The IMF predicts Iraq’s economy will contract by 6.8% due to shipping risks and rising inflation.

The IMF predicts Iraq’s economy will contract by 6.8% due to shipping risks and rising inflation.

2026-04-15

Shafaq News/Baghdad
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted on Wednesday that the Iraqi economy will experience a significant contraction during 2026, amid escalating repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East and continued pressure on Read more…

Despite the Hormuz blockade, giant tankers are heading to Basra ports, and Iraqi crude oil is flowing to markets.

Despite the Hormuz blockade, giant tankers are heading to Basra ports, and Iraqi crude oil is flowing to markets.

2026-04-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Giant oil tankers continue their journeys to Iraqi ports to load crude shipments, despite escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the tightening of the US embargo on ships linked to Iran, in an indication of the continued global demand for Iraqi oil Read more…

CENTCOM announces complete shutdown of Iranian maritime trade

CENTCOM announces complete shutdown of Iranian maritime trade

2026-04-15

Shafaq News – Washington
The US military announced on Wednesday that Iranian ports were completely blockaded and that maritime trade to and from Iran had completely stopped.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Brad Cooper said Read more…

Mahbouba confirms Shafaq News’ report on Al-Badri… and questions the future of Al-Maliki and the framework

Mahbouba confirms Shafaq News’ report on Al-Badri… and questions the future of Al-Maliki and the framework

2026-04-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Qusay Mahbouba, a leader in the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, confirmed what Shafaq News had published regarding the proposal of Basim al-Badri as a compromise candidate within the coordination framework for the position of the next Prime Minister, questioning the implications Read more…

State of Law responds to “Reconstruction”: Maliki has not and will not withdraw his candidacy for Prime Minister

State of Law responds to “Reconstruction”: Maliki has not and will not withdraw his candidacy for Prime Minister

2026-04-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The State of Law Coalition confirmed on Wednesday that its leader, Nouri al-Maliki, is committed to his candidacy for prime minister, in response to proposals that suggested presenting Basim al-Badri as a compromise candidate Read more…

A split within the framework into three factions, and Maliki confronts the objectors with a new condition.

A split within the framework into three factions, and Maliki confronts the objectors with a new condition.

2026-04-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed political source revealed on Wednesday that escalating divisions within the coordination framework are threatening the convening of the anticipated meeting to decide on the name of the prime minister candidate, amid sharp differences among its leaders regarding the figure Read more…

Initial agreement between Washington and Tehran to extend the ceasefire

Initial agreement between Washington and Tehran to extend the ceasefire

2026-04-15 04:59

Shafaq News – Washington
The Associated Press, citing responsible sources, reported on Wednesday that the United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement to extend the ceasefire, paving the way for discussions on a permanent Read more…

Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 4-14-2026

Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 4-14-2026

4-14-2026 Newshound Guru Steve Iraq elected a new president on Saturday which is awesome, awesome news…Iraq does nothing fast. They kick the can down the road. They do nothing out of urgency. I think a lot of that had to do with Iranian influence which has been holding [Iraq] back. But now they have a fire lit under their butt. They are getting things done…A lot could happen in the next 15 days. Read more…

Al-Jubouri rules out deciding on a candidate for prime minister within the current week.

Al-Jubouri rules out deciding on a candidate for prime minister within the current week.

4-14-2026

The former MP, Thaer al – Jubouri, ruled out on Tuesday the possibility of the Coordination Framework finalizing its candidate for prime minister this week. He indicated that meetings and consultations are still ongoing, suggesting that the nomination of the largest bloc’s candidate will likely be decided in Read more…

Among them is accelerating the marketing of sulfur… The Cabinet issues several decisions

Among them is accelerating the marketing of sulfur… The Cabinet issues several decisions

4-14-2026

The Cabinet issued several decisions on Tuesday, including expediting the marketing of sulfur for domestic use or export. The Cabinet’s Media Office stated in a press release received by Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the Cabinet continued to monitor the implementation of fiscal rationalization measures and spending cuts in government ministries and Read more…

The Patriotic Union sets a condition for participating in the regional government.

The Patriotic Union sets a condition for participating in the regional government.

