Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is set to arrive in Washington on Monday for a visit focused on deepening economic and security ties, with oil and gas agreements expected to be signed. The trip comes as Baghdad navigates its delicate relationship with both the United States and neighboring Iran, a balancing act complicated by ongoing military escalation between the two rivals. Main Developments Government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi confirmed that the visit will yield several memorandums of understanding in the oil and gas sector. These agreements are designed to attract US companies to boost Iraq's oil production capacity. A key goal of the energy deals is to create alternative export routes, reducing Iraq's vulnerability to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway has been effectively closed during the US-Iran war, causing a significant drop in oil revenue for Iraq and other Gulf producers. Read also: Why Pakistan's wheat stock is higher than expected this year Beyond energy, the discussions will also address strengthening Iraq's armed forces, signaling a broad agenda for the Washington talks. Background Relations between Iraq and the US have been strained at times over the presence of American troops in Iraq, Baghdad's ties with Iran, and US pressure to curb the influence of armed groups within the country. These tensions have shaped the context for al-Zaidi's visit. After being nominated for the premiership in April, al-Zaidi received congratulations from US President Donald Trump, who expressed hope for closer cooperation between Baghdad and Washington. That early exchange set the stage for the current diplomatic push. Why It Matters For Iraq, securing US investment in oil and gas is critical to rebuilding its production capacity and diversifying export routes away from the volatile Strait of Hormuz. For the US, deepening ties with Baghdad offers a counterweight to Iranian influence in the region. The visit also underscores the broader geopolitical stakes: as the US-Iran conflict continues, Iraq's ability to maintain balanced relations will shape both its economic stability and its security posture. What's Next Following the Washington meetings, the signed memorandums of understanding will need to be implemented, with US companies expected to begin operations in Iraq's energy sector. Further discussions on military cooperation are also anticipated, though no specific timeline has been announced.