Mark Savaya, U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, affirmed that the country “stands at a critical crossroads.” In a post on his X account, Savaya—who is of Iraqi descent—stated that the world now views Iraq as a nation capable of playing a greater and more influential role in the region, provided that the issue of weapons outside state control is fully resolved and the authority of official institutions is upheld.

“Separating Weapons from Politics”

He emphasized that “no economy can grow, and no international partnership can succeed, in an environment where politics is entangled with unofficial armed power.” He added that Iraq now has a historic opportunity to turn the page and enhance its image as a state governed by the rule of law, not by the power of arms.

Savaya stated, “Iraq stands at a decisive juncture—it can either move toward independent institutions capable of enforcing the law and attracting investment or fall back into the cycle of complexity that has burdened everyone.”

He stressed the need to support the path of the state, respect the constitution, strengthen the separation of powers, and take serious, practical steps to remove weapons from politics.

Additionally, the U.S. envoy revealed that he carries a special message from President Trump to the Iraqi leadership and the Kurdistan Region. In an interview with Rudaw, he noted that major changes are coming to Iraq, saying, “From now on, everyone will see actions instead of words.”