The coordinating body will meet early next week to decide on al-Maliki’s nomination for prime minister.

An informed source revealed on Tuesday that the Shiite Coordination Framework forces will hold their periodic meeting early next week to decide on the nomination of State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki for the position of Prime Minister in the new government.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the Shiite House forces will hold their meeting next Saturday to discuss a number of issues, including understandings between some of the active forces within the coordination framework and the political scene.”

He explained that the meeting would include “discussing the issue of nominating Maliki for the next government, and assessing the final positions of the framework leaders regarding Maliki’s nomination for the premiership for the third time.”

The source also indicated that “the withdrawal and resignation of the leader of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, the outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, from the race to win the premiership for the second time seems to have been a political tactic in order to put al-Maliki in front of the coordination framework, especially since there are some parties that do not want al-Maliki to return to power amidst the upcoming challenges and changes internally and regionally.”

He pointed out that the coordinating framework wants to form “a strong government acceptable to all political parties, capable of achieving balance in managing the next phase, in addition to assessing the general situation and ending the state of political stagnation and deadlock, along with other issues.”

The source added that “the issue of side understandings between some of the framework forces will also be discussed, in reference to (the understandings between the Reconstruction and Development bloc and the State of Law coalition and the formation of a unified parliamentary front), and the effects of this on the Shiite house, as it may cause the disintegration of the coordination framework.”

The spokesman for the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Firas al-Muslawi, confirmed yesterday, Monday, that the head of the coalition, Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, had withdrawn his candidacy for the position of Prime Minister in favor of the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, while revealing the formation of the “largest parliamentary bloc” between the two coalitions.

Al-Muslawi told Shafaq News Agency, “The coordination framework made a decision to authorize Al-Sudani and Al-Maliki to agree on the nomination of a candidate for the next prime minister. More than one meeting took place between them to discuss the government program and the upcoming challenges. Therefore, we and the leadership of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition unanimously decided (leaders and members) that Al-Sudani would withdraw his nomination in favor of Al-Maliki.”

He added that “the decision came to break the deadlock in the matter of choosing a framework candidate for the premiership and to adhere to constitutional timelines, and for several other reasons, including our concern for the interest of Iraq,” indicating that “the names included in the list of candidates are obscure names and cannot be named for this important position, which is the highest executive authority in the country.”

It is noted that a source within the Shiite coordination framework revealed to Shafaq News Agency that the forces that met last Saturday at the home of the leader of the Iraqi Foundation Coalition, Mohsen al-Mandalawi, sought clarification on the reasons that prompted the outgoing Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, to withdraw from the nomination and give space to the leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, to run.

According to the source, Maliki’s nomination was supported by most of the Coordination leaders, with the exception of the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, who sought the opinion of the religious authority and sent a message to the religious authority in Najaf. However, the latter renewed its refusal to interfere in the nomination of the prime minister, and thus the competition became limited to Maliki only.

Since the ratification of the election results held in November 2025, the Coordination Framework has begun holding meetings and conducting discussions among its forces and with other parties to decide on the position of Prime Minister, which is allocated to the Shiite component according to the custom in place after 2003.

Shafaq.com

Exclusive: American assessments: Striking Iran is “likely,” and Iraq is in danger.

The president of the Institute for Global Policy in Washington, Paulo Van Schirach, ruled out the possibility that US President Donald Trump would stand idly by in the face of the crackdown on protests in Iran, suggesting that a US military strike against “sensitive” targets inside Iran was likely, despite his warning of the risks of a retaliatory response that could affect US bases in Iraq and the Gulf.

Van Schirach told Shafaq News Agency that “Trump had previously warned the regime in Tehran that the United States would take action if the protesters were met with a harsh response.”

He added: “We clearly see that Iranian security forces are killing, beating, and arresting people, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Trump said: ‘I warned you and you did it, now I’m going to act.’”

Target Bank

Regarding the nature of the expected American response, the expert explained that the American administration may seek to strike “sensitive targets” such as military installations, factories, and headquarters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Van Schirach continued, saying that “Washington may also attack oil facilities and oil depots with the aim of weakening the regime, but the challenge lies in choosing targets that do not cause large civilian casualties, because attacking streets crowded with people would be a crazy idea.”

