Wed. Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 7-15-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Hegseth welcomes Al-Zaidi
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth received Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the ministry headquarters.
Prior to that, the Prime Minister held official talks with US President Donald Trump , and Al-Zaidi stressed that Iraq needs a strategic partner the size of the United States to overcome economic challenges.
Trump said his country supports al-Zaidi's government in promoting stability and economic steps. link
Tishwash: Al-Aboudi: The Washington visit lays the foundation for a new economic phase in Iraqi-American relations.
Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi revealed on Tuesday the schedule for Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington, stating that he will visit Congress and the Treasury Department, as well as American financial institutions.
He also indicated that the meeting between the Prime Minister and the US President today was positive.
Al-Aboudi said in a statement to the program “The Scene” which is broadcast on Al-Iraqiya News and followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The visit of the Prime Minister, at the head of a ministerial delegation and businessmen, to the United States is exceptional,” indicating that “the positive event today in Iraqi-American relations is moving from the area of security to the economy and investment.”
He added that “the Iraqi delegation adopts an economic doctrine aimed at securing Iraq’s economic activity and exporting Iraqi oil by creating the largest space for investment and development,” noting that “energy and financial matters were present in the atmosphere of understanding and agreement between the Prime Minister and the US President today.”
He pointed out that “the atmosphere of the meeting between the Prime Minister and the US President today was positive, and all indicators of interaction were present between the two sides,” explaining that “the government’s ministerial program adopted, from the first moment, the strengthening of Iraq’s foreign relations, especially with internationally influential countries, with the aim of growth and economic stimulation.”
He added that “Iraq is far from the axes of conflict, and does not interfere in the affairs of other countries, and the government proceeds from these principles to preserve the interests of the Iraqi state,” stressing that “the economy represents the biggest challenge for the Iraqi state.”
He explained that “what we have observed, and what observers have noted, is that the United States values its partnerships with Iraq,” pointing out that “the government headed by al-Zidi adopts the economy as a fundamental pillar of the relationship with Washington.”
He explained that “we have a date on September 30, after which the American military presence will end, and with it will begin developmental requirements represented by long-term economic partnerships, through stimulating the investment environment and providing stable climates for investment,” noting that “the Iraqi government is moving towards comprehensive reform.”
He stressed that “Al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington represents the most important visit to Iraq over the successive governments since 2003 until now, as it establishes a new page, and does not make security the focus of this relationship, but rather makes the economy the focus of the relationship,” noting that “the warm reception that everyone pointed out reflects the systematic impact of the Iraqi government in dealing with complex issues.”
He noted that “the media coverage of al-Zaidi’s meeting with Trump, in general, was remarkable, as the Iraqi, Arab and foreign press paid great attention to the meeting.”
Regarding the visit schedule, Al-Aboudi explained that “the Prime Minister’s visit schedule began today with a meeting with US President Donald Trump, followed by a visit to the Department of Defense, and there will be other stops including Congress, as well as the Treasury Department, and the US institutions responsible for funding.”
He added that “in the coming hours there will be a reconciliation of views at the level of the Central Bank and financial institutions, and this understanding will culminate in a positive signing for the benefit of Iraqi financial institutions,” stressing that “the visit will witness understandings and meetings that will benefit the Iraqi financial system.link
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Tishwash: 10 key points from the night of Trump and Al-Zaidi: “No fear…wait for me at the end of the year.”
Network 964 summarizes the top ten points from the live broadcast from the Oval Office during a major half-hour meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zaidi and US President Donald Trump, attended by senior officials and international media. The 30 minutes appeared to be filled with surprises, unlike previous summits between Baghdad and Washington.
1 - Trump, at the entrance to the White House, points to al-Zaidi: He won... I love Iraq... For now, that's all I have to say.
2 - Trump's first words to al-Zaidi: You are a handsome young man and a winner in Iraq.
3 - Trump: “I envy al-Zaidi”... He will remain in office for a long time and has accomplished a lot.
4 - Trump remembers Maliki and says to Al-Zaidi: There is a high level of chemistry between us and I was keen for you to win.
5 - Trump: Iraqis' feelings towards me have improved, and thank you to Al-Zaidi.
6 - Al-Zaidi tells Trump: I come to you from the oldest civilization in the world.
7 - Al-Zaidi's first words to Trump: The factions' weapons are now in my possession, and wait for me until the end of the year.
8 - Al-Zaidi complains to Trump about OPEC: I want a bigger share of the world's oil.
9 – Trump tells al-Zaidi something about Iran: Your fear is over... I am the guardian.
10 - Al-Zaidi tells Trump something about Kurdistan: Part of my body is like Basra.
Tishwash: Coinciding with the meeting between al-Zaidi and Trump, Iraq requests an additional shipment of dollars.
Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi revealed on Tuesday that the Central Bank of Iraq had submitted a request to obtain an additional tranche of foreign currency (dollars) from the US Federal Reserve, indicating that Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi's meeting with US President Donald Trump contributed to framing the relationship between the two countries and moving it from the security sphere to the economic sphere .
Al-Aboudi said, in a statement followed by Al-Sa’a Network, that “the Iraqi delegation in Washington, headed by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, clarified the course of relations with the United States, and Al-Zaidi’s meeting with President Trump contributed to framing the discussions and understandings within the framework of a strategic relationship built on economic foundations, which clearly confirms that Iraq possesses strategic weight at the regional level .”
He explained that "the decision to restrict weapons to the state is a sovereign decision taken by the Iraqi government headed by Ali al-Zaidi, and that the economy represents the biggest challenge facing Iraq today, especially since the state's oil-dependent revenues have been exposed to great risks as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the tensions witnessed in the region ."
He pointed out that "the presence of international forces in Iraq in 2014 came at the request of the Iraqi government, which sought help from its international friends, but the reasons that necessitated the presence of these forces no longer exist today ."
He added that "Iraq is moving towards seeking economic and developmental foundations that serve the higher interests of the state, and on this basis the partnership between Baghdad and Washington is built on the economy, in a way that ensures the sustainability of the relationship between the two countries and moves it from the realm of security to the realm of the economy ."
Al-Aboudi confirmed that "the flow of foreign currency into Iraq has resumed after the reasons that were hindering the continued arrival of foreign currencies have subsided ."
As is well known, the Central Bank of Iraq has an account with the US Federal Reserve, but air transport conditions during the past months hindered the arrival of dollar shipments to the country, before these payments were resumed again link