United Arab Emirates
UAE bans citizens from travelling to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq
The United Arab Emirates has issued a travel ban prohibiting its citizens from visiting Iran, Lebanon and Iraq, the official WAM news agency reported Thursday.
Trump praises Zaidi after Iraq PM nomination
1 min Mena Today
U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Ali al-Zaidi on his nomination to be next prime minister of Iraq on Thursday, saying that he looked forward to a highly productive new relationship.
New Iraqi Prime Minister designate Ali al-Zaidi, uses a phone at his office in Baghdad, Iraq, April 28, 2026. Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office
U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Ali al-Zaidi on his nomination to be next prime minister of Iraq on Thursday, saying that he looked forward to a highly productive new relationship.
Iraq's alliance of Shi'ite political blocs, the Coordination Framework, on Monday named Zaidi as its nominee for the post of prime minister, a coalition statement said.
"We wish him success as he works to form a new Government free from terrorism that could deliver a brighter future for Iraq," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
"We look forward to a strong, vibrant, and highly productive new relationship between Iraq and the United States."
Trump also invited Zaidi to visit Washington after forming a government during a phone call on Thursday in which he congratulated him on his nomination, according to a statement from the Iraqi prime minister's media office.
The call reviewed strategic ties between Iraq and the U.S. and ways to strengthen cooperation across multiple fields, the statement said, adding that both sides affirmed joint efforts to support regional stability.
Trump had threatened in January to withdraw Washington's support for Iraq if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was designated to form a cabinet.
Reporting by David Ljunggren, Enas Alashray and Ahmed Tolba
Related
Iraq
Shi’ite bloc picks Ali al-Zaidi for Iraq PM
Iraq's alliance of Shi'ite political blocs, the Coordination Framework, on Monday named Ali al-Zaidi as its nominee for the post of prime minister, said a coalition statement.
Iraq
U.S. suspends Dollar deliveries to Iraq amid militia strikes
The United States has halted a shipment of about $500 million in cash bound for Iraq and suspended parts of its security cooperation with Baghdad, in a move aimed at pressuring the Iraqi government over the actions of Iran-backed militias, Iraqi sources told Reuters.
Subscribe to our newsletter
