The Integrity Commission announces new instructions for handling reports of corruption and illicit enrichment.
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, the Federal Integrity Commission noted the publication in the Iraqi Gazette of “Instructions for the Mechanism of Receiving Information and Reports on Corruption and Illicit Gains Cases and How to Deal with Them,” stressing that the instructions aim to regulate the procedures for receiving information and reports related to suspicions of corruption and to strengthen Read more…
Central Bank of Iraq: Trade surplus in 2025 reached $24 billion
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Data released by the Central Bank of Iraq on Monday showed that Iraq achieved a trade surplus of approximately $24.686 billion during 2025, driven by a higher value of exports compared to imports.
According to foreign trade data calculated on an FOB basis, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, total Iraqi exports during Read more…
“Observations that were not raised”: The State of Law coalition criticizes the al-Zaydi government’s program and demands the cancellation of al-Sudani’s decisions.
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, a member of the State of Law bloc expressed reservations about the ministerial program of Ali al-Zidi’s government, noting that these reservations were not presented during the confidence vote session held last Thursday.
MP Ibtisam Al-Hilali told Shafaq News Agency that the bloc has some reservations about the ministerial program of Ali Al-Zidi’s government, noting that these reservations Read more…
Iranian media: Tehran’s new proposal to end the war consists of 14 points.
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Tehran
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Monday that Tehran had submitted, through Pakistani mediation, a new negotiating text containing 14 points, as part of ongoing talks with the United States.
The agency quoted a source close to the negotiating team as saying that the new Iranian text focuses on negotiations to Read more…
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Exclusive: Washington ends controversy over reasons for Petraeus’s visit to Iraq
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
The US State Department clarified on Monday that David Petraeus does not hold any official position within the US mission in Iraq, commenting on the controversy surrounding his visit to Baghdad after talk of him being assigned special tasks or as an envoy of US President Donald Trump.
A ministry spokesman told Shafaq News Agency that “David Petraeus is Read more…
Another withdrawal from the Sudanese coalition
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, MP Ali Anhir Al-Sarai announced his withdrawal from the “Reconstruction and Development” bloc led by former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, confirming that he will continue to work as an independent MP within the House of Representatives.
Al-Sarai said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “Based on Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 5-17-2026
5-17-2026 Newshound Guru Clare Article: “Al-Hilali reveals details of the US deadline for Al-Zidi’s government: six months for evaluation and another to decide on support” Quote: “Prime Minister’s advisor Ayed Al-Hilali as saying that Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi is required to make very significant changes in order to implement what he described as the United States’ conditions …Washington gave Al-Zaidi an initial six-month grace period to assess the performance of his government…American support would not be free, but rather linked to the existence of a political and executive quid pro quo for this support.” Read more…
200 billion dinars for the ministry… Al-Halbousi opens the auction for senior positions in Al-Zaidi’s government
5-17-2026
Al-Maalomah/Anbar…
A responsible source in Anbar province revealed on Sunday that Mohammed al-Halbousi, head of the Progress Alliance, has opened an auction for senior positions in the new government following the vote to appoint Ali al-Zaidi as Prime Minister.
The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the Progress Alliance offices in the Sunni-majority provinces have become a marketplace for selling senior Read more…
Al-Dhari reveals that a new batch of US troops is about to arrive in Baghdad by air.
5-17-2026
Al-Maalomah/Sulaimaniyah…
Member of the United Anbar Alliance, Mohammed al-Dhari, revealed today, Sunday, that the first batch of US troops will soon arrive in Baghdad by air as part of a plan to redeploy them in the capital.
Al-Dhari told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “The Green Zone in Baghdad will witness the arrival of the first batch of US forces in the coming days to resume their duties, just days after Ali al-Zaidi assumed the premiership. Further details regarding the redeployment of these forces, Read more…
The party takes note of the confidence vote session and threatens to appeal.
5-17-2026
Information / Exclusive…
Wafa Muhammad Karim, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), confirmed on Thursday that the party will appeal the parliamentary session that granted confidence to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government, emphasizing that several issues were raised regarding the session’s proceedings. Read more…
The government faces a choice between two bitter options: borrowing from friends or turning to the World Bank to cover expenses.
