Summary
President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. will stop supporting Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki becomes Iraq's prime minister again. Al-Maliki, who has ties to Iran, was nominated by a major Shia group in Iraq's parliament. The U.S. prefers not to see Iranian influence grow in Iraq.
Key Facts
- President Trump said the U.S. would not support Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki is reinstated as prime minister.
- Al-Maliki has connections to Iran, which is a long-time rival of the United States.
- Al-Maliki was nominated by the Coordination Framework, Iraq's largest Shia parliamentary group.
- Trump criticized al-Maliki's previous leadership, linking it to chaos and poverty in Iraq.
- U.S. representatives stated that the choice of prime minister is Iraq's decision, but the U.S. will act in its own interest.
- Trump has threatened sanctions on Iraq if its new government includes groups supported by Iran.
- During his previous term as Iraq's prime minister, al-Maliki clashed with Sunni and Kurdish rivals.
- Iraq's oil revenue is held at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, giving the U.S. financial influence over Iraq.
