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Sudani’s Washington Agenda Focuses on Energy, Finance

FILE - Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2024. (Murtadha Al-Sudani/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2024. (Murtadha Al-Sudani/Pool Photo via AP, File)
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Sudani’s Washington Agenda Focuses on Energy, Finance

FILE - Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2024. (Murtadha Al-Sudani/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2024. (Murtadha Al-Sudani/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said his upcoming meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington will focus on calming tensions and stopping conflicts from spreading in the Middle East.
He also mentioned that the economy, finances, and energy will be key topics.
Before leaving for the US on Saturday, Sudani told reporters the visit is crucial given current relations with the US and the region’s instability, especially in Palestinian territories.
The premier is looking to discuss regional issues and how to prevent conflicts from worsening.
The visit intends to establish a strong partnership with the US, ensuring Iraq’s security and sovereignty. US and Iraqi officials will also review the work of the military committee between Iraq and the US-led International Coalition.
This comes to help both parties plan the Coalition’s exit from Iraq and transition to bilateral relations.
Sudani emphasized the visit’s goal: to move Iraq-US relations forward by activating the Strategic Framework Agreement, focusing on economic reforms, and fostering partnerships globally.
In related news, Iraqi sources mentioned that the Iraqi delegation visiting the US doesn’t include top security officials, but rather focuses on businessmen and bankers, reflecting the nature of their talks with US officials.
Previously, a senior official in President Joe Biden’s administration highlighted the importance of security and defense partnership between the US and Iraq in their strategic relations.
Talks are scheduled in Washington next week with Sudani, who aims to advance cooperation between the two nations.
Sudani’s week-long visit to the US includes meetings with Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, as well as discussions with Iraqi financial officials at the Treasury Department.
Before his meeting with Biden, Sudani outlined his goals for the visit, including addressing armed factions in Iraq and managing related complexities.
Sudani also authored an article published by Foreign Policy underscoring the significance of bilateral ties between Iraq and the US.

 

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Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Have Received Explicit Israeli Threats

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
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Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Have Received Explicit Israeli Threats

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated on Friday that Iraq has received explicit threats from Israel, adding that the country’s armed forces have been instructed by the prime minister to prevent any attacks originating from Iraqi territory.

According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani directed the armed forces to take action against anyone launching attacks from the country. The foreign minister emphasized that Iraq does not seek war and aims to avoid its dangers, noting that the region is “on fire” and facing “clear threats from Israel.”

The agency also reported that the Iraqi government has requested an emergency meeting of the Arab League Council to address Israeli threats. Iraq’s permanent representative to the Arab League submitted a request for a session at the level of permanent representatives of member states to confront what was described as menaces from the “Zionist entity.”

Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that he had sent a message to the president of the UN Security Council urging immediate action against activities of Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Sa’ar asserted that the Iraqi government bears responsibility for any actions occurring within or emanating from its territory.

Meanwhile, Iraqi officials have expressed pessimism about the outcome of the ongoing war in the Middle East. Nevertheless, they emphasized Baghdad’s commitment to supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.

Speaking at the American University Forum in Duhok on Friday, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani highlighted that the challenges facing Iraq have fundamentally changed since October 7.

He described the current situation in the Middle East as a “second Nakba”, stressing that the challenges stem from the failure of the international system, which he described as “ambiguous.”

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid stated that Iraq would play its role in promoting peace in the Middle East and expressed his full support for efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue in Türkiye.

Speaking at the Duhok Forum, Rashid said that Iraq and the region are facing circumstances that require all parties to closely monitor the situation and find appropriate solutions to ongoing problems, emphasizing the need for lasting peace and security.

Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, called for Iraq to remain neutral in the conflict, saying: “The crises in the region and the scenes of war in Lebanon and Gaza are tragic. We hope this suffering will come to an end.”

“We are all awaiting changes following the US presidential election. All indications suggest that a Trump administration will adopt a different approach compared to President Biden’s policies,” he added.

The Iraqi government has stated that under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with the United States, Washington is responsible for “deterring and responding to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.”

According to media reports, the US has informed Baghdad that Israeli military strikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless Baghdad prevents Iran-backed factions from launching attacks against Israel.