The United States and Iraq have reached a tentative agreement for the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq by the end of 2026, according to a Reuters report.

The agreement outlines that hundreds of US troops will leave by September 2025, with the full withdrawal of remaining forces expected by the close of the following year. The announcement has been delayed due to regional tensions linked to Israel's war in Gaza.

This deal follows months of negotiations led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, aimed at reshaping the US-Iraq relationship in the post-withdrawal era. While an official announcement may come later this month, final approval is still required from both governments.

There is also potential for a new advisory relationship between the two nations, which may allow a limited number of US troops to remain in Iraq in a non-combat role. This would mark a shift towards enhanced cooperation in military, security, economic, and cultural areas.

Farhad Alaaldin, an adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister, confirmed that technical discussions on the drawdown have been concluded, with both nations now focusing on broader bilateral relations.

The talks were initiated after a series of attacks by Iran-backed Iraqi militias on US forces earlier this year, prompting the push for a withdrawal. Further details of the agreement have yet to be released, and the US-led coalition has not issued an official comment.