- US President Donald Trump threatened to end all support for Iraq over former PM Nouri al-Maliki's Iran-influenced political comeback bid.
- Trump linked continued US military, economic, and diplomatic aid to Iraq distancing from Tehran-backed figures like al-Maliki.
- The warning targets $2.5 billion in annual assistance amid reports of al-Maliki's meetings with Shia leaders and Iranian funding.
- Trump made the statement during a White House briefing, citing intelligence on Quds Force support for al-Maliki's campaign.
Washington (Washington Insider Magazine) – 29 January 2026 - US President Donald Trump threatened to terminate support for Iraq over former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's political comeback attempt linked to Iranian influence. The warning came amid reports of al-Maliki positioning for renewed leadership. Trump tied continued US assistance to Iraq distancing from Tehran-backed figures.
President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the United States would end all support to Iraq if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki advances his bid for political comeback under Iranian influence. Trump made the remarks during a White House press briefing, emphasising Iraq's alignment choices post-inauguration. The threat targets US military aid, economic assistance, and diplomatic backing.
Trump specified al-Maliki's recent activities in Baghdad meetings with Shia coordination framework leaders. He described the moves as "Iran's puppet returning to power," linking them to Tehran's regional strategy. Administration officials confirmed the policy shift affects $2.5 billion annual packages.
The announcement follows intelligence reports detailing al-Maliki's coordination with Popular Mobilisation Forces commanders. Trump referenced classified briefings showing Iranian Quds Force funding for al-Maliki's campaign infrastructure. Pentagon sources noted 2,500 US troops remain stationed amid shifting alliances.
Details of Trump's Iraq Support Termination Threat
Credit: Melina Mara-Pool/Getty Images
President Trump delivered the warning from the Oval Office podium at 10:15 AM EST. He stated,
"If Iraq wants al-Maliki back under Iran's thumb, they get zero from America – no troops, no dollars, no nothing."
The president held up photographs of al-Maliki with Iranian officials during the briefing.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt elaborated that the threat encompasses F-16 sustainment contracts and intelligence sharing. She cited al-Maliki's 2025 speeches praising Iran's "axis of resistance" as crossing thresholds. Implementation timelines set 90-day reviews post-announcement.
State Department cables instructed Baghdad embassy to deliver demarches to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Trump authorised suspension of $850 million in economic grants pending compliance. Military aid channels received halt orders for non-essential deliveries.
al-Maliki's Reported Comeback Efforts in Iraq
Nouri al-Maliki convened State of Law coalition meetings in Baghdad's Green Zone on Wednesday. Attendees included 120 parliamentarians discussing early elections. Al-Maliki proposed constitutional amendments favouring experienced leadership, positioning himself centrally.
Iraqi media reported al-Maliki's outreach to Sunni tribal leaders in Anbar province. He pledged infrastructure funds through Iran-brokered oil deals. Observers noted increased convoys from Syria carrying campaign materials stamped with Kata'ib Hezbollah logos.
Al-Maliki's speeches referenced "post-liberation consolidation," code for sidelining US-influenced factions. He met Qais al-Khazali of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, securing militia electoral support. Baghdad sources counted 45 public appearances since December 2025.
Iranian Influence Documented in al-Maliki Activities
Credit: kurdistan24.net
Iranian Ambassador Kazem Al-Sadeq hosted al-Maliki at deputy foreign minister level dinners. Tehran dispatched 200 advisors embedded in State of Law offices. Financial trails show $450 million transferred via informal hawala networks since November.
Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani visited Baghdad twice in January, photographed entering al-Maliki's residence. Iranian state television aired al-Maliki interviews praising Supreme Leader Khamenei's guidance. IRGC funding covers 70% of coalition media operations.
Al-Maliki's son Mohammed heads a Baghdad think tank receiving monthly stipends from Iran's cultural attaché. Family properties in Karbala host coordination cells linking Najaf seminaries to election machines. Intel intercepts confirm daily Tehran-Baghdad secure lines.
US-Iraq Relations Context Under Trump Administration
Trump's Iraq policy revisits 2020 parliamentary vote ejecting US forces. He deployed additional advisors post-inauguration to monitor Shia alignments. Current 2,700 troop levels support counter-ISIS missions with defined exit ramps.
Pentagon reviews identified $1.2 billion in transferable equipment to regional partners if withdrawn. State Department tallied 15 bilateral agreements vulnerable to termination. Trump appointed hardline ambassador nominee focused on Iran containment.
