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Iraq’s prime minister travels to Washington to deepen economic ties as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and fighting between the US and Iran intensifies. Oil output, IMF talks, and potential US investment are on the table while Iran-backed groups push back against disarmament. Diplomatic prospects hinge on stabilizing energy flows and expanding state control over weapons.
Iraq's prime minister-designate has arrived in Washington for talks with President Trump on strengthening economic ties, attracting U.S. investment, and advancing the plan to curb Iran-backed militias. The visit follows Baghdad's push to end militias' influence, with the U.S. promising to tailor policy to Iraq's progress in disarming them.
Airstrikes by US and Saudi forces hit PMF sites in Iraq after attacks on Saudi facilities, while Iran-backed groups and regional rivalries threaten Iraq’s new prime minister’s plan to disarm militias and anchor the state. The broader Strait of Hormuz dynamics and Yemen’s Houthis add layers to the conflict, risking wider regional instability.
Iraqi authorities have stepped back from a hard deadline on weapon handover as negotiations with armed factions continue. Baghdad is seeking a state monopoly on weapons while factions demand security guarantees and extensions beyond 30 September. Talks are ongoing with mediation from Coordination Framework leaders, and some factions are moving toward partial compliance.
The United States plans to withdraw its military coalition from Iraq by Sept. 30, 2026, as Baghdad and Washington finalize the exit, with air defence systems in Erbil to be removed and weapons under state control to follow. The transition aims to prevent a security vacuum while maintaining security cooperation.