ALI AL-ZAIDI RECEIVES AN AMERICAN CERTIFICATE “AND DID NOT SEND DOLLARS TO THE REVOLUTIONARY GUARD”
A report in Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper on Wednesday (April 29, 2026) stated that an independent investigation conducted by the American law firm K2 Integrity found no credible evidence linking Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi to financial activities connected to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
The report emphasized that the restrictions previously imposed on him were due to reputational risks and not to proven involvement in money laundering operations, at a time when his appointment is facing internal and external political scrutiny amidst the complexities of the financial landscape and relations between Baghdad, Washington, and Tehran.
The US Embassy in Iraq expressed its support on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, for Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zubaidi in his efforts to form a new government, stressing its aspiration to enhance security, preserve Iraq’s sovereignty, and achieve a partnership that serves the interests of both countries.
US President Donald Trump had previously opposed the nomination of Nouri alMaliki by the Coordination Framework forces for the premiership, which prompted them to put forward an alternative candidate, Ali al-Zidi. This was in the context of a broader US trend of not supporting figures or forces accused of undermining the internal balance or of being close to Iran. Washington also focuses its positions on pushing for governments that are described as more independent and limit the influence of armed factions linked to Tehran.
An American law firm said that a recent independent investigation it conducted showed no evidence linking Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi to financial activities connected to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, stressing that the restrictions imposed on him in 2024 were due to “reputational risks,” not“proven involvement in money laundering.” This clarification comes at a time when al-Zidi’s sudden appointment to form a government in Baghdad, succeeding Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, is facing political scrutiny regarding his background, after a bank he owns was included in restrictions imposed by the Central Bank of Iraq on dollar transactions, as part of what was then described as a “campaign to combat illicit financial flows.”
An American law firm said that a recent independent investigation it conducted showed no evidence linking Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi to financial activities connected to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, stressing that the restrictions imposed on him in 2024 were due to “reputational risks,” not“ proven involvement in money laundering.”
This clarification comes at a time when al-Zidi’s sudden appointment to form a government in Baghdad, succeeding Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, is facing political scrutiny regarding his background, after a bank he owns was included in restrictions imposed by the Central Bank of Iraq on dollar transactions, as part of what was then described as a “campaign to combat illicit financial flows.” Representatives of K2 Integrity, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak to the press, said that an independent investigation by the firm found “no credible evidence” linking al-Zaydi or Bank of the South to the Quds Force, and did not detect any direct financial flows from the bank to regional entities classified as high risk.
One of the representatives explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the ban recommended by the US Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve in New York on the Bank of the South was limited to dealing in US dollars, and was driven by risks related to the bank’s reputation and ownership, and not because of proven violations related to money laundering or financing of entities linked to Iran. Al-Zaidi, a businessman who owns companies with his brother and partners, including “Al-Awais,”“Al-Janoub,” and “Dijlah Channel,” is a mysterious figure in the political scene. His appointment came amid public American rejection that led to the exclusion of Nouri al-Maliki from the race, while it was reported that an unannounced rejection also excluded al-Sudani.
Restrictions on Iran
In February 2024, Iraq imposed restrictions on eight local banks, including the South Islamic Bank, preventing them from accessing dollars through the central bank’s window. This move was part of a US-led effort to curb money transfers to Iran. A Treasury Department spokesman at the time said the measures were aimed at”protecting the Iraqi financial system from misuse,”referring to concerns about the use of the U.S. currency in illegral activities. This case highlights the ongoing challenge Baghdad faces in balancing its relations with both the United States and Iran, given its heavy reliance on the US dollar, with Iraq receiving approximately $10 billion in cash annually from the Federal Reserve, according to official estimates.
The US Embassy in Baghdad welcomed al-Zaidi’s appointment, affirming its support for efforts to form a government that”reflects the aspirations of the Iraqi people” this comes after months of political deadlock and pressure from the Trump administration, which threatened to cut off aid to Iraq if Maliki returned to power.
Al-Zaydi faces a 30-day deadline to form his government, amid sharp divisions within the “coordination framework,” and at a time when regional tensions have been escalating since the military strikes on Iran in February 2016, and the subsequent targeting of US interests in Iraq by armed groups.