Iraq’s PM Zaidi to visit Turkey this month after Washington trip

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is scheduled to make an official visit to Turkey later this month, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry announced Thursday.

Preparations were discussed at a meeting between Laith al-Athari, head of the Department of Neighboring Countries at the Foreign Ministry, and Turkish Ambassador to Iraq Anil Bora Inan. The two sides reviewed the political and logistical arrangements and stressed the importance of the visit “in strengthening relations” between Baghdad and Ankara and expanding cooperation “in a way that serves the common interests of the two countries,” according to a ministry statement.

The Ankara trip follows Zaidi’s meetings in Washington this week, where he held talks with President Donald Trump at the White House and met Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Those discussions focused on expanding economic cooperation and U.S. investment, security cooperation and Iraq’s transition after the planned conclusion of the U.S.-led coalition mission in September.

During funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Najaf earlier this month, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited Zaidi to visit Tehran to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Zaidi renewed his condolences over Khamenei’s death and affirmed Iraq’s commitment to strengthening relations with Iran across various fields. A date for that visit has yet to be announced.