A high-level American-Iraqi military delegation met at the Pentagon in Virginia, where the Iraqi side proposed that the US begin withdrawing coalition forces from Iraq starting in September of this year.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced, "The threat from ISIS and its ideology has changed over the past decade; however, ISIS continues to plan attacks in the region. Therefore, we must adapt to the changing threats."

The Iraqi delegation proposed that the US begin withdrawing coalition forces from Iraq in the coming September, with a complete withdrawal by September 2025, while maintaining a number of US military advisors.

Lloyd Austin stated, "I am pleased that both governments are working to shift the framework of the coalition forces' mission to a long-term partnership between Iraq, the United States, and other coalition countries."

The United States has been a major supporter of Iraq militarily, providing military assistance valued at $3.5 billion since 2012. Additionally, since 2014, the US has provided $3.6 billion in humanitarian aid to Iraq to assist in the reconstruction of areas affected by the ISIS war.

Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Assi expressed gratitude, saying, "We thank the delegations that have worked diligently over the past 48 hours to achieve the specified goal. The delegations made significant efforts to reach the next phase, which is the transitional phase, and I want to assure you that Iraq highly values the American partnership."

The Iraqi delegation consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Counter-Terrorism Service, and the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.

There are currently 2,500 American soldiers stationed at three bases in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.