The Prime Minister orders the formation of a committee to investigate the circumstances of the attack on Iraqi bases.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered, on Tuesday, the formation of a committee to investigate the circumstances of the attack on Iraqi bases. The official spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah al-Numan, said in a statement, “In a treacherous and cowardly attack, at exactly 2:15 a.m. and until 3:45 a.m., on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, a group of small suicide drones targeted a number of Iraqi military sites and bases. This targeting led to significant damage to the radar systems at the Taji camp north of Baghdad and the Imam Ali base in Dhi Qar Governorate, without any human casualties.”

He added, “Iraqi forces were able to confront and thwart all other attempts to attack four sites in different locations, and to deal with and shoot down the drones, which had been aiming to target these sites.” He explained that “all the targeted sites are military sites fully affiliated with the Iraqi security forces, and are managed and supervised by officers and personnel from our heroic security forces.”

He also stated, “Following this blatant attack, Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, ordered the formation of a high-level technical and intelligence committee, including representatives from all relevant security agencies, to investigate the circumstances of this attack, identify the perpetrators, and fully follow up on the results of the investigation.” He explained that “these treacherous criminal acts will not go unpunished.”

He also stressed that “our armed forces will remain Iraq’s impregnable shield in defending our people, our territory, and our sovereignty.”

Burathanews.com

Civil Aviation Authority: Iraqi airspace fully reopened at all airports.

The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority announced on Tuesday the reopening of Iraqi airspace to air traffic, following a comprehensive assessment of the security situation and coordination with relevant national and international authorities. In a statement, the head of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority, Benkin Rekani, explained that “the decision was based on improved security conditions and confirmation of Iraq’s ability to provide the highest levels of safety and air traffic control for overflight aircraft.”

He explained that “opening Iraqi airspace will contribute to strengthening Iraq’s geographical position as a strategic air corridor linking the East and West, and will help reduce flight times and fuel costs for international airlines.”

The statement noted that “air navigation will be managed in accordance with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), with full adherence to safety procedures and continuous coordination with the Regional Air Navigation Center and aviation offices of neighboring countries.”

Burathanews.com

Iraq’s National Nuclear Regulatory Authority: We have not detected any radioactive contamination from the US strike on Iran.

Iran’s National Nuclear, Radiological, Chemical and Biological Regulatory Authority (NNRRA) announced on Sunday that no radioactive contamination was detected as a result of the US strike on nuclear facilities in Iran. In a statement, the authority said, “Within the framework of the regulatory tasks and responsibilities assigned to the Central Operations Room for Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies in preparing for, confronting, and responding to nuclear and radiological emergencies, and since the first day of the Zionist airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 13, 2025, appropriate measures have been taken to confront and respond to the incidents.”

The Authority added, “Based on the developments of the situation at dawn on Sunday, June 22, 2025, and as a result of the air strikes carried out by the United States of America on Iranian nuclear facilities, and through monitoring and observing the measurements of the radiation monitoring and early warning systems and the radiation background measurements at the border crossings, no significant radioactive contamination was indicated and all measurements were within the limits of the natural radiation background, which is what we have noted since the beginning of the crisis in the analysis of the course of events.”

Burathanews.com

Advisor: Iraq’s financial situation is secure

The Prime Minister’s Financial Advisor, Dr. Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed that Iraq’s financial situation remains within safe limits, despite the repercussions of regional tensions resulting from the Zionist aggression against Iran.

He explained in an interview with “Al-Sabah” that the general budget for the years (2023-2025) was formulated according to a medium-term financial policy, which adopted a clear hedge between an upper spending limit of (200) trillion dinars and a lower limit of more than (155) trillion, to secure the state’s operational and investment obligations.

He explained that the hedge was based on the oil asset cycle, with the inclusion of a hypothetical deficit of (64) trillion dinars to be financed when prices fall, giving the budget the ability to absorb shocks. He added that geopolitical tension raised oil prices by about (10) dollars, which increased revenues, despite the risks associated with the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, through which the majority of Iraq’s exports pass.

Alsabaah.iq

Washington monitors signs of “potential attacks” on US bases in Iraq and Syria.

A US official said on Monday that US military and intelligence officials have detected indications that “Iranian-backed factions” are preparing to launch potential attacks on US military bases in Iraq and possibly Syria, in retaliation for US strikes inside Iran.

The New York Times quoted the official as saying, “There have been no attacks so far, and Iraqi officials are making great efforts to dissuade the factions from carrying out any hostile action.”

The US Department of Defense announced that it had bombed Iranian nuclear sites with more than 182 tons of explosives, using 75 weapons, in the largest operation carried out by B-2 stealth aircraft in US history. The operation lasted only 25 minutes.

