Trump says US will 'no longer help Iraq' if it picks Maliki as PM

Donald Trump threatened to withdraw US support for Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki, a former Prime Minister with ties to Iran, is selected as the next Prime Minister. Al-Maliki was nominated by a coalition of Shia-led parties. Trump cited Maliki's previous term (2006-2014), marked by sectarian violence and the rise of ISIS, as a reason for his opposition. The US has expressed concerns about Iran's growing influence in Iraq, with Marco Rubio emphasizing that an Iranian-controlled government cannot prioritize Iraq's interests. Iraq's parliament was scheduled to elect a president, a largely ceremonial role that would normally nominate Maliki, but the vote was delayed. Trump stated that Iraq would have "zero" chance of success without US support if Maliki is elected.