IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Details of the Trump-Pavel call were on the table at a high-level meeting in Sulaymaniyah.

Details of the Trump-Pavel call were on the table at a high-level meeting in Sulaymaniyah.

2026-03-03 08:35

Shafaq News – Sulaymaniyah
The Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan announced on Tuesday details of a meeting it held, chaired by Bafel Talabani, which addressed a number of political and security issues, including the content of a telephone call that took place between Talabani and US President Donald Trump.

A statement issued by the political office, Read more…

An economist proposes urgent solutions to overcome the oil field shutdown crisis.

An economist proposes urgent solutions to overcome the oil field shutdown crisis.

2026-03-03 06:29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Economic expert Mohammed Al-Hassani confirmed on Tuesday that the closure of some oil fields in Iraq due to full storage tanks and the deteriorating security situation in the Kurdistan Region, coinciding with the disruption of exports through the Strait of Hormuz, represents a complex financial challenge Read more…

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan: There is no justification for delaying the selection of the President of the Republic.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan: There is no justification for delaying the selection of the President of the Republic.

3-3-2026

The Information Agency / Baghdad –
Ahmed al-Harki, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), confirmed on Tuesday the existence of escalating political activity aimed at resolving the issue of the presidency. He expressed his hope that this activity would translate into practical steps in the coming days leading to the selection of a president. Read more…

Is the coordination framework heading towards extending the Sudanese government?

Is the coordination framework heading towards extending the Sudanese government?

3-3-2026

The spokesman for the Victory Coalition, Salam al-Zubaidi, revealed on Tuesday that proposals and discussions are underway within the Coordination Framework and bilaterally regarding the possibility of extending the term of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s government for a specific period and granting it full powers to Read more…

Axios: Trump spoke with Barzani and Talabani about a war with Iran

Axios: Trump spoke with Barzani and Talabani about a war with Iran

2026-03-03

Shafaq News – Washington
According to three informed sources cited by Axios, US President Donald Trump made two phone calls on Sunday, March 1, to Kurdish leaders in Iraq to discuss the US-Israeli war with Iran and what might follow.

According to Axios, the contacts included Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Bafel Talabani, one day Read more…

Oil production suspended at Iraq’s largest oil field

Oil production suspended at Iraq’s largest oil field

2026-03-03 04:26

Shafaq News – Basra
Well-informed local sources reported on Tuesday that oil production has stopped in Iraq’s largest oil field, and the second largest oil field in the world, due to the military escalation in the Middle East.

A source told Shafaq News Agency that “oil production operations in all wells of the Rumaila oil field have completely stopped.” Read more…

After Basra, Kurdistan Region oil exports via Ceyhan have stopped.

After Basra, Kurdistan Region oil exports via Ceyhan have stopped.

2026-03-03 05:31

Shafaq News – Erbil/Kirkuk
A source in the state-owned North Oil Company, based in Kirkuk province, revealed on Tuesday that the export of Kurdistan Region oil via the Turkish port of Ceyhan has stopped, following the suspension of work in some oil companies in the region.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the decision to halt exports came after Read more…

The US State Department has ordered its employees to “mandatorily leave” Iraq.

The US State Department has ordered its employees to “mandatorily leave” Iraq.

2026-03-03

The U.S. State Department updated its travel warning for Iraq again on Tuesday, emphasizing the “mandatory departure” of non-essential U.S. personnel from the U.S. mission in Iraq, and noting the possibility of closing land border crossings in Iraq at any moment. The State Department said in a statement Read more…

MP: No “breakthrough” imminent between the two Kurdish poles regarding the presidency

MP: No “breakthrough” imminent between the two Kurdish poles regarding the presidency

3-2-2026

Information / Baghdad…
MP Harim Kamal confirmed on Monday that there has been no real breakthrough so far regarding the resolution of the presidential election issue between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), indicating the continued divergence in positions.
Kamal told the Information Agency that “negotiations between the two Kurdish Read more…

Expert: Closing the Strait of Hormuz costs Iraq $280 million per day

Expert: Closing the Strait of Hormuz costs Iraq $280 million per day

2026-03-02 02:57

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi economist Mohammed al-Hassani confirmed on Monday that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens Iraq’s oil exports, noting that the southern storage tanks are not sufficient to accommodate production for a long period, and that the continued halt in exports may necessitate a gradual Read more…

New US security alert in Iraq: Citizens must remain and the consulate is closed.