In response, the Iranian Armed Forces’ Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters warned of a large-scale military response to the United States following its participation in strikes targeting sites inside Iran.

The official spokesman emphasized that Iran’s response will include expanding legitimate targets and escalating the war in the region, with dire and unforeseen consequences for the United States.

Shafaq.com

The Iraqi parliament is suing the government over delayed budget schedules.

 Member of Parliament Hadi Al-Salami revealed on Monday that a lawsuit has been filed against the federal government for not submitting the 2025 budget schedules to Parliament yet.

Al-Salami said in a video clip received by Shafaq News Agency, “The Ministry of Finance has not disbursed the salaries of the nursing home, which amount to 60,000 dinars per person per month,” noting that “Parliament has filed a lawsuit against the Iraqi Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Finance due to corruption, misinterpretation, and negligence.”

He added, “The government violated Article 62 of the Constitution, violating Financial Management Law No. 6 of 2019, and Budget Law No. 23 of 2023,” noting that “these violations have negatively impacted citizens’ lives.”

Hussein Mounes, a member of the Iraqi parliament’s Finance Committee, ruled out the government’s submission of the federal budget schedules in an interview with Shafaq News Agency on Saturday, while reviewing the main reasons for this move.

Parliamentary Finance Committee member Moeen Al-Kadhimi previously suggested that the budget schedules could reach parliament in early July.

Shafaq.com

Mazhar Saleh: Stabilizing inflation is one of the most notable successes of Iraq’s economic policy.

The Prime Minister’s economic advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, confirmed that one of the most significant successes of Iraq’s economic policy this year has been the stability of the general price level, or inflation, growth rate. He noted that the annual inflation rate is approaching, for the first time in many years, the natural break in price growth, which amounts to about 3% or less, according to statistical inflation indicators.
Saleh explained in an interview with Al Furat News Agency that “this significant price stability is due to the combination of economic policy objectives to maintain the purchasing power of citizens’ cash income and overall macroeconomic indicators, which represents an addition to real income for citizens and a good indicator of the investment and business climate.”

He pointed out that “among the factors that contributed to achieving these successes is the general budget’s allocation of price support within fiscal policy, which constitutes more than 13% of GDP. This is a high and significant percentage, and goes towards subsidizing the prices of government services, in addition to fuel and food basket subsidies, farmer support, and other types of support.”

Alforatnews.iq

Preparations for the 4th meeting to join the World Trade Organization

The Ministry of Trade intends to hold the fourth meeting of the Iraq Task Force as part of preparations for Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

Ministry spokesman Mohammed Hanoun told Al-Sabah: “The Ministry of Commerce activated the accession process through several axes, the most important of which was holding the third meeting of the Iraq task force, which was held in July of last year, 16 years after the second meeting.” He noted that “preparations are underway to hold the fourth meeting this year.”

He added, “The Ministry has prepared a focus area for updating files on goods, services, intellectual property, and agriculture, which have been completed in accordance with WTO standards, and sending them for negotiation.”

Hanoun explained that “technical work is underway with ministries and the Kurdistan Region to update the coordinated customs system from 2017 to 2022 and update the legislative plan for the laws.”

For his part, economic expert Nabil Jabbar Al-Tamimi said, “There are benefits that Iraq will gain by joining the World Trade Organization, in addition to the obligations that it will face.”

Al-Tamimi told Al-Sabah: “Iraq could gain benefits by joining the organization, most notably economic integration with member states, participation in reducing taxes and fees, and easing restrictions on exported goods, in addition to trade disputes that the organization could intervene to resolve.”

He continued: “Legislation and laws must be passed that are consistent with the goals of the World Trade Organization, and there must be a suitable environment for foreign investment and freedom.” He explained that “one of the obligations that Iraq could impose is opening local markets to imported goods and lifting restrictions on them,” noting that “such an obligation would restrict Iraq’s attempts to restore Iraqi industry to its former glory,” as he put it.

Al-Tamimi stressed that “it is better for Iraq to be an observer in the organization than to join it, because the obligations it would entail are very harsh.”

Minister of Trade Athir Al-Ghurairi said in a press statement last week that “Iraq has made significant progress in its accession process to the World Trade Organization,” stressing that “the national team responsible for completing accession requirements has completed responses to more than 450 technical questions submitted by WTO members, reflecting Iraq’s serious commitment and transparency in addressing the requirements of this important international process.”

He added, “The national team is fully prepared for the next round of meetings with the organization’s General Secretariat and working group members, and will represent Iraq with a unified position based on a national economic vision that seeks disciplined integration into the global economy.”

