The dollar surges in Iran, nearing 180,000 tomans.

The dollar surges in Iran, nearing 180,000 tomans.

2026-04-29

Shafaq News – Tehran
Foreign currency prices in Iran’s free market saw a sharp rise on Wednesday, amid a worsening economic crisis and the continued crippling naval blockade of its ports, with the US dollar exceeding 180,000 tomans, marking an increase of nearly Read more…

First US comment on al-Zaidi’s appointment as Prime Minister of Iraq

First US comment on al-Zaidi’s appointment as Prime Minister of Iraq

2026-04-29

Shafaq News – Washington / Baghdad
The United States mission in Iraq expressed its support on Wednesday for Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zubaidi in his efforts to form a government capable of fulfilling the aspirations of all Iraqis for a brighter and more peaceful future.

In a statement, the mission reiterated its solidarity Read more…

Washington: Democrats are considering suing Trump if he continues the war on Iran.

Washington: Democrats are considering suing Trump if he continues the war on Iran.

2026-04-29

Shafaq News – Washington
Sources in the US Congress reported on Wednesday that a number of Democrats are considering filing a lawsuit against President Donald Trump if he decides to continue the war after May 1 without obtaining formal Read more…

Iraqi Oil Ministry launches first phase of Bin Omar gas investment with a capacity of 80 million cubic feet per day

Iraqi Oil Ministry launches first phase of Bin Omar gas investment with a capacity of 80 million cubic feet per day

2026-04-29

Shafaq News – Basra
The Ministry of Oil inaugurated on Wednesday the first phase of the accelerated Bin Omar gas investment project in the Nahr Bin Omar field, in a move aimed at enhancing associated gas investment and supporting the energy system in Iraq.

In this regard, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Gas Affairs, Read more…

Al-Zaydi receives support from Al-Maliki and assurances from Al-Amiri, Al-Hakim, and Al-Khazali

Al-Zaydi receives support from Al-Maliki and assurances from Al-Amiri, Al-Hakim, and Al-Khazali

2026-04-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zidi intensified his meetings with leaders of the Coordination Framework on Wednesday, as part of consultations to form the new government, amid calls to expedite the formation of a national Read more…

The coordinating framework is meeting tonight with Al-Zaydi to outline the roadmap for the new government.

The coordinating framework is meeting tonight with Al-Zaydi to outline the roadmap for the new government.

2026-04-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A source within the coordination framework revealed that political and party leaders will hold their first meeting this Wednesday evening with Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zidi to discuss the formation of the new cabinet.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the attendees will Read more…

Two experts disagree on the UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC, ranging from a price collapse to a limited impact.

Two experts disagree on the UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC, ranging from a price collapse to a limited impact.

2026-04-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi oil and economic experts have differing opinions on the repercussions of the United Arab Emirates’ withdrawal from OPEC, ranging from warnings of a sharp drop in oil prices to estimates that rule out a major Read more…

Al-Zaydi forms two teams to write the government program and select the cabinet.

Al-Zaydi forms two teams to write the government program and select the cabinet.

2026-04-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Wednesday, Abu Mithaq al-Masari, a member of the Coordination Framework, announced that the Prime Minister-designate had formed two teams to write the government program and select the cabinet, confirming that al-Zaydi had announced the procedure during Read more…

Despite Tehran’s announcement, shipping data refutes claims that Iranian oil violated the embargo.

Despite Tehran’s announcement, shipping data refutes claims that Iranian oil violated the embargo.

2026-04-29

Shafaq News – Washington
Shipping data reported by the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday revealed no indications that any Iranian oil shipment had reached foreign markets.

The newspaper quoted Kpler, a company specializing in energy and shipping data, as saying that “Iran is facing Read more…

Armed with a rifle, Trump threatens Iran via “Truth Social”.

Armed with a rifle, Trump threatens Iran via “Truth Social”.

2026-04-29

Shafaq News – Washington
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump issued a threat to Iran in a post on the Truth Social platform.