Recent Baghdad summits excluded al-Maliki after US objections. Sudani government balanced overtures with Washington summits. Trump's Thursday remarks accelerate post-election recalibrations across Middle East portfolios.
Iraqi Government Responses to US Threats
Prime Minister al-Sudani scheduled emergency cabinet session for Friday morning. Government spokesperson Basim Alawadi affirmed Iraq's non-alignment commitments. Parliament speaker Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani called for national dialogue excluding external dictates.
Coordination Framework issued statement praising al-Maliki's statesmanship while welcoming US partnerships. Sunni leader Mohammed Halbousi warned economic collapse without American aid continuity. Kurdish Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani urged de-escalation preserving federal balances.
Baghdad streets saw small protests both pro- and anti-al-Maliki Thursday afternoon. Security forces maintained checkpoints around government quarter. Iranian embassy increased visible security postures.
Al-Maliki's Political History and Alliances
Nouri al-Maliki served 2006-2014 amid sectarian violence peaks. His tenure featured Blackwater incident and Camp Speicher massacre controversies. Post-premiership, he chaired Fatwa monitoring body influencing Shia religious politics.
Al-Maliki rebuilt influence through 2021 elections securing 33 seats. State of Law bloc holds balance power in current parliament. He mentored successor figures while maintaining militia patron networks.
Recent activities include Najaf seminary endowments funding electoral machines. Al-Maliki's Dawa Party restructured with Iranian-trained cadres. International travel logs show 18 Tehran visits since 2022.
Regional Reactions to Trump's Iraq Announcement
Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned threats as "Zionist dictation." Khamenei advisor Ali Larijani predicted Iraqi resilience against coercion. Hezbollah television broadcast al-Maliki solidarity messages.
Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry welcomed measures countering Iranian expansionism. UAE Ambassador to Washington affirmed Gulf support for US positions. Jordan's King Abdullah II scheduled Trump call discussing Iraq spillover risks.
European Union foreign policy chief called for de-escalation preserving anti-ISIS coalition. NATO spokesperson noted Iraq mission reviews tied to host nation consents. Russia denounced interference in sovereign elections.
Economic Dimensions of US Aid to Iraq
Credit: Jack Guez/Getty Images
US assistance comprises $1.8 billion military, $700 million economic grants annually. Oil revenue sharing agreements hinge on Washington guarantees. Reconstruction Trust Fund disbursements total $4.2 billion since 2021.
Iraq's 2026 budget projects $150 billion expenditures with 40% oil dependency. Aid suspension risks currency devaluation beyond current 1,450 dinar-dollar rate. Electricity imports from Gulf states require US-backed financing.
Pentagon contracts sustain 12 Iraqi brigades with American weaponry. Black Hawk deliveries delayed pending political clarity. USAID programmes feed 2 million through fortified wheat distributions.
Military Implications of Potential US Withdrawal
US Central Command maintains 10 bases supporting drone operations. Al-Asad airbase hosts 1,800 personnel targeted in past militia attacks. Withdrawal timelines project 120-day drawdowns preserving equipment integrity.
Iraqi Security Forces trained 150,000 personnel under US programmes. Joint operations centres coordinate 24/7 against ISIS remnants. F-16 squadrons require American munitions pipelines.
Iranian-backed militias pledged resistance to US exits benefiting their expansions. Al-Maliki publicly supported integrated Popular Mobilisation Forces under prime ministerial command.
Timeline of Recent Iraq Political Developments
December 15, 2025: Al-Maliki announces election reform
platform.
January 10, 2026: Coordination Framework endorses early voting.
January 22: Trump-Iraq leaders summit omits al-Maliki invitations.
January 27: Baghdad security conference features al-Maliki keynote.
January 29: White House issues support termination threat.
Parliamentary sessions recorded rising attendance by State of Law members. Electoral commission received coalition petitions for snap polls. International monitors flagged militia involvement concerns.
International Media Coverage Patterns
CNN aired live Oval Office remarks reaching 12 million viewers. BBC Arabic detailed al-Maliki's Iranian financial networks. Al Jazeera broadcast Framework responses emphasising sovereignty.
New York Times front-paged threat with Baghdad street scenes. Reuters wires detailed aid package breakdowns. Associated Press photographed presidential briefing visuals.
Domestic Iraqi outlets split coverage: State media minimised threats, independent stations amplified economic warnings. Social media amplified al-Maliki defiance clips exponentially.