Former US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that he would end all American support for Iraq if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has close ties to Iran, is reappointed to the position.
In a direct statement regarding Iraq’s internal politics, Trump described the potential return of al-Maliki, who has been nominated by the largest Shiite bloc, as a “very bad choice.”
“Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again,” Trump posted on his social media platform. “Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq.”
Al-Maliki left office in 2014 amid pressure from the United States, which held his sectarian policies responsible for the rise of the Islamic State group.
The United States maintains significant influence over Iraq’s finances, as revenue from the country’s oil exports is held at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York. This arrangement was established following the 2003 US invasion. Oil sales constitute approximately 90 percent of the Iraqi government’s income.
Trump’s remarks follow a similar expression of concern from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently spoke with the current prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Political sources also confirmed that Washington had sent a letter to Iraqi politicians conveying its negative view of al-Maliki.
The Coordination Framework, a majority alliance of Shiite parties, officially endorsed al-Maliki on Saturday. However, a parliamentary session scheduled for Tuesday to elect a new president was postponed. The official Iraqi News Agency reported that the two main Kurdish parties requested additional time to agree on a consensus candidate for the presidency, a position traditionally held by a Kurd.
