Al-Monitor • April 28, 2026 18:43

Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate

Political Leaning Analysis

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Score: -0.29 • Center / Neutral

Legal sources familiar with the nominee told Al-Monitor that there are no US sanctions on Zaidi or financial institutions affiliated with him.

Story Timeline

Mon 20:11 - France 24

Iraq’s president ask PM-designate Ali al-Zaidi to form government

Tue 10:07 - Middle East Eye

Iraq: Businessman Ali al-Zaidi nominated to become new prime minister

Tue 13:51 - Al Jazeera English

Who is Ali al-Zaidi, the businessman named as Iraq’s PM-designate?

Tue 18:43 - Al-Monitor

Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate

Tue 18:55 - NYT Europe

Iraq’s Prime Minister-Designate Thrust Into U.S.-Iran Power Struggle

Different Perspectives

Al Jazeera English

1 article

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13:51

Who is Ali al-Zaidi, the businessman named as Iraq’s PM-designate?

Political outsider Ali al-Zaidi is tapped as Iraq's new PM to break a months-long political deadlock.

France 24

1 article

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20:11

Iraq’s president ask PM-designate Ali al-Zaidi to form government

Iraq’s president on Monday tasked businessman Ali al-Zaidi with forming a government after he was nominated prime minister by the country’s dominant parliamentary bloc. Zaidi is a political newcomer and …

Middle East Eye

1 article

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10:07

Iraq: Businessman Ali al-Zaidi nominated to become new prime minister

Iraq: Businessman Ali al-Zaidi nominated to become new prime minister Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Tue, 04/28/2026 - 09:13 Largest parliamentary bloc nominates former banker to form new government, five …

NYT Europe

1 article

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18:55

Iraq’s Prime Minister-Designate Thrust Into U.S.-Iran Power Struggle

Ali al-Zaidi, a political unknown, has been tasked with forming a new coalition government. Now, he must grapple with growing U.S. pressure to curb Iranian influence over Iraq.