Iraq faces new government formation deadline amid US–Iran tensions

Iraq is racing to meet a new constitutional deadline to form a government after months of political deadlock, with tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran adding pressure to already stalled negotiations.

The country held parliamentary elections on November 11 for its 329-seat legislature, but failed to meet its first constitutional deadline after lawmakers did not elect a president within the required 30-day period, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

On April 11, Nizar al-Amidi was elected president, triggering a 15-day window to task the leader of the largest parliamentary bloc with forming a government and nominating a prime minister.

The position of prime minister, widely regarded as Iraq’s most powerful executive role, remains the focus of intense political bargaining.

According to Iraqi political analyst Issam al-Faili, regional rivalries are increasingly shaping the process. He said the confrontation between Washington and Tehran is complicating efforts to reach consensus on a candidate.

“Iran wants the next prime minister to support its interests, while the Trump administration is pushing for a candidate who will confront Iran-backed militias and move toward disarming them,” al-Faili said, adding that any eventual leader would likely require at least tacit Iranian approval.

The United States has previously opposed certain candidates and has warned of reduced support for Iraq if figures it considers aligned with Iranian interests return to power.

Iran, meanwhile, is said to maintain influence through political allies and armed groups within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella network of mostly Shiite militias.

Analysts say that even if a prime minister is eventually selected, the incoming government is likely to face sustained pressure from Washington over the role and disarmament of Iran-aligned armed factions.

By Sabina Mammadli