By John Lee.
US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz held a call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani on Sunday, reaffirming Washington's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Baghdad.
Mr. Waltz extended Ramadan greetings and expressed concern over recent flooding in Baghdad. Discussions focused on economic cooperation, with Prime Minister Al-Sudani outlining his government's reforms to foster a stable, transparent, and investment-friendly environment. He reiterated Iraq's commitment to expanding economic ties with the US and attracting American investment.
Mr. Waltz linked the non-renewal of the sanctions waiver on Iranian electricity exports to President Trump's "maximum pressure" strategy against Iran, citing concerns over nuclear development and regional security threats. He encouraged Iraq's energy independence and called for greater US private sector involvement in Iraq's oil and gas sectors.
He also urged Baghdad to resolve contract disputes with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and settle arrears owed to US energy firms. Additionally, he proposed the appointment of an investment coordinator to facilitate US business operations in Iraq.
Both sides reaffirmed their strategic partnership, stressing the importance of building a self-reliant Iraq capable of maintaining sovereignty and stability.
Full statement from the Media Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister:
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani received a phone call today, Sunday, from U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening and deepening the strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States.
The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in economic and security matters. Prime Minister Al-Sudani reiterated Iraq's commitment to expanding economic relations with the United States, encouraging American companies to invest in Iraq's growing market. He also reviewed key reforms and initiatives implemented by his government to create a stable, transparent, and investment-friendly environment.
For his part, National Security Advisor Waltz encouraged Iraq to engage more with American companies and work to resolve obstacles facing U.S. businesses operating in the country, including in the Kurdistan Region. He stressed the importance of facilitating their work and investment in Iraq.
Both sides also emphasized joint efforts to build a strong Iraq capable of self-reliance. The discussions covered resolving outstanding issues and the role of American companies in supporting Iraq's economic development. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Iraq's energy independence and expressed readiness to cooperate in accelerating progress toward this goal.
On security matters, Waltz reiterated the United States' unwavering commitment to Iraq's security and stability amid regional and international challenges. Both sides underscored the importance of continued cooperation to safeguard Iraq's sovereignty and long-term stability, especially given the current regional conditions.
Waltz also noted that the decision to end the waiver for Iranian-supplied electricity aligns with the Maximum Pressure Policy, emphasizing the need for bilateral coordination to mitigate any potential impact on Iraq's stability.
The call reaffirmed the strong partnership between Iraq and the United States, with both sides expressing a shared vision for a secure, prosperous, and sovereign Iraq.
Full statement from U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz:
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz spoke on Sunday morning with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani. The National Security Advisor wished Prime Minister Al-Sudani a Ramadan Kareem, and expressed his concerns regarding the recent flooding in Baghdad.
Mr. Waltz emphasized the importance of moving towards a win-win relationship based on mutual security interests and enhanced trade. Mr. Waltz noted that the decision to not renew the waiver of sanctions on Iranian electricity exports was consistent with President Trump's "maximum pressure" strategy on Iran, and that pressure on Iran would increase if Iran continued to develop a nuclear weapons capability and support terrorism across the region, including in Iraq.
Mr. Waltz welcomed the Iraqi Prime Minister's efforts to achieve energy independence for Iraq, and encouraged the Iraqi government to welcome more western and U.S. energy companies into Iraq's oil and gas sectors. The National Security Advisor urged the Iraqi government to work with the Kurdistan Regional Government to address remaining contract disputes and pay arrears owed to U.S. energy companies, and also requested that the Iraqi government retain an investment coordinator to work with U.S. companies seeking to invest and operate in Iraq.
The National Security Advisor thanked the Prime Minister for his commitment to the bilateral U.S-Iraqi relationship, and emphasized the Trump administration's commitment to deepening energy and economic ties between the two countries to benefit both the American and Iraqi peoples.
(Sources: PMO, @MikeWaltz47)
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