Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced on Thursday that U.S. forces are expected to remain in Iraq under President Donald Trump’s administration, as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.
“My belief is that they will stay,” he stated during a session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Hussein emphasized that the geopolitical dynamics in the region have shifted significantly since Trump’s first term in office.
“The situation in the Middle East is very different compared to the first Trump administration. We are now facing different challenges, and I have the sense that U.S. forces will remain in the region,” he added.
Currently, around 2,500 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq as part of the global coalition formed in 2014 to combat ISIS (Daesh).
In September, the U.S. announced that the mission of the coalition against ISIS would conclude by the end of September 2025, transitioning to bilateral security partnerships to support Iraqi forces and maintain pressure on ISIS.
The foreign minister highlighted that Iraq’s relationship with the U.S. is guided by a strategic framework agreement, which serves as the foundation for ongoing dialogue between the two countries.
“Our relationship with the American administration is built on the strategic agreement, and based on this framework, we will continue discussions and negotiations with the U.S. on various fields,” Hussein explained.
Addressing the rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which have direct repercussions on Iraq, Hussein urged both nations to pursue diplomatic solutions.
“The tension between Washington and Tehran directly affects us, not just indirectly. That’s why we are deeply concerned and hope that both sides will adopt a different approach—one of renewed negotiations,” he stated.
Hussein also noted that Iran appears to be open to dialogue with the U.S., signaling a potential path forward for de-escalation.
