US think tank says Sudani's Washington visit reflects push to pull Iraq out of Iran's orbit

WASHINGTON, United States — A report by the U.S.-based Center for Defense Priorities says Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani's visit to Washington reflects a U.S. strategy to integrate Iraq into a new Arab regional axis built on economic partnership and political stability rather than Iran's "axis of resistance." The report says Sudani conveyed to U.S. officials not only economic cooperation but also clear political and security messages on implementing commitments to collect weapons held by armed groups outside the state and to end the presence of armed factions under the international coalition mission, which is set to conclude in September. The report also says the U.S. administration has pointed to the fallout from Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Tehran's allies, including Iraq, have been negatively affected, with Iraqi oil revenues falling by roughly 70 percent. Washington, according to the report, aims to bring Iraq into a broader regional alliance of moderate Arab states focused on economic development and political stability, following a similar approach to post-Bashar Assad Syria and Lebanon under Joseph Aoun. On energy ties, the report says Sudani is preparing to sign deals with the United States in energy, communications and infrastructure. Reopening the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, which would reduce Iraq's dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, could take up to three years and would involve U.S. companies including Chevron, while talks on the Basra-Jordan pipeline continue. The report also raises the possibility of Iraq leaving OPEC as part of President Trump's effort to weaken the organization, though it says Baghdad has not yet indicated whether it will respond to the proposal.