BAGHDAD, Iraq: Iraq’s main candidate for the premiership, Nouri al-Maliki, on Wednesday denounced Washington’s “blatant interference”, after President Donald Trump threatened to end all support to the country if Maliki took the post.
“We categorically reject the blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs,” Maliki said on X, adding that “we consider it a violation” of Iraq’s “democratic system”, in place since the 2003 US-led invasion.
Trump on Tuesday said that Iraq would make a “very bad choice” if Maliki were selected for the top post.
He warned that because of Maliki’s “insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq”.
Maliki was endorsed as Iraq’s next prime minister by the Coordination Framework, an alliance of political groups that has been in recent years the main ruling coalition.
In his post, Maliki denounced the US interference saying it “infringes upon the Coordination Framework’s decision to nominate” its candidate.
He added that in line with that decision, he “will continue to work until the end, in a way that achieves the higher interests of the Iraqi people”.
Maliki, Iraq’s only two-term prime minister (2006-2014), fell out with the US during his last stint over deepening ties with Iran.
Strongest intervention
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Iraq would be making a bad choice by backing al-Maliki.
“Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“If we are not there to help, Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom. MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN!”
The comments mark Trump’s strongest intervention yet in Iraqi politics and reflect broader US efforts to curb the influence of some groups in Baghdad.
In a letter to Iraqi officials, US representatives said that while choosing a prime minister is Iraq’s sovereign decision, Washington would determine its future engagement based on American interests.
