ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Turkey and Iran on Friday congratulated Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi on his nomination, wishing him success in forming the next Iraqi cabinet.

In a statement, the Turkish foreign ministry congratulated Zaidi, expressing hope that his nomination will be “auspicious” for the Iraqi people.

“Turkey aims to further advance the strategic and institutional cooperation with Iraq, including its regional dimensions, in the upcoming period, drawing strength from the deep historical, societal, cultural and economic ties between the two countries,” the statement read.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also congratulated Zaidi, wishing him success in serving Iraqis.

“Iran affirms its respect for Iraq's sovereignty and its support for political stability, development, and enhancing cooperation in a manner that serves the interests of both peoples,” Araghchi wrote on X.

Zaidi was nominated for the post on Monday by the parliament’s largest bloc, the Shiite Coordination Framework, after months of internal strife. He is seen as a compromise figure and is relatively unknown in the Iraqi political sphere.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, US President Donald Trump said he is “strongly in favour” of Zaidi, adding that he was nominated with US support.

“As you know I was very strongly in favour of him in Iraq. And we had a long conversation yesterday. I congratulated him. He won, and with our help he won, and we want him to do very well. And I told him the United States is with him all the way, it was a great victory. The new head of Iraq is somebody that we support very strongly,” Trump said.

Zaidi is notably the former chairman of a bank that has been under US sanctions since 2024 over allegations of money laundering, fraud, and the illegal use of US dollars.

The prime minister-designate must present a cabinet to parliament within 30 days of his designation.