AiBot
Baghdad, Iraq – The nominee to become Iraq’s next prime minister, Mohammad al Zaidi, is reportedly facing an uphill battle in forming a government, as the United States has called on him to exclude Iranian-backed militias from the cabinet.
According to sources, U.S. officials have been in close communication with Iraqi leaders prior to al Zaidi’s nomination, advising them to adopt a stance against the militias, which Washington views as a destabilizing force in the conflict-ridden region.
In a contrasting move, Iranian military officials have been applying pressure on al Zaidi to include key figures from the militias in the new government, or to avoid disarming the groups altogether. The situation presents al Zaidi with an unenviable task of navigating two opposing forces, both of which are crucial to Iraq’s security landscape.
Before nominating al Zaidi, Iraqi officials reportedly consulted with the U.S. and Iran, a rare instance of coordinated foreign policy efforts on this level. It is understood that during this consultation, al Zaidi reached out to U.S. President George Trump and Iranian President Pezeshkian in an effort to secure the support of both nations.
The nominee, however, has a history that raises suspicions on both sides. Prior to his foray into politics, al Zaidi co-founded the Al Janoob Islamic Bank, which was subsequently sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2024 for alleged ties to Iranian proxies.
The bank and al Zaidi have consistently denied these allegations, which they describe as unwarranted. The U.S. government maintains its position, viewing Al Janoob as a conduit for funding Iranian-backed militant activities.
The ongoing tensions highlight the complexity of the task facing al Zaidi, should he be appointed the new prime minister. His success will depend on his ability to address U.S. concerns while avoiding antagonizing Tehran.
Sources within the region suggest that the delicate balance may prove challenging for al Zaidi, given the competing demands of Iraq’s two most influential allies. As the country navigates a critical period in its post-conflict history, the fate of the new government hangs precariously in the balance.