Iraqi Shia factions turn to US lobbyists, yet struggle for sway

Iraqi political leaders stress that redefining ties with Washington and neighbouring states is vital to tackling economic pressures and countering isolation and external threats. 

Their calls gained urgency after Iraq's delegation to the UN General Assembly in New York failed to secure a meeting with US President Donald Trump and was notably absent from high-level talks he held with Arab and Muslim leaders over Israel's war on Gaza.

Adnan Al-Zurfi, a member of parliament and former prime minister-designate, has emerged as a key advocate for reassessing Iraq's relationship with the United States, highlighting efforts by influential Shia political groups to hire lobbying firms in Washington to influence US policy and enhance their international image.

Al-Zurfi, secretary general of Al-Wafa Movement, told Al-Dijla Iraqi television channel on 23 September that these political groups face challenges because the US administration is less responsive.

He explained that parties from various sectarian groups seek lobbying representation in Washington, especially due to US restrictions on certain militias. He said that two prominent Iraqi political figures, whose identities he did not disclose, currently reside in the US, attempting to establish lobbying channels for their parties. However, American officials have informed them that they will not revisit policies.

Last week, the US State Department designated four Iran-aligned Iraqi militias—Harakat al-Nujaba, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiaa, and Kataib Imam Ali—as foreign terrorist organisations.

Zurfi, who is expected to be one of the candidates for the Iraqi Prime Minister post following the 11 November elections, posted on social media on Saturday that he had recently met Nouri al-Maliki, former Prime Minister and leader of the State of Law Coalition, who is close to Iran, to discuss reducing Iraq's political isolation and enhancing its international role.

Waning influence

Zurfi, who has held senior government positions and built relationships with both Iraqi and US officials, recently returned from Washington and voiced concerns about Iraq's declining influence.

He contrasted Syria's rising diplomatic profile—demonstrated by interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa's recent visit to New York—with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani's struggle to secure meetings with US officials. He argued that Syria's recent gains underscore Iraq's ongoing diplomatic challenges.

Furthermore, Zurfi argued that since US forces left, the US commitment to Iraq has declined, and some Iraqi politicians now urge the US to keep troops in the country.

He warned that US officials now increasingly assess Iraq's government based on its relationship with Iran. He noted this assessment could put key Iraqi financial institutions, such as the State Oil Marketing Organisation and the Central Bank, at risk due to allegations of oil smuggling and irregularities involving officials linked to armed groups.

Sanctions warning

Zurfi stated that US authorities are considering new sanctions against specific political and economic figures linked to Iraqi armed groups that the United States has identified as "terrorist groups". He added that, although sanctions are likely, the US is unlikely to take direct military action.

He warned that new economic restrictions would harm Iraq more than military strikes or other sanctions, and cautioned that delays in public sector salaries could last up to three months and noted that Washington expects Baghdad to exclude armed groups from elections but offers little engagement on the issue.

Zurfi asserted that his political group, the Alternative Coalition, could win 20 parliamentary seats and effectively manage Iraq's finances. He criticised current government leaders, especially those in the ruling coalition, for wasting resources and making unsustainable salary commitments.

He identified Muqtada al-Sadr, a prominent Shia cleric and leader of the Shia National Movement, as Iraq's leading opposition figure. Zurfi pointed out that al-Sadr's positions on weapons control and anti-corruption measures closely align with those advocated by the Alternative Coalition.

Zurfi added that US State Department officials have warned Iraqi political leaders not to allow armed groups to join elections and have instructed American lobbyists not to represent certain individuals tied to these groups.

He concluded that Iraq's weakened relationship with Washington—exacerbated by increased Iranian influence—has undermined the country's standing and exposed it to greater risks, reinforcing the urgent need for a strategic reassessment of US ties.