Iraqi PM to meet US President Trump in Washington to deepen strategic ties

oil and gas deals are expected ⁠to be signed as part of a broader push ​for economic, trade and investment cooperation.Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is set to visit the United States to meet President Donald Trump in his first international trip since taking office.Zaidi will depart for the week-long visit on Monday, government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies: Reactionslist 2 of 4Slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei buried at Iran’s holiest shrinelist 3 of 4Strait of Hormuz traffic plunges as US, Iran resume fightinglist 4 of 4Trump trades threats with Iran’s leader, Araghchi holds talks with Omani FMend of listDuring his visit, oil and gas deals are expected ⁠to be signed as part of a broader push for economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries.“The agreements to be signed will include several memorandums of understanding in the oil and gas sector, ‌as Iraq prepares to bring in various US companies that will provide momentum to increase oil production capacity,” al-Aboudi said.He added that the focus of the talks will be on “strengthening economic relations and investments” between Iraq and the US.Al-Zaidi hopes to attract US investment after significant revenue losses caused by the halt in oil exports due to the Iran-war" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="38748" data-entity-type="event">Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz.The Gulf, which is the only body of water bordering Iraq.Al-Zaidi, who came to power this year, assumed office amid growing US pressure on Baghdad to crack down on corruption and disarm Iran-backed-armed-groups" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="164026" data-entity-type="organization">Iran-backed armed groups that have targeted US facilities in Iraq.In a move that pleased the US, Iraqi security forces arrested dozens of prominent politicians, lawmakers and officials in sweeping raids across Baghdad in late June, as part of an unprecedented anticorruption crackdown ordered by al-Zaidi.Relations ⁠between Iraq and the US have ⁠at times been strained over the continued presence of US troops in Iraq, Baghdad’s ties with Iran, and the pressure to disarm Iran-backed ‌armed groups.