Overview
- Iraq’s largest Shiite bloc, the Coordination Framework, nominated Nouri al-Maliki on Jan. 24 to form the next government after caretaker premier Mohammed Shia al-Sudani withdrew his bid.
- President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that the United States would “no longer help” Iraq if Maliki returns to power, framing the move as part of efforts to curb Iran-aligned influence.
- Maliki dismissed the warning as “blatant American interference” and said he will continue pursuing the premiership in line with the bloc’s decision.
- Parliament’s scheduled vote to elect a president was delayed, leaving the constitutional process in limbo since a president must formally task a prime minister-designate to form a cabinet.
- U.S. officials have signaled possible sanctions and could leverage control over Iraq’s dollar flows and oil revenues held at the New York Fed, with warnings tied to inclusion of Iran-backed factions in a future cabinet.