WASHINGTON – US forces will leave Iraq by September 30 after more than two decades of America’s military presence in the country, Trump said.
The announcement reinforces withdrawal roadmap agreed upon through the 2024 Higher Coordinating Committee, under which US troops have already been largely repositioned to Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, with further drawdowns scheduled through the end of 2026.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi told reporters today that “U.S. forces will be out of Iraq” by September 30 of this year. As of right now, in line with the agreement announced in 2024 by the Higher Coordinating Committee, U.S. forces are largely sequestered to areas within… pic.twitter.com/zrPnEOMSEX
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 14, 2026
The declaration came during high-level talks at the White House, where US President Donald Trump welcomed Al-Zaidi, praising their “tremendous chemistry” and describing Iraq as an increasingly important strategic and economic partner. Trump highlighted expanding cooperation in the energy sector, saying U.S. oil companies are entering Iraq at levels not seen before.
Addressing regional security, POTUS argued that Iran’s influence has been significantly diminished, describing Tehran as the former “bully of the Middle East” whose military capabilities have been reduced to “a tiny fraction” of what they were just four months ago. He said the shift has eased pressure on Baghdad and created new opportunities for Iraq to strengthen ties with Washington.
Trump also declared that the United States no longer requires a permanent military presence in Iraq, while making clear that Washington would continue to support and defend the country if necessary. He used the occasion to criticize the idea of charging commercial vessels for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that one of the world’s most vital maritime routes should remain free of transit fees.
Revisiting one of the defining conflicts of modern U.S. foreign policy, Trump reiterated his long-held position that the 2003 invasion of Iraq was a mistake, saying the United States “attacked the wrong country.”
Al-Zaidi said Iraq and the United States are preparing to unveil a new economic partnership aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation beyond security. He also reaffirmed that bringing all weapons under the exclusive authority of the Iraqi state remains a cornerstone of his government’s agenda, underscoring Baghdad’s commitment to consolidating state control as U.S. troops prepare to depart.
