Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will visit Tehran within the coming week, the Iraqi state news agency reported on Sunday. During the visit, the prime minister will sign memoranda of understanding in Tehran in areas of cooperation. Al-Zaidi had visited the United States earlier this week where he met with President Donald Trump. Trump praised the new PM, saying the US is “going to have a long-term relationship with Iraq. We're going to have a long-term relationship with a man that will be a great leader.” “It's a great honor to have the Prime Minister of Iraq with us. He's been a great fighter, and he's been a great fan of America,” he went on to say. Iraq signed 48 agreements and partnerships with American companies, many in the oil sector, during al-Zaidi's visit. Al-Zaidi, a businessman, came to power this year with US blessing after Trump vetoed another candidate. He has vowed to boost Iraq's fragile economy and disarm pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq that have targeted US facilities. Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of allies the United States and neighboring Iran.