He pointed out that “the most important question remains (will it be a symbolic strike for show only, as happened previously, or a strike intended to cause serious damage to the system to facilitate a real rebellion?),” adding: “It is difficult to know what is going on in the administration’s mind right now, but the options are many.”

Van Schirach pointed out the difficulty of predicting the actions of the American president, saying that “Trump is an unpredictable figure; sometimes he threatens and does not act, as happened with Putin and Ukraine when he gave deadlines and nothing happened. There is a kind of inconsistency that makes prediction difficult.”

According to the American expert, if the Iranian regime continues its repression after an initial strike, there may be a sustained bombing campaign until they stop, although Trump does not want an invasion of Iran and does not want to see American soldiers killed abroad because that would cause him political problems.

Danger in Iraq and the region

Van Schirach also warned of the repercussions of any American attack on the region, pointing to Iranian threats of retaliation, explaining that “the Iranian regime has clearly stated that it will respond to American military targets, given the presence of American bases and a US presence in Iraq, Syria, Qatar and Bahrain.”

He concluded by saying that “Iran is not strong at the moment, but it or its proxies may resort to retaliation in these areas, which makes the scene chaotic, and yet I cannot rule out American military action in any way.”

Earlier on Tuesday, US officials reported that they had presented US President Donald Trump with new options regarding military strikes against Iran, but he had not yet made a final decision on the matter, according to US press reports.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on countries that do business with Iran, while simultaneously considering military action against the Iranian regime.

Shafaq.com

In one month, Iraq exported more than 7.5 million barrels of oil to America.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration announced on Tuesday that Iraq’s oil exports to the United States totaled more than 7.5 million barrels during December.

The administration stated, in a table seen by Shafaq News Agency, that Iraq exported 7.533 million barrels of crude oil to America during the month of December, recording a decrease compared to the month of November, in which Iraqi oil exports amounted to 7.950 million barrels.

She added that Iraq exported an average of 306,000 barrels per day of crude oil to America during the first week of December, while the average exports reached 181,000 barrels per day in the second week, 357,000 barrels per day in the third week, and 129,000 barrels per day in the fourth week.

She explained that Iraq ranked third among oil-exporting countries to the United States last month, after Canada, which came in first as the largest oil supplier to America, followed by Saudi Arabia in second place.

The administration noted that Iraq ranked second among Arab countries exporting the most oil to America, after Saudi Arabia, which topped the list with exports of 9.796 million barrels, while Libya came in third with exports of 2.139 million barrels.

Shafaq.com

Harris: The Kurdistan Region is a strong and pivotal partner and ally of the United States.

The acting US ambassador to Iraq, Joshua Harris, affirmed on Tuesday that the Kurdistan Region is a strong and pivotal partner and ally of the United States in the region.

This came during the reception of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, today, by the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Iraq, in the presence of the US Consul General to the region, Wendy Green, according to a statement issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government, which was received by Shafaq News Agency.

The statement explained that the meeting addressed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, discussed the general situation in Iraq, and reviewed the progress of negotiations between political parties aimed at forming the new federal government.

The meeting witnessed a joint affirmation of the need to respect the federal and constitutional entity of the Kurdistan Region, to secure its rights and financial entitlements, and to ensure the federal government’s continued payment of salaries to the region’s employees, particularly the salaries for the months of November and December of last year.

For his part, Harris renewed his country’s support for the region, praising the government reforms in various sectors, and stressing that the Kurdistan Region is a strong and pivotal partner and ally of the United States in the region.

In turn, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region expressed his thanks and appreciation for the continued American support and assistance.

The talks also touched on another topic: discussing the latest developments and changes in the regional situation.

Shafaq.com

Al-Hilali: Al-Maliki, as the next prime minister, will cancel Al-Sudani’s recent decisions.

On Tuesday, MP Ibtisam al-Hilali, from the State of Law parliamentary bloc, confirmed that the leader of the State of Law coalition, in his capacity as the next prime minister, will cancel all decisions issued by the caretaker government headed by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani recently.

Al-Hilali told Shafaq News Agency that “the decisions issued by the government and the outgoing Prime Minister are illegal and lack constitutional legitimacy.”

