Politician: The anti-corruption campaign caught the small fish but didn’t reach the whales.
7-15-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Political analyst Ali al-Tawil believes that the Prime Minister’s anti-corruption campaign has targeted only small fry and failed to reach the major figures involved in corruption within the political process.
Al-Tawil told Al-Maalouma, “The anti-corruption campaign launched by Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi is still in the stage of catching small fry and has not yet reached the point of apprehending the big fish.”
He added, “There are major figures in the political process who have escaped Read more…
Due to suspicions of corruption, the bank accounts of leaders in the Progress Party have been frozen in Emirati banks.
7-15-2026
Information/Baghdad…
A responsible source in Anbar province reported on Tuesday that the US Federal Reserve has instructed banks in the UAE to freeze all accounts belonging to Iraqi officials until further notice.
The source told the Information Agency that “the US Federal Reserve has instructed banks in the UAE to freeze the deposits of Iraqi officials, including the head of the Progress Alliance, Mohammed al-Halbousi, the Speaker of Parliament, Haibat al-Halbousi, and leaders from Read more…
The US Department of Defense announces the end of the “international coalition” mission in Iraq at the end of next September.
7-15-2026
The US Department of Defense confirmed that the international coalition’s mission in Iraq will end at the end of September.
In a statement carried by the Al-Maalomah news agency, the department said that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met at the Pentagon—following meetings in the Oval Office—with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi to discuss the international coalition’s efforts to defeat ISIS, the end of Operation Inherent Resolve’s mission in Iraq, and the future of Read more…
Security concerns prompt Washington to tighten protection measures for al-Zaidi
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Washington
Tight security measures imposed to protect Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi during his visit to Washington caused flight operations to be suspended for hours at Ronald Reagan Airport, and hundreds of flights to be canceled or delayed.
A report by the American network “CBS News”, translated by Shafaq News Agency, stated that commercial flights stopped taking off and landing at the airport on Tuesday, from eleven o’clock in the morning until about three o’clock in the afternoon Washington time, due to security Read more…
Exclusive: Baghdad and Washington prepare to sign 18 agreements and establish a $1 trillion development fund
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Tuesday that Iraq will sign more than 18 agreements with the United States in various fields, while noting that there are agreements ready that will be signed soon.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that “Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s visit, which is considered historic as he is the first prime minister to be received with such warmth and attention, will lead to the signing of more than 18 partnership agreements Read more…
Beyond the statements: Messages from the Trump-al-Zaidi meeting at the White House
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
In a meeting that carried multiple political, economic and security messages, US President Donald Trump received Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House on Tuesday evening, Baghdad time, in his first foreign visit since assuming the premiership, amid complex regional circumstances, most notably the renewed tension between the United States and Iran, and escalating fears of a wider confrontation in the region.
The meeting that brought the two sides together in the Oval Office was not just a protocol stop in Iraqi-American relations, but rather seemed to be an attempt to redefine Read more…
Hegseth calls on Iraq to disarm militias and holds them responsible for 600 attacks on Americans.
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Washington
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday called on the Iraqi government to assert its sovereignty by disarming pro-Iranian militias, holding them responsible for hundreds of attacks targeting Americans.
This came in press statements he made on the sidelines of official talks he held with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, at the ministry headquarters in Washington, D.C. Read more…
As confirmed by Shafaq News, Baghdad and Washington are outlining a new military partnership.
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed the formation of an Iraqi committee to negotiate with the United States regarding the nature of the security and military relationship between the two countries, following the complete withdrawal of US forces operating within the international coalition to fight ISIS.
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu’man, said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that al-Zaidi’s directive came after official talks he held, on Tuesday evening Baghdad time, Read more…
Baghdad announces plan to decouple from the Strait of Hormuz: New export pipelines under construction
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
On Tuesday, Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair revealed the outlines of his country’s new strategy to diversify oil and gas export outlets and develop infrastructure, while pointing to an alliance that includes American and Qatari companies to establish a new pipeline system, aimed at ending Iraq’s almost total dependence on the Strait of Hormuz outlet.
Khodair said in press statements he made from the Iraqi delegation’s residence in the American capital, Washington, Read more…
After Hormuz, Iran threatens to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Follow-up
Media outlets confirmed on Wednesday that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard threatened to close “all other export routes that benefit the United States and its allies,” after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and Washington reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The Iranian news agency IRNA quoted the Revolutionary Guard as saying in a statement that the region’s energy exports “are either for everyone or for no one.”
According to Reuters, analysts said that Iran is hinting that it may resort to its Houthi allies in Yemen to close the Read more…
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Washington supports the reactivation of the Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline.
