Iraq's new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi was sworn in on May 14 with a partial cabinet after parliament approved 14 ministers but failed to reach consensus on nine remaining portfolios, including the key Interior and Defense ministries, Reuters reported the same day.

Iraq had been locked in a months-long political deadlock following the November 2025 general elections. Increasing U.S. and Iranian pressure — along with the recent U.S.-Iran conflict that involved the participation of Iran-backed Iraqi militias — further complicated government formation, ultimately pushing the SCF to settle on al-Zaidi as a compromise candidate, despite his close ties to the bloc.