5-17-2026
Information/Baghdad…
It appears that the state treasury is no longer full of money, but rather empty and unable to secure the expenses needed by the country with all its facilities and the requirements of its beneficiaries from various segments. This pushes the government towards solutions that may be bitter, by resorting to the World Bank, at a time when the government has the ability to turn to the international Read more…
Maliki’s coalition sets two conditions for the continuation of al-Zidi’s government for four years
5-17-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Salah Boushi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, affirmed on Sunday that the continuation of Ali al-Zaidi’s government for a full term depends on the extent to which its ministerial program is implemented.
Boushi told the Information Agency, “The survival of al-Zaidi’s government and its continuation for four years depends primarily on two levels: first, Read more…
A member of the Reconstruction and Development bloc: New withdrawals will shake the bloc due to unilateral decision-making.
5-17-2026
Information / Baghdad…
Ali al-Fatlawi, a leader in the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, revealed the depth of the political crisis and the rift plaguing the bloc, emphasizing that the defection of prominent figures like the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Faleh al-Fayyad, and the bloc’s deputy head, Ahmed al-Asadi, will not be the last. He asserted that further withdrawals and defections will follow, shaking the alliance Read more…
MP: Continued manual voting exacerbates accusations between political blocs
5-17-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Hussein Ali Mardan called on the Parliament and the leaders of the political blocs on Sunday to make the voting process in the upcoming session exclusively electronic, stressing that this measure is the only way to end doubts and ensure the transparency of future decisions.
Mardan told the Information Agency, “Adopting an electronic voting mechanism removes doubts and accusations against the Parliament’s Read more…
The State of Law coalition threatens to go into opposition if its candidates continue to be obstructed.
5-17-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Member of the State of Law Coalition, Alaa al-Yasiri, revealed on Sunday that the coalition has two options regarding participation in the new government, due to attempts to obstruct the nomination of its ministers.
Al-Yasiri told the Information Agency, “The State of Law has only two options at this stage. The first is government representation and proceeding with Read more…
State of Law: Qasim Atta is our sole candidate for the Ministry of Interior, and there are no changes so far.
5-17-2026
Information/Special…
A leader in the State of Law Coalition, Arif al-Hamami, settled the controversy on Sunday regarding the coalition’s nominee for the Ministry of Interior.
Al-Hamami told Al-Maalouma, “The State of Law Coalition remains clear in its nominee for the Ministry of Interior, which is Major General Qasim Atta, and there has been no Read more…
Al-Muslawi: The US Federal Reserve is restricting the Iraqi financial system and holding oil revenues hostage.
5-17-2026
The spokesperson for the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Firas al-Muslawi, criticized on Sunday the complete dependence of Iraq’s financial system on the policies of the US Federal Reserve, asserting that Iraqi oil revenues go directly to Washington and are subject to its restrictions, thus depriving Baghdad of its financial independence. Al-Muslawi told the Information Agency that “Iraq’s financial and economic system is entirely Read more…
Washington: Operation “Epic Wrath” against Iran has ended
2026-05-17
Shafaq News – Washington
US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Sunday the end of “Operation Epic Wrath” against Iran.
Fox News quoted Johnson as saying that the United States is working on a project to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump posted a message on Truth Social hinting at an impending Read more…
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The International Monetary Fund comments on reports that Iraq has requested financial assistance due to the energy crisis.
2026-05-17
Shafaq News – Follow-up
The International Monetary Fund said it continues to discuss the possibility of providing financial support to countries affected by rising energy and commodity prices due to the war in the Middle East, without confirming reports that Iraq had requested financial assistance.
Reuters quoted the IMF spokeswoman, Julie Kozak, as saying during a press Read more…
Iraqi oil exports to America rose to 100,000 barrels last week
2026-05-17
Shafaq News – Baghdad / Washington
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced on Sunday that Iraq ranked sixth among the largest suppliers of crude oil to the United States last week.
Data seen by Shafaq News Agency showed that Iraqi oil exports to the United States rose last week Read more…
