US State Department: Iraq enters new phase under Al-Zaidi as Washington seeks stronger partnership

The US State Department said Iraq is entering a new phase under Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, stressing Washington’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and building a strong strategic partnership with Baghdad.

A State Department spokesperson said the United States supports the Iraqi prime minister’s vision for a brighter future for the Iraqi people, while seeking to ensure that Iraqi territory is not used to launch attacks and to develop a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.

The remarks come as Iraq and the United States move from cooperation under the international coalition against ISIS toward a bilateral security partnership, in line with an agreement reached in 2024.

The first phase of ending the coalition’s military mission in Iraq was completed in September 2025, while the final phase is expected to conclude by the end of September 2026, with continued support for counterterrorism efforts in Syria.

The international coalition was formed in 2014 to assist Iraqi forces in fighting ISIS. Its mission later shifted primarily toward training, advising, and providing intelligence support