ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - US President Donald Trump on Thursday congratulated Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi on his appointment, expressing his anticipation for a "highly productive" new bilateral relationship and extending an invitiation for him to visit Washington following the formation of a government.

The pair held a phone call, first announced by the Iraqi prime minister's office, that showcased a degree of US approval for Zaidi's candidacy, coming after US pressure played a decisive factor in scuppering former premier Nouri al-Maliki's bid for the post.

Soon after the call's announcement, Trump made a Truth Social post in which he said, "We wish him success as he works to form a new Government free from terrorism that could deliver a brighter future for Iraq."

#BREAKING: US President Donald Trump congratulates Ali al-Zaidi on his nomination to be Iraq's next prime minister, wishing him success "as he works to form a new Government free from terrorism that could deliver a brighter future for Iraq" - Statement

"This is the beginning of… pic.twitter.com/upuIZ0U4fz

— The New Region (@thenewregion) April 30, 2026

"We look forward to a strong, vibrant, and highly productive new relationship between Iraq and the United States," the president continued.

"This is the beginning of a tremendous new chapter between our Nations - Prosperity, Stability, and Success like never seen before."

The US president during the call congratulated Zaidi "on the occasion of his official designation to form the new government and extended a formal invitation to visit Washington following the formation of the government," a statement from the premier's office read.

"During the call, they discussed the strategic bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States and ways to further develop and enhance them across various fields, in addition to affirming joint work and bilateral cooperation to consolidate stability in the region."

Iraq’s ruling Shiite Coordination Framework on Monday officially selected Zaidi for prime minister during a Baghdad meeting after incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and Maliki agreed on his nomination.

Zaidi's appointment came following at least seven meetings held by Coordination Framework aimed at naming a candidate for the top post, with the incumbent Sudani saying the businessman was selected to break the political deadlock after a "lack of consensus on choosing a candidate from the proposed names."

In late January, Trump issued a stark warning that Washington would no longer support Iraq should Maliki, who at that time had emerged as the Framework's leading candidate, assume the prime ministerial position, criticizing his "insane policies and ideologies."

Trump further stressed that Iraq “might make a very bad choice” by appointing Maliki, asserting that Baghdad “descended into poverty and total chaos” the last time the Shiite leader was in charge. 

Maliki previously served two terms as prime minister from 2006 to 2014, stepping down during his second term amid major security setbacks linked to the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) and ongoing corruption allegations.

Deeply concerning to US officials at the time was the proliferation of Iranian influence in the country during Maliki's tenure, which manifested in the growing nexus of Iran-aligned groups that were deemed by Washington to be acting as proxies for Tehran.