Axios reveals a secret channel between Trump and the Revolutionary Guard, led by Nechirvan Barzani from Erbil.
2026-08-16
Shafaq News – Washington
A report by the American website ” Axios ” revealed on Sunday a secret communication channel established by the administration of President Donald Trump with the leadership of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, in which the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, played the role of direct mediator, in an attempt to ascertain the position of the most influential military establishment in Iran regarding the negotiations aimed at ending the war.
According to the report translated by Shafaq News Agency, the US administration faced a fundamental problem Read more…
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Kurdistan Democratic Party: Meeting expected with Patriotic Union to resolve the issue of the government and parliament
2026-08-16
Ali Hussein, the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s organizational office in Sulaymaniyah and Halabja, revealed on Sunday that a meeting is expected at the leadership level of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to discuss moving forward with activating the Kurdistan Parliament and the new regional government, stressing that efforts in this regard are nearing the achievement of their goals.
Hussein said during a press conference attended by Shafaq News Agency that “the two parties will Read more…
Exclusive: Official move towards Washington and Tehran to liberate Iraqi oil in the Strait of Hormuz
2026-08-16
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Zainab al-Khazraji, a member of the Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee in the House of Representatives, revealed on Sunday that there is an official Iraqi diplomatic move towards both the United States and Iran to ensure the continued passage of Iraqi oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
Al-Khazraji told Shafaq News Agency that “there are two main routes in the strait, one controlled by US forces and the other by Iranian forces,” indicating that Baghdad is seeking, through direct dialogues with both sides, to ensure the passage of foreign tankers carrying Iraqi oil through the strait. Read more…
At the head of an economic delegation, the head of the Central Bank of Iran visits Iraq.
2026-08-16
Shafaq News – Tehran / Baghdad
The head of the Iranian Central Bank, Abdolnaser Hemmati, is expected to arrive in Baghdad later this afternoon, Sunday, at the head of a high-level economic delegation, on an official visit, according to a source at the Iranian embassy in Iraq who spoke to Shafaq News Agency.
For its part, the official Iranian news agency IRNA stated that Hemmati’s visit to Iraq aims to hold talks with officials in the economic and banking sectors in Iraq. Read more…
Iran offers a $30,000 reward for the capture or killing of a US soldier.
2026-08-16
Shafaq News – Tehran
The commander-in-chief of the Iranian army, Major General Amir Hatami, announced on Sunday that a financial reward of $30,000 has been allocated to anyone who manages to capture or kill an American soldier.
Hatami said during the celebration of Journalist Day, according to the Iranian news agency Fars, that any Iranian soldier who, with the participation of the people, manages to capture or kill an “aggressor American soldier” will receive a reward of $30,000. Read more…
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Integrity Commission: Nearly (nine) billion dinars and (seven) gold bars were seized in the home of the Deputy Minister of Electricity for Transportation Affairs
8-16-2026
The Federal Integrity Commission announced on Sunday the seizure of nearly nine billion dinars and seven gold bars and ingots in the home of the Deputy Minister of Electricity for Transport and Distribution Affairs. A statement issued by the Commission, published by the official agency, stated that “a team from the Baghdad Investigation Directorate, after intensive follow-up, investigation and inquiry operations, was able to find large sums of money and quantities of gold in several homes belonging to the accused (Khaled Ghazai Attia), Deputy Minister of Electricity for Transport and Distribution Affairs, against whom the Commission’s staff had previously executed an arrest warrant.”
The statement added that “the seized funds amounted to 1,175,000,000 Iraqi dinars and 5,839,000 US dollars, Read more…
Al-Zaydi directs the purchase of (47) thousand megawatts of electricity
8-16-2026
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed on Saturday the purchase of (47) thousand megawatts of electricity, stressing that 2027 will be the year of doubling the production and distribution of electrical energy.
His office stated in a statement that “Al-Zaydi visited the headquarters of the Ministry of Electricity, as part of the effective follow-up on the performance of state service institutions, where he began by chairing an expanded meeting of officials and senior staff in the ministry, in which he stressed the need to redouble efforts, fight corruption, and Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 8-15-2026
8-15-2026 Exit Strategist Thom Article “2027 Budget Moves Early.. Parliamentary Finance Committee: Ministry of Finance Has Begun Preparing It and Agreement with Government to Pass It at Fastest Speed” This is probably the best news I have read all week! Read more…
Al-Zaydi launches a plan to rebuild Diwaniyah and declares it the agricultural capital of Iraq.
2026-08-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi met with a delegation from Diwaniyah Governorate, which included members of parliament from the governorate, the governor, and the head and members of the local council, to discuss the situation in the governorate and its service and development needs. He also announced the launch of a plan to rebuild Diwaniyah and the intention to declare it the agricultural capital of Iraq.
Al-Zaydi stressed, in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, that Diwaniyah Governorate deserves exceptional Read more…
The Iraqi peaceful movement calls for including Turkish forces in the deadline for foreign withdrawal.
8-15-2026
The Iraqi Peaceful Movement described the Turkish military presence in Iraq as an occupation on Saturday, noting that the force comprises more than seven military brigades, raising many questions.
