US Special Envoy Barrack meets Iraqi PM Zaidi in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — US Special Envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack arrived in Baghdad on Monday and met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to discuss bilateral partnership issues. Barrack said on X that he looked forward to returning to Baghdad and would convey President Donald Trump's support for the Iraqi government during the talks. Barrack said he and Zaidi would discuss building a strong, mutually beneficial new direction for the relationship between the two countries. He also met with the US Embassy team led by Chargé d'Affaires Joshua Harris during the visit. The visit comes amid regional tensions, as the Trump administration continues diplomatic engagement with Iraq on security and cooperation matters. Barrack's trip is part of ongoing US-Iraq discussions on bilateral ties. In late May, Trump appointed Barrack as Special Envoy to Iraq while he continued serving as US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria. No further details on the agenda or outcomes of the meeting were immediately available.