Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is set to depart for Washington on Monday for his first international trip since taking office, a week-long visit that signals a recalibration of Baghdad’s relationship with the United States. The trip comes as Iraq navigates severe revenue losses from halted oil exports and seeks to attract American investment to stabilize its economy. Main Developments Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi confirmed that al-Zaidi will meet President Donald Trump in Washington, where the two leaders are expected to sign several memorandums of understanding focused on oil and gas. These agreements aim to bring US companies into Iraq to boost oil production capacity, a critical need after the halt in exports caused by the Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Beyond energy, the talks will emphasize broader economic, trade, and investment cooperation. Al-Aboudi stated that the primary focus is “strengthening economic relations and investments” between the two nations, with al-Zaidi specifically courting US capital to offset Iraq’s financial losses. Read also: Why the Iran-US truce is already unravelling Background Al-Zaidi assumed office earlier this year amid rising US pressure on Baghdad to tackle corruption and disarm Iran-backed armed groups that have targeted American facilities in Iraq. In late June, Iraqi security forces launched sweeping raids across Baghdad, arresting dozens of prominent politicians, lawmakers, and officials in an unprecedented anticorruption crackdown ordered by al-Zaidi. Relations between Iraq and the US have historically been strained over the continued presence of US troops, Baghdad’s ties with Iran, and demands to disarm militias. However, Trump congratulated al-Zaidi on his nomination in April, expressing hope for closer cooperation. In a tangible show of support, the US has resumed cash shipments for Iraq’s oil revenue, handled by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York since 2003. Why It Matters The visit represents a critical opportunity for al-Zaidi to secure US investment and rebuild Iraq’s oil sector, which has suffered heavily from the Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—Iraq’s only maritime outlet. Without new revenue streams, Iraq faces deepening economic instability. For Washington, the trip tests whether al-Zaidi’s anticorruption efforts and willingness to confront Iran-backed groups can translate into a reliable partnership. Success could reduce Iranian influence in Iraq and stabilize a key oil-producing region, while failure might embolden militias and strain bilateral ties further. What's Next During the visit, al-Zaidi is expected to sign additional agreements, including a deal to establish a fund where Iraq will deposit 500,000 barrels of oil per day in exchange for US assistance in boosting the country’s electricity grid. The outcome of these talks will determine whether Iraq can attract the investment needed to recover from its economic crisis and whether the US will deepen its strategic commitment to Baghdad.