U.S. capital on his first trip abroad since taking office in May, leading a delegation that includes senior government and parliamentary officials, among them the foreign and oil ministers and the head of Iraq’s National Intelligence Service.
While aboard his flight, al-Zaidi said in a statement posted on his official account that the visit aims to “attract investment, transfer expertise, diversify the economy, and create jobs,” strengthening Iraq’s position as “a reliable partner and an active contributor to regional stability and prosperity.”
Before departing, al-Zaidi outlined his vision for the trip in an opinion article published by The Washington Post under the headline, “Iraq’s Prime Minister: Why I’m Coming to Washington.” The article argued that his government wants to move beyond a relationship defined by recurring crises toward a broader and more stable partnership with the United States.
That economic ambition, however, faces a complex security and political challenge. Washington has spent months pressing Baghdad to take tangible action against armed groups operating outside state authority, while al-Zaidi has sought to balance asserting government control with avoiding a direct confrontation with the factions and the political forces that support them.
Rahman al-Jubouri, head of Iraq’s Academy of Good Governance, said the visit comes under more complicated circumstances than those of previous Iraqi prime ministers because of sweeping regional changes and mounting pressure over Iran’s influence inside Iraq.
Among the issues expected to be discussed, he told MBN, is the future of Iran’s influence networks in Iraq, including the financial and political ties linking Tehran to Iraqi political parties and armed factions.
Previous U.S. statements suggest Washington will judge the success of the visit largely by what al-Zaidi’s government is able to implement after returning to Baghdad, particularly on weapons control, security sector reform and reducing the influence of groups aligned with Tehran.
U.S. President Donald Trump called al-Zaidi on April 30 to congratulate him on being designated prime minister and invited him to Washington to discuss building a new relationship between the two countries.
Joshua Harris, the U.S. chargé d’affaires in Baghdad, said in an earlier interview with MBN that Washington supports the Iraqi government’s efforts to ensure that weapons remain exclusively under state control. He said the activities of armed groups operating outside official institutions undermine the stability Iraq and the broader region need.
For Baghdad, the challenge lies in the fact that the political coalition backing the government includes parties with longstanding ties to Iran-linked armed factions, making it considerably more difficult to deliver on commitments related to disarmament.
Shortly before al-Zaidi’s departure, the State Administration Coalition, which includes the main Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties participating in the government, met to discuss the visit’s objectives and its potential outcomes.
The coalition expressed support for anti-corruption efforts and regulating weapons, while also calling for dialogue and cautioning against any escalation that could return Iraq to a period of heightened tensions.
The Coordination Framework, the ruling Shiite coalition, also voiced support for separating military affairs from political calculations and insulating security institutions from partisan rivalries.
That broad political backing remains fragile, however, because of the overlap between some governing parties and the factions facing pressure to surrender their weapons or integrate into state institutions.
Groups calling themselves the Islamic Resistance in Iraq rejected al-Zaidi’s visit on Sunday, warning against economic or security agreements they say could undermine Iraqi sovereignty.
The groups also reiterated their refusal to disarm before the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, underscoring the difficulty of reconciling Washington’s demands with the conditions set by the armed factions.
The Iraqi government, meanwhile, has sought to ensure the visit is not defined solely by security issues. Officials have said the talks will also focus on attracting American companies to invest in the oil, gas, energy, technology and trade sectors, as well as strengthening the capabilities of Iraq’s security forces following the conclusion of the international coalition’s mission.
Al-Zaidi is seeking to present Iraq as a stable country capable of attracting investment rather than a state seeking political or security support.
Iraq needs foreign investment to address longstanding economic challenges, particularly in the energy sector, where it continues to lose significant revenue because of underinvestment in associated gas capture and its continued reliance on imported energy.
The government is also seeking to expand the role of the private sector and diversify revenue streams in an economy that remains heavily dependent on oil exports and public spending.
American investors, like others, are likely to weigh Iraq’s stability and the state’s ability to enforce the rule of law before committing to the market. As a result, the success of the visit’s economic agenda is closely tied to Baghdad’s ability to bring weapons under state control and reduce political and security risks.
Mustafa al-Saray, head of research at the Al-Bayan Center for Planning and Studies, said the region is undergoing a strategic realignment that requires Iraq to define its position and interests more clearly.
“The biggest and most important question we must ask ourselves domestically is: What do we want to be, and with whom do we want to work and align?” he told MBN.
For years, Baghdad has sought to balance its relations with both the United States and Iran. But continued tensions between the two countries and growing U.S. pressure on Tehran’s allies are narrowing the Iraqi government’s room for maneuver.
That does not necessarily mean al-Zaidi is seeking to distance Iraq from Iran. Rather, he appears to be trying to expand Baghdad’s strategic autonomy while building more diversified relationships with Washington and other regional partners.
The real test of the visit will begin after al-Zaidi returns to Baghdad. The government’s pledge to eliminate weapons outside state control by the end of September 2026 will serve as a key benchmark of its ability to translate commitments into concrete action.
