Iraq’s powerful Shiite bloc, the Coordination Framework, has postponed a crucial meeting to select a nominee for prime minister indefinitely, highlighting deep internal divisions as a constitutional deadline expired on Sunday.

The bloc had been expected to finalize its candidate within the 15-day window following the election of the president, in line with Iraq’s constitution. However, disagreements between factions prevented a decision, raising concerns about further political deadlock.

At the center of the dispute is whether to back a second term for current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani or to nominate a new figure capable of gaining broader domestic and international support.

Sources indicate that former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki is also among the prominent contenders, alongside a third compromise candidate. So far, no faction has secured enough backing to unify the bloc’s position.

The postponed meeting had been expected to either define clear criteria for selecting a nominee or establish a smaller committee to streamline the process and reach a decision quickly.

The delay comes as the constitutional deadline for nominating a prime minister officially expired at the end of Sunday, increasing pressure on political forces to act swiftly. Failure to meet the timeline could further complicate Iraq’s already fragile political environment.

Some factions are reportedly pushing to delay the decision until consultations are completed with Kurdish and Sunni political groups, aiming to ensure that any nominee can secure parliamentary approval.

The crisis is unfolding against a backdrop of rising regional tensions. Iraq continues to balance relations between Iran and the United States, but escalating friction between the two has intensified pressure on Baghdad.

Washington has urged Iraqi leaders to limit the influence of Iran-backed armed groups. In a recent development, the United States reportedly suspended parts of its cooperation and funding for Iraqi security forces earlier this month, adding another layer of complexity to the political situation.