IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

The “Sadiqun” bloc requests an emergency parliamentary session and the summoning of al-Zaydi, ministers, and security leaders.

The “Sadiqun” bloc requests an emergency parliamentary session and the summoning of al-Zaydi, ministers, and security leaders.

2026-07-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, the “Sadiqun” parliamentary bloc submitted a request to the Speaker of Parliament to hold an emergency session within 48 hours to discuss the targeting of the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces and what it described as a “violation of national sovereignty,” which included a number of demands and governmental and parliamentary measures.

A document signed by the head of the parliamentary bloc, Uday Awad Kazem Mahmoud Al-Hussein, and received by Shafaq News Agency, stated that the request was based on the provisions of the Constitution and the internal Read more…

Three giant oil tankers docked at Basra port for loading with a capacity of 5 million barrels.

Three giant oil tankers docked at Basra port for loading with a capacity of 5 million barrels.

2026-07-30

Shafaq News – Basra
A source at the Iraqi Ports Company reported on Thursday that three crude oil tankers with a capacity of 5 million barrels have docked at the port of Basra in preparation for loading and sailing to global oil markets.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the three tankers (which are chartered by Indian and Chinese nationals) docked at the single-point mooring berths in the Basra oil port, including two tankers with a capacity of two million barrels each, and a third tanker with a capacity of one million barrels. Read more…

“There’s no money”… Iraqi minister: The government is only thinking about securing salaries

“There’s no money”… Iraqi minister: The government is only thinking about securing salaries

2026-07-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Health Minister Abdul Hussein Al-Moussawi acknowledged on Thursday that the government is facing a liquidity crisis that has made securing salaries its priority, while confirming that the General Company for Marketing Drugs and Medical Supplies (Kimadia) has received only 15% of its budget, which has led to its bankruptcy, the disruption of new contracts, and a threat to drug supplies.

During his speech in a video recording, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, Al-Moussawi stood up from his seat and addressed the audience, saying: “There is no money… the government’s only concern is to provide salaries Read more…

Masrour Barzani and Halbousi affirm from Erbil their support for Zaidi in facing challenges and overcoming the current phase.

Masrour Barzani and Halbousi affirm from Erbil their support for Zaidi in facing challenges and overcoming the current phase.

2026-07-30

Shafaq News – Erbil
On Thursday, Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the head of the “Progress” party, Mohammed al-Halbousi, affirmed their support for the federal government headed by Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi to confront current challenges and overcome the region’s crises.

Masrour Barzani said during a joint press conference with Halbousi, “We discussed with Halbousi the bilateral relations that unite us with the ‘Progress’ party, and how to develop joint cooperation in light of the sensitive conditions Read more…

The Minister of Transport clarifies the “circumstances surrounding the signing of the Development Road Memorandum” and vows to prosecute those spreading “falsehoods”.

The Minister of Transport clarifies the “circumstances surrounding the signing of the Development Road Memorandum” and vows to prosecute those spreading “falsehoods”.

7-30-2026

Minister of Transport, Wahab Al-Hassani, confirmed on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) that the framework memorandum of understanding for the strategic development road project was signed after addressing technical and protocol issues that accompanied the signing procedures with the Turkish side, denying what was raised regarding the agreement being stalled.

Al-Hassani said in a statement that what happened was related to finding the “best formula” for signing the memorandum of understanding, which sparked “a surprising wave of interpretations and fabrications,” Read more…

After the bombing, Al-Zaydi arrives at the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

After the bombing, Al-Zaydi arrives at the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, arrived this evening, Wednesday, at the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces, and met with the head of the organization and a number of its leaders and security officials.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Zaydi listened to a detailed explanation regarding the attacks that Iraq was subjected to at dawn Read more…

Following the Iranian attacks, the US military is considering confiscating the phones of its soldiers in the Middle East.

Following the Iranian attacks, the US military is considering confiscating the phones of its soldiers in the Middle East.

