According to a report by Reuters on July 12, an Iraqi government spokesman announced that Iraq's Prime Minister Ali Zaidy is scheduled to visit the United States to seek to deepen Iraq-US strategic relations. It is expected that both sides will sign cooperation agreements regarding oil and natural gas.
Iraqi government spokesman Haytham Abdi said that Zaidy will arrive in the United States on the 13th local time. "The agreement to be signed will include several memorandums of understanding in the fields of oil and natural gas. Iraq is preparing to introduce several American companies, which will provide impetus to increasing oil production capacity."
He revealed that Iraq hopes to find alternative export channels through relevant cooperation, in order to reduce the risk of being disrupted in the Hormuz Strait.
On May 14th local time, Iraq's Prime Minister Zaidy took the oath of office.
Reuters noted that after the military conflict between the United States and Iran led to the closure of the Hormuz Strait, the oil revenues of Iraq and other Gulf oil-producing countries have decreased.
In addition, Abu Di said that Zaidi will also discuss with the United States the strengthening of Iraq's armed forces. In January this year, the Iraqi government announced that the U.S. military had fully withdrawn from all military facilities under the jurisdiction of Iraqi security forces. Only a small number of U.S. troops remain stationed in the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq. Future military cooperation between the two sides will focus on training, equipment procurement, joint exercises, and combat coordination.
After Zaidi was nominated as the Prime Minister of Iraq in April, U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated him, expressing his hope for strengthening cooperation between the United States and Iraq. According to Reuters analysis, Zaidi's visit to the United States indicates that Iraq is seeking a balance in its relations with neighboring countries Iran and the United States at a time when tensions in the Middle East are escalating.
