ISTANBUL / Anadolu

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Wednesday discussed with a number of members and committee heads in the US Congress ways to strengthen ties and expand economic and investment partnerships between the two countries.

This came in statements by the media office of the Prime Minister, reported by the Iraqi News Agency.

According to the same source, al-Zaidi met with Speaker of the House of Representatives (the first chamber of Congress) Mike Johnson at the Capitol building, as part of his ongoing official visit to the capital Washington since last Monday.

He also met, according to the agency, with the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (the second chamber of Congress) Senator Jim Risch at the Capitol, without details on the content of the meeting.

Al-Zaidi also met, at his residence in the capital Washington, with a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Ted Budd, without details.

According to the agency, al-Zaidi met at the Capitol with the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Brian Mast and committee members from both the Republican and Democratic parties.

The agency added that the meeting with Mast discussed "formulating common and constructive visions for steps to develop Iraqi-American relations on various levels and fields."

Al-Zaidi affirmed that his government is proceeding with implementing the economic reform program, reviving sectors with investment appeal, alongside enhancing the capabilities of security forces and "not keeping any weapons outside state control."

He also pointed out that the government pursues "a balanced foreign policy, and works to enhance the suitable environment for investment and reform and develop the financial and banking sectors, paving the way for the expansion of the work of American companies in Iraq."

For their part, members of the Foreign Affairs Committee stressed their support for economic and political partnerships with Iraq, and expanding investments and financing partnerships between the two countries.

They emphasized the importance of the role Iraq plays in consolidating stability in the region, and supporting joint efforts aimed at enhancing bilateral relations.

On Monday, al-Zaidi arrived in Washington heading a high-level government delegation, in his first foreign visit since assuming the premiership in May 2026, to hold talks with President Donald Trump and sign memorandums of understanding in the oil and gas sectors.