The prime minister described the information as intimidation and blackmail. According to al-Kadhimi, he intends to "work for Iraq until the last breath".

On 9 April, President Barham Salih appointed chief of the Intelligence Service Mustafa al-Kadhimi as prime minister and mandated him to form a government. On 7 May, the Iraqi parliament approved the cabinet proposed by al-Kadhimi, although several proposed ministerial candidates were rejected.

Al-Kadhimi replaced former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who resigned late last year amid nationwide anti-government protests that saw scores of protesters killed. Nonetheless, al-Kadhimi's choices for trade, agriculture, and justice ministers were rejected in May by the legislative body, while voting on oil and foreign ministers were delayed.

Reporter’s code: 50101