US Special Envoy Barrack meets with prime ministerial candidate Al-Maliki in Baghdad

US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack paid an official visit to Iraq. As part of his contacts in the capital, Baghdad, Barrack met with former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Kamil al-Maliki, who was nominated for the premiership by the Coordination Framework—a move that drew a sharp reaction from US President Donald Trump and caused tension in US-Iraq relations. A statement issued by Al-Maliki's Press Office noted that the meeting comprehensively addressed the current political situation in Iraq, the process of forming a new government, and the national obligations facing the country. According to the statement, Al-Maliki emphasized that respect for Iraq's sovereignty is the fundamental condition for any regional and international cooperation.

US Representative Barrack, for his part, stated that Iraq plays a key role in resolving crises in the region. Barrack indicated that they would continue to support Iraq in de-escalating regional conflicts, strengthening channels of dialogue, and combating terrorism.

At the conclusion of the meeting, it was reported that the parties agreed to maintain communication and coordination in the face of rapid changes in the region.

Trump's criticism of Al-Maliki's candidacy

US President Donald Trump had strongly opposed Al-Maliki's candidacy, warning that this situation would "drag Iraq into chaos and poverty." Despite this warning from Washington, the former prime minister had clearly declared that he would not withdraw from his candidacy, arguing that the decision to run was a matter of sovereign right. In an interview with a television channel earlier this month, Al-Maliki also underlined that he would only abandon his candidacy upon the majority demand of the Coordination Framework that nominated him, stating that he would not act according to external pressures.