Iraqi PM Al-Sudani congratulates Trump, calls for Trump to ‘work towards ending wars’ in region

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani extended congratulations to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in a phone call on Friday, following Trump’s election victory. According to a statement from Al-Sudani’s office, the leaders emphasized their commitment to advancing the strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States.

“We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the United States beyond security matters,” Al-Sudani said, highlighting plans for cooperation in economic development, finance, energy, and technology. He also acknowledged Trump’s campaign pledge to prioritize ending wars in the region, a point that reportedly resonated during their conversation.

Al-Sudani expressed hopes to Trump that he would keep his “promises to work towards ending wars” in the Middle East.

Amid Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon, Sudani — who was named premier by a majority bloc of Iran-backed political factions — has been in a delicate balancing act to ensure his country is not drawn into the fighting.

In the phone call, the Iraqi premier pointed to Trump’s “campaign statements and promises to work towards ending wars in the region”, a statement from Al-Sudani’s office said late Friday.

“The two sides agreed to coordinate efforts in achieving this goal,” it added.

The statement said Trump expressed enthusiasm for collaboration, conveying his desire for a future meeting. The statement noted Trump’s intention to broaden bilateral relations and work closely with Iraq’s government on shared goals.

In April 2024, President Biden and Al-Sudani reaffirmed their commitment to expanding ties across various sectors, emphasizing Iraq’s sovereignty. In September 2024, both nations agreed to conclude the U.S.-led coalition’s military mission in Iraq by September 2025, transitioning to a bilateral security partnership focused on training and advisory roles.

About 2,500 American troops are deployed in Iraq as part of a U.S.-led coalition that was formed to help battle the Islamic State group.

Economic cooperation remains central to the relationship, with American companies actively investing in Iraq’s energy, defense, and technology sectors. Both governments aim to promote sustainable development and diversify Iraq’s economy, with efforts to enhance trade relations and attract foreign investment.

However, challenges persist. Some Shia factions in Iraq have pushed for the expulsion of U.S. forces, reflecting long-standing concerns about foreign military presence. In January 2020, Iraq’s parliament passed a non-binding resolution advocating for the removal of foreign troops.

Diplomatic relations were further strained in January 2021, when an Iraqi court issued an arrest warrant for then-President Trump over the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis. The warrant, issued under Article 406 of Iraq’s Penal Code for premeditated murder, carries the death penalty.

AFP contributed to this report