Zaidi Faces Tehran Test

Within a day of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s return from Tehran on Thursday, the Kurdistan region of Iraq faced another attack.

Five explosive drones were intercepted over Erbil by US‑led coalition air defenses, causing explosions and smoke near the airport that houses coalition forces adjacent to the US consulate. Although the Kurdistan region is accustomed to attacks by Iran and its proxies, the timing was striking. For Tehran, the arrival of a new Iraqi prime minister pledging a different approach seemingly does not alter the status quo.

This presents the challenge confronting Zaidi.

A former CEO with a results‑oriented approach, Zaidi aims to recast Iraq as a bridge rather than a battleground between the United States and Iran. His priorities are clear: curb corruption, expand trade, attract foreign investment, strengthen state institutions for Iraqi citizens, and bring armed militias under government control.

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