Politics
Hegseth ties US-Iraq partnership to militia disarmament as PM meets Treasury Secretary
July 15, 2026 at 02:26 AM
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi that Washington wants Iraq to disarm Iran-aligned militias to strengthen bilateral ties.
- Hegseth, in a post on X, said he hosted al-Zaidi at the Pentagon and stated that Iraq must assert its sovereignty and disarm Iran-aligned militias.
- Hegseth said the militias were responsible for more than 600 attacks on US personnel this spring.
- Iraqi PM al-Zaidi told US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that his government prioritizes fighting corruption and keeping weapons solely in state hands.
- Bessent expressed US support for Iraq’s transition from military presence to investment and economic development, pledging to help implement Iraq’s economic programs.