US envoy, Iraqi premier discuss Baghdad weapons control plan

US Special Presidential Envoy for Iraq and Syria Tom Barrack and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi met in Baghdad on Monday to discuss efforts to place all weapons under exclusive state control and eliminate armed groups operating outside government authority, according to a joint statement released by the US Embassy on Tuesday.

The meeting addressed "the shared aspirational vision for the Iraqi government to build a brighter future free from terrorism," the statement said, alongside plans to disarm and disband non-state militias and consolidate military assets under central authority. "Prime Minister Al-Zaidi and Special Presidential Envoy Barrack underscored the urgency in full completion of these efforts," it added, emphasizing the need to strengthen Iraqi sovereignty and prevent regional conflicts from spilling across its borders.

Economic and Energy Cooperation

The officials reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral trade and investment ties, welcoming recent progress including the issuance of a Starlink license and ongoing negotiations between Baghdad and Chevron concerning major oil field development. They also discussed the return of US energy firms under enhanced security guarantees, cooperation with TI Capital to restore the Kirkuk–Baniyas pipeline, and plans for an LNG import terminal at Khor Zubair to address Iraq's energy needs, the statement noted.

Upcoming White House Summit

Barrack conveyed that "President Trump looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Al-Zaidi to the White House in mid-July to discuss the future of this important relationship," the embassy said. The meeting highlighted Washington's support for a "strong, sovereign, and united federal democratic Iraq, grounded in robust constitutional institutions, and ensuring full equality for all citizens, in a manner that strengthens Iraq's unity, stability, and prosperity," according to the statement.