The US administration went beyond its embassy’s congratulatory post in Baghdad for Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali Al-Zaidi, and a phone call by its envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack. It stepped up its engagement with a call from US President Donald Trump to Al-Zaidi.
Trump did not stop at the call, he then posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, congratulating Ali al-Zaidi and wishing him “success as he works to form a new Government free from terrorism that could deliver a brighter future for Iraq.”
The US president expanded on that vision, saying, “We look forward to a strong, vibrant, and highly productive new relationship between Iraq and the United States,” and calling it “the beginning of a tremendous new chapter between our Nations — Prosperity, Stability, and Success like never seen before.”
He also invited Al-Zaidi to visit Washington after his government wins a confidence vote.
The US stance appeared decisive and influential across several political forces, particularly within the Shi’ite camp.
Some leaders had been waiting for a signal from Trump rejecting Al-Zaidi’s nomination, which would have returned the process to the Coordination Framework, after it seemed to have temporarily slipped from its grasp with the nomination of an economic figure facing questions tied to previous US restrictions on his bank’s dollar transactions.
The US move unsettled armed factions, especially after three of their leaders were designated on terrorism lists, with financial rewards offered for information about them. Among those was a senior figure in the Coordination Framework who disappeared from view during recent meetings, along with leaders of other factions.
At the same time, additional complications emerged over the positions of political forces and figures previously considered for the premiership, amid talk of an undeclared US veto on some names, alongside clear support for Al-Zaidi.
This reshuffled dynamics within the Shi’ite political landscape.
'The last supper'
Alongside what appeared to be strong US backing, albeit conditional on forming a government “free of terrorism,” Al-Zaidi secured broad regional and international support, placing Iraqi political forces before a new equation.
Within the Shi’ite camp, this backing removed any suggestion that Al-Zaidi’s nomination was merely a political maneuver and weakened the chances of returning to the Coordination Framework's alternative names.
Some factions, despite recognizing his experience in economic files, had hoped to politically contain him, a prospect that has become more complicated under international backing.
Kurdish and Sunni forces had been counting on imposing their terms in forming the government, particularly regarding cabinet portfolios. However, US support for Al-Zaidi reshaped the negotiating balance and weakened his rivals’ ability to deal with him under traditional rules of engagement.
Concerns also surfaced within some political circles that Al-Zaidi could emerge as a strong, internationally backed prime minister, potentially reshaping internal balances and reducing the influence of regional actors, foremost among them Iran, which has yet to announce a clear position on his nomination. This silence has raised questions within Shi’ite circles about its implications.
Domestic moves
In a related development, Al-Zaidi received a phone call from Asif Ali Zardari, who congratulated him on being tasked with forming a government.
During the call on Friday, Al-Zaidi extended a formal invitation to Zardari to visit Iraq. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in both countries’ interests. Al-Zaidi praised Pakistan’s role in easing regional tensions, while the Pakistani president expressed readiness to accept the invitation after the government is formed.
The Coordination Framework nominated Al-Zaidi on April 26 to form the new government, and he is preparing to present his cabinet to parliament within the constitutional deadline.
In parallel, the Coordination Framework plans to establish specialized advisory bodies to support the incoming government.
Aqil al-Rudaini, spokesman for the Victory Alliance, said these bodies would cover vital sectors such as energy, investment and anti-corruption, and aim to provide advice to the prime minister.
Al-Rudaini said the success or failure of the prime minister would be the responsibility of the alliance.
He added that the number of these bodies has yet to be finalized and will be determined after the government is formed, and that they will include experts and advisers across various fields to support government performance.
