Al-Sudani Meets with Representatives of Western Media Outlets in Washington

Baghdad-INA

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met with representatives from American and Western media outlets in Washington D.C. on Wednesday evening (Baghdad time), discussing Iraq's bilateral relations with the United States during a crucial and sensitive period marked by escalating regional tensions that threaten to widen the scope of conflict and war.

During the discussion, Prime Minister Al-Sudani highlighted the turning point in Iraq's relationship with the United States, which has historically focused on security and military cooperation. He emphasized that this visit laid the groundwork for a comprehensive partnership across various sectors including economic, political, and cultural dimensions, alongside ongoing security cooperation.

The Prime Minister reiterated Iraq’s commitment to the outcomes of the Higher Military Commission tasked with ending the international coalition's mission after ten years, noting the significant changes in Iraq’s security landscape since 2014 and ISIS no longer poses a threat to Iraq, and it is reasonable to reconsider the Coalition's mission and continuation.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani also pointed to the first meeting of the Higher Coordinating Committee of the Strategic Framework Agreement, which covered energy, investment, transportation, education, and climate change challenges. He stressed that the government’s priorities and program is Iraq's interests, aiming to build robust partnerships that extend beyond government administrations to serve the mutual interests of both nations.

The Prime Minister answered many questions posed by the media representatives, addressing the future of Iraq’s relations with the United States, prospects for cooperation, regional relations, and the developments in the Middle East.