Washington: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Washington on Monday for discussions with US officials, including President Donald Trump. This visit marks al-Zaidi's first international trip since assuming office in May.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Iraqi Prime Minister is accompanied by a governmental and economic delegation, as reported by the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA). The delegation aims to focus on enhancing bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on finalizing oil and gas agreements during their stay.

Government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi indicated that the discussions would prioritize the signing of memorandums of understanding in the oil and gas industries. These agreements are anticipated to involve US companies, which will contribute to increasing Iraq's production capacity and developing alternative export routes to mitigate the effects of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Additionally, the talks will address Iraq's ongoing initiatives to ensure that all weapons are under the exclusive control of the state, as part of the broader agenda of the visit.