A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in New York has raised questions due to the complete absence of the Iraqi delegation, coming just one day after Baghdad’s announcement that it would complete the plan to impose state monopoly over arms in June 2027. The plan was supposed to be complete by the end of September, but it was postponed to next year. A photograph released by the Iraqi government's media office on Wednesday showed al-Zaidi alone during the meeting, which was attended by Trump alongside senior US administration officials, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Al-Zaidi's office said that he discussed with Trump efforts by Iraq and the US to boost regional and international security and stability. The government offered no explanation about the absence of the Iraqi delegation, which included the ministers of foreign affairs, finance, and electricity, and other officials. Iraqi observers said al-Zaidi attended the meeting alone due to American suspicions that the discussions may be leaked to other delegation members, who are members of the Iran-aligned Coordination Framework coalition. An Iraqi politician close to the State Administration coalition said the way the meeting was held “reflects American unease, especially by Trump, over the stalled process to impose state monopoly over weapons.” According to official statements, September 30 will not mark the completion of the arms control process, but it will instead serve as the launching point for a new phase extending until June 2027. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi meets with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York. (Iraqi government) Al-Zaidi has evidently managed to convince the Americans to grant an additional grace period for the arms control plan, particularly after the new deadline was backed by US envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack. Independent Iraqi politician Salah al-Arbawi said it remains to be seen whether the timetable that will be announced at the end of the month will tip the balance in favor of any political parties in the dispute over the factions’ weapons. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said the political parties must handle the factions’ weapons “rationally and calmly.” He noted that al-Zaidi has managed to restore his control over the plan after it encountered obstacles in recent weeks. Experts believe that recent discussions on the amendment of the arms control plan could turn into an opportunity to improve Iraqi-American relations. Researcher Abbas Abboud said that the Iraqi-American relationship is being “restructured” by Barrack. Baghdad’s relations with Washington’s allies in the region hinge on “decoupling Iraq from Iran”, he told Asharq Al-Awsat. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had issued a direct warning to Baghdad to "disarm the militias to avoid the balkanization of Iraq." Rubio underlined US support for al-Zaidi's government in its efforts to consolidate state authority, urging the need to dismantle armed factions.