4-14-2026

Information/Special…
Burhan Sheikh Raouf, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), confirmed on Tuesday that the caretaker government in the Kurdistan Region, headed by Masrour Barzani, has not been up to par, stressing the need to formulate a government program that is completely different from Read more…

US reinforcements for Harir base: 1,000 soldiers on their way to Erbil

US reinforcements for Harir base: 1,000 soldiers on their way to Erbil

4-14-2026

Information/Baghdad…
A local source in Anbar province reported on Tuesday that US forces intend to reinforce their military presence in northern Iraq by deploying more than 1,000 troops to both Harir Air Base and the US Consulate in Erbil.
The source told Al-Maalomah that “initial contingents of troops have arrived by Read more…

State of Law: Maliki remains the “most prominent” candidate for Prime Minister

State of Law: Maliki remains the “most prominent” candidate for Prime Minister

4-14-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Imran Karkoush, a member of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed on Tuesday that the coalition’s leader, Nouri al-Maliki, remains the leading candidate for the premiership in the next phase. He also indicated that Read more…

Following its blocking at the direction of the Sudanese government, the Ministry of Communications stated that there is no date set for the return of Telegram in Iraq.

Following its blocking at the direction of the Sudanese government, the Ministry of Communications stated that there is no date set for the return of Telegram in Iraq.

4-14-2026

Information/Baghdad…
A source within the Communications Authority denied on Tuesday the validity of reports circulating about a date being set for the return of the Telegram service in Iraq, after its recent blocking at the direction of caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and under US orders.
The source told the Information Agency that Read more…

Between Maliki, Abadi, and compromise candidates: 3 scenarios on the table to decide the premiership

Between Maliki, Abadi, and compromise candidates: 3 scenarios on the table to decide the premiership

4-14-2026

Al-Maalomah News Agency reports
that the Iraqi political scene is witnessing intense activity within the Coordination Framework, as consultations and closed-door meetings continue to resolve the issue of the next prime minister’s candidate. This comes amidst public anticipation and differing opinions Read more…

Al-Abadi’s coalition reveals “three scenarios” for deciding on the framework candidate in tomorrow’s meeting

Al-Abadi’s coalition reveals “three scenarios” for deciding on the framework candidate in tomorrow’s meeting

4-14-2026

Al-Maalomah/Baghdad…
The spokesperson for the Victory Coalition, Salam al-Zubaidi, revealed on Tuesday details of a crucial meeting of the leaders of the Coordination Framework scheduled for Wednesday. He explained that the meeting will discuss three main scenarios for deciding on the nomination Read more…

A battle intensifies in Iraq following the election of Amidi, amid divisions.

A battle intensifies in Iraq following the election of Amidi, amid divisions.

2026-04-14

Shafaq News – Special Translation
Iraq ended months of political paralysis by electing Nizar Amadi as the sixth president of the republic since 2003, but this also revealed deep structural divisions that threaten to prolong instability, with attention now turning to Read more…

Exclusive: Syrian Central Bank announces joint “Financial Day” with Iraq and a planned visit to Baghdad

Exclusive: Syrian Central Bank announces joint “Financial Day” with Iraq and a planned visit to Baghdad

2026-04-14

Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
The Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Abdul Qader Hasriya, revealed on Tuesday anticipated moves to enhance financial cooperation with Baghdad, confirming that there is ongoing communication with the Central Bank of Iraq to organize joint economic Read more…

After the Chinese tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz, a shipment from Iraq is expected to be loaded.

After the Chinese tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz, a shipment from Iraq is expected to be loaded.

2026-04-14

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Shipping data on Tuesday showed that the sanctioned oil tanker “Morlickishan” entered the Strait of Hormuz and is expected to head to Iraq to load fuel oil on April 16, highlighting the continued flow of energy related to Read more…

Minerals and “white gold” put Najaf on the investment map in Iraq

Minerals and “white gold” put Najaf on the investment map in Iraq

2026-04-14

Shafaq News – Najaf
The Iraqi Geological Survey Authority confirmed on Tuesday that Najaf Governorate represents one of the most prominent areas for mining investment in Iraq, due to its strategic mineral wealth and high-quality silica sand (white gold).

Senior Geologist Haider Hadi Abdul Zahra, director of Read more…