Trump Orders U.S. Troop Exit From Iraq by Sept. 30 as Baghdad Turns to Investment
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 14
Trump Orders U.S. Troop Exit From Iraq by Sept. 30 as Baghdad Turns to Investment
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 14
Summary
Sept. 30 is now the firm date for U.S. forces to leave Iraq, with Trump saying Washington no longer sees a military presence as necessary and will pivot the relationship toward investment and energy.
Trump tied the withdrawal to Iraq's improved security and a weakened Iran, saying Tehran's military is only a tiny fraction of what it was four months ago.
Ali al-Zaidi said Iraq's forces can secure the country alone and that armed groups outside state control will have "no justification" once the coalition mission ends, adding that limiting weapons to the state is "a decision, not an option."
About 2,500 U.S. troops remained in Iraq before the September 2025 drawdown began, far below the roughly 170,000 peak in 2007 and after a 2014 return to fight ISIS.
The move caps a shift set by a 2024 U.S.-Iraq agreement and underscores Washington's bet that economic ties and billions in planned energy investment can replace a two-decade military role.
Can Iraq's PM, with past links to a sanctioned bank, truly win the West's trust and investment?
Is the new US-backed oil pipeline a path to prosperity or a prime target for defiant militias?
As some Iraqi militias agree to disarm, are the powerful holdouts preparing for a new internal conflict?
Kirkuk-Baniyas Pipeline: US-Iraq-Syria Energy Pact Reshapes Middle East Power and Global Oil Markets
Overview
In July 2026, President Trump will host Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House to finalize the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline deal, with Syria’s foreign minister also attending. This agreement marks a major step in regional cooperation, aiming to create a vital alternative oil export route that bypasses the volatile Strait of Hormuz. By pursuing new pipeline evacuation routes, energy producers can diversify their export options and reduce reliance on a single chokepoint. The project reflects a sustained push for greater energy security and stability in global markets amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.