Iraqi Prime Minister to Meet Trump

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will travel to Washington on Monday for a week-long visit to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, marking his first international trip since assuming office. The summit aims to formalize a series of economic and energy agreements intended to stabilize Iraq's fiscal position following significant revenue losses linked to regional conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The diplomatic engagement centers on the expansion of Iraq's oil and gas production capacity through increased participation from U.S. firms. Key components of the proposed cooperation include a memorandum of understanding to exchange 500,000 barrels of oil per day for U.S. assistance in upgrading Iraq's electricity infrastructure. The U.S. has signaled support for the administration by resuming cash shipments of oil revenues, previously managed by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The visit follows a series of domestic security actions by al-Zaidi, including a late-June crackdown on corruption and efforts to curb the influence of Iran-backed armed groups. These measures have served as a prerequisite for deepening strategic ties, as Washington continues to press Baghdad for greater regional stability and the protection of U.S. facilities within Iraqi territory.