US President Donald Trump warmly welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House on Tuesday, calling him a “fantastic champion” and pledging to deepen economic ties and boost Iraq’s oil output. The meeting was marked by effusive praise and handshakes.

However, later in the day, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iraq to disarm Iran-aligned militias, highlighting the delicate balancing act Baghdad must perform between Washington and Tehran. Analysts say Iraq faces a bind as it cannot afford to alienate either side.

Sources told Al Jazeera that Iraq is seeking an IMF loan of up to $8 billion. The US also plans to withdraw its remaining troops (fewer than 2,000) from Iraq by September 30, conditional on the disarmament of armed factions.

Kataib Hezbollah, a key Iran-aligned group, declared readiness to join a war against the US if Iran is attacked. The group is part of Iran’s “axis of resistance” and operates within Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces.

Inna Rudolf, a senior fellow at King’s College London, noted that Iraq will not tolerate its territory being used for attacks on Iran, but its deep historical, religious, and economic ties with Tehran limit its options. She warned that the real danger is not all-out war but a series of small escalations that erode Iraq’s sovereignty, exacerbate political divisions, and hinder reforms.

Source: www.aljazeera.com