The absence of Iraqi leaders coincides with lingering tensions following a Baghdad court’s 2021 arrest warrant for Trump. [Getty/archive]
Senior Iraqi and Kurdish officials will not attend the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, reflecting uncertainties over Iraq’s future under the incoming White House administration.
This development comes as leaked audio from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani revealed concerns about Trump’s anticipated policies, which he described as creating “widespread fear”.
Trump announced on Friday that the inauguration, marking his swearing-in as the 45th President of the United States, would be moved indoors due to freezing weather conditions. However, no Iraqi representatives were invited by Trump’s inauguration committee, according to a Kurdish lawmaker.
The absence of Iraqi leaders coincides with lingering tensions following a Baghdad court’s 2021 arrest warrant for Trump. The warrant was issued in connection to the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis near Baghdad’s airport.
The deaths of Soleimani and Muhandis heightened regional tensions and solidified opposition to Trump among Iran-aligned factions in Iraq. Soleimani, the former commander of Iran’s Quds Force, and Muhandis, deputy leader of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), were pivotal figures in Iran’s regional strategy.
Despite this, Iraqi leaders have extended official congratulations to Trump, signaling a commitment to maintaining ties with Washington.
‘Not invited’
Shnyar Anwar, a lawmaker in the Iraqi Kurdistan region’s parliament from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), confirmed that no Iraqi or Kurdish leaders were invited to Trump’s inauguration. Speaking to The New Arab, she said, “The inauguration is primarily a national event, and as far as I know, no Iraqi leaders were invited by the Trump Inauguration Committee, which is responsible for organising the event.”
Anwar noted that while some Iraqi and Kurdish figures may attend unofficial inaugural balls hosted by lobbyists and corporations, these events are not attended by Trump or Vice President JD Vance.
“Iraqi leaders have no significant relationship with the incoming Trump administration and are not considered trusted allies or partners in Washington,” she stated. Anwar mentioned that her own attendance at the event was due to her role as a member of the Republican Party and a participant in Trump’s campaign.
Al-Sudani’s London visit, audio leak
The absence of Iraqi leaders from the inauguration comes as Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s visit to London is overshadowed by a leaked audio recording.
In the recording, Al-Sudani discussed global apprehensions about Trump’s return to power, describing a “fearful atmosphere” surrounding his policies. However, Al-Sudani noted that Trump is likely to prioritise domestic issues, allowing other nations to assert their independence.
The Iraqi government has not officially commented on the recording. However, a staff member accompanying Al-Sudani, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab‘s Arabic-language sister site, that the remarks were part of a broader public discussion and not intended as a criticism of US policy.
TNA contacted Basim Al-Awadi, the official spokesperson for the Iraqi government, and several lawmakers from the foreign relations committee in the Iraqi parliament, but they were unavailable for comment.
Middle East implications
Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has been working to persuade Iran-aligned armed factions in Iraq to disarm or integrate into official security forces. His comments come amidst major shifts in the Middle East, including a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire in Lebanon, and the overthrow of Syria’s Assad regime.
Following the Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal, many observers anticipate that Iraq could become the next focus of Israel’s pressure on Iran-backed Shia militias.
However, Hussein, speaking to Reuters during an official visit to London, downplayed concerns that Iraq might face similar upheaval.
“We don’t think that Iraq is next,” he said. He acknowledged, however, that the incoming Trump administration, led by Trump and JD Vance—a former US Marine and sharp critic of American involvement overseas—may increase pressure on Tehran.
Regional stability
On Saturday evening, Iraq’s Prime Minister Al-Sudani and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held separate meetings with Daniel Rubenstein, the newly appointed US chargé d’affaires to Iraq. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations and addressing pressing regional issues, according to official statements.
A statement from the prime minister’s office highlighted that Al-Sudani and Rubenstein reviewed “Iraq-US relations and ways to strengthen them,” emphasising the importance of implementing existing agreements to promote mutual interests and deepen the partnership across various sectors.
During the meeting, Al-Sudani and Rubenstein also discussed developments in Syria, Gaza, and southern Lebanon. Al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s support for initiatives aimed at fostering security, stability, and conflict prevention.
“Iraq supports all efforts that lead to security and stability, prevent the spread of conflicts, and emphasize the critical role of major powers and international organizations in preventing genocidal wars,” Al-Sudani said. He also stressed the urgency of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and prioritising its reconstruction following the ceasefire agreement.
Foreign Minister’s Emphasis on Cooperation
In a separate meeting, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein expressed Iraq’s eagerness to strengthen its partnership with the US under the new administration.
A statement from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted Hussein’s remarks on the depth of Iraq-US relations and the importance of fostering cooperation to address mutual interests.
The discussions included a detailed examination of bilateral ties and regional developments, particularly the political situation in Syria. Both sides acknowledged the critical role of Western nations, led by the US, in influencing events in Syria and beyond.
Hussein underscored the need for closer cooperation between Iraq and the US to achieve shared goals and contribute to regional stability.
These meetings reflect Iraq’s efforts to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics while solidifying its relations with Washington amidst ongoing regional challenges.
