Coordination Framework Pressuring PM to Amend Iraqi-US Strategic Agreement

This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)
This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)
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Coordination Framework Pressuring PM to Amend Iraqi-US Strategic Agreement

This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)
This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)

Parties from the pro-Iran Coordination Framework have demanded that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani kick off negotiations to amend the Strategic Framework Agreement for a Relationship of Friendship and Cooperation between Baghdad and Washington, trusted Iraqi sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The amendments would demand a ban on American drone flights and the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq.

The sources said Sudani has received signals from the American administration of its “serious intent” to bolster ties with Baghdad and develop the strategic agreement.

Such a move would place Sudani in a “fierce confrontation” with the Shiite parties that oppose American presence in Iraq.

Independent MP Mustafa al-Sanad had previously revealed that the US had requested Sudani’s presence in Washington to complete agreements struck with the former government.

A political source close to the Coordination Framework told Asharq Al-Awsat that Shiite parties had recently underscored to Sudani the fundamentals of Iraq’s security and interests.

At the top of their demands was barring flights of American drones and the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, including the Kurdistan region.

The source said the Shiite proposals went against Sudani’s efforts to maintain Iraq’s balanced ties with the US and Iran.

Last week, Asharq Al-Awsat revealed that the Coordination Framework was divided over claims that Sudani was developing relations with American officials, including Ambassador Alina Romanowski. Some parties were alarmed by the rapprochement.

A member of the Framework, Turki al-Otaibi had said Washington was using the strategic agreement with Iraq as a cover for its continued drone flights over the country, reported local media.

Moreover, he accused Washington of committing major economic and financial violations in Iraq.



Netanyahu and Trump Prioritize Gaza Hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
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Netanyahu and Trump Prioritize Gaza Hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that his meeting with US President Donald Trump focused on freeing hostages held in Gaza, and stressed his determination to "eliminate" the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas.

Netanyahu said on X that the leaders also discussed the consequences and possibilities of "the great victory we achieved over Iran," following an aerial war last month in which the United States joined Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear sites.

Netanyahu is making his third US visit since Trump took office on January 20 and had earlier told reporters that while he did not think Israel's campaign in the Palestinian enclave was done, negotiators are "certainly working" on a ceasefire.

Trump met Netanyahu on Tuesday for the second time in two days to discuss the situation in Gaza, with the president's Middle East envoy indicating that Israel and Hamas were nearing an agreement on a ceasefire deal after nearly two years of war. Netanyahu also said that ceasefire efforts were underway.

A delegation from Qatar, the host of indirect talks between Israeli negotiators and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, met senior White House officials before Netanyahu's arrival on Tuesday, Axios said, citing a source familiar with the details.

According to Reuters, the White House had no immediate comment on the report. Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, said the number of issues preventing Israel and Hamas from reaching an agreement had decreased from four to one, expressing optimism for a temporary ceasefire deal by the end of the week.

Witkoff told reporters at a Cabinet meeting that the anticipated agreement would involve a 60-day ceasefire, with the release of ten live hostages and nine deceased individuals.

Netanyahu met with Vice President JD Vance and then visited the US Capitol on Tuesday, and is due back in Congress on Wednesday to meet with US Senate leaders.

He told reporters after a meeting with the Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson that while he did not think Israel's campaign in the Palestinian enclave was done, negotiators are "certainly working" on a ceasefire.

"We have still to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas' military and government capabilities," Netanyahu said.