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Washington
A U.S. State Department official announced Wednesday that Washington supports Iraqi and Syrian efforts to restart the crude oil pipeline between the two countries, in a move aimed at reducing the impact of disruptions to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
The official, according to Reuters, said the United States expects American companies to play a role in accelerating the rehabilitation of the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline, most of which has been Read more…
Iraq shows relative improvement in the international corruption index… and calls to deny convicts “general amnesty”.
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq confirmed on Wednesday that the country has made gradual progress in the Corruption Perceptions Index issued by Transparency International, indicating that Iraq has risen to 136th place globally and seventh place in the Arab world for the year 2025.
The center stated in a report received by Shafaq News Agency that “Iraq moved from obtaining 26 points and occupying the 140th position globally out of 180 countries during 2024, to achieving Read more…
Exclusive: 40 prominent Iraqi political figures face anti-corruption scrutiny
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
A government source revealed on Wednesday that the procedures for collecting evidence and documents related to corruption cases in which more than 40 prominent political and governmental figures are suspected of being involved are nearing completion, in preparation for taking legal action against them.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the government is continuing its procedures within the framework of combating corruption, including pursuing those involved and referring them Read more…
A government advisor explains how US interest rates control the movement of gold and the dollar in Iraq.
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Wednesday that US interest rates and the strength of the dollar are among the most prominent factors affecting the movement of gold prices globally, indicating that any change in the directions of the Federal Reserve (the US central bank) is directly reflected in the attractiveness of the yellow metal to investors and traders locally.
Saleh told Shafaq News Agency that raising US interest rates pushes investors towards assets with returns, such as Read more…
Food and vehicles lead the way… Iraq’s imports from America decline to $238 million
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Washington
Trade map data from the International Trade Centre, based on data from the US Census Bureau, showed that the value of US exports to Iraq reached about $238 million during the first quarter of 2026, a decline compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, in which exports amounted to about $458 million.
According to data reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, food products topped the list of the most prominent American exports to Iraq during the first quarter of this year, as the value of Iraq’s imports of corn amounted to about $27 million, while rice came in second place Read more…
Basra oil exports partially recover to 870,000 barrels per day in June
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Official data from the Iraqi State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) showed that the rate of crude oil exports transported by sea through Basra ports rose to about 870,000 barrels per day during the past month of June, recording a threefold increase compared to the month of May, following the partial resumption of flows through the Strait of Hormuz before security tensions caused it to be closed again.
Despite this relative recovery, official data indicates that oil exports are still far below pre-regional crisis levels, Read more…
Exclusive: Parliamentary Finance Committee reveals gradual shift in Iraqi budget starting in 2027
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Hussein al-Daraji, a member of the Finance Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, revealed on Wednesday that the legislative and executive authorities intend to gradually move towards implementing a “programs and performance budget” starting from next year, 2027, to ensure the regulation of spending and the protection of public funds.
Al-Daraji told Shafaq News Agency in a special statement that the Parliamentary Finance Committee hosted Finance Minister Falih al-Sari Read more…
Based on US Treasury decisions, Iraq issues a financial circular to banks regarding sanctions against ISIS and Hezbollah.
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
An official document issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Finance on Wednesday revealed new banking directives imposing sanctions on ISIS financing networks and individuals and entities linked to the Lebanese Hezbollah, based on decisions by the US Treasury.
The document issued by the Iraqi Fund for External Development, affiliated with the Ministry, and seen by Shafaq News Agency, stated that the procedure comes in accordance with two official letters issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/America Department on June 30, and the Office of the Minister of Finance in early July. Read more…
Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis’s family attacks al-Zaidi: He is not worthy of leading the future.
2026-07-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The family of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the former deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, issued a statement on Wednesday regarding US President Donald Trump’s remarks during his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
The family stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “Trump’s recent remarks and his mention of Qassem Soleimani and Al-Muhandis clearly indicate his fear,” as they put it.
She added, referring to al-Zaidi: “We would like to remind this official (new to politics), who holds the title of Iraqi Prime Minister, Read more…
Ministry of Trade: Talks in Washington focused on partnership and supporting Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization
7-15-2026
Trade Minister Mustafa al-Ani confirmed on Wednesday that the White House talks focused on economic cooperation and the future partnership between Baghdad and Washington. He also indicated that talks are underway for Iraq to join the World Trade Organization. Al-Ani stated in a statement to the official news agency that “one of the most important stops on the visit was the meeting at the White House between Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi and US President Donald Trump, where several files related to cooperation and the future partnership between Iraq and the United States were discussed, in addition to exploring ways Read more…
