15 ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz “with Iranian permission” within 24 hours

The Iranian website Tabnak reported on Monday that only 15 ships had crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, amid strict restrictions on maritime traffic.

The website, citing maritime sources, stated that the ships passed through after obtaining permission from the Iranian side, with monitoring measures imposed on maritime traffic in the area.

The report added that a number of ships are still waiting to obtain crossing permits, while some shipping companies prefer to postpone their trips until the security situation becomes clearer.

He noted that shipping traffic in the strait has declined by about 90% compared to the period before the attack on Iran, reflecting the state of caution among global shipping companies.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes for transporting oil and gas, as a large percentage of global energy exports pass through it, making any decline in shipping traffic directly impactful on global markets.

Bloomberg had previously reported that an oil tanker carrying Iraqi crude had crossed the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran announced it was granting Baghdad a special exemption allowing its tankers to pass through despite restrictions on navigation.

This came after the closure of the strait following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which led to a decline in Iraqi exports and a rise in global oil prices.

Shafaq.com

A plan to end the war: “No nuclear weapons, no sanctions,” but Tehran refuses to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters, citing informed sources, revealed details of a proposed plan to halt the fighting between the United States and Iran, which is supposed to be decided on Monday. The plan includes an immediate ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and Tehran abandoning nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting sanctions and releasing its frozen assets.

The sources stated that “Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir held talks with the US Vice President, as well as US envoy Steve Wittkopf and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war in the Middle East.”

According to the sources, a two-stage plan was presented to Washington and Tehran, beginning with an immediate ceasefire, followed by reaching a final agreement within a period of 15 to 20 days.

The sources indicated that “the plan also includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as part of a broader package of understandings related to the Iranian nuclear issue and lifting economic restrictions.”

According to Reuters, the two sides must make a decision on the plan today, in a move that could pave the way for containing the escalation and opening the door to a comprehensive settlement within a short period.

In contrast, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran had received Pakistan’s proposal and was reviewing it, and would not accept deadlines or any pressure.

The official stressed that Tehran “will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire,” and believes that America is not ready for a permanent ceasefire.

Earlier today, Axios, citing four American, Israeli, and regional sources, reported that the United States and Iran are conducting negotiations through regional intermediaries regarding a possible 45-day ceasefire that could pave the way for a permanent agreement to end the war.

On Sunday, Trump threatened to wipe out Iran if no agreement was reached and the Strait of Hormuz was not opened by Tuesday evening, refusing to give a timetable for ending the war.

Shafaq.com

Observatory: Iraq was able to purchase 80 oil tankers with its 2025 investment budget.

The Eco Iraq Observatory confirmed on Monday that the investment expenditures of the Ministry of Oil during one year are sufficient to purchase 80 oil tankers, indicating that Iraqi governments have not invested sufficiently in this sector during the past years.

The observatory stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “the Ministry of Oil is one of the ministries that has allocated the most investment expenditures over the past years,” indicating that “the investment expenditures of the ministry in 2025 amounted to more than 12 trillion and 873 billion dinars, which is equivalent to about 9.9 billion dollars.”

He explained that “this amount allows Iraq to purchase about 80 giant oil tankers of the (VLCC) type, as the price of each one is about $110 million, which can be used to transport Iraqi oil and the oil of other countries.”

The observatory added that “there are several types of oil tankers, including ULCC (Ultra Large Crude), VLCC (Very Large Crude), Suezmax (Medium-sized), in addition to Aframax, Panamax, MR and Handysize (Small-sized).”

He noted that “this large volume of investment spending raises questions about spending priorities, especially in light of increasing economic crises and the need for greater support in essential sectors such as electricity, water and health.”

The statement continued, “Investing in a giant oil transport fleet would have enhanced Iraq’s ability to secure its exports and increase revenues, without the need to rely on external companies and partners.”

The Iraqi State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) urged its customers to expedite the submission of crude oil loading schedules within 24 hours, following Iraq’s exemption from any Iranian restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Bloomberg reported earlier on Sunday that an oil tanker carrying Iraqi crude appeared to be crossing the Strait of Hormuz, a day after Iran announced it was granting Iraq a special exemption to use the waterway despite continued restrictions on most countries.

Shafaq.com

After being exempted from the Strait of Hormuz restrictions, Iraq urges its clients to submit oil loading schedules.

Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) has urged its customers to expedite the submission of crude oil loading schedules within 24 hours, following Iraq’s exemption from any Iranian restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

The company confirmed that all loading stations, including the Basra Oil Station, are ready to operate at full capacity and implement contractual lifting programs without restrictions.

The resumption of exports is expected to help support production in Iraq, an OPEC member, which fell last month to around 800,000 barrels per day.

On the other hand, uncertainty still surrounds the extent to which ship owners are willing to enter the Arabian Gulf to load oil, given the ongoing tensions and war between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other, and the security risks it poses to maritime traffic.

Shafaq.com

The Peshmerga confirm that their headquarters in Erbil was attacked by a drone and hold Baghdad responsible.

The Ministry of Peshmerga announced on Monday that its forces’ command headquarters in the Kurdistan Region was attacked by booby-trapped drones, accusing what it described as “outlawed terrorist groups” of being behind it.

The ministry said in a statement, received by Shafaq News Agency, that the attack took place on the night of April 5, 2026, using four booby-trapped drones, as part of a series of attacks that it said targeted various areas of the region in recent days.

