Zaidi meets new US chargé d’affaires ahead of coalition deadline

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met the new U.S. chargé d’affaires, Steven H. Fagin, on Sunday to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation, his media office said.

The two discussed strengthening relations and expanding cooperation across various sectors, and the situation in the region, stressing “the importance of relying on dialogue and diplomatic means to reduce tensions,” the statement said.

Fagin replaced Joshua Harris this month, returning to a post he held before Harris took it in September 2025.

Zaidi told President Donald Trump at the White House on July 14 that Iraq intended to bring weapons under state control once the coalition mission ends. “After Sept. 30, there is no need for any faction,” he said then. “There is no justification for their existence after Sept. 30.” Since then his security adviser Qasim al-Araji has said the date marks the start of talks rather than a deadline, and Nouri al-Maliki said last week that a committee had been formed with the factions to discuss regulating and containing weapons, with disarmament dropped as a term.