Petraeus in Baghdad: American messages and political moves with the new government
5-16-2026
Information / Special..
Political analyst Mohammed Talib Karim linked the visit of retired US General David Petraeus to Baghdad and his meeting with high-level officials and political figures to the continuation of US pressure on Iraq.
Karim told Al-Maalomah that Petraeus’s visit was “unusual and carries a hidden agenda that the United States seeks to implement in Iraq in conjunction with Read more…
Karkoush: Dollar prices and food commodities are the two most urgent issues facing the government.
5-16-2026
Information / Special..
Imran Karkoush, a member of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed on Saturday that the next government is required to put in place real and quick economic solutions to address the crisis of the rising dollar exchange rate and its direct impact on the prices of food and basic commodities Read more…
Following its establishment, Al-Zaidi chairs the first meeting of the Financial Stability Board.
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday evening, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi chaired the first meeting of the Financial Stability Council, hours after directing its establishment during the first cabinet session.
The council includes the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq. Read more…
Reconstruction and Development: We will prove after Eid that we are a force to be reckoned with.
5-16-2026
Information/Special…
Mohammed al-Khalidi, a leader in the Development and Reconstruction Coalition, confirmed on Saturday that the withdrawals from the coalition over the past two days were not unexpected. He also highlighted three points he described as important for the coalition’s future.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Khalidi said, “The Development and Reconstruction Coalition is a crucial part of the political process Read more…
Al-Zaydi assigns Hussein Al-Awadi to manage the Ministry of Interior.
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaidi assigned the senior undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Hussein al-Awadi, to temporarily manage the ministry until a new minister is named to succeed Read more…
15 directives from Al-Zaydi in the first cabinet meeting
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, the new Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, launched a package of 15 government directives during the first regular session of the Council of Ministers, which included disclosing the financial assets of ministers, activating the Health Insurance Law, accelerating digital transformation, and addressing Read more…
Al-Muhammadi: The Al-Zidi government must implement urgent solutions to end the debt crisis.
5-16-2026
Information/Special…
MP Karim Aliwi Al-Muhammadawi stressed on Saturday the necessity for the new government, headed by Ali Al-Zidi, to implement urgent economic solutions to end the external debt crisis and mitigate the repercussions of fluctuating oil prices on the Iraqi economy.
Al-Muhammadawi told the Information Agency that “the almost total Read more…
A parliamentary source: New alliances are expected within parliament to put an end to Halbousi’s violations.
5-16-2026
Information/Baghdad…
A parliamentary source revealed on Saturday that new political alliances are being formed within the Council of Representatives in the coming days.
The source told Al-Maalomah that “these new alliances will have a significant impact and clear influence within the Council of Representatives, particularly in the voting process on important and vital laws that directly Read more…
Paralyzing sovereign ministries: Behind-the-scenes deals threaten political stability in Iraq
5-16-2026
Information/Report…
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s cabinet continues to face “deliberate obstacles” preventing the completion of its sovereign ministries, amidst explicit parliamentary and political accusations against the “Progress” coalition, led by Mohammed al-Halbousi, of spearheading obstruction and bargaining over Read more…
Alert inside a US base near Erbil
5-16-2026
Information/Erbil…
An informed source revealed on Saturday that a state of alert was declared at a US base near Erbil, which went into effect suddenly this afternoon.
The source told Al-Maalomah that “the US base located in the vicinity of the Harir area near Erbil entered a state of maximum alert suddenly and without prior warning Read more…
Iraq is nearing completion of the Gulf electrical interconnection project to secure additional power.
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Basra
The Ministry of Electricity announced on Saturday that the completion rate of the Gulf interconnection project with Iraq has reached 94%, stressing that it is hoped that the first phase of this project will provide 500 megawatts of additional energy, which can be increased in the future according to Read more…
New York Times: Trump received plans to strike Iran
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Washington
The New York Times reported on Friday that US President Donald Trump received plans from his aides to strike Iran, including sending special forces into Iran.
The New York Times quoted US officials as saying that “Trump’s aides have prepared plans to return to military strikes on Iran, if he decides to Read more…
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Iraq warns of regional instability and unveils a plan to increase its exports via Türkiye to 500,000 barrels.
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq’s new oil minister, Bassem Khudeir, warned on Saturday of continued unrest in the region and its impact on the smooth flow of energy supply chains through the Strait of Hormuz, noting Baghdad’s efforts to increase crude exports through the Turkish port of Ceyhan to 500,000 barrels per day.
The minister said in a press conference held at the ministry building Read more…
Insurance services in lieu of fees: Tehran lays out a new plan to manage the Strait of Hormuz
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Tehran
Iran’s Ministry of Economy has begun work on a project aimed at managing shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz through a special maritime insurance system, which would give Tehran greater control over the strait and generate significant economic returns after the recent war, according to Iranian media reports.
The Iranian news agency Fars published a report stating that the plan is based on providing insurance services to Read more…
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Russian banks enter into financial cooperation with Iran
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Tehran
The former head of Iran’s Trade Development Organization, Peyman Pak, announced on Saturday that a number of major Russian banks, including Sberbank and VTB Bank, have established active correspondent accounts with the Central Bank of Iran and banks operating in the country.
Fars News Agency quoted Pak as saying that the assets of these banks Read more…
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Maliki rearranges his cards: A new candidate for the Interior Ministry with the birth of the “Alliance of the Strong”
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
A high-ranking political source revealed on Saturday that the State of Law Coalition, led by Nouri al-Maliki, is considering a number of names of security and military leaders to choose one of them as a second candidate to head the Ministry of Interior alongside Qasim Atta, while noting the completion of procedures to announce the new alliance under the name “Alliance of the Strong” led by al-Maliki. Read more…
Al-Zaydi: The government’s priorities are launching a comprehensive economic reform program and securing job opportunities for young people.
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi affirmed on Saturday that one of his government’s top priorities is launching a comprehensive economic and financial reform program aimed at “building a strong, diversified and sustainable national economy that does not depend on a single resource.”
In a televised address to the Iraqi people on the occasion of his official Read more…
Tehran announces its full readiness to ensure “safe passage” through the Strait of Hormuz
2026-05-16
Shafaq News – Tehran
The Revolutionary Guard’s naval force confirmed on Saturday its ability to meet the requests of all ships wishing to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian television quoted the Revolutionary Guard’s naval force as saying that all sailors are now communicating with the Revolutionary Guard’s naval force Read more…
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Oil Minister: Iraq exported 10 million barrels in April through the Strait of Hormuz
2026-05-16
Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair affirmed on Saturday that the ministry’s priorities for the coming period include increasing production capacities, ending the issue of flared gas, and developing the infrastructure of the oil sector. He pointed out that the current circumstances are difficult as a result of the war in the region and the resulting closure of the southern export outlet. He noted that Iraq exported only 10 million barrels through the Strait Read more…
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi officially assumes his duties as head of government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
2026-05-16
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi officially assumed his duties as head of government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces on Saturday, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Office. The statement said that “Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi officially assumed Read more…