New US security alert in Iraq: Citizens must remain and the consulate is closed.

2026-03-02 03:48

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The United States announced on Monday the suspension of consular services in Iraq and urged its citizens to stay put, citing what it called “Iranian-backed militias” as a major threat to public safety.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert on Monday urging American Read more…

The Sudanese man appoints himself to lead the Ministry of Defense

The Sudanese man appoints himself to lead the Ministry of Defense

2026-03-02 03:58

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The outgoing Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, issued a decree appointing him to the duties of the Ministry of Defense on an acting basis.

A document issued by the Prime Minister’s office, which was received by Shafaq News Agency, stated the cancellation of the previous Read more…

Baghdad: Concrete barriers and reinforcements in anticipation of a possible storming of the Green Zone.

Baghdad: Concrete barriers and reinforcements in anticipation of a possible storming of the Green Zone.

2026-03-02 04:35

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A security source reported on Monday that security reinforcements had arrived at the suspension bridge near the Green Zone in central Baghdad, with concrete barriers being erected on the bridge and its sides in anticipation of any emergency in the coming hours, amid Read more…

Khamenei’s assassination shakes Baghdad… What does the absence of the Supreme Leader mean for the factions and politicians in Iraq?

Khamenei’s assassination shakes Baghdad… What does the absence of the Supreme Leader mean for the factions and politicians in Iraq?

2026-03-01 08:06

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi arena has witnessed rapid political and security movements since the announcement of the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The political scene remains somewhat murky, while armed factions have issued statements vowing Read more…

Following the Iranian attack, official US confirmation of the safety of the “Abraham Lincoln”

Following the Iranian attack, official US confirmation of the safety of the “Abraham Lincoln”

2026-03-01 07:21

Shafaq News – Washington
The US Central Command announced on Sunday that the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was not hit by Iranian missiles.

The command said in a statement received Read more…

The first phase of the Grand Faw Port will be inaugurated this year.

The first phase of the Grand Faw Port will be inaugurated this year.

2026/03/01

The Ministry of Transport confirmed that this year will witness the completion of all works on the submerged tunnel and container yard projects, in addition to three similar infrastructure projects, signaling the completion of the first phase Read more…

Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Iraq is attending an emergency OPEC+ meeting to triple oil production.

Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Iraq is attending an emergency OPEC+ meeting to triple oil production.

2026-03-01 03:59

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Iraq is participating in the emergency meeting of the OPEC+ alliance on Sunday to discuss increasing oil production, in light of the disruption of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran, and the suspension of operations by a number of shipping companies Read more…

The Strait of Hormuz has been closed, halting more than 150 tankers and increasing shipping insurance by 50%.

The Strait of Hormuz has been closed, halting more than 150 tankers and increasing shipping insurance by 50%.

2026-03-01 04:07

Shafaq News – Washington
Reuters reported on Sunday, citing shipping data, that more than 150 oil and gas tankers were stopped in the Gulf waters outside the Strait of Hormuz, amid escalating tensions following the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

Ship tracking data showed that most commercial vessels had halted their movement Read more…

Urgent US warning in Iraq: Avoid these places

Urgent US warning in Iraq: Avoid these places

2026-03-01 04:02

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert covering all of Iraq, urging American citizens to exercise extreme caution, remain calm, limit their movements, and stay in their residences when necessary.

The embassy said in a statement received Read more…

Iraqi Airways suspends flights until next April

Iraqi Airways suspends flights until next April

2026-03-01 04:43

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Airways decided on Sunday to suspend all its flights until the beginning of April, due to the exchange of fire between America and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.

According to an official letter Read more…