Al-Sudani to a US Congressional delegation: We are keen to cooperate in the fields of energy and investment.
Al-Sudani to a US Congressional delegation: We are keen to cooperate in the fields of energy and investment.
2025-08-27 07:14
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani affirmed Iraq’s keenness on joint cooperation with the US side, particularly in the fields of energy and investment, during his reception of a delegation from the US Congress on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister’s media office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received today a delegation from the US Congress, which included two members of the House of Representatives, Darin Lahoud from the Republican Party, and Steve Cohen from the Democratic Party, where they discussed developing bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in various fields.”
According to the statement, Al-Sudani welcomed “the guest delegation’s visit to Baghdad and their efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly within the areas of the Strategic Framework Agreement,” stressing Iraq’s keenness to “enhance joint cooperation with the United States, particularly in the fields of energy and investment.”
Regarding the situation in the region, Al-Sudani pointed to “Iraq’s firm and supportive stance toward dialogue to establish security and stability and expand the scope of the relationship to include various sectors.”
For its part, the congressional delegation expressed their admiration for the progress achieved in Iraq in terms of construction and stability, and thanked Iraq for its close cooperation in combating terrorism.
The delegation praised the “level of the relationship between the two countries, considering it an essential relationship for the United States,” and described Iraq as an “important partner.”
The delegation affirmed “the US administration’s desire to closely cooperate with Iraq and work with it to achieve stability throughout the region.”
Last Saturday, an informed source revealed to Shafaq News Agency that a high-level US delegation would visit the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, in the coming days to discuss a number of issues with Iraqi officials.
According to a source who spoke to Shafaq News Agency, the delegation will discuss the US withdrawal from its main bases in Iraq and its repercussions, in addition to an economic file and another related to energy.
The US delegation is also scheduled to visit the Kurdistan Region, according to the source, to discuss several issues, including the repercussions of the recent events in Sulaymaniyah.
Relations between the United States and Iraq have been at a diplomatic standstill since Donald Trump took office. Communication and meetings have been limited to the US Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad, Stephen Fagin, and a single call received by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
This comes as the first phase of the US-led international coalition’s withdrawal from Iraq has begun, with a US military convoy already departing from Ain al-Asad base.
The schedule includes the withdrawal of international coalition forces from Ain al-Asad base and Baghdad by the end of September 2025, with a portion of them being transferred to Erbil and Kuwait. Meanwhile, the number of troops will gradually decrease from approximately 2,000 to less than 500 in Erbil.
shafaq.com
