Foreign Minister Hussein tells US envoy government formation ‘internal matter’

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s government said Monday that the process of forming the next government will remain an internal matter, while taking into account the views of international allies, particularly the United States, during a meeting between Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and U.S. envoy Tom Barrack in Baghdad.

The Foreign Ministry said Hussein received Barrack and the accompanying delegation on Monday.

The meeting included “a review of the evolving bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States, and an emphasis on the importance of continuing coordination and joint cooperation, particularly in the field of combating terrorism.”

The two sides discussed “the process of forming the Iraqi government and the challenges related to the nominations for the premiership and the presidency.” Barrack presented Washington’s perspective, while Hussein affirmed that “the formation of the Iraqi government is an internal matter,” taking into account “the views of international partners, particularly the United States, as an allied country.”

Hussein stressed the “necessity of continuing communication and coordination during the coming period until the process of forming the Iraqi government is completed.”

The Coordination Framework nominated former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki following the 2025 elections. President Donald Trump warned that Washington may halt support for Iraq if Maliki returns to office. Iraq’s Foreign Ministry has said a verbal message from U.S. officials included “a clear and explicit hint of the possibility of imposing sanctions” if the framework insists on Maliki.