Trump appeared in an AI-generated image holding a rifle, with the caption: Read more…

“Suspending the dollar”: An American institute proposes security and financial pressures on Iraq

“Suspending the dollar”: An American institute proposes security and financial pressures on Iraq

2026-04-29

Shafaq News – Special Translation
The US-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies blamed “Iraqi militias linked to Iran” for Washington’s suspension of dollar shipments to Baghdad, describing the move as “correct” and potentially useful for security and Read more…

Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 4-28-2026

Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 4-28-2026

4-28-2026 Intel Guru Frank26 [Iraq boots-on-the-ground report] OMAR: Zaidi is the candidate for the prime minister picked by the Coordinated Framework. Turns out he is a compromise…USA seem to be ok because he doesn’t have any direct ties to Iran… Everybody can tolerate didn’t actually everybody love. He has 30 days to pick his cabinet…and only then the parliament vote on the whole team as a package… FRANK: Next thing is your government will be formed. Everything else should follow in place after those 30 days which leads to a new exchange rate… Read more…

“Youngest” and “unknown”: Western interpretations of al-Zaydi’s appointment to the Iraqi government

“Youngest” and “unknown”: Western interpretations of al-Zaydi’s appointment to the Iraqi government

2026-04-28

Shafaq News – Special Translation
Western newspapers and media outlets have varying interpretations of the “surprising” decision, as they describe it, to task Ali al-Zaidi with forming the new Iraqi government. Some consider it a result of an attempt to break the political deadlock, while others link it to Read more…

Parliamentary Finance Committee: Preparing the budget requires a fully empowered government and real resources, not “fantasy” figures.

Parliamentary Finance Committee: Preparing the budget requires a fully empowered government and real resources, not “fantasy” figures.

2026-04-28

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Jamal Kojar, a member of the Finance Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, confirmed on Tuesday that the deficit is hindering the resolution of the budget, while pointing out that budgets are based on resources and not on “fanciful figures”.

Kojer told Shafaq News Agency that preparing the budget law and sending it to Read more…

From administration to presidency: Ali al-Zaidi, the compromise candidate who is testing the limits of the Iraqi system.

From administration to presidency: Ali al-Zaidi, the compromise candidate who is testing the limits of the Iraqi system.

2026-04-28

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Special analysis
Ali al-Zaidi was not the most prominent name in the prime ministerial struggle. He did not lead a broad election campaign, he did not appear as a party leader, and he was not part of the political generation that Iraqis were used to seeing moving between parliament, the government, and Read more…

A legal expert explains the mechanism for passing al-Zaydi’s government in parliament and the voting conditions.

A legal expert explains the mechanism for passing al-Zaydi’s government in parliament and the voting conditions.

4-28-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Legal expert Musaddaq Adel confirmed on Tuesday that Article 76 of the Constitution, which pertains to the mechanism for submitting the cabinet, does not specify a fixed number of ministers that the prime minister-designate must present. He explained that political custom and Federal Court rulings permit Read more…

Security files await the new government… Will the government succeed in resolving the sovereignty issue?

Security files await the new government… Will the government succeed in resolving the sovereignty issue?

4-28-2026

Information/Baghdad…
All eyes, both locally and internationally, are on the Government Palace in Baghdad, where Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zubaidi is preparing to embark on one of the most challenging political and security periods in Iraq’s modern history. Forming a cabinet is no longer the sole obstacle Read more…

From political conflict to reconstruction: the next government’s focus is on the economy.

From political conflict to reconstruction: the next government’s focus is on the economy.

4-28-2026

Information/Report…
While political analysts held their breath awaiting a “break” in the unified stance of the Coordination Framework forces regarding the parliamentary speakership, the “largest bloc” demonstrated a remarkable ability to maneuver and overcome constitutional obstacles with great flexibility, thus Read more…

A leader in the Sudanese coalition: Ali al-Zaidi’s appointment depends on overcoming the American veto.

A leader in the Sudanese coalition: Ali al-Zaidi’s appointment depends on overcoming the American veto.

2026-04-28

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A leader in the “Reconstruction and Development” coalition, headed by outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, said on Tuesday that assigning Ali al-Zidi to form the new government could represent a “rising political phenomenon” or a “major setback,” considering that the matter depends on his ability to overcome the American “veto” peacefully. Read more…

Al-Sudani issues directives to his ministers regarding facilitating the work of Al-Zidi’s government.

Al-Sudani issues directives to his ministers regarding facilitating the work of Al-Zidi’s government.

2026-04-28

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani issued a set of directives to ministers regarding facilitating the work of the new government and providing support to Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zidi during his term.

A statement from the office of the Sudanese Prime Minister, received by Shafaq Read more…