Iraq's parliament voted on Thursday to approve a new government led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, a 40-year-old lawyer and banker who becomes the country's youngest head of government. His administration's program explicitly commits to "reforming the security apparatus by restricting weapons to state control and strengthening the capabilities of the security forces," according to the state news agency INA.
Al-Zaidi's nomination ended months of political deadlock in Baghdad, during which Washington vetoed the previous frontrunner, former Premier Nouri al-Maliki. The new prime minister, who previously chaired Al-Janoob Islamic Bank and holds degrees in finance and law, has never held senior political office. Analysts describe his selection as a compromise outcome, with US President Donald Trump having warned he would curtail support for Iraq if figures closely aligned with Tehran returned to power.
A Delicate Balancing Act
Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of its two main allies: neighbouring Iran and the United States. The 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein gave Washington enormous sway in Baghdad, but it also paved the way for Tehran to build influence through Shia allies. Since then, Iraqi leaders have struggled to maintain equilibrium between the two foes.
The US has recently piled pressure on Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed groups, which it designates as terrorist organisations. After the US and Israel launched their intervention in Iran on 28 February, those groups intervened in support of Tehran and hit US facilities in Iraq more than 600 times before a ceasefire was announced, according to a US official. Washington also struck their positions and bases, killing dozens of fighters.
Al-Zaidi's government is backed by the Coordination Framework, a ruling alliance of powerful Shia groups with varying ties to Iran. In an apparent nod of approval, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi congratulated the new government, writing on X: "Strengthening the friendly and brotherly relations between Tehran and Baghdad has always been at the top of the priorities of our foreign policy." Senior US diplomat Tom Barrack meanwhile said Washington was ready to work with al-Zaidi "to advance our shared goals of prosperity for the Iraqi people and the elimination of terrorism."
Only 14 of 23 ministerial nominations were approved on Thursday, as key political parties continue to negotiate several portfolios. The new premier faces multiple daunting tasks, including the sensitive issue of disarming militias. While some armed groups have shown readiness to cooperate, others remain adamant that the issue should not be discussed under US pressure. Hussein Mounes, head of a parliamentary bloc close to the powerful Kataeb Hezbollah group, criticised the "clear and direct US interference in shaping the political scene" and told journalists that a state monopoly on arms cannot be achieved through "pressure."
Al-Zaidi's government will also need to repair Iraq's relations with Gulf countries, which have protested attacks by Tehran-backed groups on their territory during the war. His program has set economic reforms as a main priority, with an emphasis on diversification and investment in a country where almost the entire economy relies on oil. Iraq has lost significant income due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, as oil exports account for about 90% of the country's budget revenues.
For European observers, Iraq's trajectory matters directly: instability in the Middle East affects energy markets, migration flows, and the security of European allies in the region. The EU has maintained a diplomatic presence in Baghdad and supports Iraqi state-building efforts, including security sector reform. The question of whether al-Zaidi can deliver on his promise of a state monopoly on weapons will be closely watched in Brussels and European capitals.
