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U.S. President Donald Trump will host Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House in mid-July for talks on security, sovereignty, trade and energy cooperation, according to a joint statement issued Tuesday by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
Trump’s special presidential envoy to Iraq, Tom Barrack, delivered the invitation during a June 15 meeting with Zaidi in Baghdad.
“Special Presidential Envoy Barrack conveyed that President Trump looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Al-Zaidi to the White House mid-July to discuss the future of this important relationship,” the statement said.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to a strong and mutually beneficial U.S.-Iraq partnership that would support Iraq’s goal of becoming sovereign, secure and prosperous while delivering benefits for both countries.
Zaidi and Barrack discussed Iraq’s plans to disarm and dissolve armed groups and formations operating outside the authority of the state.
They emphasized the need to place all weapons under the control of the Iraqi government and asserted the urgency of completing those efforts.
The statement said the goal was to keep Iraq out of regional conflicts and prevent its territory from being used by any party to threaten regional peace.
The two officials also discussed a shared vision for an Iraq free from terrorism and governed through full state sovereignty.
They stressed support for a strong, sovereign and united federal democratic Iraq based on robust constitutional institutions.
The statement also emphasized full equality for all citizens as a means of strengthening Iraq’s unity, stability and prosperity.
Zaidi reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to expanding trade and investment relations with the U.S., an approach welcomed by Barrack.
The two officials praised Iraq’s decision to finalize an operating license for Starlink to provide internet services to Iraqi consumers.
They also discussed plans to begin negotiations with Chevron over the development of the West Qurna-2 and the Nasiriyah oil fields.
The projects were described as intended to benefit both Iraq and the U.S.
The statement said Iraq would enable U.S. companies HKN, Western Zagros and Hunt to resume operations with full security guarantees.
The two sides also discussed advancing a memorandum of understanding with TI Capital to rehabilitate the Kirkuk-Baniyas Pipeline as a major oil export route.
They reaffirmed their commitment to increasing commercial cooperation to support Iraq’s electricity requirements.
That cooperation includes an Excelerate Energy project to develop an integrated liquefied natural gas import terminal at Khor Zubair.
The projects form part of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation and strengthen Iraq’s energy infrastructure.
The White House meeting is expected to continue discussions on state sovereignty, armed groups, regional security and U.S.-Iraq economic relations.
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