Iraqi Prime Minister Travels to Washington for Energy Talks and Security Meetings With Trump

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is travelling to the United States this week for meetings with President Donald Trump. The visit marks his first foreign trip since taking office in May. Energy and trade agreements are expected to be signed during the meetings scheduled for the week of 13 July 2026.

Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said on Sunday that the visit signals a shift “from a framework of crisis management to a strategic economic partnership”. ” Oil is listed as a top priority, with Iraq seeking to increase production and secure alternative export routes. About 90 percent of Iraq’s 3.4 million barrels per day of exports currently passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iraq aims to raise output to seven million barrels per day within three years, up from its current level of about 4.5 million barrels per day. A proposed energy and development fund with the United States would begin with 500,000 barrels per day of oil exports and could expand to two million barrels per day. The fund would finance agreed projects, particularly in the energy sector.

The Iraqi delegation includes more than 70 officials, ministers, the central bank governor, the national security adviser, lawmakers and businessmen. Meetings with U.S. administration officials and the International Monetary Fund are also planned.

Iraq is seeking an IMF loan of up to $8 billion. The U.S. side is expected to raise the disarmament of pro-Iran armed factions and Baghdad’s relationship with Tehran. In his first parliamentary speech as prime minister, al-Zaidi pledged that the state would control weapons.

-led coalition to end its combat presence in Iraq by the end of September.