Trump and Iraqi PM al-Zaidi discuss energy, militias and Iran tensions at White House

US President Donald Trump hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi at the White House for their first bilateral meeting, praising him as a "great leader" and a "fantastic champion" who won election against a candidate Trump said he did not favour. Trump announced that American oil companies are entering Iraq in unprecedented numbers, with major energy deals expected to be announced in the coming days, marking a shift from a military partnership to an economic one. Iraq's Prime Minister said his visit was not "just any visit" but a declaration of economic partnership with the United States, which he called the "most important strategic partner in the world". He reiterated his government's commitment to disarming Iran‑backed militias and centralising weapons under state control, stating: "There is no justification for armed factions to exist after 30 September." He said Iraq is "fed up with the past" and wants to focus on the future. Trump also addressed the proposed 20% fee on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, saying the idea has been shelved after Gulf states – including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait – offered instead to make "massive investments" in the United States. He said he prefers that arrangement because "I don't like the concept of a fee." He said Iran has been "very much destabilized" and its military power is now "just a tiny fraction of what it was just four months ago", adding: "Iran was the bully of the Middle East and there's no fear anymore." The meeting took place against a backdrop of escalating US‑Iran tensions. Iran's Qeshm Island was hit by a US projectile, Kuwait's air defences were responding to hostile missile and drone threats, and the US has re‑imposed a blockade on Iranian ships leaving Iranian ports. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook:   / aljazeera   Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page:   / aljazeeraenglish   Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Iraq #DonaldTrump #IraqUSRelations #AliAlZaidi #USIraqTrade #IranBackedMilitias #IranIranRelations # #IranWar #HormuzCrisis #GulfSecurity #USIranTensions #USTroopWithdrawal #AlJazeeraEnglish