She added that “the decision of the Federal Court in issue No. 213 of 2025 stipulated the termination of the fifth session of the House of Representatives and the transformation of the government of Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani into a ‘caretaker government’ with limited authority to conduct daily affairs.”

Al-Hilali indicated that “Al-Maliki will be the Prime Minister in the next Iraqi government, and in his first session he will make a decision to end all the decisions issued in the caretaker government, including the decision on incorrect taxes and customs duties, in addition to the decision to stop leaves, scholarships and transfers between employees.”

Outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has ordered a ban on study leave for employees, and has decided to sell “surplus” state vehicles.

This came according to documents of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, which were reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, and were issued based on what was decided by the Council of Ministers in its first regular session held on January 7, 2026.

The documents indicated that the Cabinet decided to approve the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for the Economy to authorize all ministries and entities not affiliated with a ministry to sell all vehicles except production vehicles belonging to them that are 15 years old or more, and to sell all production and non-production vehicles, equipment, generators, construction machinery and other machinery of all kinds that are idle and surplus to the need, regardless of the year of manufacture and belonging to all departments.

According to the documents, it was also decided to reduce the fuel quotas allocated to all ministries, non-ministerial entities, and governorates by 50 percent of the currently allocated quotas.

It was also decided to adopt the academic certificate with which the employee was first appointed in government departments as a final certificate and not to count certificates obtained during employment for all purposes and in all government departments for all specializations except for the Ministry of Higher Education to the narrowest extent.

It was also decided to stop transfers to the Ministries of Oil, Finance, Education and Higher Education and any other entity to which transfer or assignment would result in an increase in financial allocation. It was also decided to stop sending students abroad at the expense of the state for all specializations.

Shafaq.com

Ministry of Finance: Iraq achieved the second highest improvement in government globally

The Ministry of Finance announced on Tuesday that Iraq has achieved the second highest improvement globally in international governance indicators. The ministry stated in a statement that “Iraq has achieved a new international achievement within the World Governance Indicators (WGI) report issued in December 2024, according to Fitch and Standard & Poor’s agencies, as Iraq recorded the second highest improvement globally on an annual basis, reflecting the success of the reform steps adopted by the government in state institutions.”

She also noted that “official data from global indicators revealed a tangible improvement in Iraq’s global governance scores, which rose from 29.5 points in 2023 to 32.5 points in 2024. This increase represents a positive indicator of the effectiveness of the financial and administrative policies adopted to enhance transparency and efficiency.”

She also explained that “according to the report, the largest annual gains were concentrated in three vital sectors: Government efficiency: which increased by (+4.6 points), Anti-corruption: which made progress by (+4.3 points), Regulatory quality: which increased by (+4.0 points).”

She explained that “progress was not limited to administrative aspects only, but governance indicators pointed to a remarkable and comprehensive improvement in several key areas, which enhances the confidence of the international community, donors and investors in the Iraqi environment, namely: freedom of expression and accountability, political stability and absence of violence, efficiency of government performance, in addition to organizational quality, the rule of law and combating corruption.”

The report also noted that “this remarkable progress is a result of the commitment to the economic reform program, working to automate financial procedures and strengthen the principles of e-governance, as well as continuing efforts to maintain this positive outcome in a way that serves the supreme national interest and enhances Iraq’s position in international indicators.”

Burathanews.com

Ministry of Transport: Al-Faw Port enters an advanced stage of preparation for commercial operation

The Ministry of Transport announced on Tuesday that the Grand Faw Port has entered an advanced stage of preparations for commercial operation following the completion of its main berths for receiving cargo ships. Ministry spokesperson Maitham al-Safi told the official news agency that “the Grand Faw Port has entered an advanced stage of preparations for commercial operation after the completion of the main berths for receiving commercial vessels.” He added that “work is currently underway to finalize the necessary infrastructure for the port’s commercial operation and complete maritime connections with regional and international ports to ensure international competitiveness.” He pointed out that “the government is giving great attention to selecting port operators with outstanding international experience and qualifications,” explaining that “the Ministry of Transport has worked with international consulting firms and possesses the specialized expertise that qualifies it to select competent operators with world-class standards.” He continued, stating that “the first phase of the port’s operation will have a capacity of 3.5 million containers annually.”

