The United States is seeking "concrete actions" from Iraq's incoming prime minister to distance the state from pro-Iran armed groups before resuming financial shipments and security aid, a senior official stated on Tuesday.
New Leadership Under Scrutiny
Iraq's ruling coalition has put forward Ali al-Zaidi as the next leader. He quickly received a congratulatory call from President Donald Trump, who had threatened to end all US support if former frontrunner Nouri al-Maliki took office. However, a senior US State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that Zaidi must address the "blurry line" between pro-Iran armed groups in the Shia-majority country and the state.
Suspended Aid and Conditions for Resumption
Washington suspended cash payments for oil revenue—handled through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York since the 2003 US invasion—as well as security assistance following a spate of attacks on US interests. The official outlined that resuming full support "would start with expelling terrorist militias from any state institution, cutting off their support from the Iraqi budget, and denying salary payments to these militia fighters." The official added, "Those are the type of concrete actions that would give us confidence and say that there's a new mindset."
Attacks on US Facilities
The official noted that US facilities in Iraq suffered more than 600 attacks after February 28, when the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran. These attacks have largely ceased since a shaky April 8 ceasefire between the United States and Iran, except for Iranian strikes in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Challenges Ahead
"I'm not underestimating the severity of the challenge or what it would take to disentangle these relationships. It could start with a clear and unambiguous statement of policy that the terrorist militias are not part of the Iraqi state," the official said. He added, "Certain elements of the Iraqi state have continued to provide political, financial and operational cover for these very terrorist militias."
Pressure on Iraq
The United States intensified pressure on Iraq after it appeared that Maliki would become prime minister. During his previous tenure, relations with Washington deteriorated over accusations of being too close to Iran's Shia clerical government and fanning sectarian tensions. Attacks by armed groups in Iraq have struck the US embassy in Baghdad, its diplomatic and logistics facility at the capital's airport, and oil fields operated by foreign companies.
