US Congratulates Iraq on National Day, Hails Stronger Bilateral Partnership

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the people of Iraq on the country’s National Day on Saturday, highlighting the close relationship between Washington and Baghdad and their shared commitment to a strong and prosperous future.

In a statement marking Iraq’s National Day on Oct. 3, Rubio said Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s July visit to Washington and his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House reaffirmed the “close friendship” between the two countries.

“The historic economic partnerships announced during the visit further demonstrate the tremendous potential for cooperation between American and Iraqi businesses,” Rubio said.

The secretary of state also welcomed what he described as Iraq’s efforts to strengthen its sovereignty and contribute to security and stability across the region.

Rubio’s statement comes as Washington and Baghdad have sought to expand bilateral economic cooperation alongside their broader strategic relationship.

The July meeting between Trump and al-Zaidi provided a high-level platform for discussions on economic partnerships and the future of US-Iraq relations, with Washington emphasizing greater cooperation between American and Iraqi businesses.

Rubio said the United States also recognizes the history, resilience and achievements of the Iraqi people.

“On this National Day, we celebrate the history, resilience, and achievements of the Iraqi people and look forward to the continued growth and partnership between our two nations,” he said.

He extended Washington’s “warmest wishes” to the Iraqi people as they commemorate the national occasion.

The US statement underscores Washington’s emphasis on expanding the relationship beyond security cooperation, with economic ties and private-sector partnerships forming an increasingly important component of bilateral engagement.

The congratulatory statement comes days after Iraq marked its newly declared Sovereignty Day on October 1, following the completion of the US-led Global Coalition’s military mission and the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq on September 30.

The transition marks a new phase in which Iraqi institutions are taking primary responsibility for the country’s security, including protecting its borders, maintaining national security and ensuring that Iraqi territory is not used to launch attacks against neighboring or other regional countries. 

Rubio’s reference to Iraq’s efforts to strengthen its sovereignty also comes as Baghdad faces the task of ensuring that the state has exclusive authority over armed force and decisions of war and peace.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said on October 1 that his government would begin addressing weapons outside state control under a “clear roadmap” extending no later than June 30, 2027, and pledged to disarm non-Iraqi armed groups operating on Iraqi territory.

The government has faced US pressure to bring Iran-aligned militias under state authority, while Washington has linked the issue to Iraq’s ability to prevent its territory from being used to launch attacks against other countries.