7-29-2026

The US military is considering confiscating cell phones from some of its soldiers deployed in the Middle East, amid concerns that Iran could exploit videos and photos posted on social media to pinpoint the locations of military bases and assess the results of attacks.

US media quoted the commander of the US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, as warning troops that online content provides free intelligence that could help Iran carry out more precise attacks, calling for stricter operational security measures. Read more…

Al-Shammari explains three obstacles that prevented the completion of Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

Al-Shammari explains three obstacles that prevented the completion of Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

7-29-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Mohammed Hassan al-Shammari revealed three obstacles that prevented the completion of Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet by the scheduled date during the parliamentary session to grant confidence to the new government.
Al-Shammari told Al-Maalouma, “Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi raised several points regarding the formation of the cabinet before the confidence vote session, as he sought to finalize the Interior and Defense portfolios himself.”
He added, “The political agreement and prevailing custom in Iraq tend towards distributing positions based on Read more…

Kurdish warnings of an American plan to create a new political landscape in Iraq

Kurdish warnings of an American plan to create a new political landscape in Iraq

7-29-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Luqman Hassan, a member of the Kurdish Azadi Movement, warned of an American plan to create a new political landscape in Iraq that could lead to unforeseen events.
Hassan told Al-Maalouma, “Iraq and its internal political scene will witness a turning point in the coming period after the end of the ongoing war in the region between America and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.”
He added, “The post-war period may witness unexpected events, especially given the continued foreign interference and the statements made by the US envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barrack, that federalism is unsuitable for both Read more…

Al-Moussawi: Parliament has the authority to review and cancel Al-Zaidi’s agreements with Washington

Al-Moussawi: Parliament has the authority to review and cancel Al-Zaidi’s agreements with Washington

7-29-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Political analyst Haider al-Moussawi believes there is a possibility of reviewing the agreements signed by al-Zidi with the American side, stressing that Parliament has the authority to review these agreements and reject any that do not serve Iraq’s interests.
Al-Moussawi told Al-Maalouma, “There is an urgent need for the House of Representatives to move towards reviewing the agreements signed by al-Zidi during his visit to the United States, including the agreement with Syria on exporting oil via the Banias pipeline.” Read more…

Trump: The attack on the militias in Iraq was coordinated with Baghdad.

Trump: The attack on the militias in Iraq was coordinated with Baghdad.

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the attack on the “militias” in Iraq was carried out in coordination with the Iraqi government, hours after the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces were targeted by “US-Saudi” aircraft, resulting in deaths and injuries.

Trump asserted in remarks reported by a Fox News correspondent and followed by Shafaq News Agency that “the militias supported by Iran are the cancer of the world.” Read more…

Iraq announces the launch of the “Starlink” service.

Iraq announces the launch of the “Starlink” service.

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The head of the executive body of the Media and Communications Commission, Baligh Abu Kalal, announced on Wednesday the actual launch of the “Starlink” satellite internet service in Iraq.

Abu Kalal said in a post published on the “X” platform: “With God’s blessing, the Starlink service has now been officially launched in Iraq.” Read more…

The US Embassy warns its citizens: Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism and kidnapping.

The US Embassy warns its citizens: Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism and kidnapping.

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The US mission in Baghdad renewed its warning to American citizens on Wednesday against traveling to Iraq due to what it described as “terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict,” noting the “limited” ability of the United States to provide them with assistance.

In a security alert issued today, the mission said that “Iranian-backed militia groups have launched attacks from Iraqi territory targeting locations inside Iraq and in the region,” stressing that these attacks pose serious risks to public safety. Read more…

Al-Sadr calls on the Revolutionary Guard and militias to stop dragging Iraq into the regional conflict.

Al-Sadr calls on the Revolutionary Guard and militias to stop dragging Iraq into the regional conflict.

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Najaf
On Wednesday, Shiite nationalist leader Muqtada al-Sadr called on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and “militias” not to drag Iraq into the regional conflict, demanding that the government impose state sovereignty and control security.

