Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Affirms that on October 1, Iraq Will Be Free of Any Foreign Military Presence, with No Weapons Outside State Authority ••••• Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi met today, Wednesday, with Commander of U.S. Central Command Admiral Charles Brad Cooper. During the meeting, Prime Minister Al-Zaidi reaffirmed the commitment to the agreed timelines, under which September 30 will be the fixed and final date for ending the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Iraq and completing the departure of its forces. The Prime Minister stated that October 1 will mark a new day in the path of the Iraqi state, as Iraq will be free of any foreign military presence, will exercise full national sovereignty over its territory, and will continue building its security and military capabilities, enabling it to protect its security and stability on its own. In this context, the Prime Minister called for adherence to the principles of the Constitution and the fundamental principles upon which the state is founded, safeguarding its supreme interests, and directing the energies of the Iraqi people toward construction, reconstruction, and development. He affirmed that Iraq today needs the efforts of all its people to build a strong economy, a stable state, and a better future for generations to come. The Prime Minister stressed that confining arms exclusively to state authority, in accordance with the law, protects everyone, strengthens the authority and sovereignty of the state, ensures security and stability, and represents an essential prerequisite for moving Iraq into a new phase of development and prosperity. Both sides affirmed their full and final agreement on ending the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Iraq, in accordance with what was agreed upon during the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington in mid-July. They stressed that Iraqi-U.S. relations will transition toward cooperation and partnership in the economic, development, and security fields, based on mutual respect for sovereignty and the mutual interests of both countries. ••••• Media Office of the Prime Minister August 12, 2026