Washington’s approach to the al-Zaydi government: a “test period” for the security file and anticipation of energy and electricity deals.
2026-06-19
Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
Attention in the US capital, Washington, is focused on formulating a new political approach towards the Iraqi government headed by Ali al-Zaidi, amid arrangements being made for an anticipated official visit he will make to the White House in mid-July to discuss security, investment, and regional stability.
“Compromise candidate” under American scrutiny
In this regard, former US diplomat and senior fellow at the National Council on US-Arab Relations, Professor William, stated that political circles in Washington view al-Zaidi with “cautious optimism” Read more…
Iraq opens 7 new international routes through its territory, witnessing the implementation of more than 1000 transport operations.
2026-06-19
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Director of the Land Transport Department of the Technical Department at the Ministry of Transport, Israa Hanoun, confirmed on Friday that Iraq has made great progress in implementing the international TIR (Transportation Infrastructure) system for cross-border transport.
Hanoon explained, in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, that the system has been fully operational in the country, as seven new international routes have been opened Read more…
Following the easing of the Hormuz crisis, two tankers docked at the port of Basra to load 2.3 million barrels of oil.
2026-06-19
Shafaq News – Basra
An official source at the General Company for Iraqi Ports revealed on Friday that two giant oil tankers have docked at the Basra oil port to begin loading large shipments of crude oil, in the first signs of the return of maritime traffic to normal through the vital Strait of Hormuz.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the first tanker (Lucia ) docked at berth number (1), while the second tanker (Romania) docked at Read more…
Tehran sets conditions for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
2026-06-19
Shafaq News – Tehran
Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority announced on Friday that ships would be allowed to pass through the strait under specific conditions.
The authority stated in a statement on the “X” platform that “ships wishing to cross the Strait of Hormuz will be granted the right of passage during the time period announced in the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, provided that the requirements and procedures stipulated for passage are met.”
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Thursday set rules for commercial ships to pass Read more…
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Swiss Foreign Ministry: US-Iranian negotiations will not take place today
6-19-2026
The Swiss Foreign Ministry announced the cancellation of technical talks scheduled between Washington and Tehran today, hours after the White House postponed Vice President Jay D. Vance’s visit to Switzerland. The ministry said in a statement that “talks scheduled for Friday between the United States and Iran at the Bürgenstock mountain resort have been cancelled, hours after the White House announced the postponement of US Vice President Jay D. Vance’s visit to Switzerland, where he was to participate in talks with Tehran on Read more…
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The 2026 budget is under threat… signs of a lack of approval amid a growing financial crisis.
6-19-2026
The issue of the general budget in Iraq is once again at the forefront of controversy, with increasing indications that a budget for 2026 may not be approved, given the complex financial and economic challenges, including declining oil revenues, the stumbling of some executive processes in the government, and regional effects on export activity.
These data open the door to questions about the future of public spending, the state’s priorities, and its ability to Read more…
MP Abu Turab al-Tamimi: There is no political will to complete the cabinet, and there is a conflict among the constituent groups.
6-19-2026
The Iraqi political scene is witnessing a state of controversy regarding the process of completing the cabinet, amid differing positions among parliamentary blocs and widening disagreements among political forces.
In this context, MP Abu Turab al-Tamimi, a leader in the Badr parliamentary bloc, indicated today, Friday (June 19, 2026), that there are political obstacles that prevented the voting process on the cabinet from proceeding during the last sessions, considering that what is happening reflects an entanglement of interests and calculations between the various parties. Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 6-18-2026
6-18-2026 Newshound Guru Jeff Nothing is going to happen with the rate change till after the government’s formed. If you don’t see the government formed, the rate can’t possibly change. The government has to be formed for the rate to possibly change…The government formation is the biggest giant secret within Iraq right now because they don’t want you to know when the rate is changing. The fact that they’re keeping it a secret confirms to you it’s the lynch pin to the rate change. You hide what’s most important. Read more…
Ali Al-Alaq was relieved of his position as Governor of the Central Bank and Nizar Nasser was appointed in his place.
6-18-2026
An informed source reported on Thursday (June 18, 2026) that the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, was relieved of his post, and Nizar Nasser was assigned to manage the Central Bank in his place.
The source said that “Nizar Nasser has been assigned to manage the Central Bank,” noting that “this came after the dismissal of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, from his position.”
He added that “the decision to dismiss and appoint the new governor has come into effect,” indicating that Read more…
Kuwait cancels “force majeure” for oil and discusses Hormuz security with Iran
2026-06-18
Shafaq News – Kuwait
The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation announced on Thursday that it has lifted all “force majeure” notices it had issued during the war, confirming that the decision came into effect immediately with the improvement of conditions and the resumption of commercial shipping in the region.
