Iraqi prime ministerial candidate Nouri al Maliki has condemned what he called blatant interference by United States President Donald Trump in Iraq’s internal politics. Maliki spoke after Trump warned that Washington would end all support to Iraq if he emerged as prime minister.
Maliki, a former two term prime minister, said in a post on X that Iraq firmly rejects American meddling in its affairs. He described Trump’s comments as a violation of Iraq’s democratic system, which has been in place since the 2003 US led invasion that removed Saddam Hussein.
The 75 year old politician fell out with Washington during his earlier time in office between 2006 and 2014 over his close ties to Iran and accusations of pursuing a sectarian agenda. Despite this, he has remained a powerful figure and kingmaker whose backing is seen as crucial to building any governing coalition in Baghdad.
Trump had said that Iraq would be making a very bad choice if Maliki returned to power. He claimed that Maliki’s policies and ideology were so extreme that the United States would no longer help Iraq should he become prime minister.
Maliki has been endorsed as the preferred candidate by the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shia parties with varying links to Iran that now leads Iraq’s ruling coalition. In his statement, he said US pressure infringes on the coalition’s decision to nominate him and pledged to keep working to protect what he called the higher interests of the Iraqi people.
Iraqi political sources say the Coordination Framework will meet soon to discuss Trump’s ultimatum. They report internal splits over Maliki’s candidacy but say a majority vote in the bloc has so far kept him in the race, with his supporters insisting they should not back down.
US diplomats and representatives in Iraq have been lobbying quietly against Maliki, according to Iraqi officials and foreign envoys in Baghdad. Trump’s remarks followed similar concerns raised by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a call with outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani, and a letter to Iraqi politicians signalling Washington’s opposition to Maliki.
The next Iraqi leader will face strong US demands to rein in Iran backed armed factions, many of which Washington labels terrorist organisations. Washington has already sanctioned several Iraqi entities it accuses of helping Tehran evade sanctions, and Iraqi officials fear more punitive measures if ties worsen under a Maliki led government.
Supporters of Maliki argue that he has changed and can manage relations with both Washington and Tehran while preserving Iraqi interests. But analysts warn that Iraq, which has only recently seen a degree of stability after years of conflict, can ill afford a serious rift with the United States at a time of regional tension and fragile economic growth.
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