Iraq rejects 'foreign interference' after Trump's threat over government

The Iraqi presidency has formally denounced any "foreign interference" in the country's internal affairs, responding to recent comments from US President Donald Trump. In a statement carried by the state news agency INA on Thursday, Baghdad declared that its political processes are an exclusive sovereign matter determined by the will of the Iraqi people under the constitution.

Context of US Threat and Iraqi Sovereignty

The statement follows President Trump's threat on Tuesday to cut US support for Iraq if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is elected to lead the government again. Maliki, who served from 2006 to 2014, was recently nominated by the Shiite Coordination Framework coalition. The Iraqi presidency emphasized that respect for national sovereignty is a cornerstone of stability, especially during government formation, which must be based on November's parliamentary election results and agreements among winning political blocs.

Commitment to Balanced Foreign Policy

Reaffirming its foreign policy principles, the presidency stated Iraq's commitment to "constructive cooperation with all countries" founded on mutual respect, non-interference, and shared interests. This stance reflects Baghdad's delicate balancing act as it navigates relations with major powers, including the United States and neighboring Iran, while asserting its independence in domestic decision-making.

Ongoing Government Formation Process

Iraq's parliament recently postponed a session to elect a state president after Kurdish parties requested a delay. According to the country's power-sharing system, the president is a Kurd, the prime minister is a Shiite, and the parliament speaker is a Sunni. Once elected, the president will task the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc with forming a cabinet within 15 days. For neighboring Türkiye, which shares a long border with Iraq and has significant security and economic interests in the country, a stable and sovereign Iraqi government is crucial for regional cooperation and combating terrorism.