The corporation said it plans to increase oil production to two million barrels per day within one week, coinciding with Read more…
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Economist: The 2026 budget train has left the station… the government is patching up the deficit by borrowing.
6-18-2026
Information / Special..
Economic expert Basil Al-Obaidi confirmed today, Thursday, that insisting on preparing and approving the general budget at this time is “a form of absurdity” and has no benefit whatsoever, at a time when the country’s financial affairs are being managed by “patchwork” and borrowing from banks.
Al-Ubaidi told Al-Maalomah that “the train has already left the station. Iraq is now staggering at the end of the sixth month, and the bureaucratic processes involved in approving the budget will inevitably hinder and delay it until next September.” He added that “a budget approved for only three months of a fiscal year that is nearing its end is worthless.” Read more…
Barak’s map and a “conciliation” ministry and authorization… Al-Zaydi gets the framework and achieves his demand
2026-06-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, informed sources within the coordination framework revealed details of the meeting of the framework’s forces, which was held in the presence of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and most of the political and party leaders of the Shiite House forces .
The source confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that “the framework forces have indirectly authorized the Prime Minister to choose candidates for the controversial ministries (Defense, Interior, Read more…
Ahead of Washington-Tehran negotiations, the Pakistani Prime Minister cancels his visit to Switzerland.
2026-06-18
Shafaq News – Islamabad: Pakistani media reported on Thursday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has canceled his visit to Switzerland ahead of the scheduled start of negotiations between Tehran and Washington on Friday. Pakistani television stated that “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s planned visit to Switzerland has been canceled, without specifying a reason.” The television station added that “the US-Iranian technical negotiations will begin separately.” Pakistani media quoted a source in the Prime Minister’s office as Read more…
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He moved to directly support al-Zaydi’s selection of security ministers.
6-18-2026
Information/Baghdad…
On Thursday, Abdul Samad al-Zarkoushi, a member of the Coordination Framework, confirmed that there is a trend toward supporting the option of the Prime Minister directly selecting security ministers, for several reasons.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Zarkoushi said, “The Prime Minister, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, possesses the constitutional authority to manage security files.” He explained that “there is currently a trend to support the Prime Minister directly selecting security ministers, Read more…
Urgent: Source for Al-Furat News: Nizar Nasser appointed as Governor of the Central Bank
2026/06/18
An informed source revealed today, Thursday, that Nizar Nasser has been assigned the position of Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq. Read more…
The State of Law coalition is demanding an emergency session to decide on the remaining ministerial appointments.
6-18-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Imran Karkoush, a member of the State of Law Coalition, stressed the need to resolve the issue of the ministerial cabinet and to form a fully constituted government, pointing to the importance of holding an emergency parliamentary session in response to the call of the Coordination Framework in order to resolve the remaining ministerial portfolios.
Karkoush told Al-Maalomah, “The coordination framework had previously called for a session of the House of Representatives to finalize the government file and complete Read more…
A member of parliament reveals a possible date for completing the vote on the cabinet.
6-18-2026
Information/Baghdad ..
MP Mukhtar Al-Moussawi revealed on Thursday that the vote on the ministerial cabinet of Ali Al-Zidi’s government may be completed in the middle of next July.
Al-Moussawi told Al-Maalouma that “Iraq’s situation is delicate and sensitive, and requires all political forces to work on accelerating the pace of understandings in order to complete the agreement on the candidates for the nine ministerial portfolios that the House of Representatives did not vote on Read more…
Cabinet formation: Advanced negotiations underway to finalize remaining names before al-Zidi’s visit to Washington
6-18-2026
The Iraqi political scene is witnessing rapid activity to resolve one of the most prominent outstanding issues in the government formation process: completing Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi’s cabinet. This comes amid growing indications that political forces are nearing final agreements on the remaining ministerial posts. These moves coincide with efforts within the Coordination Framework to review certain government arrangements, including the potential elimination of deputy prime minister positions and a reduction in what is described as administrative bloat, as well as a reconsideration of Read more…
Al-Zaydi appoints Basim al-Badri as head of the National Security Service, replacing al-Basri.
6-18-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi appointed Basim al-Badri as head of the intelligence service on Thursday, replacing al-Basri.
An informed source stated that “al-Zaidi appointed Basim al-Badri to head the National Security Service, succeeding al-Basri.” The source
added that “this appointment comes within the framework of administrative changes Read more…
The coordination framework is discussing the results of Tom Barrack’s visit to Baghdad and the completion of the government cabinet.
2026-06-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The coordinating framework that brings together the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq discussed on Wednesday evening the recent visit of US envoy Tom Barrack to the capital Baghdad, and the completion of the government cabinet of Ali al-Zaidi.
The framework stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that it held its 281st periodic meeting in the office of Humam Hamoudi, in the presence of the Prime Minister, to discuss the latest political, security and economic developments Read more…
