Trump meets Iraqi PM al-Zaidi pledges ties troop withdrawal

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, marking a pivotal visit aimed at fundamentally reshaping the bilateral relationship from a military to an economic partnership. The meeting, which extended into an unscheduled lunch, highlighted the personal rapport between the two leaders and resulted in significant pledges on security and investment.

Al-Zaidi, a businessman with no prior political experience, emerged as Iraq's prime minister-designate in April after months of political deadlock following parliamentary elections. His selection followed direct U.S. pressure, as President Trump had publicly opposed the candidacy of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who was viewed as too close to Iran, and threatened to cut off U.S. support.

The central bargain discussed involves symmetrical deadlines set for September 30. Al-Zaidi reaffirmed his government's commitment to disarm all non-state armed factions in Iraq by that date, stating there would be no justification for their existence afterward. In turn, President Trump indicated the remaining U.S. forces in Iraq, believed to number less than 2,000, would...