Peregraf
According to the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met today with Admiral Brad Cooper, the newly appointed Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), alongside a U.S. delegation and the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.
The discussions focused on bilateral military cooperation, counterterrorism progress, and follow-up on the Joint Statement signed in September 2024, which laid out the framework for gradually transitioning the U.S. role in Iraq from combat to advisory support. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the agreement’s provisions.
Al-Sudani emphasized that the partnership with Washington has yielded tangible results, helping to bolster Iraq’s security and contributing to regional and international stability. He underlined Baghdad’s interest in maintaining balanced relations that protect Iraq’s sovereignty while serving mutual interests.
Admiral Cooper praised Iraq as a “model of successful cooperation” in the fight against terrorism, pledging that the U.S. will continue supporting Iraq’s security institutions and reinforcing strategic communication in the months ahead.
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of sensitive negotiations over the future of U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq. While Al-Sudani has sought to frame U.S. engagement as a partnership that strengthens state institutions, powerful Iran-aligned armed groups continue pressing for a clear timetable for the complete withdrawal of foreign troops. The government has walked a careful line, seeking to maintain security cooperation with Washington while managing domestic political pressure.