U.S. Calls on Next Iraqi Prime Minister to Cut Ties with Pro-Iran Armed Groups
The United States is demanding that Iraq's next prime minister take "concrete actions" to distance the country from pro-Iranian armed groups. This is a condition for considering the resumption of financial disbursements and security assistance from the U.S., following a series of attacks on American interests in Iraq.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 15:52
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 16:01 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 16:34 (32 min after Collected)
WASHINGTON (Central News Agency) – A senior U.S. official said today that the United States hopes Iraq's next prime minister will take "concrete actions" to distance the country from pro-Iranian armed organizations before it will consider resuming financial disbursements and security assistance.
According to Agence France-Presse, Iraq's ruling coalition has nominated Ali al-Zaidi as the next leader. Zaidi quickly received a congratulatory call from U.S. President Trump after his nomination, as Trump had previously threatened to terminate all support if the former leading contender, Nouri al-Maliki, took office.
However, a senior U.S. State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that Zaidi must address the "blurred lines" between pro-Iranian armed groups and the state in the Shiite-majority country.
Following a series of attacks on U.S. interests, Washington has suspended oil revenue payments and halted security assistance. These cash payments have been handled by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York since the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.
The official said that to resume full support, "the top priority is to expel terrorist militias from all state institutions, cut off their funding from the Iraqi budget, and refuse to pay salaries to these militia fighters."
He added: "These concrete actions will give us confidence and show that the other side's mindset has changed."
The U.S. exerted significant pressure on Iraq when Maliki appeared to be the next prime minister. During his previous tenure, Maliki's relations with Washington deteriorated due to accusations of being too close to Iran's Shiite theocratic government and inciting sectarian conflict. (Compiled by Li Pei-shan) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
According to Agence France-Presse, Iraq's ruling coalition has nominated Ali al-Zaidi as the next leader. Zaidi quickly received a congratulatory call from U.S. President Trump after his nomination, as Trump had previously threatened to terminate all support if the former leading contender, Nouri al-Maliki, took office.
However, a senior U.S. State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that Zaidi must address the "blurred lines" between pro-Iranian armed groups and the state in the Shiite-majority country.
Following a series of attacks on U.S. interests, Washington has suspended oil revenue payments and halted security assistance. These cash payments have been handled by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York since the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.
The official said that to resume full support, "the top priority is to expel terrorist militias from all state institutions, cut off their funding from the Iraqi budget, and refuse to pay salaries to these militia fighters."
He added: "These concrete actions will give us confidence and show that the other side's mindset has changed."
The U.S. exerted significant pressure on Iraq when Maliki appeared to be the next prime minister. During his previous tenure, Maliki's relations with Washington deteriorated due to accusations of being too close to Iran's Shiite theocratic government and inciting sectarian conflict. (Compiled by Li Pei-shan) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.