ARABIAN TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held talks on Wednesday focusing on strengthening security cooperation between Iraq and the United States, as well as reviving military training programs for Iraqi security forces. According to a statement issued by Iraq’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Hegseth congratulated al-Zaidi on his nomination to form Iraq’s new government and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to maintaining strategic relations with Baghdad.
The discussions centered on bilateral cooperation under the Strategic Framework Agreement between the two countries, which regulates political, economic and security relations.The security agreement outlines the provisions governing the temporary presence of US forces in Iraq, their operational activities and the process for their gradual withdrawal. Both sides emphasized the importance of continuing cooperation in military training and capacity-building programs aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency and readiness of the Iraqi armed forces.
Officials stated that reactivating training initiatives would help Iraqi security forces strengthen their capabilities in confronting terrorism and maintaining national stability. The move comes as Iraq continues efforts to modernize its military institutions and improve coordination with international partners in counterterrorism operations. The discussions also followed the agreement announced by Baghdad and Washington in September 2024 regarding the conclusion of the US-led international coalition’s mission against ISIS in Iraq.
The two-phase plan ended coalition military operations in January and included the withdrawal of troops, the transfer of military bases and a transition toward a bilateral security partnership focused on supporting Iraqi forces while sustaining pressure on ISIS remnants. Analysts believe the evolving security arrangement reflects Iraq’s attempt to balance national sovereignty with the need for continued international cooperation in combating extremist threats.
Iraqi leaders have repeatedly stressed that future partnerships with the United States would focus primarily on advisory support, intelligence sharing and military training rather than direct combat operations. Al-Zaidi’s nomination to form the government came after the Coordination Framework, Iraq’s largest parliamentary bloc, agreed on his candidacy. On April 27, Iraqi President Nizar Amidi officially tasked him with forming a new administration amid expectations of continued political and security reforms in the country.
