Sunday Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 9-20-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Iraq to New York: Al-Zaidi addresses the United Nations and a meeting with Trump is anticipated.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi will head to New York in the coming hours at the head of a high-level government delegation to participate in the meetings of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, whose high-level week begins on September 22.
According to the Director of the Prime Minister’s Media Office, Abdul Zahra al-Hindawi, al-Zaidi will deliver Iraq’s speech before the General Assembly, addressing Baghdad’s vision and positions regarding regional and international developments, in addition to the files of security, stability, development and international cooperation.
The visit is scheduled to include a series of bilateral meetings and talks with Arab and foreign leaders and heads of state, as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen political relations and expand areas of cooperation with regional and international partners.
The visit's agenda also has a prominent economic dimension, as the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in events and meetings with representatives of major companies, businessmen and investors, in addition to a meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce, according to what the Iraqi government announced.
According to government statements, Baghdad aims to capitalize on the presence of the Iraqi delegation in New York to showcase investment opportunities and expand economic partnerships, in parallel with the transformations taking place in the Iraqi-American relationship and the increasing shift of a part of it towards economic, trade and investment issues.
On the political front, government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi announced that al-Zaidi's itinerary in the United States includes a meeting with US President Donald Trump, in addition to meetings with several other heads of state. Al-Zaidi and Trump previously met in Washington in July 2016 for talks that, according to reports at the time, focused on bilateral relations and economic issues.
The visit comes at a sensitive regional and international stage, amid multiple security and economic issues facing Iraq, including the repercussions of tensions in the region, the future of relations with the United States, and the promotion of foreign investments.
Baghdad is expected to present its vision on these issues during the meetings, focusing on consolidating Iraq's role in regional dialogue, attracting capital, and supporting development and reconstruction projects. link
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Tishwash: Al-Zaydi orders that government officials be prevented from appearing in the media without prior approval.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi directed that all advisors and government officials be prohibited from making press statements or appearing in the media without prior approval from his office.
The directive confirmed that the ban includes visual, audio and print media, noting that the measure comes within the framework of compliance with regulatory controls and keenness to unify the government discourse and ensure consistency in the official message.
Al-Zaydi stressed the need to adhere to this directive in order to avoid statements that may not accurately reflect the official position of the state, calling on everyone to strictly adhere to this directive. link
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Tishwash: Iraq calls on American companies to expedite the implementation of their projects.
On Saturday, Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh Sari called on American companies operating in the oil and energy sectors to expedite the implementation of their projects in the country, thereby boosting foreign investment and supporting the development of vital sectors.
This came during his meeting with the US Chargé d'Affaires to Iraq, Steven Fagin, and his accompanying delegation, where relations between the two countries were reviewed, and ways to enhance economic and financial cooperation were discussed.
Sari confirmed in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Iraq’s actions in its relations with various countries are based on the country’s supreme interests, noting the Iraqi government’s keenness to ensure that its relationship with the United States is balanced and based on the common interests of the two countries.
For his part, the US Chargé d'Affaires described the visit of the Iraqi government delegation to Washington last July as very successful, stressing the importance of investing in and building upon the results of the visit, in order to strengthen the paths of cooperation between the two countries.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited the United States on July 13, and the five-day visit witnessed the signing of 48 agreements, memoranda of understanding, and partnership declarations between Iraqi and American institutions in the oil, energy, electricity, industry, technology, communications, finance, agriculture, education, and health sectors, with a declared value exceeding $60 billion. link
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Tishwash: “Iraq Seeks Balanced Ties With US,” Finance Minister Says
At a Glance
Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari met with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Steven Fagin in Baghdad.
Talks covered bilateral relations and ways to strengthen economic and financial cooperation.
Sari urged U.S. oil and energy companies to accelerate projects in Iraq.
Fagin described the Iraqi government delegation’s July visit to Washington as “very successful.”
Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari met with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Steven Fagin to discuss strengthening economic and financial cooperation and accelerating American investment projects in Iraq.
Al-Sari said Iraq’s foreign relations are guided by its national interests, while calling for balanced ties with Washington based on shared interests.
Key Statements
“Iraq’s engagement in its relations with various countries is based on the country’s higher interests.”
— Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari
“We are keen for Iraq’s relationship with the United States to be balanced and based on the shared interests of both countries.”
— Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari
“We call on American companies operating in the oil and energy sectors to accelerate the implementation of their projects in Iraq.”
— Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari
“The visit was very successful.”
— U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Steven Fagin, referring to the Iraqi government delegation’s July visit to Washington
Economic Cooperation
According to Iraq’s Finance Ministry, the meeting reviewed bilateral relations and ways to expand economic and financial cooperation between Baghdad and Washington.
Sari urged U.S. companies active in Iraq’s oil and energy sectors to move more quickly with their projects, saying greater investment would support foreign capital inflows and the development of vital sectors of the Iraqi economy.
The meeting also focused on building on the outcomes of the Iraqi government delegation’s visit to Washington in July.
Fagin described that visit as “very successful” and stressed the importance of using its results as a foundation for further cooperation between the two countries.
Iraq’s Foreign Relations
Sari emphasized that Baghdad’s engagement with different countries is based on Iraq’s national interests. He also said the government seeks a balanced relationship with the United States centered on mutual interests.
The comments come as Iraq continues to pursue foreign investment and economic partnerships while seeking to strengthen its energy sector, attract international companies and expand economic cooperation with major partners.
FYI
The meeting links Iraq’s broader economic priorities with its strategic relationship with Washington, particularly in the energy sector, where U.S. companies have a longstanding presence. Accelerating investment projects could carry significance for Iraq’s oil and energy development, while Baghdad’s emphasis on balanced relations reflects its stated approach of maintaining economic and diplomatic ties with multiple international partners. link