Trump warns Iraq against returning former PM al-Maliki to power amid worries about Iran influence

President Trump Warns Iraq Against Returning Former PM Al-Maliki to Power

In a stark diplomatic move, President Donald Trump has issued a blunt warning to Iraq that the United States would withdraw support if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki returns to power. The warning comes after the dominant Shiite political bloc known as the Coordination Framework announced its backing of al-Maliki’s nomination.

“Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again,” Trump stated in a social media post. He emphasized that if al-Maliki is elected, “the United States of America will no longer help Iraq and, if we are not there to help, Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom.”

This intervention into Iraqi politics occurs at a particularly sensitive moment as Trump simultaneously considers potential military action against Iran, which has maintained significant influence in Iraq since the U.S. removal of Saddam Hussein in 2003. The president has recently suggested the possibility of strikes in response to Tehran’s crackdown on anti-government protests.

The political situation in Iraq has been in flux since caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stepped aside earlier this month after failing to form a government following November’s parliamentary elections. Despite winning the largest share of seats, al-Sudani’s withdrawal cleared the path for al-Maliki’s bid for a historic third term.

Al-Maliki has a contentious history with Washington. Initially embraced by President George W. Bush when he first became prime minister in 2006 during a period of intense sectarian violence, U.S. officials quickly developed concerns about his leadership. His government was viewed as favoring Shiite factions and alienating Iraq’s Sunni population, which many analysts believe worsened the country’s security crisis.

By 2014, the Obama administration had lost confidence in al-Maliki’s ability to manage Iraq’s deteriorating security situation, particularly as the Islamic State group seized significant territory across the country. Throughout his tenure, U.S. officials frequently raised concerns about al-Maliki’s close ties to Iran and his ability to govern independently of Tehran’s influence.

The Trump administration began signaling its concerns about Iraq’s political direction several days ago. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told al-Sudani in a Sunday phone call that the U.S. was concerned about a pro-Iran government taking root in Iraq. According to State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Rubio emphasized that “a government controlled by Iran cannot successfully put Iraq’s own interests first, keep Iraq out of regional conflicts, or advance the mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Iraq.”

Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a Middle East research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that Trump’s public opposition creates significant challenges for al-Maliki’s candidacy. However, he cautioned, “But this is Iraq, so never say never. And this was a guy whose political life was supposed to have expired many, many years ago, and yet Maliki is still here.”

This isn’t the first time Trump has directly intervened in another country’s politics since returning to office. He previously offered strong backing for right-wing candidates in Argentina, Honduras, and Poland.

Meanwhile, U.S.-Iran tensions remain high after Trump repeatedly threatened military action if Tehran continued using deadly force against anti-government protesters. He subsequently claimed to be holding off on strikes after Iran allegedly halted executions of protesters – a claim that Iran’s top prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi strongly denies.

The military calculus may be shifting as the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three accompanying warships have arrived in the Middle East, U.S. Central Command confirmed Monday. This naval redeployment has raised speculation about potential U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran, particularly as the USS Gerald Ford was recently redirected from the Mediterranean to support operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

As Iraq navigates this complex political transition, the American president’s unprecedented warning signals the high stakes of the country’s leadership choice, with implications for regional stability, Iran’s influence, and the future of U.S.-Iraqi relations.