The oil and gas deal is expected to be signed as part of a broader push for economic, trade and investment cooperation.
Published July 12, 2026
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is scheduled to visit the United States to meet with President Donald Trump on his first overseas trip since taking office.
Zaidi is scheduled to leave for a week-long visit on Monday, government spokesman Haider al-Abdi said.
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Oil and gas deals are expected to be signed during his visit as part of a broader push for economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
“The agreements to be signed will include several memorandums of understanding in the oil and gas sector, as Iraq prepares to bring in various US companies that will give impetus to increase oil production capacity,” Al-Abdi said.
He added that the focus of the talks was on “strengthening economic ties and investments” between Iraq and the United States.
Al-Zaidi is hoping to attract U.S. investment following significant revenue losses caused by the Iran war that halted oil exports and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the only body of water bordering Iraq.
Mr. al-Zaidi, who took power this year, comes amid mounting U.S. pressure on Baghdad to crack down on corruption and disarm Iranian-backed militant groups that have targeted U.S. facilities in Iraq.
In a move that pleased the United States, Iraqi security forces conducted sweeping raids across Baghdad in late June, arresting dozens of prominent politicians, lawmakers and officials as part of an unprecedented crackdown on corruption ordered by al-Zaidi.
Relations between Iraq and the United States have been strained at times over issues such as the continued presence of American troops in Iraq, relations between Baghdad and Iran, and pressure on Iranian-backed militant groups to disarm.
However, Al-Zaidi received President Trump’s blessing after being named prime minister in April. The US president said he wants close cooperation between Baghdad and Washington.
In recent months, Iraq has signed several contracts with US companies in the oil sector.
Mr. Al-Zaidi is expected to sign several more agreements, including one under which Iraq will set up a fund to deposit 500,000 barrels of oil per day in exchange for U.S. help to boost the country’s electricity.
As part of a show of support for the al-Zaidi regime, the US also resumed cash transfers for Iraqi oil revenues, which had been handled by the New York Fed since 2003.
