BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Updated:

As Iraq prepares to appoint a new president and prime minister, the US is seeking to work with Baghdad on several important issues.

Toward that end, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on January 25.

“The secretary emphasized that a government controlled by Iran cannot successfully put Iraq’s own interests first, keep Iraq out of regional conflicts, or advance the mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Iraq,” a readout of the conversation noted.

A major part of the conversation focused on Baghdad allowing the transfer of ISIS detainees from Syria. This could potentially be controversial in Iraq because reports have mentioned up to 7,000 detainees.

Iraq has already prosecuted many ISIS members and also repatriated most of its citizens who joined ISIS and ended up in Syria. Baghdad has also wanted the US military presence in the country to end. In late 2025, US forces withdrew from Ain al-Assad base in Iraq, the last major footprint the US had outside of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq.

According to the readout of the conversation between Rubio and Sudani, “The secretary commended the government of Iraq’s initiative and leadership in expediting the transfer and detention of ISIS terrorists to secure facilities in Iraq, following recent instability in northeast Syria.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to brief senators on the situation in Venezuela, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, January 7, 2026.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to brief senators on the situation in Venezuela, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, January 7, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN)

They also “discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure countries rapidly repatriate their citizens in Iraq, bringing them to justice.”

The conversation then turned to Iraq’s ongoing deliberations to form a government. The two men discussed “their shared commitment to ensuring that Iraq can fully realize its potential as a force for stability, prosperity, and security in the Middle East.”

Then, the US noted that Iraq should not be controlled by Iran.

Maliki was known for being pro-Iran

This is an issue because former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki is in contention to reprise his role. Maliki was known for being pro-Iran and very sectarian. He also failed to prevent the rise of ISIS in Iraq in 2013 and 2014. There are concerns that he might shift Baghdad closer to the Iranian camp if he returns to power.

US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott also posted on X/Twitter that “the United States welcomes the Iraqi government’s initiative and regional leadership in expediting the transfer and detention of ISIS terrorists to secure facilities in Iraq, following recent instability in northeast Syria.

Iraq is on the front line in confronting the threat ISIS poses to all nations. The United States urges all countries to repatriate foreign fighters to face justice.”