Iraq announces shift to direct bilateral military partnership with US

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaydi met US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon during an official visit, as Baghdad announced a transition to direct bilateral military cooperation with Washington after the International Coalition's mission ends. Iraqi Chief of Staff spokesperson Sabah al-Nu'man, speaking before the meeting, said the new arrangement would replace the coalition framework and confirmed that decisions on bringing weapons under state control are a sovereign Iraqi matter free from external interference. Talks between the two defense ministries are covering training, armaments, intelligence sharing and capacity-building for Iraqi security forces, according to al-Nu'man. He said Iraq had maintained stability despite regional turmoil and that the readiness of its security forces was boosting investor confidence. On the weapons collection file, the spokesperson described a national government-led project under which additional groups are expected to join official security institutions in the near future. The process is being overseen by a central commission operating under prime ministerial supervision and including senior military commanders, al-Nu'man said.