Iraqi PM Confirms Advising Trump Against Striking Iran

Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi affirmed on Wednesday that he had advised former US President Donald Trump against launching a military strike on Iran. In an interview with "The Atlantic" magazine, Al-Zaidi clarified that Iraq seeks to build relations based on investment and economic development. He stressed that military presence does not create bonds between peoples, noting that economic engagement is the way to strengthen relations. He elaborated that "military presence does not forge ties between peoples; economic engagement does," announcing the discussion of a potential 30-year Iraqi-American investment partnership focused on investment and technology instead of military presence. Al-Zaidi added that "Iraq should be a meeting point, not an arena of hostility between the United States and Iran," affirming his rejection of Iraq becoming a failed state and stating that his government is committed to combating corruption and strengthening state authority. Al-Zaidi reiterated his advice to President Trump against directing a military strike on Iran, emphasizing that "there is no option but to surrender weapons." He explained that economic development and providing job opportunities represent the true path to stability, urging investors to consider Iraq as a promising investment opportunity, despite the losses incurred by the Iraqi economy due to the recent war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Al-Zaidi affirmed his readiness to bear the consequences of his reform project, stressing his government's continued implementation of steps to enhance stability and build a strong state.