Al-Maliki Defies Trump After Threat To Withdraw U.S. Support

U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday that the United States would withdraw security assistance and other support for Iraq if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki returns to power, officials said.

The Coordination Framework nominated Nouri al-Maliki last week as its candidate for prime minister after caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stepped aside, and a scheduled parliamentary session to elect a president was canceled for lack of quorum, records show.

Nouri al-Maliki issued a statement rejecting "the blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs" and said he will continue to stand for the premiership "out of respect for the national will and the Coordination Framework’s decision," according to his office.

Washington has signaled it may withhold aid or impose sanctions on Iraqi leaders if Iran-backed groups enter the next government, and U.S. officials have emphasized the need for Iraq to distance itself from Tehran, officials said.

Parliament’s inability to meet a quorum and the Coordination Framework’s nomination leave the formation of a new government unresolved, with no alternate date set for the presidential vote, prolonging the political deadlock, records show.