In a statement seen by Shafaq News Agency, Sadr said that Iraq is “the land of holy sites,” calling on the Revolutionary Guard not to bomb Iraqi territory as long as it is “not a launching point for bombing the Islamic Republic.” He also called on “unruly militias” not to give Read more…

Al-Zaydi suspends his visit to Riyadh after the US-Saudi bombing of Popular Mobilization Forces positions.

Al-Zaydi suspends his visit to Riyadh after the US-Saudi bombing of Popular Mobilization Forces positions.

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi decided on Wednesday to suspend his planned official visit to Riyadh, following joint airstrikes by US and Saudi forces targeting Popular Mobilization Forces positions inside Iraqi territory.

An informed government source told Shafaq News Agency that the decision came as a direct response to the recent security developments that the country witnessed at dawn today, including halting all arrangements related to the government delegation and the talks Read more…

Strong stances from faction leaders against the American-Saudi strikes on Iraq

Strong stances from faction leaders against the American-Saudi strikes on Iraq

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Reactions continued on Wednesday from political forces and armed factions in Iraq, condemning the joint bombing by Saudi and American forces that targeted headquarters belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, which resulted in dozens of casualties among its members, both dead and wounded.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri, condemned the attack in an official statement, saying that it was “a sinful and unjustified attack that targeted the sovereignty of Iraq and its armed forces with the support of American aircraft,” urging the government to “take a firm and decisive stance towards this aggression.” Read more…

From Shalamcheh to Khosravi: How did Iraqi prime ministers kill the “Al-Faw Port”?

From Shalamcheh to Khosravi: How did Iraqi prime ministers kill the “Al-Faw Port”?

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On official maps, the Grand Faw Port appears to be Iraq’s gateway to the world, a starting point for a trade route intended to transport goods from the Gulf to Europe in about 20 days less than traditional routes. But on the ground, successive Iraqi governments have been drawing different lines.

While Baghdad is spending billions of dollars on building the port and the development road extending towards Turkey, it has simultaneously moved towards establishing railway lines linking Read more…

Popular Mobilization Forces: 20 members martyred and 32 others wounded in US-Saudi attacks

Popular Mobilization Forces: 20 members martyred and 32 others wounded in US-Saudi attacks

7-29-2026

The Popular Mobilization Forces announced on Wednesday the martyrdom of 20 of its members and the injury of 32 others in the American-Saudi attacks. The organization stated in a statement that “the preliminary toll of the terrorist attacks launched by the joint American-Saudi aggression, which targeted a number of official Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters in a number of Iraqi governorates, resulted in the martyrdom of at least (20) fighters, and the injury of (32) others.”

She added, “According to the information that was collected, the attacks targeted the headquarters of the commission in the governorates of Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala, and Diyala, which also resulted in Read more…

Al-Zaydi and Erdogan agree to begin implementing the “Development Road” and to organize meetings of the “Water Committee”.

Al-Zaydi and Erdogan agree to begin implementing the “Development Road” and to organize meetings of the “Water Committee”.

2026-07-28

Shafaq News – Ankara
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on Tuesday evening to begin implementing the “Strategic Development Road” project and to continue regular meetings of the joint standing committee between the two countries concerned with the water issue.

Al-Zaydi’s media office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that extensive joint talks took place between the two sides at the Presidential Complex in the Turkish capital, Ankara, which included initiating the implementation of the “Strategic Development Road” project, as well as files related to Read more…

Exclusive: Türkiye awaits tangible results from al-Zaidi’s visit, not limited to protocols like previous ones.

Exclusive: Türkiye awaits tangible results from al-Zaidi’s visit, not limited to protocols like previous ones.

2026-07-28

Shafaq News – Ankara
Turkish political analyst Cukukoglu revealed on Tuesday that the development road project topped the agenda of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s visit to Ankara, stressing that the latter expressed its desire for the visit to lead to practical results in the water, security and energy files.

Oglu told Shafaq News Agency that “the visit is very important, and witnessed an official reception from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace. The reception was warm and at a high level, reflecting Ankara’s interest in strengthening cooperation with Baghdad.” Read more…