Iraq’s president designated a former provincial governor with American citizenship as prime minister, drawing criticism from Iran’s allies in the country amid new tensions between Washington and Tehran.

President Barham Salih on Tuesday tasked Adnan al-Zurfi with forming a government in a bid to break a political deadlock undermining the country’s ability to respond to the coronavirus outbreak and recent attacks on U.S. troops.

It is the second attempt to form a government since Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi resigned at the end of last year amid the biggest groundswell of opposition against the political establishment since the 2003 U.S. invasion.

More than 500 protesters have been killed by security forces, including state-affiliated militias, since the demonstrations began last October.

Mr. Salih designated Mr. Zurfi after the Shiite political class failed to reach a consensus on a candidate. The Fateh coalition that represents many pro-Iranian factions, denounced Mr. Salih’s move as “unconstitutional” and “provocative.”