Burathanews.com

A US report calls on Washington to focus on Iraqi politics, not “leaders”.

The Atlantic Council called on the United States to focus its Iraq policy not on individuals and leaders, but on strengthening institutional processes, arguing that although outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani appears to be “the safest option,” this perspective conflates personal leadership qualities with the deeper structural problems that have historically plagued Iraq.

After the American Institute said in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency that it is still uncertain whether Al-Sudani will get another government mandate, it explained that the government coalition talks will not only lead to the formation of the next government, but will also contribute to determining Iraq’s direction towards future challenges.

Between Maliki and Sudanese

The US report said that many in Washington believe that al-Sudani is different from Nouri al-Maliki, the only prime minister to have served two terms in the post-Saddam Hussein era, adding that this “assumption is both comfortable and misleading.”

He went on to say that al-Sudani is often seen as focusing more on technical issues and causing less division, while leading a more stable country than before, a situation that suggests he is “the safest option,” suggesting that al-Sudani will continue to work with Washington on critical issues related to reform and the disarmament of militias in the next four years.

However, he pointed out that this view “confuses personal leadership qualities with the deeper structural problems that have plagued Iraq historically,” explaining that political elites view the state as a source of rewards, and therefore, in such a political landscape, a single leader who remains in power for a long time can turn temporary power into permanent control, noting that even competent leaders can weaken institutions if they remain for a second term.

Therefore, the American report considered that the main issue for the stability of Iraq is not whether al-Sudani is like al-Maliki, but whether the Iraqi political system allows for real competition, adding that the losing forces should be able to return to power through elections and negotiation, and that rivals can continue to compete within the system itself, rather than seeking power elsewhere.

He stressed that this form of competition is important for Iraq’s security, not just its democracy, explaining that political elites used ministries and agencies not only for political action, but also to manage alliances by distributing jobs, contracts, and security positions. He clarified that prime ministers like Haider al-Abadi, Adel Abdul Mahdi, and Mustafa al-Kadhimi were not “aggressive” enough and lost power, but despite that, they left the country more stable than their predecessors.

In comparison, the report said that “leaders who treated the state as ‘spoils of war’ and built strong patronage networks, such as Nouri al-Maliki, served longer,” noting that Iraqi prime ministers are often seen as pragmatic in their first term, as they assume office through a quota-sharing deal that divides ministries and top posts across blocs. It added that “under these constraints, prime ministers tend during their first term to minimize immediate friction between competing power centers and prioritize deals, including Baghdad-Erbil arrangements such as oil budget agreements.”

In addition, the report said that they are trying to contain armed factions through a combination of formal integration and selective pressure.

He continued that, in contrast, a second term changes the incentives by making it more rewarding to cling to power, adding that leaders who expect to stay longer often put loyal figures in top jobs, use government contracts to protect themselves, weaken oversight bodies, and use audits or investigations against their opponents.

According to the report, the Sudanese government resorted to such a move at the end of its first term, including by directing a federal oversight committee to audit the revenues and expenditures of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

The trap of the second term

The report argued that the “second term trap in Iraq” does not always lead directly to authoritarianism, but rather slowly transforms appointments, contracts, and implementation tools into a system that limits political change and weakens institutions.

After pointing to the experience of 2014, when military units collapsed during the fight against ISIS, with the blame being placed on corruption, weak leadership, political appointments, and sectarian divisions—problems that arise when security forces serve politics rather than operate as professional institutions—the report explained that “this is the main lesson of Maliki’s second term in office, which can be defined as the slippery slope toward the end of Iraq as a single, unified state.”

He went on to say that “the problem was not just the style of one leader, but the failure of institutions to prevent power from becoming too personal once someone had been in office for too long.”

He noted that Sudani’s supporters point to his focus on services, his style of governance, and what he provides for Iraqis, and that even his critics mostly acknowledge that he deals with competing pressures with discipline. However, he said that “in Iraq, a leader’s personal style cannot overcome deeper pressures for long, especially when seeking a second term.”

The report added that “if Sudani wins a second term, he is likely to use the state to consolidate his personal power in the absence of real checks and balances, a concern reflected in the veto power exercised by the Shiite Coordination Framework against his remaining in power.”