He pointed out that “joining the World Trade Organization constitutes a strategic step to support the business environment, stimulate investment, and develop productive sectors, particularly industrial and agricultural sectors, thus enhancing Iraq’s economic standing regionally and internationally.”

He continued, “The Ministry, in coordination with relevant ministries and institutions, will continue its technical and diplomatic efforts to ensure the best results in the service of the supreme national interest.”

Alsabaah.iq

Washington Post: America’s debt reaches $36 trillion, and the war in Iraq is a major reason.

The United States’ debt is heading toward its highest levels since World War II, reaching $36 trillion, a figure that is expected to continue rising, as the U.S. government spends approximately $2 trillion more than its annual revenues.

This chronic financial deficit is one of the most prominent indicators of the country’s financial deterioration, a deterioration caused by eight major events and decisions, most notably the Iraq War, according to a report by the Washington Post, translated by Shafaq News Agency.

According to the report, the US Treasury is forced to borrow annually to cover this huge gap between revenues and expenditures, meaning that the national debt will continue to rise and may soon exceed its peak as a percentage of GDP reached at the end of World War II unless fundamental reforms are undertaken.

The report added that the bulk of this debt has accumulated over the past two decades, noting that in 2001, the state was recording a financial surplus as a result of tax collection, with a total that exceeded spending on government services.

However, the report explains that “since that time, four US presidents, ten terms of Congress, and two major wars, including the invasion of Iraq, have contributed to the accumulation of this debt, along with domestic political decisions, the rising costs of Social Security and health care programs, repeated tax cuts, bipartisan spending agreements, and massive expenditures allocated to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The report lists eight key moments that contributed to the United States’ arrival at this point, most notably its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, the United States launched its invasion of Iraq, with a national debt of $6.5 trillion at the time. It continued to wage wars in the Middle East for nearly two decades, leading to significant increases in military spending and veterans’ expenses.

The report is based on a Harvard University study, which indicated that “the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan cost the United States between $4 and $6 trillion.”

The report also explained that US President George W. Bush signed the first two major tax cuts into law, reducing tax rates on income, capital gains, and stock dividends.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated in 2012 that these cuts added about $1.5 trillion to the national debt, which was then at $5.7 trillion.

The report also highlighted Medicare Part D, a major expansion of health coverage for seniors to include prescription drugs, which was passed when the debt stood at $8.4 trillion.

In 2008, with debt reaching $10.1 trillion, the financial market crisis deepened the Great Recession, the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. According to economist Brian Riedel, the Bush and Obama administrations together enacted emergency measures worth nearly $2 trillion to address the effects of the crisis.

In 2013, when the debt reached $16.8 trillion, the Obama administration extended tax breaks for all but the wealthy, while Republicans agreed to extend some economic stimulus measures, as part of a deal estimated to cost a total of $4 trillion.

During President Donald Trump’s first term, a comprehensive tax cut bill was passed, focusing on reducing the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, and also included tax cuts for the majority of individual taxpayers.

The cost of this measure was estimated at approximately $1.5 trillion, while its cumulative impact was estimated at approximately $2.9 trillion, at a time when the public debt stood at $20.5 trillion.

In 2020, the United States faced the COVID-19 pandemic, with Trump signing the first and largest of three relief packages passed by Congress.

The first bipartisan package was worth approximately $3.4 trillion, followed by a second package worth $900 billion.

In 2021, Democrats, led by President Joe Biden, passed a third package worth $1.9 trillion, at a time when the debt had reached $27.7 trillion.

The report continues by noting that Biden succeeded in 2022 in pushing Congress to approve increased spending in the areas of health care for veterans, infrastructure, and a number of government agencies, which contributed to the debt rising to $30.9 trillion.

The report concluded by noting that Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration are moving this year to implement a plan that would increase the federal budget deficit by more than $2 trillion over the next ten years, and possibly by more than $5 trillion, unless comprehensive reform measures are taken to rein in the US public debt.

Shafaq.com

The Central Bank of Iraq announces the latest statistics on its foreign exchange reserves.

The Central Bank of Iraq announced, on Wednesday, an increase in its foreign currency reserves during May 2025.

The bank stated in official statistics, reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, that “the Central Bank’s foreign reserves as of May 22 of this year amounted to $98.83 billion, equivalent to 128.479 trillion Iraqi dinars, an increase from May 1, when reserves amounted to $97.943 billion, or the equivalent of 127.326 trillion dinars.”

He added, “These reserves also increased from April, when they reached $98.089 billion, equivalent to 127.516 trillion dinars.”

The bank indicated that “reserves decreased from last year’s 2024 figure of $100.276 billion, or the equivalent of 130.347 trillion dinars, and are also lower than the 2023 figure of $111.736 billion, or the equivalent of 145.257 trillion dinars.”

Shafaq.com