Al-Zaidi praises results of his visit to Washington... amid popular support and political division

Iran (officially) distanced itself from the statements made by Ali Akbar Velayati, adviser to the Supreme Leader, against Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, on the occasion of his visit to Washington, apparently in preparation for an expected visit by Al-Zaidi to Tehran.

After concluding his visit to the United States, which lasted 5 days, Al-Zaidi said in a post on the 'X' platform: 'As we conclude our visit to Washington, returning to beloved Baghdad, we express our deep gratitude to the administration of President Trump and to the friendly American people for the warm reception and appreciation.'

He added: 'We renew our government's determination to proceed with embodying the strategic economic partnership between the two friendly countries, strengthening mutual trust and a shared vision for the future, based on what we have concluded of agreements, memoranda of understanding, and cooperation, which will lead to building a new phase of bilateral relations based on common interests in various fields, and joint coordination to consolidate stability and enhance the path of prosperity in Iraq and the entire region.'

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi in the middle attends the US-Iraq Business Summit on July 17, 2026 in Washington (AP)

During the visit, Iraq and the United States signed 48 agreements that require parliamentary ratification, while the memoranda of understanding that were also signed can enter into force without that. This led many opponents of the visit, especially the armed factions loyal to Iran, to view with suspicion what was achieved between the two countries, 'based on the fact that achieving the minimum of these agreements and memoranda of understanding could move the relationship between Baghdad and Washington to a new level, in exchange for a decline in levels of cooperation with Iran, especially after curbing money smuggling to it through the agreement between the Central Bank of Iraq and the US Treasury.'

In this context, Al-Zaidi described this agreement as 'representing an important step in the path of reforming the banking sector and enhancing its integration into the global financial system.'

He said that 'rehabilitation of 7 Iraqi banks to return to external correspondent banking channels in other currencies, in preparation for restoring their eligibility to deal in US dollars, after completing compliance and governance requirements, confirms the success of the financial reform approach adopted by the government, enhances confidence in the Iraqi banking sector, and opens broader horizons for the national economy and investment.'

He affirmed the continuation of 'supporting financial and banking reforms, and consolidating the principles of transparency and governance, to serve Iraq's interests and enhance its economic position regionally and internationally.'

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi during a meeting at the Pentagon on July 14 (AP)

While Baghdad's steps this time appear confident regarding the relationship with Washington, talk of moving it to a 'new phase' in this relationship seemed surprising to many circles, especially popular ones, which expressed satisfaction with it... and equally surprised the opposition, particularly parties close to Iran, as they are no longer able, as before, to stop such developments led by Al-Zaidi.

Abdul Rahman Al-Jubouri, head of the 'Academy for Political Development and Good Governance', said in a statement to 'Asharq Al-Awsat': 'If the approach of the visit is adhered to and implemented on the ground, then Iraq and Al-Zaidi would have abandoned the concept of balance and headed toward the Western camp and the United States, and chosen an economic and financial ally that Iraq needs. And Baghdad, after dismantling the factions' weapons, can remain neutral in the war.'

For his part, Dr. Taleb Mohammed Karim, professor of political thought at Al-Mustansiriya University, said in a statement to 'Asharq Al-Awsat': 'It is too early to talk about a radical shift in the nature of the Iraqi-American relationship, but it can be said that Al-Zaidi's visit represents the beginning of an attempt to redefine this relationship. The shift from the dominance of security and military files to focusing on economy, investment, and energy reflects a trend toward building a relationship based on mutual interests rather than crisis management.'

Karim adds that 'the success of this transformation does not depend on what was achieved in Washington, but on what the government will accomplish inside Iraq. The Iraqi state still faces structural challenges, foremost among them weak services, corruption, and multiplicity of decision-making centers, which are factors that have affected the efficiency of state institutions and their ability to attract investment and build trust with international partners.'

He explained that 'the United States has begun to view positively the reform path announced by the government, but this confidence remains conditional, and will depend on Baghdad's ability to translate commitments into tangible administrative, legal, and institutional reforms.'

US President Donald Trump receiving Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi at the White House (AP)

Regarding the nature of balance in Iraq's relationship with both the United States and Iran, Dr. Karim says: 'Reading the relationship in terms of profit and loss does not reflect Iraq's interest; therefore, I do not see that Iraq's success is measured by distancing itself from Iran or approaching the United States, but by its ability to build a balanced foreign policy based on national interest, and maintain stable relations with the United States, neighboring countries, and regional states, without becoming an arena for settling conflicts among them.'

Velayati's insult...

Meanwhile, Iran sought to contain the offensive statements made by Velayati against the Iraqi Prime Minister, describing them as 'unofficial'. On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in a phone call that 'relations between the two countries should not be affected by personal and unofficial statements.' He added that 'relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq are firm and strategic, based on deep historical, cultural, and religious ties, and common interests between the two peoples,' explaining that 'these valuable relations should not be affected by some personal and unofficial statements.'

Velayati, adviser to the Iranian Supreme Leader, had criticized Al-Zaidi's visit to the United States and described the Iraqi Prime Minister as 'inexperienced', according to media reports.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi during a press conference in Baghdad on June 28, 2026 (AFP)

And he said in an article published by the newspaper 'Farhikhtegan': 'The behavior of the Prime Minister during his meeting with the US President, shortly after the funeral of the former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is a great disgrace,' as he put it.

Iran officially remained silent regarding the agreements signed between Baghdad and Washington, which would pull the rug from under its feet in Iraq, parallel to the attack by armed factions loyal to it on the visit and its outcomes.