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…
Sheikh Humam Hamoudi and Al-Amiri call for preserving the framework’s cohesion and quickly completing the cabinet.
2026-05-16
The head of the Supreme Islamic Council, Sheikh Humam Hamoudi, and the Secretary-General of the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri, called on Saturday for maintaining the cohesion of the framework and for the swift completion of the cabinet.
The Supreme Council said in a statement that “the head of the Supreme Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 5-15-2026
5-15-2026 Newshound Guru Militia Man Parliament has successfully voted confidence in al-Zaidi as the new prime minister…After weeks of negotiation, Iraq finally has a functioning government…A stable government removes a major layer of uncertainty and give the economic ministries and the CBI operating room that they need. This is exciting because…this political piece has held things back…They’re moving forward in a constructive direction. It’s perfect. Read more…
Al-Zaydi’s “incomplete” government clashes with the equation of ruling under the influence of weapons.
2026-05-15
Shafaq News – Washington/Baghdad
The government of the new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi entered the political scene through the gateway of incomplete parliamentary confidence, after the House of Representatives granted confidence to only 14 ministers, while nine sovereign and service portfolios remained pending, most notably Read more…
Al-Fahdawi: US pressure on Al-Zidi to choose ministers loyal to Washington
5-15-2026
Information/Anbar
On Friday, Mohammed al-Fahdawi, a leader in the Azm Alliance, warned of pressures he said the United States was exerting on Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zidi to influence the selection of members of the new cabinet.
Al-Fahdawi told Al-Maalouma that “the most prominent challenges facing Al-Zidi are the American Read more…
The framework is rearranging its cards… A five-party alliance led by Maliki and Amiri includes 75 MPs
5-15-2026
Information/Baghdad…
An informed political source revealed on Friday that a new political alliance, dubbed the “Alliance of the Strong,” is nearing official announcement. The alliance comprises approximately 75 members of parliament from prominent political forces within the Coordination Framework, in a move aimed at containing recent defections and preventing Read more…
MP: Ministers who did not gain the confidence of parliament, their replacement is on the table
5-15-2026
Information / Special..
MP Ali Faisal Al-Fayyad, from the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, confirmed Thursday, that “three names within the government cabinet of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi did not obtain enough votes to cross the required threshold, and therefore did not gain the confidence of the House of Representatives.”
Al-Fayyad told Al-Maalomah that the failure to grant confidence Read more…
An economist confirms the possibility of resorting to the central bank’s reserves to compensate for the deficit.
5-15-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Economic expert Dr. Safwan Qusay confirmed the possibility of resorting to the Central Bank of Iraq’s cash reserves, which exceed $90 billion, while simultaneously warning of the potential for inflation within Iraq.
Qusay told Al-Maalouma, “The Central Bank of Iraq’s reserves amount to $90 billion, in addition to 170 tons of gold. If borrowing from these Read more…
The coordinating framework will hold a meeting next week to discuss the outcomes of the vote on Ali al-Zidi’s government.
5-15-2026
The Information/Baghdad…
A member of the Coordination Framework, Uday Abdul-Hadi, confirmed on Friday that the Framework’s constituent forces will hold a meeting next week to discuss the results of the parliamentary vote on Ali al-Zidi’s government.
Abdul-Hadi told Al-Maalouma that “the Coordination Framework forces will hold an important meeting at the beginning of next week to discuss Read more…
The Al-Azm Alliance hints at political options after the vote on Ali Al-Zidi’s government.
5-15-2026
Information/Baghdad..
Sources close to the Al-Azm Alliance revealed on Friday the possibility of holding an important meeting within the next 24 hours to discuss the results of the vote on Ali Al-Zidi’s government, and the existence of an agenda to directly marginalize the alliance’s entitlement.
The sources told Al-Maalomah that “the Azm Alliance and its leaders are preparing to hold a very important meeting that includes all the leaders Read more…
Japan: We will cooperate with the al-Zaidi government to strengthen relations and stability in Iraq and the region.
2026-05-15
Shafaq News – Tokyo
The Japanese Foreign Ministry welcomed on Friday the formation of the new government in Iraq headed by Ali al-Zaidi, stressing that the Japanese government will cooperate with al-Zaidi’s government for the stability of Iraq and the Middle East.
The ministry spokesman, Kitamura Toshihiro, said in a statement carried by Read more…
Barak congratulated al-Zaidi on gaining the confidence of Parliament: We want bold action that aligns with our interests.
2026-05-15
Shafaq News – Washington
Tom Barrack, the envoy of US President Donald Trump, congratulated Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Thursday evening for securing parliamentary confidence and the approval of his government by the House of Representatives, expressing his hope for bold action in line with the common interests of Washington and Read more…
Following the passage of the al-Zaidi government, the Kurdistan leadership hopes for a new era in Baghdad.
2026-05-15
Shafaq News – Erbil
Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani and Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani congratulated Ali Faleh al-Zaidi on Thursday evening on gaining the confidence of the Iraqi Parliament and assuming the position of Federal Prime Minister, expressing their hope that the new government formation will contribute to the emergence of a new era that will raise the level of relations Read more…
