Three sources within Iraq’s ruling Shiite Coordination Framework said Iran reacted with broad concern after Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday.
The sources said the visit sent political signals that raised concerns in Tehran about the future of its influence in Iraq.
President Trump hosted Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House during the Iraqi leader’s first foreign trip since Parliament approved his government in mid-May. During the meeting, Trump urged al-Zaidi to curb Iran’s influence in Iraq as Washington sought to deepen economic and security ties with Baghdad.
According to the three sources, who hold different positions within the Shiite alliance, Iranian officials engaged in intensive contacts with several leaders of Iraq’s governing coalition during the 24 hours following the meeting.
The sources said an Iranian official conveyed Tehran’s dissatisfaction with the outcome of the visit, warning Iraqi leaders that Trump “wants to control you and your resources. He knows nothing about Iraq.”
Iran Sought to Change the Itinerary
The sources said Tehran’s objections predated the meeting itself. Ahead of the trip, Iranian officials made repeated efforts to persuade al-Zaidi to visit Tehran before Washington. Despite several rounds of discussions, the prime minister declined to alter his itinerary and proceeded with the U.S. visit.
This disagreement was notable considering that Iran has long viewed Iraq as a cornerstone of its regional influence. Since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, Tehran has cultivated deep political, economic and security ties with Baghdad while supporting armed groups that have become influential players in Iraq’s political and security institutions.
Former lawmaker Sajjad Salem, Former lawmaker Sajjad Salem, who has long opposed armed groups operating outside state control, said Iran was unlikely to relinquish its influence in Iraq, particularly after facing setbacks elsewhere in the region.
“Iran will not leave Iraq, especially after the developments in Yemen and Lebanon and the complete loss of Syria,” Salem stated. “Iraq is Iran’s last remaining sphere of influence, or part of its national security, and for that reason it will hold on to it even more tightly.”
Salem added that efforts to combat corruption and bring all weapons under state authority could face obstacles unless Baghdad reaches an understanding with Tehran. “Iran uses its leverage quietly and cautiously, but it is capable of stopping reforms in Iraq.”
Tehran Moves to Contain the Fallout
According to the Coordination Framework sources, Tehran later sought to contain the political and media fallout from the visit by using the funeral ceremonies for Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, to facilitate a meeting between Mr. al-Zaidi and President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iranian officials were particularly keen to secure a photograph of the two leaders together, the sources said, making it al-Zaidi’s first official picture with a head of state since taking office. The image was intended to counter Iraq’s growing engagement with Washington by reinforcing the message that Tehran remains Baghdad’s closest partner.
The sources added that an Iranian official met with Coordination Framework leaders on the sidelines of the funeral and asked them, “Why do you think we would abandon Iraq?”
According to the sources, the remark reflected Tehran’s belief that the influence it has built over the past two decades will not be easily diminished, even with the United States seeking to expand its political and economic role in Iraq.
They also described the Washington visit as a political setback for Iran-backed armed factions, particularly because it coincided with al-Zaidi’s renewed commitment to place all weapons under state control.
During his visit to Washington, al-Zaidi pledged that no armed group would remain outside state control after Sept. 30, a commitment that could bring his government into conflict with non-state factions that refuse to disarm.
Iran-Backed Factions Escalate Their Rhetoric
In the first public response from one of the factions, the Nujaba Movement escalated its rhetoric against the United States. Its secretary general, Akram al-Kaabi, denounced Trump’s remarks and rejected what he described as efforts to impose American dominance over Iraq.
He also called on the Iraqi government to end the work of American companies in the electricity sector and to replace them with other firms, a position that coincided with discussions between Baghdad and Washington on broad economic agreements.
Trump announced that the United States and Iraq were moving toward a major partnership in the oil sector, alongside agreements covering energy, investment, trade and other fields.
The U.S. president described Iran as “a major burden” on Iraq and said that situation “will end soon.” He also praised al-Zaidi’s performance, saying that he was doing a good job and would remain in office “for a long time.”
A New Phase of U.S.-Iran Competition
The developments point to a new phase in U.S.-Iran competition in Iraq, one increasingly centered on political and economic influence rather than direct military confrontation.
Washington is seeking to strengthen its position through investment, energy cooperation and support for the Iraqi government’s effort to consolidate state control over weapons.
Tehran, meanwhile, views that trajectory as a threat to one of its most important regional strongholds.
Iran’s concerns appear to extend beyond the prospect of economic agreements, with the visit’s symbolism being also notable. By making Washington his first major foreign destination, al-Zaidi may have signaled a shift in Baghdad’s priorities or an effort to rebalance Iraq’s foreign relations.
As for the Iraqi government, they are seeking to leverage closer ties with the United States in order to secure economic and investment gains while strengthening its domestic standing through its campaign to bring all weapons under state authority.
Whether that strategy succeeds will depend largely on al-Zaidi’s ability to navigate Iran’s entrenched influence, as well as the resistance of armed factions that view such measures as a direct challenge to their role and position in Iraq.
Adapted and translated from the original Arabic.
