Iraq's parliament has completed Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's cabinet after approving 11 portfolios and three deputy prime ministers, including Laith al-Khazali, a senior leader of the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia who is under U.S. sanctions. The U.S. designated al-Khazali a global terrorist over a 2007 attack that killed five American soldiers. The appointment drew immediate criticism from Republican Representative Joe Wilson, who described al-Khazali as an Iranian puppet, while al-Zaidi seeks to navigate severe economic challenges and balance ties between Washington and Tehran.
Cabinet appointments and voting details
- ▪Iraq's parliament approved 11 cabinet portfolios on October 15, 2026, including Nayef al-Shammari as defense minister and Yasir al-Maliki as interior minister, completing Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's cabinet five months after he took office.
- ▪Iraqi lawmakers approved Mohammed Ali Tamim and Muhsin Al Mandalawi alongside Laith al-Khazali as deputy prime ministers on October 15, 2026.
- ▪Iraq's parliament postponed a vote on the nominee for migration and displacement minister due to disagreement among political parties.
US condemnation of Al-Khazali's appointment
- ▪U.S. Republican Representative Joe Wilson condemned the appointment of Laith al-Khazali on social platform X, describing him as a designated terrorist and Iranian puppet whose militia killed Americans and Iraqis.
- ▪Representative Joe Wilson stated on social platform X regarding Laith al-Khazali's appointment as deputy prime minister of Iraq: 'He is no better than ISIS, maybe even worse. It is outrageous but sadly not shocking that he has been appointed deputy PM of Iraq.'
Century Foundation expert analysis
- ▪Century Foundation Iraq expert Sajad Jiyad stated that nominating Laith al-Khazali may signal to Iran-aligned factions that participating in formal politics offers access to senior government positions.
- ▪Century Foundation Iraq expert Sajad Jiyad stated that Shiite parties within Iraq's ruling coalition appear confident the new cabinet appointments will not trigger a major rupture with Washington.
US sanctions and history of Laith Al-Khazali
- ▪U.S. forces arrested Laith al-Khazali in 2007 over allegations regarding a 2007 attack in Karbala that killed five American soldiers, holding him until his release in June 2009.
- ▪The United States designated Asaib Ahl al-Haq as a foreign terrorist organization in 2020 and named brothers Qais al-Khazali and Laith al-Khazali as specially designated global terrorists.
- ▪Laith al-Khazali is a senior leader of the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement and the brother of group leader Qais al-Khazali.
- ▪The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Laith al-Khazali in 2019, citing his leadership in Asaib Ahl al-Haq, human rights abuses, and the 2007 attack on American forces.
Asaib Ahl Al-Haq's political role
- ▪While some powerful Iraqi militias refuse to give up their weapons, Asaib Ahl al-Haq is among a handful of groups that agreed to hand over their arms to state control.
- ▪Asaib Ahl al-Haq has grown into one of Iraq's most influential Shia political parties, holding both ministerial positions and a deputy premiership.
Prime Minister Al-Zaidi's platform and foreign policy
- ▪To cover essential public spending during severe liquidity shortages caused by the war starting February 28, 2026, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi devalued the Iraqi dinar by almost 15 percent against the U.S. dollar.
- ▪Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi stated that the completed cabinet marks a phase of accelerated work to address economic challenges from the regional war and pledged to fight corruption, disarm non-state armed groups, and complete the withdrawal of U.S. forces.
- ▪Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi took office with support from U.S. President Donald Trump and has maintained strong relations with Washington while also seeking to sustain ties with Tehran.
Story comments
Loading comments…