Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s official visit to Riyadh was cancelled following joint US-Saudi airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. The cancellation was confirmed by two regional officials and a Western diplomat.
According to Reuters, the decision was made at an unscheduled meeting of the Iraqi National Security Council convened after the strikes. The “rapidly evolving” security situation was cited as a factor in the move.
Rationale and toll of the strikes
The Saudi Ministry of Defense stated the strikes were retaliation for repeated drone attacks by Iraq-based militias targeting oil facilities in the kingdom’s east in recent days. These militias have reportedly been targeting Saudi Arabia since late February.
The Iranian-backed Hashd al-Shaabi forces announced at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 others wounded in the strikes. The group warned the death toll could rise and described the operation as an “extremely dangerous escalation” and a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.
Blow to Zaidi’s diplomacy
The visit’s cancellation deals a blow to Prime Minister Zaidi’s strategy of distancing Iraq from Tehran’s influence and drawing closer to the US and Gulf states. After taking office in May, Zaidi made his first foreign trip to the US, where he was warmly received by President Donald Trump. Riyadh was to have been his fourth stop after visits to Iran and Turkiye.
Zaidi had pledged to bring the Hashd al-Shaabi — which the Trump administration says operates beyond government control — under state command. Just days before the planned visit, the drone attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure exposed the limits of Zaidi’s power and the risk of Iraq becoming a new front in the US-Iran conflict.
Trump’s striking remarks
In an interview with Fox News, US President Donald Trump claimed the US-Saudi strikes on the militias were coordinated with the Iraqi government. He called these groups and Iran “the cancer of the world.” Analysts say the remark could pit Zaidi against the Hashd al-Shaabi and Tehran.
Other regional developments
Meanwhile, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is expected to travel to Washington to meet with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. While diplomatic sources confirmed the visit, the Pentagon has yet to confirm any meeting.
Yemen’s Houthis also announced they had attacked Saudi energy facilities as part of their hostilities against the kingdom.
