ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - United States special envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack on Friday praised Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's efforts in advancing regional stability, a day after their meeting following a phone call with US President Donald Trump. Zaidi on the same day met with American oil company representatives amid developments to boost energy objectives.
Barrack on Friday stated on X that "Under Prime Minister Al-Zaidi, it [Iraq] is choosing sovereignty over dependency, investment over stagnation, and partnership over proxy," adding that "the United States is proud to stand with Iraq: deepening our economic and commercial ties, opening the door to American companies and Iraqi talent alike, and building prosperity for the benefit of all."
“The call addressed the importance of coordination and consultation between the two countries regarding current challenges,” Zaidi’s media office said in a statement on Thursday, noting that “The Prime Minister emphasized Iraq’s position calling for respect for state sovereignty, preventing the use of its territory as a launchpad for attacks against neighboring countries."
Zaidi’s first US visit in July saw the signings of 48 agreements worth $60 billion with American companies. Barrack said in a post on X that US President Donald Trump’s meeting in July with Zaidi “marks a turning point,” adding that “The future of U.S.-Iraq relations lies in investment, trade and economic opportunity – not security alone.”
Zaidi said in early September that Iraq plans to raise oil production to about 10 million barrels per day by 2030, as it seeks to restore output and exports hit by the Iran war and ensuing Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions.
Iraq has in recent months expressed an openness toward productive partnerships, underscoring Baghdad's approach to foreign investments as “enhancing Iraq’s standing in the global energy market."
The Iraqi premier on Thursday received the Middle East representative of American oil company ExxonMobil, Mohamed El-Amin, in the presence of the deputy prime minister for energy affairs, the oil minister, Iraq’s ambassador to the US and several advisers.
The talks covered cooperation between Iraq and the company to increase crude oil production in line with the government’s economic and energy objectives, his office said. Zaidi highlighted the government’s progress in plans to expand the oil sector across export, production and refining, and affirmed a desire to use the most advanced technology and expertise available.
The push comes as Baghdad works to restore oil output and exports following a sharp decline triggered by the outbreak of the Iran war in late February and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iraqi Oil Minister Basim Mohammed Khudair told state media in late October that exports had recovered to over 3.4 million bpd—nearing the pre-war level of 3.7 million bpd after plunging from 99 million barrels in February to 18.6 million in March—after Baghdad diversified routes via Turkey's Ceyhan port and tanker trucks through Syria.
Likewise, Khudair on Tuesday announced agreements with US energy giant Chevron on the development of the West Qurna 2 oilfield with aims to finalize the contract by the end of November.
