Iraq's Prime Minister to Visit Washington, Expected to Sign Oil and Gas Agreements

Iraq's prime minister is set to visit Washington on Monday to deepen strategic ties with the United States and is expected to sign oil and gas agreements as part of broader efforts to boost economic, trade, and investment cooperation. According to Jin10, Iraq has been seeking to balance its relationships with neighboring Iran and the United States as U.S.-Iran military escalation continues. Iraqi government spokesperson Haider al-Abadi said the agreements to be signed will include multiple memorandums of understanding in the oil and gas sector, and that Iraq is preparing to bring in several U.S. companies to help drive an increase in oil production capacity. Iraq's National News Agency, citing al-Abadi, said the planned oil and gas agreements will also seek to open alternative export routes to reduce Iraq's risk exposure if disruptions occur in the Strait of Hormuz. Al-Abadi added that strengthening Iraq's armed forces will also be among the topics discussed in Washington.