'I'm not happy about it!': Trump delivers surprise Oval Office quip to Iraqi prime minister

WASHINGTON,DC: President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, July 14 mixed diplomacy with humor during a White House meeting with Iraq’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, catching reporters off guard with an unexpected joke about the visiting leader’s appearance.

While addressing media with al-Zaidi in the Oval Office, Trump smiled as he introduced the Iraqi prime minister before adding the lighthearted remark which drew laughter and quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the meeting.

Trump praises Iraq’s Prime Minister

Trump turned the meeting into a light-hearted moment by joking about the Iraqi prime minister's appearance in front of reporters.

Introducing Ali al-Zaidi, Trump praised him as "a young man" and "handsome" before adding with a grin, "Which I don't like! I'm not happy about it!"

The remark drew laughter inside the Oval Office, with Trump continuing to compliment the Iraqi leader while expressing confidence that he would remain in office for a long time.

The exchange quickly became one of the meeting's most talked-about moments, overshadowing the otherwise policy-focused discussions.

After the playful exchange, Trump shifted to a more serious tone, praising Iraq’s new government and expressing confidence in al-Zaidi’s leadership.

“He’s been a great fighter and he’s been a great fan of America,” Trump said, describing Iraq as a nation with “tremendous oil reserves” and “tremendous wealth.”

Trump claims Iran 'bullied' Iraq

Foreign policy dominated much of the discussion, with Trump arguing that Iraq is entering a different strategic landscape because of Iran’s weakened position.

“Maybe in the past, Iraq saw Iran as a friend, but I see it as a rival,” Trump said.

He went on to describe Iran as the former “bully of the Middle East,” claiming its military capabilities have been dramatically reduced in recent months.

“Iran was a heavy burden on Iraq because it was the bully of the Middle East. But they won’t have that problem anymore, because Iran has been greatly weakened, and its military power is actually just a small fraction of what it was four months ago,” Trump said.

Trump also emphasized growing economic cooperation between the United States and Iraq, particularly in the energy sector.

According to the president, American oil companies are expanding their presence in Iraq through new partnerships that could strengthen ties between the two countries.

“The oil companies are all going in now and they’re doing partnerships with Iraq, and they’re getting along very well,” Trump said.

He suggested that deeper commercial ties could eventually reduce the need for a significant American military presence, while stressing that the United States would still stand ready to support Iraq if necessary.