Exclusive: Chaldeans hand al-Zaydi a comprehensive working paper and promises to remove obstacles to their return to Iraq
2026-07-14
Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
On Tuesday, Ghazwan Elias, director of the Iraq office of the Chaldean American Community Foundation in Michigan, revealed details of the meeting that brought together a delegation from the community with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zidi, confirming that he handed over a comprehensive working paper that included the most prominent demands and rights of the Christian component, while the delegation received governmental promises to work on addressing them, in addition to an official invitation for Christian emigrants to return to Iraq . Read more…
Al-Nujaifi: Mosul is outside the scope of Article 140, and the Nineveh Council’s decision does not aim to change the demographics.
2026-07-14
Shafaq News – Nineveh
On Tuesday, Ninawa Provincial Council member Abdullah al-Nujaifi confirmed that the city of Mosul, with all its administrative and municipal boundaries, is not covered by Article (140) of the Iraqi Constitution, denying that the council’s recent decisions regarding residential expansion areas aim to bring about demographic change.
Al-Nujaifi told Shafaq News Agency that “the city of Mosul is not at all included in Article (140), and all its administrative boundaries from before 2003 until today fall outside this framework,” explaining that Read more…
19 US warships will be blockading Iran starting tonight.
2026-07-14
Shafaq News – Washington
A U.S. official confirmed on Tuesday that the United States has deployed 19 warships to the Middle East region, a move that gives it significant firepower and military presence to enforce the naval blockade imposed on Iran, according to the Washington Post.
The official, who spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity, explained that most of the naval vessels are stationed in the northern Arabian Sea, and include the aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush, in addition to Read more…
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With a deficit of 8.9 trillion dinars, Shafaq News publishes early warning indicators for the Iraqi economy.
2026-07-14
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Early warning indicators for the Iraqi economy for the fourth quarter of 2025, issued by the National Accounts Directorate, showed that the gross domestic product at current prices reached 82.1 trillion dinars, amid mixed developments in the oil, trade, banking, energy and stock market sectors.
According to the report, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency and prepared based on an analysis of trade and financial data, Iraq’s GDP, excluding the oil sector, reached 53.9 trillion Read more…
Trump rolls out the “red carpet” for al-Zaidi, his eye on the factions’ weapons.
2026-07-14
Shafaq News – Special Translation
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi will receive a remarkable welcome on his first official visit to Washington, amid expectations that his talks with US President Donald Trump will constitute a real test of thorny issues, foremost among them the disarmament of Iranian-backed armed factions, an issue that could put the Iraqi government before complex internal challenges.
According to a report by the Associated Press , translated by Shafaq News Agency, Trump welcomed al-Zaidi, whom Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 7-13-2026
7-13-2026 Intel Guru Reset Intelligence Iraq’s prime minister just flew to Washington…His central bank governor is on the plane. So are his finance minister and his oil minister. You do not fly the people who run a country’s money to a meeting that is only about oil. The prize… – getting Iraq’s money treated as clean enough to let back into the financial system after years held at arm’s length. Read more…
Kurdish opposition: The Sudanese government gave Barzani the green light to steal the region’s resources.
7-13-2026
Information / Erbil…
Independent politician Didar Haval revealed on Sunday that the ownership of oil refineries in Erbil by the Masoud Barzani family has paved the way for a resurgence in oil smuggling to Turkey, Afghanistan, and Syria, taking advantage of the lack of oversight from the Baghdad government.
Haval told the Information Agency, “The oil refineries, including Kar and Lanaz, one belonging to Mansour Barzani and the other Kar to a leader in the Barzani party, have facilitated the smuggling of petroleum products from the region to Turkey, Syria, and Read more…
Erbil directs the Kurdistan Interior Ministry and regional security forces to work jointly with Baghdad to hold corrupt officials accountable.
2026-07-13
Shafaq News – Erbil
On Monday, the Kurdistan Regional Government directed the Ministry of Interior and Kurdish security institutions to work jointly with federal authorities to combat corruption and hold those involved accountable.
A statement from the office of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, received by Shafaq News Agency, stated that this directive comes within the framework of “strong and continuous cooperation and coordination” between the Prime Minister Read more…
International Maritime Organization: There is no legal basis for imposing fees for crossing any strait.
2026-07-13
Shafaq News – Follow-up
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) confirmed on Monday its opposition to imposing fees for crossing any strait used for international navigation.
A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization said: “There is no legal basis for imposing mandatory fees for crossing any strait.”
The organization continued: “We are waiting for more details regarding Trump’s statement that he will impose a 20% tariff on goods passing through the Strait of Hormuz.” Read more…
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Saleh: The 2027 budget will be ready on schedule in October.
2026/07/13
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, revealed that the government will begin preparing the draft federal budget law for 2027 during the month of July, in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Management Law, indicating that “the upcoming budget will differ from its predecessors by adopting an economic vision aimed at stimulating investment, empowering the private sector, and establishing sovereign funds to support infrastructure projects, while continuing to address internal debt and reduce financial waste.” Read more…
Trump announces the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iran.
2026-07-13
Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iran.
Trump said in a post on the “Thorth Surreal” platform, “The Strait of Hormuz is open, and will remain open, whether Iran enters or not. We are reimposing the Iranian blockade, which is so named because it only prevents Iranian ships or their proxies from entering or leaving.”
