Businessman Ali Al Zaidi was sworn in as Iraq’s new prime minister on Thursday after parliament endorsed most of his proposed cabinet members, ending months of political deadlock.
In his first remarks as Prime Minister, Mr Al Zaidi thanked the parliament and political parties for endorsing his government “in a stance that embodies the paramount importance of national interest and the spirit of partnership and responsibility”.
“This trust represents a great responsibility and a pledge to our dear people, that we will move steadily towards consolidating stability, enhancing the prestige of the state, and achieving aspiration of Iraqis for development, justice and a decent life", Mr Al Zaidi said.
The government formation comes amid pressure from Washington to curb Iran-backed militia groups and from Tehran to keep Iraq in its orbit. It also comes as regional tension is growing in the Gulf despite a temporary ceasefire between Iran and the US announced in April.
Mr Al Zaidi, 41, was assigned to form the government by President Nizar Amedi on April 27. He took over from former prime minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, who continued in the post in a caretaker role following national elections in November.
Mr Amedi congratulated Mr Al Zaidi and described the vote as a “pivotal national milestone" and a step towards greater political stability. Mr Amedi said he looked forward to the rest of the cabinet being appointed “as soon as possible in order to ensure the effective launch of the government programme and the fulfilment of the aspiration of the Iraqis”.
Parliament voted in favour of 14 of the 16 ministerial nominees presented on Thursday, leaving Mr Al Zaidi with nine posts to fill.
The proposed heads of the ministries of oil, finance, foreign affairs, justice, environment, transport, agriculture, communications, industry, electricity, trade, health, water resources, and education all received approval.
The ministers for defence, interior, labour and social affairs, culture, planning, youth and sport, migration and displacement, reconstruction, and higher education have yet to be appointed.
Parliamentarians told The National earlier that they planned to present candidates for at least half of the ministerial portfolios while negotiations continued over the remaining ministries.
As of Wednesday night, Mr Al Zaidi's plan was to submit names to lead at least 15 ministries and keep the remaining eight, a politician linked with Iraq’s largest Shiite parliamentary bloc, the Co-ordination Framework, told The National.
None of the ministerial candidates chosen so far are associated with Iran-backed armed factions due to American pressure, another politician said.
Some of these groups, including Asaib Ahl Al Haq, which holds 29 of the Parliament's 329 seats, are considering "laying down weapons, but they want it to be framed in a national initiative endorsed by Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani", the politician said.
Security was tightened around Baghdad's Green Zone, where the parliament, government offices and embassies are located, in preparation for the parliamentary session.
The US indicated immediate support for Iraq’s new government, with the ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, congratulating Mr Al Zaidi.
Mr Barrack said Washington was “encouraged by your fresh leadership” and expressed readiness to collaborate on what he called “a bold new agenda” for Iraq.
Mr Barrack's message outlined US priorities for the partnership: a sovereign, prosperous and stable Iraq at peace with its neighbours, and economic opportunity for Iraqi citizens. It specifically tied the bilateral relationship to "shared goals of prosperity" and the "elimination of terrorism", which he described as “always an impediment to the people’s progress".
The message also named US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscoring that the offer of close co-operation comes from the highest levels of the US administration.
The wording suggests Washington regards Mr Al Zaidi’s government as an opening to reset ties after months of political deadlock and regional volatility linked to the Iran-US standoff. For Mr Al Zaidi, the public endorsement provides early diplomatic backing as he prepares to tackle Iraq’s immediate challenges.
Iran's ambassador to Iraq, Mohammad Al Sadegh, also congratulated the new government in a message posted on X.
"We hope that political stability will open a new chapter of prosperity and progress in the strategic relations between the two countries, and Iran will remain alongside its Iraqi brothers for the security and development of the region," he wrote.
Mr Al Zaidi emerged as a compromise candidate after Washington rejected the Co-ordination Framework's nomination of former prime minister Nouri Al Maliki and threatened to cut US assistance if a pro-Iran figure took office.
Mr Trump has publicly backed the nomination of Mr Al Zaidi and has spoken to him by phone, inviting him to visit Washington after the government is formed.
Iran’s Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani visited Baghdad this week, urging Shiite factions not to concede to pressure to disarm or tilt towards Washington.
The government formation is taking place amid a collapse in Iraq’s oil-dependent economy due to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the main export route for oil and gas producers in the region. The blockade of the waterway, imposed after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, has cut Iraq's crude exports from 3.5 million barrels a day to about 300,000, choking the state’s main source of revenue.
The government programme Mr Al Zaidi submitted to Parliament, titled “A Stable State, A Productive Economy, Balanced Partnerships”, pledges measurable targets for energy, economic reform and national security. But funding those commitments will depend on diplomatic progress to reopen export routes and ensure the stable flow of oil revenue held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Mr Al Zaidi also inherits the task of disarming Iran-backed militias that carried out attacks on US forces in the region in support of Tehran, and rebuilding ties with Gulf states affected by those operations. US officials have demanded “concrete action” against these groups, which Washington says carried out 600 attacks since the conflict began.
Mr Al Zaidi’s lack of a political base is viewed as both an asset and a liability. He has not held an elected or administrative office, building his profile through banking, logistics and government contracts. Supporters say that makes him less beholden to entrenched factions; critics argue that it leaves him exposed to pressure from Tehran and Washington.
