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…
Gold prices are falling as investors move to take profits.
8-14-2026
Information/Follow-up…
Gold prices fell on Friday as investors took profits after the precious metal hit its highest level in more than two months in the previous session.
The decline came after recent inflation data supported market expectations that the US Federal Reserve might not raise interest rates in September, which helped push gold to higher levels during the previous session.
Spot gold fell Read more…
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Al-Fatlawi reveals the reasons for the delay in filling the vacant positions in Al-Zaidi’s government.
8-14-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Ali al-Fatlawi, a member of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, revealed the reasons for the delay in filling the vacant ministerial positions in al-Zaidi’s government, stressing the importance of expediting the process and presenting alternative candidates to ensure the remaining ministries are approved.
Al-Fatlawi told Al-Maalouma, “Some political blocs have submitted candidates for the vacant ministerial portfolios in al-Zaidi’s cabinet, providing an alternative in case the first candidate is rejected. This has created a problem among the political blocs.” Read more…
Former MP: The Popular Mobilization Forces will have a law passed in parliament in the coming days
8-14-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Hussein Ali confirmed that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) will have its own law, as Parliament moves towards enacting a PMF law, despite some external messages regarding this legislation.
Ali told Al-Maalouma, “The PMF law, which is expected to be passed in the coming days, has not faced any external comments or negative messages from the US administration, despite attempts to obstruct its passage during the previous parliamentary session.” He added, “There are some messages Read more…
Al-Zaydi directs border crossings to operate on self-financing and emphasizes combating corruption.
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Friday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed the Border Ports Authority to operate on a self-financing system through tax and customs fees, while stressing the need to combat corruption.
Al-Zaydi visited the headquarters of the Border Ports Authority in the capital, Baghdad, where he met with the directors of the border ports and their employees via video conference, praising their efforts and their role in protecting the country’s sovereignty and Read more…
Al-Zidi discusses with Al-Maliki combating corruption and restricting weapons to the state.
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi discussed with Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, the issues of combating corruption, restricting weapons to the state, and other political and regional matters.
Al-Zaydi’s media office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Zaydi received Al-Maliki, and the meeting witnessed discussions on a number of political and national files and issues, most notably the completion of the formation of the cabinet, in a way that supports Read more…
US military expert: Counter-terrorism forces and Peshmerga are capable of maintaining security after the withdrawal
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Washington
Mustafa Hashim
On Friday, Rafael Cohen, director of the Strategy and Doctrine Program at the RAND Corporation, a military research institution, affirmed that the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service and the Peshmerga forces possess sufficient experience and training to lead battles on the ground, while also noting the existence of logistical and political challenges that may affect overall military performance as the American combat role declines.
Cohen, a U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant colonel who previously served two combat tours in Iraq, told Shafaq News Read more…
Exclusive: Details of an Iraqi-Saudi-American meeting dominated by factions and al-Zaidi’s movements
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Riyadh
Two Iraqi and Saudi diplomatic sources revealed on Friday details of a meeting held the previous evening in Riyadh, which included delegations from Iraq and Saudi Arabia and representatives of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), to discuss security developments and the issue of armed factions in Iraq.
The Iraqi diplomatic source told Shafaq News Agency that the meeting addressed the latest developments regarding the factions and the options available for dealing with them, without revealing the nature of those options or any further details about them. Read more…
Three giant oil tankers have docked at the port of Basra to load 6 million barrels of Iraqi crude.
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Basra
A source at the Iraqi Ports Company reported on Friday that three giant foreign oil tankers had docked at the port of Basra.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that the loading capacity of each of those tankers is two million barrels, and it is hoped that the Ministry of Oil will begin the loading operations and export a total of 6 million barrels of crude.
The source added that a fourth, smaller tanker is expected to arrive at the port Read more…
The largest desert region in Iraq, Rutba, offers industrial, tourism, and agricultural investment opportunities.
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Anbar
The mayor of Rutba in Anbar, Imad al-Dulaimi, confirmed on Friday that the western desert in the province represents a “promising area for investment” in the agriculture, livestock, minerals and energy sectors, noting that security stability, the opening of border crossings and the availability of water sources are essential factors for stimulating investment in the region.
Al-Dulaimi told Shafaq News Agency that “the western desert of Iraq, the largest part of which lies within the borders of the Rutba district, extends over an area of approximately 90,000 square kilometers, and is characterized by Read more…
Parliamentary Finance Committee: The Ministry of Finance has begun preparing the 2027 budget.
8-14-2026
The Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed on Friday that the Ministry of Finance has begun preparing the 2027 budget. The committee also indicated that the Grants and Borrowing Law will be presented to Parliament next week. Committee member Ikhlas al-Dulaimi stated to the official news agency that “during the committee’s visit to the Prime Minister, several issues were agreed upon, including the agreement to send the 2027 budget.” She added that “the Finance Committee has taken upon itself the task of legislating the Grants and Borrowing Law, and an agreement has been reached with the government Read more…
Financial advisor: The government has developed plans aimed at increasing non-oil revenues to 45%
8-14-2026
The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed on Friday that the government’s economic direction focuses on transitioning from a rentier economy that relies on the distribution of oil revenues to a productive economy, by strengthening the role of the private sector, diversifying revenue sources, and financing infrastructure projects. Salih told the official news agency that “Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi’s economic vision stems from identifying two fundamental issues: first, the weak role of the private sector in productive activity, and second, the weakness of Read more…
Ministry of Oil: Our oil exports since the beginning of August have reached two million barrels per day
8-14-2026
Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair announced on Friday the opening of the central gas processing plant in the Al-Faihaa oil field. He also noted that four oil tankers are currently carrying Iraqi crude for export. He confirmed that oil exports have reached two million barrels per day since the beginning of August. Khudair stated in a joint press conference with Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani that “the ministry is proceeding with the implementation of service and community projects in the oil-producing areas, in coordination with the local government and the representatives of Basra Governorate,” pointing out that “the investment of oil and gas Read more…
