In an interview with Al Mayadeen, al-Sudani said the high voter turnout reflected public satisfaction and confidence in the government’s executive performance and the prevailing state of security and stability. He noted that "when citizens take part in such a process, they aim for real change in public services as well as improvements in living standards and economic conditions," alongside a sense of security and a desire to see their country recover and strengthen its regional role.
Addressing the boycott by the Sadrist Movement, al-Sudani denied the existence of any personal dispute, stressing that the government views the movement as a broad political and popular force with symbolism, leadership, and a longstanding role in the political process. He said the decision not to participate was respected, asserting that the government had hoped for its involvement and made efforts toward that end.
On foreign policy, al-Sudani emphasized that Iraq’s external relations are governed by a single, consistent principle: "the interests of Iraq and its people remain our top priority." He said this approach applies equally to relations with Arab countries, neighboring states, and Islamic countries, including Iran and Turkey, without discrimination.
Regarding political positions, al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s adherence to its core principles, foremost among them the Palestinian cause. He said Iraq’s stance has been clear at both official and popular levels, with the backing of religious authorities, while underscoring that Iraq’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the security of its people are non-negotiable constants.
He added that despite major regional developments in recent years, the government has succeeded in building balanced relations that uphold these principles. Al-Sudani said Iraq has maintained a political, media, humanitarian, and diplomatic presence with regard to the wars on Gaza and Lebanon, developments in Syria, and the aggression against Iran.
Al-Sudani also noted that economic partnerships are a central pillar of Iraq’s foreign policy, pointing to the country’s geopolitical position and its natural and human resources, which he said have been leveraged to build economic relations that support domestic economic improvement and stability.
Responding to questions about external pressures, the prime minister said that being Iraqi means not accepting threats or coercion, noting that Baghdad has maintained relations with all parties, including the United States.
He then revealed that Iraq was repeatedly threatened by the Israeli occupation entity, through third parties at times and publicly and officially at others. Al-Sudani said the state addresses these threats based on its exclusive authority over decisions of war and peace, as well as its efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding.
On Arab relations, he said Saudi Arabia holds significant weight at both the Arab and regional levels, while stressing that Iraq manages its relations with all Arab states according to the same principle, without favoritism.
Regarding reconstruction efforts in Lebanon, al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s steadfast support, saying Baghdad’s assistance is a "fraternal duty rather than a favor or grace." He confirmed that Iraq has already begun practical steps to contribute to Lebanon’s reconstruction, noting that any perceived delays are due to administrative and organizational procedures rather than a change in position.
He recalled that Iraq announced, during the Arab Summit in Baghdad, "an initial contribution of $20 million to the Lebanon Reconstruction Fund and $20 million for reconstruction in Gaza." Al-Sudani said the decision reflects the will of the Iraqi people across all segments of society, not a unilateral government move.
The prime minister also stated that Iraq has opened an office to oversee its contribution to Lebanon’s reconstruction, with contacts established with Lebanon’s president and speaker of parliament. In this context, he revealed that a delegation was sent to Beirut to complete official procedures and formally announce the office.
Al-Sudani said his meeting with Syrian interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa was held at Qatar’s request, noting that coordination between Baghdad and Damascus had begun well before the meeting through direct security contacts. These included dispatching a delegation headed by the Iraqi intelligence chief to Damascus and the formation of a joint bilateral security coordination committee.
Al-Sudani described Iraq-Syria relations as rooted in deep historical and social ties spanning thousands of years, stressing that Syria’s security and stability are a prerequisite for Iraq’s own security and for broader regional stability. He said Baghdad respected the will of the Syrian people following political change and opened channels of communication with the new administration on that basis.
Al-Sudani said Iraq conveyed clear messages to the Syrian leadership on the need to launch an inclusive political process that accommodates all components of Syrian society, rejects extremism and terrorism, adopts a firm stance against the Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) group, takes a clear position on foreign military presence and Israeli incursions, and preserves Syria’s unity.
On security cooperation, he said that Iraq sees preventing a resurgence of Daesh activity as a top priority. Baghdad, he added, is working within the framework of the international coalition and in coordination with Syrian authorities, alongside advanced cooperation on counter-narcotics. This has included joint operations inside Syrian territory based on intelligence sharing.
Politically, al-Sudani said communication with Damascus has been continuous and public, involving reciprocal visits by ministers and official delegations, while Iraq closely monitors security developments in Syria.
Asked to assess Ahmad al-Sharaa’s transition from Idlib to Damascus, al-Sudani described it as a “transitional phase", noting that al-Sharaa spoke candidly about its challenges and expressed a desire to address the consequences of the previous period and the suffering endured by Syrians. He said Iraq supports any approach that helps stabilize Syria and move beyond years of turmoil.
