DUBAI: US President Donald Trump has invited Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Zaidi to visit the White House in mid-July, as Washington and Baghdad seek to deepen political, security and economic cooperation.
The invitation was conveyed by US Special Presidential Envoy Tom Barrack during talks with Al-Zaidi on Monday, according to a joint statement.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to a strong US-Iraq partnership and discussed efforts to build a sovereign and secure Iraq, including plans to disarm armed groups operating outside state control and ensure Iraqi territory is not used to threaten regional stability.
The meeting came days after the United States and Iran announced an agreement to end the war, a conflict that spilled into Iraq through missile and drone attacks by Iran-aligned armed groups targeting US facilities in Baghdad and the Kurdistan region.
Al-Zaidi and Barrack also discussed expanding trade and investment ties. They welcomed Iraq’s decision to finalize an operating license for Starlink, launch negotiations with Chevron to develop the West Qurna-2 and Nasiriyah oil fields, and support the resumption of operations by US energy companies HKN, Western Zagros and Hunt.
The leaders also reviewed plans to rehabilitate the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline and boost energy cooperation, including support for Iraq’s electricity sector through Excelerate Energy’s proposed LNG import terminal at Khor Zubair.
Both sides reaffirmed support for a strong, sovereign and unified Iraq, stressing the importance of constitutional institutions, stability and economic development.
