ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The United States (US) is considering tightened entry requirements for citizens from 43 countries, the list of countries excludes Iraq.

The US Department of State has prepared a draft list consisting of 43 countries that are set to face travel restrictions, the New York Times reported on Friday, quoting anonymous officials. The list is divided into three categories, with each group facing varying degrees of travel restrictions.

Iraq, which was one of seven Muslim-majority countries facing travel bans under US President Donald Trump’s first term in office, is exempted this time around from the list as of the time of this writing.

“Iraq's exemption from US visa restrictions underscores the strength of bilateral relations and the importance of joint cooperation in the security, economic, diplomatic, and immigration fields,” Farhad Alaaldin, a political advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani told state media on Sunday.

The first category in the new draft list, according to Reuters, includes ten countries, among them Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, and Afghanistan, whose citizens are set to face complete visa suspension.

The second category consists of Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan, which are being considered for partial visa suspensions, impacting tourists, students, and immigrant visas, with some exceptions. 

The third category includes 26 other countries that would be considered for partial visa suspensions if their governments “do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days," Reuters cited the memo as reading.

The list is still subject to change and is yet to be approved by the administration, including by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Reuters reported, citing a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“The nature of Iraq's relationship with the United States is characterized by positivity and ongoing cooperation, reflecting the level of mutual trust and common understanding in various fields, including regional security and stability,” Alaaldin added.

In an operation of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, with support and coordination from the Joint Operations Command and the US-led global coalition Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani on Friday announced the killing of the Islamic State (ISIS) Deputy Caliph and so-called “Wali of Iraq and Syria.”

Earlier in March, the US declined to renew a sanctions waiver allowing Iraq to buy electricity from Iran as part of President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran, said a spokesperson of the US Embassy in Baghdad.

Iraq’s proximity and close ties to Iran have rendered the country unable to strike a balance between the US and Iran in terms of international relations, with Baghdad facing mounting pressures from the US to limit its ties to Tehran.