Trump warns against Nouri al-Maliki’s return as prime minister of Iraq

US President Donald Trump has warned Iraq over a reinstatement of Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister, saying that the country “descended into poverty and total chaos” under his previous leadership.

“That should not be allowed to happen again” Trump wrote on social media Tuesday. “Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq. If we are not there to help, Iraq has ZERO chance of success, prosperity, or freedom. MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN!”

Al-Maliki, leader of the Iran-aligned Islamic Dawa Party, previously served two consecutive terms as Iraq’s prime minister between 2006 and 2014.

Al-Maliki dismissed Trump’s threat as “blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs,” and vowed to “continue to work until we reach the end.”

Trump’s post signals “potential sharp US action” if al-Maliki is given the post,” said Renad Mansour, director of the Iraq Initiative at London’s Chatham House think tank, adding the US is trying to “curb Iran’s influence in Iraq, especially as they see Iranian-allied factions with armed militias vie for power.”

Trump’s warning and al-Maliki’s rebuttal come as the US builds up military assets in the Middle East, raising fears of an American-Iranian confrontation that could plunge the region into crisis.