He went on to say that if Sudani were to win a second term, his coalition partners could impose strict demands and conditions on him, expecting Sudani to use his power to make appointments that would strengthen their networks and financial interests, help his allies, and counter rivals.

The report said that since 2014, things in Iraq have seen somewhat gradual improvements because prime ministers have not been able to see their authority as permanent, and that even during chaotic transitions, the belief that no leader is permanent has kept politics open and allowed for change. It noted that “this openness changes how political forces behave, as when they believe that losing an election means they can still bargain later, they are more likely to participate in elections, negotiate, and build alliances, and will be less inclined to use force.”

America and Iraq

The report stated that, based on this viewpoint, the real question for American policymakers is not about the personal qualities of the next Iraqi prime minister, but rather whether the political system is open enough to prevent the state from becoming a means to achieve the narrow interests of groups.

While the report noted the limited influence of the United States on Iraqi politicians, it said that if it were too direct, it could backfire by stirring up nationalism, aiding corrupt individuals, or if it appeared that the United States was choosing the leaders.

Therefore, the report considered that any good American strategy should be “cautious and focused” with the aim of supporting strong institutions and political change without supporting any one leader.

He went on to say that the American strategy should prioritize institutional processes, not individual leaders, to achieve stability.

The report concluded by saying that “the main question is not whether al-Sudani is like al-Maliki, but whether a second term will reduce competition and weaken institutions,” adding that “keeping the same leader can only help stability if there is real oversight and an opportunity for political change.”

Shafaq.com

Pahlavi sends a message to Trump regarding the protests

On Friday, Reza Pahlavi, the crown prince of the former Iranian regime, sent a message to US President Donald Trump, commenting on the internet and communications blackout in Iran.

Pahlavi said in a post on the X platform that “millions of Iranians demanded their freedom tonight, and in response, the Iranian regime cut off all lines of communication. It shut down the internet, cut off landline telephones, and may even try to jam satellite signals.”

He added: “I would like to thank the leader of the free world, President Trump, for renewing his promise to hold the regime accountable. It is time for others, including European leaders, to follow his example, break their silence, and act more decisively to support the Iranian people.”

Pahlavi continued, “I call on them to harness all available technical, financial and diplomatic resources to reconnect with the Iranian people so that their voice may be heard and their will seen. Do not let the voices of my brave countrymen be silenced.”

It is worth noting that the protests in Iran began at the end of December 2025 due to the sharp decline in the value of the local currency (the Iranian rial) and its impact on prices.

Shafaq.com

An economic assessment of the Central Bank’s decision to fix the dollar exchange rate in the 2026 budget.

USD-Iraqi dinarEconomic expert, Nabil Al-Marsoumi, described the decision of the Central Bank of Iraq to fix the exchange rate of the dollar in the 2026 budget as an expected step aimed at strengthening monetary stability and supporting the investment climate in the country.

Al-Marsoumi told Al-Furat News Agency that: “The Central Bank has always sought to stabilize the dinar against foreign currencies,” considering that “any change in the official exchange rate could lead to widespread negative consequences at the financial and social levels.”

He explained that “reducing the exchange rate of the dinar is not a quick solution to the problems of the economy,” noting that “any decrease in the currency must be preceded by comprehensive reform steps that include financial, tax, customs, trade and investment policies.”

He added, “The financial benefits of lowering the exchange rate are limited compared to the significant social and economic impacts that may result from this step.”

The economist explained that “the Central Bank’s decision reflects the desire to maintain stability; however, it faces challenges due to the large gap between the official price and the parallel market, which is exacerbated by the application of the Skoda system to all goods imported into Iraq.”

He stressed that “it would have been better to implement the system gradually on a specific set of goods while working to resolve coordination issues with the Kurdistan Region to mitigate the impact of the measures on traders and markets.”

Al-Marsoumi concluded by saying that “stabilizing the exchange rate is a positive signal for investors and citizens, but it requires parallel steps to ensure reducing the price gap and achieving actual monetary stability in local markets.”

The Central Bank of Iraq addressed the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, confirming that the official exchange rate adopted in the 2026 budget will be 1,300 dinars per dollar.

Alforatnews.iq