President Donald Trump announced that the United States plans to withdraw its military presence from Iraq. He stated that Iran’s influence has weakened enough, making it possible for Iraq to manage its own security as the U.S.-led coalition mission ends.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi supported this decision. He emphasized that armed groups not under state control will lose their justification once the coalition mission concludes. Al-Zaidi insisted that Iraq’s security forces are ready to take over with weapons solely under state authority.
Trump mentioned that the U.S. would shift its cooperation with Iraq from military to economic focus. He highlighted significant U.S. investments in Iraq’s energy sector as the new direction for partnership.
“We don’t think we need the military there anymore. We’re there to help, but we believe it’s not necessary,” Trump said.
The change represents a significant shift from previous years marked by violence and military conflict. The U.S. administration believes the improved security situation now allows for economic partnerships to flourish.
Since the invasion of Iraq more than two decades ago, the landscape has changed. Trump noted that with Iran destabilized, U.S. companies see Iraq as a potential business environment.
Iran has historically wielded power in Iraq through political factions and militias. The U.S. continues urging Baghdad to incorporate these groups fully under government control.
An agreement between the U.S. and Iraq set the coalition’s military mission to end in September 2025. U.S. troops would transition to a reduced, advisory presence, assisting in counter-ISIS efforts linked to the Syrian border.
Prior to the drawdown beginning in September 2025, about 2,500 U.S. troops remained in Iraq, considerably fewer than the peak of approximately 170,000 during the Iraq war in 2007.
Ali al-Zaidi, a businessman and newly elected Prime Minister, came to power through consensus after a political impasse. Trump’s administration supported his candidacy, opposing the return of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
In a recent Oval Office meeting, Trump lauded al-Zaidi as “a great leader,” expressing confidence in his regional influence.