Axios: Iran tried to block Iraqi PM’s first US visit

Iran attempted to dissuade Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi from proceeding with his first official visit to the United States after taking office, but the effort ultimately failed, Axios reported, citing sources.

According to the report, Tehran sought to persuade Zaidi and his team to cancel the trip to Washington. Despite this pressure, the Iraqi leader moved forward with the visit, underscoring what U.S. officials view as a potential shift in Baghdad’s posture.

U.S. President Donald Trump offered strong praise for Zaidi during their meeting, adding an unscheduled lunch to the agenda. “We have a fantastic champion, a new champion ... He's been a great fighter, and he's been a great fan of America. He's a great leader. I think he's going to be there for a long period of time,” Trump said at the start of their talks.

Zaidi sat alongside Trump in front of the cameras for several minutes as the president spoke about ongoing strikes and the imposition of a naval blockade on Iran. The Iraqi prime minister did not address Iran directly in his remarks. Instead, he focused on strengthening economic ties with the United States, completing the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by September, advancing efforts to disarm militias, and ensuring that all weapons in the country fall under the authority of the Iraqi state.

“Zaidi's willingness to be seated next to President Trump as Trump spoke about Iran was a powerful image, demonstrating the seriousness of his intent to align himself with the United States in spite of Iranian opposition,” a U.S. official said.

The disarmament of Iranian-backed Shia militias emerged as a central issue in Zaidi’s discussions with Trump and U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. U.S. officials view the visit as an initial indication that Zaidi may follow through on commitments to curb the influence of those groups, Axios stressed.

By Tamilla Hasanova