In a striking display of Iraq’s delicate diplomatic balancing act, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met US President Donald Trump in Washington just days after attending the funeral procession of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The back-to-back appearances come at a time when military tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate, placing Iraq in an increasingly difficult position as it seeks to maintain ties with both countries.
From Najaf to Washington
Last week, Zaidi joined senior Iraqi officials and religious leaders in receiving Khamenei’s coffin after it arrived at Najaf International Airport. The funeral procession in Iraq’s holy cities drew large crowds, reflecting the country’s deep religious and political links with neighbouring Iran.
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Only days later, the Iraqi Prime Minister travelled to Washington for talks with Trump, marking a sharp diplomatic contrast. His visit underscored Iraq’s long-standing effort to engage both Tehran and Washington despite their rivalry.
President Donald J. Trump Welcomes Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to the White House. 🇺🇸🇮🇶 pic.twitter.com/k5BbQQhqah
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 14, 2026
Walking a diplomatic tightrope
Successive Iraqi governments have had to balance relations with the US and Iran, two countries that have long competed for influence in Iraq. That task has become even more challenging as tensions between them have intensified.
According to an Axios report, Zaidi came to power with support from Shiite political groups as well as the Trump administration. The report said the White House viewed him as less dependent on Tehran than former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Zaidi had also pledged to fight corruption and work towards bringing Iran-backed militias under greater government control, though he has reportedly moved cautiously on the issue.
Two US officials also told Axios that Iran had urged Zaidi not to make Washington the destination for his first official foreign visit as prime minister. Despite that, he chose to proceed with the trip.
US officials interpreted the move as a sign of his commitment to an “Iraq first” policy aimed at strengthening ties with Washington while reducing dependence on Iran.
A senior Iraqi politician, speaking anonymously to AFP, stressed that “it doesn’t mean that Iraq is turning against Iran”.
Trump praises Iraqi leader
During the White House meeting, Trump publicly welcomed Zaidi and praised him for his leadership.
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“We have a fantastic champion, a new champion,” Trump said while greeting the Iraqi prime minister in the Oval Office. “He’s been a great fighter and a great fan of America.”
The US president also said he had arranged an unscheduled lunch because of the “tremendous chemistry” between them.
Zaidi, however, avoided commenting on Iran during the visit. Instead, he focused on expanding economic cooperation with the US and discussing the planned withdrawal of American troops from Iraq in September.
FAQs:
Why did Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi meet Donald Trump after attending Khamenei’s funeral?
The visit reflects Iraq’s effort to maintain relations with both the US and Iran amid rising regional tensions.
What did Donald Trump say about Ali al-Zaidi?
Trump called him “a fantastic champion” and praised the “tremendous chemistry” between them.