The head of the movement, Ammar al-Tamimi, explained to Al-Maalomah that “the movement rejects any foreign military presence on Iraqi soil, regardless of nationality,” clarifying that “the Turkish forces present in the governorates of Dohuk, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah number up to seven military brigades, along with several large bases, airstrips, and heavy weapons batteries.” Read more…
Al-Zaydi: 2027 will mark the beginning of a transformation in the electricity sector in Iraq.
2026-08-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi affirmed on Saturday that 2027 will be the year of doubling electricity production and doubling distribution and transmission capacity, representing an important launch to change the reality of electricity in Iraq, assuring Iraqis that government measures are continuing to end the sluggishness in the electricity file and stop the waste and corruption that has continued for decades.
This came during a visit by Al-Zaydi to the headquarters of the Ministry of Electricity, as part of Read more…
Coordination framework: Intensive inter-agency meetings to complete the government cabinet
2026-08-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
A source within the coordination framework revealed on Saturday that meetings have intensified between influential leaders in the political scene to discuss the requirements of the next stage, including completing the government cabinet and selecting moderate candidates who are acceptable to the political parties.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the meetings between the influential Shiite leaders in the political scene are focusing on the mechanism for selecting candidates to fill the vacant ministerial portfolios, most importantly Read more…
MP warns: Laxity in combating corruption expands its effects on state institutions
8-15-2026
Information/Baghdad…
MP Ahmed Abdul Noor stressed on Saturday the necessity of continuing anti-corruption efforts and not backing down from them, warning of the danger of halting the campaign launched by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
Abdul Noor told the Information Agency, “Combating corruption requires the continuation of campaigns and oversight measures, and we cannot allow them to slow down, because any pause or laxity will give corrupt individuals an opportunity to resume their activities.”
He added that “the campaign launched by Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi represents an important step towards confronting corruption and exposing those involved in cases of waste and misappropriation of public funds,” calling for Read more…
Trump: I will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz to be US territory (Update)
2026-08-15
Shafaq News – Washington
On Friday evening, US President Donald Trump revealed his intention to soon declare the Strait of Hormuz “US territory,” while simultaneously threatening Iran with “strong economic blows.”
Trump added to Fox News: “I don’t care whether the economic hit comes before the midterm elections or not.”
He continued, “The naval blockade against Iran is ongoing and is a wall of steel; no ships will pass through unless we Read more…
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American Institute: Iraqi-Gulf Partnership Offers a Way to Diversify Oil Exports
2026-08-15
Shafaq News – Special Translation
Iraq needs to diversify its oil export options, including through the Emirati option, which also appears risky. The United States must encourage Baghdad’s rapprochement with the Gulf states in this context and in the context of improving relations, at a time when Iraqis are struggling to deal with the financial crisis, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
The American Institute said in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency that Iraq’s oil exports are hovering around Read more…
Exclusive: A comprehensive assessment of Iraqi bank management paves the way for anticipated restructuring.
2026-08-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Saturday that there is a government trend to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of the administrations of state-owned banks, while exploring the possibility of making administrative changes in a number of banks, due to their “weak” contribution in supporting the government and citizens under the current financial circumstances.
According to the source who spoke to Shafaq News Agency, government banks are facing criticism regarding their Read more…
Iraq plans to increase tourism’s contribution: 10 million visitors and 1.5 million jobs
2026-08-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Tourism and Antiquities Authority in the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation, organized a workshop on Saturday to prepare a national strategy for the development of the Iraqi tourism sector until the year 2035, with the participation of a group of officials, stakeholders and academics.
Matthias Bach, head of the Economic Transformation Promotion Department at the German Agency for International Cooperation, noted in his speech during the workshop, which was attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, that “Iraq has amazing tourist sites, from ancient heritage and modern landmarks side by side, Read more…
Christians in Iraq: Two thousand years of presence and an inherent right to participate in decision-making.
2026-08-15 05:04
Dr. Duha Al-Sadkhan
The question is not: What should we give to Christians in Iraq?
But the question is: what remains of their historical right in a homeland of which they were and still are an integral part of its history and civilization?
When we speak of Iraqi Christians, we are not speaking of a group that migrated to Iraq in modern times, nor of a community that came from outside the region. We are speaking of a religious and cultural component that has been linked to Mesopotamia since the early centuries AD, and has become an integral part of Iraq’s social, cultural, religious, and political history for nearly two thousand years. Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 8-14-2026
8-14-2026 Newshound Guru Jeff Article: “Al-Zaidi confirms that a US official stated Iraq will enter a new phase starting next October” This could be perceived from some different angles. It’s almost suggesting Iraq is going to be a sovereign nation as of October. Here’s a bad way that could be perceived… that Iraq might not be revaluing till the end of September allowing them to be sovereign in October. [Another way to look at this] Change the rate most likely around the second half of August, giving them all of September to do the 150+ laws and other things like banking reforms. Get all that approved, finalized, implemented through parliament, all ready to go, have it all done by September 30th…makes them sovereign October 1st. Read more…
A political move is expected to fill nine vacant ministerial positions in the Al-Zidi government.
8-14-2026
Information/Baghdad..
Abdel Samad Al-Zarkoushi, a member of the coordinating framework, confirmed on Friday that next week will witness escalating activity among political forces to resolve the nine ministerial portfolios in Ali Al-Zidi’s government.
Al-Zarkoushi explained in his interview with Al-Maalouma that “next week will witness escalating activity through meetings and communications between various political forces, including Read more…
