US President Donald Trump has threatened to end Washington’s so-called support for Iraq if former prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki is reinstated as the country’s next head of government.
Trump made the remarks on Tuesday, days after Iraq’s Coordination Framework, the country’s largest parliamentary bloc, nominated al-Maliki as its candidate for prime minister. Writing on his Truth Social platform, the US president said Baghdad would be making a “very bad choice” by returning al-Maliki to office.
“Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again,” Trump alleged.
“Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq,” he claimed, adding, “If we are not there to help, Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom. MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN!”
( @realDonaldTrump – Truth Social Post )
— Donald J Trump Posts TruthSocial (@TruthTrumpPost) January 27, 2026
( Donald J. Trump – Jan 27 2026, 2:57 PM ET )
I’m hearing that the Great Country of Iraq might make a very bad choice by reinstalling Nouri al-Maliki as Prime Minister. Last time Maliki was in power, the Country … pic.twitter.com/uwl8VNiCeg
The Coordination Framework announced on Saturday that it had nominated Al-Maliki following an expanded leadership meeting to discuss political developments and the next phase of government formation.
Iraq held nationwide elections in November for 329 seats in parliament. Shiite alliances won 187 seats.
Iraq’s president, Abdul Latif Rashid, congratulated al-Maliki on his nomination in a statement on Sunday and expressed hope that his leadership would strengthen political stability, national partnership, and Iraq’s development, while meeting the aspirations of the Iraqi people for security and services.
Al-Maliki, leader of the Islamic Dawa Party, previously served two consecutive terms as Iraq’s prime minister from 2006 to 2014.
Threats to Block Iraq’s Oil Revenues
Trump’s comments came as part of a broader US pressure campaign. has reportedly warned Iraq that it could block the country’s access to its oil revenues held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York if political factions linked to Iran are included in the next Iraqi government.
The warning was delivered repeatedly over the past two months by US Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad Joshua Harris during meetings with Iraqi officials and influential Shia leaders, Reuters cited three Iraqi officials and a source familiar with the matter as saying on Thursday.
The threat forms part of US President Donald Trump’s renewed “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at weakening Iran through expanded economic sanctions, including restrictions on Iran’s oil exports.
Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar)