Iraq’s al-Zaidi talks to Trump as Baghdad seeks to stay out of war on Iran

What the report says

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Thursday as Baghdad stepped up efforts to keep Iraq out of a widening regional conflict involving Iran. According to al-Zaidi’s office, the leaders discussed regional security developments and the next phase of the situation, while the prime minister reiterated that Iraqi territory should not be used to launch attacks on neighbouring states.

The call came as Iraq’s foreign minister, Fuad Hussein, warned that any new US military strikes on Iran could be disastrous for Iraq and urged armed groups not to join any Iranian retaliation. In remarks to Dijlah TV, he said Iraq was not prepared for war and did not want its territory turned into a battlefield. He also stressed that Baghdad wants to preserve ties with both Washington and Tehran while staying outside the confrontation.

The reported diplomacy comes against the backdrop of Iraq’s difficult balancing act since the US launched war on Iran in February, according to Al Jazeera’s report. Since taking office in May, al-Zaidi has also prioritized disarming militias, including pro-Iran factions that have carried out attacks in support of Iran across the region. Al Jazeera also reported that the conflict has already hurt Iraq’s economy, with oil revenues affected by disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a route crucial for most Iraqi exports.