United States troops are scheduled to fully withdraw from Iraq by Wednesday, September 30, 2026, according to Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi during a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Trump stated, "Well, we don't think we need the military there anymore," signaling a shift away from military involvement. Previously, about 2,500 US troops were deployed in Iraq conducting counter-Islamic State operations, but that number has decreased in recent months.

Al-Zaidi tied the withdrawal to the disarmament of powerful Iran-backed militias, declaring, "After 30 September, we will not allow any entity to bear arms outside the state."

He also emphasized a transition from militaristic relations to economic cooperation, stating, "On September 30th, American forces will leave, and American companies will enter."

During the Oval Office meeting, both leaders pledged to deepen economic ties and boost Iraq's oil production. Trump highlighted Iraq's oil potential, saying, "We're going to create a lot of jobs for both countries, and we're going to be taking out a lot of oil," though he did not provide further details.

Two Iraqi officials revealed plans for Iraq, Chevron, TI Capital, and Qatar's UCC to sign a deal on Friday, July 17, 2026, to build a 2 million-barrel-per-day oil pipeline linking Basra to Haditha and extending to ports in Turkey and Syria.

However, shortly before al-Zaidi's departure, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, stated it would reject any outcomes of the visit.

Additionally, the US and Iranian militaries exchanged fire early Tuesday, July 14, 2026, following President Trump's threats to take over the Strait of Hormuz and reimpose a naval blockade with a 20 percent toll on vessels transiting the strait.

Al-Zaidi also called for Iraq to receive a "fair share" from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Sources