NOW PLAYING
President Trump offered a very warm welcome to Iraq’s newly elected Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House on Tuesday, with an eye toward giving American companies premier access to the country’s “tremendous” oil reserves.
Trump lobbied for al-Zaidi’s appointment following last year’s parliamentary elections. Trump came out against the initial front-runner, former Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, in favor of the political newcomer. Al-Zaidi is an economist by training and businessman.
“They have tremendous oil reserves. They have tremendous potential wealth, and they have tremendous wealth, not only potential,” Trump said from the Oval Office.
“We’re going to have a long-term relationship with a man that will be a great leader. You mark my words. I knew what I was doing,” the president continued, referring to his endorsement.
Al-Zaidi said his decision to make his first international visit to the U.S. reflected the important economic relationship between the two countries. The Iraqi government is expected to sign a deal with two U.S. companies, Chevron and TI Capital, along with Qatar’s UCC construction, to build an oil pipeline connecting Iraq to maritime ports in Turkey and Syria, the Associated Press reported.
“The most important strategic partnership in the world is the United States of America… It’s not emotional, it’s about money,” the prime minister said.
“Because of their oil, and we’re going to be doing a lot of deals,” Trump said.
“We’re going to create a lot of jobs for both countries, and we’re going to be taking out a lot of oil.”
The focus on the pipeline signals how countries are adapting to the major disruptions caused by the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, which has effectively shut energy transit through the Strait of Hormuz under threat from Iranian strikes.
Trump on Monday said he was reimposing a naval blockade against Iran in response to attacks on commercial ships by the Islamic Republic, but backed down from a proposal to levy a 20 percent fee on ships transiting the Strait with the help of the U.S.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said he was withdrawing the fee in exchange for trade deals with Gulf countries.
“We were doing it as the reimbursement,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “The Gulf states are going to invest a tremendous amount of money into the United States and that was very satisfactory to me.”
Add as preferred source on Google Tags Nouri al-MalikiCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Comments: Link copiedMore International News
See All
Energy & Environment Oil prices jump as US-Iran conflict escalates again by Rachel Frazin 29 minutes ago Energy & Environment / 29 minutes ago 
