Overview
- Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Saidi and President Donald Trump met at the White House on Tuesday and confirmed a timeline for a complete U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq by September 30, 2026.
- Al‑Saidi tied the withdrawal to a pledge that Iraq will disarm militias, many linked to Iran, and said only state security personnel would be allowed to carry weapons after that date.
- Trump publicly praised al‑Saidi, said he viewed Iraq as a partner, and expressed interest in U.S. energy companies doing business in Iraq to create jobs and expand oil production.
- The plan faces major hurdles because the most powerful militias reject disarmament, political factions in Baghdad may resist enforcement, and Iran‑aligned groups retain deep influence.
- The move formalizes a recent U.S. drawdown that included the January exit from Ain al‑Assad and signals a shift toward economic and diplomatic engagement under Iraq’s young prime minister.