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Ali Al Zaidi: Trump-backed Iraqi PM candidate with ties to Iran-backed militias
US President Donald Trump backs Ali Al Zaidi, a lesser-known Iraqi tycoon and head of an Iran-backed militia, as a likely candidate for Iraq's next prime minister. The endorsement comes with a condition that Zaidi exclude Iranian-backed militias from the next government. The piece notes prior US pressure on Zaidi, including a 2024 Treasury action targeting his bank.
Why It Matters
If Zaidi secures a parliamentary coalition and agrees to curb militias, it could reshape Iraq’s political landscape and Tehran’s influence. The case also tests US leverage over Iraqi political dynamics.
Timeline
5 Events
Zaidi has spoken to Trump and Iran’s president amid coalition-building
May 11, 2026
Zaidi has spoken to President Trump and Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian and is working on securing a parliamentary coalition to install himself and other Iraqi officials.
Trump invites Zaidi to Washington and endorses him with conditions
May 11, 2026
Trump invited Zaidi to Washington and said the US is with him all the way, conditioning support on Zaidi excluding Iranian-backed militias from the next Iraqi government.
Zaidi nomination reportedly vetted by US and Iran before becoming public
April 2026
WSJ cites an Iraqi official saying Zaidi's nomination for Iraq's next prime minister was vetted by both the United States and Iran before it was made public.
Trump threatens to cut US aid, prompting Zaidi backing by Iraq's Coordination Framework
April 2026
The Coordination Framework backed Zaidi after reports that Trump threatened to cut US assistance to Iraq when former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki was floated as a candidate earlier in 2026.
US Treasury bans dollar transactions with Zaidi-owned Al Janoob Islamic Bank
2024
The Treasury Department cut Al Janoob Islamic Bank off from the US dollar system, citing intelligence that the bank may have links to militia leader Shibl Al Zaidi and to Kataib Hezbollah.