He added, “All other countries will enjoy fair and open use of the Strait. The United States will henceforth Read more…
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Al-Zaidi arrives in Washington
2026-07-13
Shafaq News – Washington
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Washington, D.C., on Monday for an official visit, leading a delegation of politicians and businessmen.
Al-Zaidi left at dawn on Monday, heading to the United States of America, on an official visit. Before leaving the country, he confirmed that he was heading to Washington at the head of a governmental and economic delegation, with the aim of translating the strength of Iraqi-American relations into economic and investment partnerships Read more…
The Nechirvan Barzani-Zaidi equation: Kurdish immunity for the future of Iraq
2026-07-13 07:11
Venus Baban
At a pivotal moment in the history of the new Middle East, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is launching an exceptional official visit, both in duration and composition, to the American capital, Washington, to meet with President Donald Trump. While attention is focused on the Iraqi delegation’s plane, the executive and economic kitchen, the real event that engineered the outcomes of this visit in advance did not take place in the White House, but was formulated in the corridors of Baghdad hours before takeoff through the Nechirvan Barzani-Ali al-Zaidi equation that was born in the emergency meeting of the state administration.
This equation does not represent a mere passing political coordination, but rather a constitutional lifeboat and a strategic shield that grants Al-Zidi’s government immunity and acceptance in American decision-making circles Read more…
Al-Masoudi: 14,000 corruption cases referred to the Integrity Commission and ready for implementation
7-13-2026
Information/Baghdad…
MP Riyadh Al-Masoudi revealed on Sunday that more than 14,000 corruption cases at the Integrity Commission are being implemented on the ground and are being dealt with according to political considerations.
Al-Masoudi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “more than 14,000 corruption cases are ready for implementation at the Integrity Commission, but the general amnesty law in 2016 and 2025 froze many of the cases, either through political settlement or by including them in the general amnesty, and the law was not applied to the corrupt due to the political influences Read more…
Gold falls to $4068
7-13-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Gold prices declined in global markets on Monday amid growing expectations of continued US monetary tightening to combat inflation and rising global energy prices. Spot gold fell 1.2% to $4,068.91 an ounce in Singapore trading, after posting weekly losses of 1.4%, with prices falling as low as $4,060 an ounce during the session.
Investors focused on the impact of rising energy prices on inflation and what might prompt the US Federal Reserve to maintain high interest rates for a longer period, a factor that typically puts Read more…
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A member of parliament makes his support for al-Zaydi’s visit to Washington conditional on not tampering with the “Popular Mobilization Forces” and “weapons control” files.
7-13-2026
The Information Agency / Baghdad –
On Monday, MP Miqdad al-Khafaji, a member of the Rights Bloc in Parliament, stated that his bloc’s position on Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi’s visit to Washington hinges on whether it serves the supreme national interest. He emphasized the bloc’s categorical rejection of any external dictates or interference in the country’s internal affairs. Al-Khafaji told the Information Agency, “The visit of the Prime Minister, or any executive official, to Washington must contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and concluding balanced agreements that achieve equal mutual benefit for both countries.” Read more…
Parliament accuses Al-Sudani of squandering public funds: granting Al-Khadra and Al-Khanjar properties to his relatives at ridiculously low prices
7-13-2026
The Information Agency / Baghdad…
Member of Parliament Mukhtar al-Moussawi accused former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Monday of exploiting his executive position to squander public funds by granting his relatives, as well as the head of the Sovereignty Alliance, Khamis al-Khanjar, and his son, strategic properties and lands within the Green Zone at ridiculously low prices that do not reflect their true value. He cited the Rixos Hotel, located in the heart of the Green Zone, as an example.
Al-Moussawi told the Information Agency, “The former prime minister Read more…
Following the Washington visit, a parliamentary step is expected to complete the Al-Zidi government.
7-13-2026
The Information Agency / Baghdad…
Deputy Head of the Reconstruction and Development Parliamentary Bloc, Mansour al-Baiji, indicated on Monday that the remaining vacant ministerial posts in the government are likely to be approved as a single package in the near future, despite ongoing political disagreements. He emphasized the importance of completing the cabinet to proceed with implementing the government program.
Al-Baiji told the Information Agency, “Political disagreements regarding the vacant ministries persist, but they will Read more…
The headquarters of “Khatam al-Anbiya” responds to Trump: No passage through the Strait of Hormuz without Iran’s permission.
2026-07-13
Shafaq News – Tehran
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters responded on Monday to threats by US President Donald Trump regarding the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that passage through the strait is “prohibited” without Iran’s permission.
The Iranian news agency Fars quoted the spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters as saying that “Iran will not allow the United States to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz in any way.” Read more…
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Iraqi banks are permitted to disburse their customers’ dollar deposits in cash
2026-07-13
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Central Bank of Iraq has issued a new directive to all banks, allowing the disbursement of deposits and incoming transfers in US dollars in cash, according to a document obtained by Shafaq News Agency.
According to the document, the decision comes in implementation of the objectives of monetary policy, and to enable banks to meet the legitimate needs of their customers in US dollars, and in line with the directives of the government and the Central Bank to enhance confidence in the Iraqi dinar, Read more…