On the possibility of Iraqi mediation between Iran and Syria’s new administration, al-Sudani said Iraq’s strong relations with all parties qualify it to help bridge differences if requested, yet no such request has been made so far.
On the issue of Iraqi-Iranian ties, al-Sudani denied any Iranian interference or tutelage over Iraq’s internal affairs, saying that during his three and a half years as prime minister, he "did not sense any form of custodianship, interference, or undue influence."
He pointed to the special nature of relations with Iran as a neighboring country with religious, cultural, and social ties to Iraq, as well as Tehran’s support for Baghdad in confronting Daesh and backing the political process in the country, stressing that this cannot be interpreted as interference or the imposition of agendas.
Al-Sudani stated that Iraq is actively seeking to bring the United States and Iran closer, saying, "We have an ongoing attempt at communication at the highest levels," while noting that "the matter requires some assurances because dialogues have occurred in other countries, yet commitments were accompanied by threats and intimidation."
He said the initiative was raised during his recent meeting with US special envoy Tom Barrack, adding that Iraq proposed the role itself, stressing respect, confidence-building, avoiding the linkage between negotiations and military operations, and offering goodwill gestures, particularly regarding economic sanctions and their impact on populations.
He said positive signals have emerged from more than one US and Iranian official regarding openness to resuming dialogue, although disagreements persist over guarantees, the seriousness of the process, and ending policies of pressure and threats.
Al-Sudani said regional and international positions toward Iraq are not based on personal assessments of the prime minister, but rather on the state’s overall approach and government policies in managing foreign relations, stressing that stability is the decisive factor shaping external perceptions. He added that while internal disputes may be person-based, they do not affect Iraq’s external stance, arguing that the core issue lies in political forces respecting the voters’ will and election results.
The Iraqi PM reiterated that Iraq is a parliamentary system in which real authority rests with the Council of Representatives and that selecting a nominee to form the next government is a collective decision of the Coordination Framework, with no veto on any figure from any component in the upcoming constitutional processes. Asked about objections to nominating Mohammad al-Halbousi, al-Sudani said discussions concluded that there is no veto on anyone and that choosing the speaker of parliament is the right of the relevant component based on electoral entitlement.
On his political future, al-Sudani said seeking a second term is not a personal ambition but a readiness to shoulder responsibility and complete a project already underway. He said the reconstruction and development program won the confidence of more than 1.4 million voters, adding that his chances of forming a new government remain intact and that he trusts political forces to respect the voters’ will.
The Iraqi prime minister stressed that limiting weapons to the state is a constitutional principle included in the government program approved by parliament on Oct. 27, 2022, denying that it was a response to US or external demands and emphasizing that the issue will be addressed through dialogue.
He also said the administration of US President Donald Trump is committed to implementing the international coalition’s withdrawal agreement according to the announced timetable. Al-Sudani said Iraq is set to take full control of Ain al-Assad Air Base and joint operations within days, before moving to a second phase involving the handover of the Harir Air Base in Erbil.
He noted that any side carrying arms has national pathways to pursue, including integration into security institutions or engagement in political life, adding that these options are acceptable to all Western parties.
Commenting on the appointment of a US special envoy, al-Sudani said the move reflects interest in bilateral relations and opening additional channels of communication, while firmly rejecting any attempts to impose specific diktats, particularly on the issue of limiting weapons, which he described as an internal matter that does not accept external tutelage.
On the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), al-Sudani highlighted their significant role alongside the armed forces in defeating Daesh, noting the sacrifices they made. "Certainly, no one can deny the significant role of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in combating terrorism and standing alongside their brethren in the security services, the Ministry of Defense, the Interior Ministry, and other security agencies, in eliminating Daesh," he stated.
He further affirmed that the PMF is a legally established security institution under the command of the commander-in-chief and integrated into the joint security system, adding that the government has begun an institutional reform process across security agencies, including the PMF.
Marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of the deputy chairman of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and the IRGC's Quds Force commander, Major General Qassem Soleimani, al-Sudani said there is no more powerful description than that of the religious authority, which referred to them as “Commanders of Victory.”
He stressed their role in defeating the Daesh alongside various components of the Iraqi people, adding that their assassination constituted a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.
"The Commanders of Victory were present alongside the security forces as they fought in Sinjar, in Nineveh, in Salah al-Din, in Anbar; together with various components: Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Shabaks, Muslims, Christians, with everyone," he highlighted
Al-Sudani added that "this painful occasion reminds Iraqis of an incident that violated their sovereignty, especially since martyr Soleimani was a guest in Iraq and a high-ranking official of neighboring Iran."