Bipartisan support: PM Al Zaidi meets House Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IraqiNews.com) — Continuing his high-profile diplomatic tour of the United States capital, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi traveled to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, for an executive session with the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Brian Mast, alongside a bipartisan delegation of committee members.

The legislative summit focused on drafting a constructive, shared vision for the future of U.S.–Iraqi relations, emphasizing a transition toward deeper economic integration and mutual security commitments.

During the legislative briefing, Prime Minister al-Zaidi outlined his administration’s aggressive domestic agenda, highlighting that Baghdad is fully committed to its comprehensive economic reform program designed to revitalize sectors primed for foreign direct investment.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister reasserted Iraq’s strict sovereign defense policy, explaining that his cabinet is actively strengthening the capabilities of federal security forces while executing a decisive, nationwide campaign to ensure that no weapons remain outside the exclusive control of the state.

Al-Zaidi explained that establishing a balanced, independent foreign policy and reforming Iraq’s banking and financial institutions are essential prerequisites to clearing the path for more American corporations to safely operate within the country.

In response, the bipartisan members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee expressed strong, unified support for expanding both political and economic partnerships with Iraq.

The congressional delegation emphasized the importance of backing joint efforts to increase bilateral investments, develop collaborative funding mechanisms, and streamline financial access for private enterprises.

Moreover, the lawmakers explicitly recognized Iraq’s central, stabilizing role in the Middle East, noting that a prosperous, sovereign, and economically diverse Baghdad remains a vital anchor for regional peace and security.