In a development that raises questions about U.S.–Iraq diplomacy at a critical moment, sources familiar with the matter say that Mark Savaya is no longer serving as the United States Special Envoy to Iraq — a position he was appointed to just a few months ago.
Savaya, an Assyrian-American entrepreneur from Detroit, was named to the role by U.S. President Donald Trump in October 2025. However, according to multiple sources, he “is no longer in that role”, according to a wire by Reuters published today.
The move comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Baghdad over Iranian influence in Iraqi politics, particularly following disputes over the nomination of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Reuters writes.
What the Sources Are Saying
According to Reuters, one source cited Savaya’s “mishandling” of key situations, including his failure to prevent the nomination of Mr. Maliki as prime minister, a choice that the Trump administration had publicly opposed: “One of the sources pointed to Savaya’s ‘mishandling’ of key situations, including his failure to prevent the nomination of former Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki…”
The report notes that Savaya never officially joined the U.S. State Department or assumed diplomatic duties in Iraq, and had not yet traveled to Baghdad in his official capacity.
Savaya denied that he had been removed from the post, telling Reuters he was still completing administrative steps for the position. But a separate source familiar with the issue said that he “never became an employee of the State Department.”
With Savaya’s exit, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, is now believed to be assuming responsibility for U.S. diplomatic engagement on Iraq, highlighting a shift at a sensitive time.
Both the White House and the State Department declined to comment on the personnel change, according to Reuters.
