Prime Minister and US Special Envoy Affirm Joint Commitment to Strong Partnership and Iraqi Support

Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi and US Special Presidential Envoy Tom Barrack today, Tuesday, reiterated their shared commitment to a robust, mutually beneficial Iraq-US partnership. The Prime Minister's office stated Al-Zaidi and Barrack emphasized their governments' dedication to enhancing this partnership. Their aim: to realize Iraqi aspirations for a sovereign, secure, prosperous future, providing tangible benefits to both nations. Barrack conveyed President Trump's invitation for Al-Zaidi to visit the White House mid-July, discussing this pivotal relationship's future. The two officials addressed Iraq's ambitious vision for a brighter, terror-free future. This involves Iraq's plans for complete disarmament and dissolution of all armed groups operating outside state control, confining weapons to the state, and imposing full sovereignty. These measures seek to shield Iraq from conflicts and prevent its territory's use to threaten regional peace. Both Al-Zaidi and Barrack underscored the urgent need to achieve these efforts. Al-Zaidi also affirmed Iraq's commitment to deepening bilateral trade and investment, a shared approach welcomed by Barrack. Both sides praised Iraq's decision to grant Starlink an operational license for world-class internet services to Iraqi consumers. Discussions also initiated Chevron negotiations for developing the West Qurna-2 and Nassiriya oil fields, ensuring mutual benefit. They further addressed enabling American firms HKN, Western Zagros, and Hunt to resume operations with full security guarantees, and advancing the MoU with TI Capital to rehabilitate the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, a vital oil export route. The Prime Minister and Special Envoy further affirmed joint commitment to expanding US-Iraq commercial cooperation, supporting Iraq's electricity needs. This includes Excelerate Energy's project for a floating LNG import terminal in Khor Al Zubair. Finally, both sides stressed supporting a strong, unified, sovereign, democratic federal Iraq, founded on robust constitutional institutions and full citizen equality, bolstering Iraq's unity, stability, and prosperity.