Iraqi political leaders stress that redefining ties with Washington and neighbouring states is vital to tackling economic pressures and countering isolation and external threats. Al-Zurfi, secretary general of Al-Wafa Movement, told Al-Dijla Iraqi television channel on 23 September that these political groups face challenges because the US administration is less responsive. He said that two prominent Iraqi political figures, whose identities he did not disclose, currently reside in the US, attempting to establish lobbying channels for their parties. He identified Muqtada al-Sadr, a prominent Shia cleric and leader of the Shia National Movement, as Iraq's leading opposition figure. Zurfi added that US State Department officials have warned Iraqi political leaders not to allow armed groups to join elections and have instructed American lobbyists not to represent certain individuals tied to these groups.