Trump congratulates Zaidi on his nomination to be next Iraqi prime minister

April 30, 2026 2:29 PM EDT

New Iraqi Prime Minister designate Ali al-Zaidi, uses a phone at his office in Baghdad, Iraq, April 28, 2026. Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office/Handout via REUTERS

April 30 (Reuters) - U.S. ‌President Donald ​Trump ​congratulated Ali al-Zaidi on his nomination to be next prime minister of Iraq on ‌Thursday, saying that he looked forward to a ⁠highly productive new relationship.

Iraq's alliance of Shi'ite political blocs, ‌the Coordination Framework, on Monday ‌named Zaidi as its nominee for the post of prime minister, a coalition statement said.

"We wish ​him success as he works to form a new Government free from terrorism that could ⁠deliver a brighter future for Iraq," Trump said in a post on ​Truth Social.

"We look forward to a strong, vibrant, and highly productive new relationship between ​Iraq and the United States."

Trump ‌also invited Zaidi to visit Washington after forming a government during a phone ⁠call on Thursday in which he congratulated him on his nomination, according to a statement from the Iraqi ⁠prime minister's media office.

The call reviewed strategic ties between Iraq and ​the U.S. and ways to strengthen cooperation across multiple fields, the statement said, adding that both sides affirmed joint ‌efforts to support regional stability.

Trump had threatened in January to withdraw Washington's support ‌for Iraq if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was ⁠designated to form a ‌cabinet.

(Reporting by David ​Ljunggren, Enas Alashray and Ahmed Tolba; Editing by Christian Martinez, Doina Chiacu and Nia ‌Williams)



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