Trump’s Iran Strategy Linked to Iraq, Says Former US Official

Former US Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker revealed that President Trump associated Iraq with his pressure campaign against Iran. Schenker highlighted the benefits of US policy on the Kurdistan Region, committed to continuing funding for Peshmerga forces, and noted that Trump did not prioritize Iraq extensively, though it was part of his broader strategy.

David Schenker, a former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, stated that President Donald Trump linked Iraq to his maximum pressure campaign aimed at Iran. During the second day of the 2025 Erbil Forum, Schenker explained that this strategy was emblematic of the Trump administration’s broader approach to geopolitical issues in the region.

He emphasized the positive impact of Washington’s policies on the Kurdistan Region, noting that it has resulted in significant benefits, such as the ongoing support from the United States and the presence of American military personnel in Iraqi Kurdistan. Schenker affirmed that the US would continue its annual funding of $20 million for the Peshmerga forces, which play a crucial role in regional stability.

Schenker summarized Trump’s view on Iraq, indicating that while Iraq was not his primary focus, it was nevertheless included in his overarching strategy against Iran. This remark underscores the complexity of US-Iraq relations amidst the broader context of US-Iran dynamics.

In sum, the remarks from David Schenker highlight President Trump’s strategic linkage of Iraq to the US pressure campaign against Iran. The enduring support for the Kurdistan Region, alongside the financial commitment to the Peshmerga forces, demonstrates continued US involvement in Iraqi affairs, despite the lack of direct presidential focus on Iraq itself.

Original Source: shafaq.com