Iraq’s Shia political alliance, the Coordination Framework, reaffirmed on Saturday its support for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to lead the next government. The announcement came as US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would cease cooperation with Iraq if al-Maliki returned to power. The coalition, which holds a parliamentary majority, nominated al-Maliki following the recent elections.

In a statement, the Coordination Framework emphasized that the selection of Iraq’s prime minister is a constitutional matter that should proceed without foreign interference. It added that the alliance seeks balanced relations with international partners based on mutual respect. Al-Maliki previously served as Iraq’s first elected prime minister after the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.

Trump’s warning was described as one of the strongest examples of US efforts to curb the influence of Iran-backed groups in Iraq. The country continues to navigate a delicate balance between its two key allies, Washington and Tehran.