She added that these attacks “are carried out in full view of the Iraqi security forces,” noting that they have resulted in human losses and serious material damage.

The ministry criticized “the lack of a serious stance or practical steps by the federal government, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, or the joint operations command, to deter and put an end to these attacks.”

She affirmed that the Peshmerga forces “represent a part of Iraq’s defense and security system, and have formed a safety valve to protect the region and the country,” stressing that “stopping these attacks and holding those responsible accountable has become an urgent security necessity.”

The ministry concluded its statement by emphasizing that it had exercised restraint during the past period, but warned that it might be forced to take “another stance” if the “federal government’s silence and the inaction of its institutions” continued.

Shafaq.com

The Iraqi Interior Ministry has detected 534 rumors since the beginning of the war.

The Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced on Monday that it had recorded 534 rumors since the beginning of the ongoing regional war, while confirming that the security situation is stable and the borders are fully secured, with crime rates in the country decreasing.

The head of the Ministry’s Department of Relations and Media, Major General Miqdad Miri, said during a press conference attended by Shafaq News Agency that “the security situation in Iraq is stable,” stressing that “the security services are working according to well-thought-out and proactive plans to confront any emergency,” with “high coordination between the various security services.”

He added that “the Iraqi border, which is 3,719 kilometers long, is fully secured and no significant violations have been recorded,” stressing that “the state is capable of enforcing the law and is continuing to combat crime,” calling on citizens to cooperate and report via the number “911”.

Regarding rumors, he noted that “534 rumors have been recorded since the beginning of the events,” distributed as follows: 42% on Facebook, 26% on the X platform, 20% on Telegram, and 12% on TikTok. He explained that “50% of them are of a security nature, 30% are political, and 20% are miscellaneous.” Many of them have been denied, and legal action has been taken against some of them.

Miri indicated that crime rates decreased during the first three months of 2026, with murders decreasing by 34%, attacks on security detachments by 36%, shootings at residential buildings by 37%, armed brawls by 14%, throwing hand grenades by 14%, arson of houses by force by 57%, shootings at vehicles by 40%, kidnappings by 33%, and finding bodies by 17%, while theft crimes decreased by 45%, bringing the total decrease to 14%.

He pointed out that the Ministry of Interior “has taken over 68% of the tasks of the city centers, with a full handover in six governorates, the last of which were Al-Qaim and Al-Rumana districts,” stressing that work continues to complete the transfer of responsibilities.

He also announced “the arrest of 3,932 beggars and the apprehension of 888 foreigners violating the residency law,” noting that legal measures were taken against them and a number of them were deported.

Shafaq.com

Tehran intends to allow ships from friendly countries to pass through in exchange for fees.

A senior Iranian official said on Monday that Tehran would allow ships from some friendly countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for paying security fees, as part of its efforts to obtain compensation for the consequences of the war.

The official explained, according to Al Jazeera, that “a number of ships belonging to India, Pakistan, Turkey and France have already obtained permits to cross the strait.”

He stressed that “Iran intends to collect war reparations through these fees,” while also noting that “his country will respond strongly to the targeting of Mahshahr facilities, and will seek to obtain compensation for those attacks through innovative methods.”

Earlier today, Axios, citing four American, Israeli, and regional sources, reported that the United States and Iran are conducting negotiations through regional intermediaries regarding a possible 45-day ceasefire that could pave the way for a permanent agreement to end the war.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes for oil and gas transport, as a large percentage of global energy exports pass through it, making any decline in shipping traffic directly impactful on global markets.

Shafaq.com

Rubio: Soleimani’s relative and daughter are pro-Iran and live in luxury in America.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Saturday that the niece of the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, and her daughter, were green card holders and living comfortably in the United States, following the US State Department’s announcement of their arrest in preparation for their deportation from the United States.

Rubio stated in a post on the “X” platform, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, that “until recently, Hamida Soleimani Afshar and her daughter held green cards and lived in luxury in the United States.”

He explained that “Afshar is the niece of the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. She is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime, and has celebrated attacks against Americans and referred to our country as the ‘Great Satan’.”

Rubio continued, “This week, I terminated the legal status of both Afshar and her daughter, and they are now in ICE custody awaiting deportation from the United States.”

The Secretary of State concluded by saying, “The Trump administration will not allow our country to become a haven for foreigners who support terrorist regimes hostile to America.”

It is worth noting that the former commander of the Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, was assassinated by an American strike in January 2020 near Baghdad International Airport, months after attacks targeting American forces in Iraq and Syria, which were instigated by the Quds Force commander.

Shafaq.com

A positive appearance: Exchange rate stability reflects the strength of  reserves and the flow of goods.

The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Saturday that the stability of exchange rates in the local market reflects positive indicators, while pointing out that the strength of reserves and the accumulation of commodity stock contributed to reducing the fluctuations of the parallel market.
Saleh told Al-Furat News Agency: “The stability of exchange rates in the local market reflects positive indicators that are embodied in two main directions.”

He added that “the flexibility of financing foreign trade from the country’s foreign currency reserves, which are among the most efficient according to the standard of trade efficiency of reserves,” indicating that “these reserves extend to cover more than a year of imports, compared to the global standard, which is estimated at only about three months, in addition to continuing to meet the demand for foreign currency at the official rate of 1320 dinars per US dollar.”

He added that “the accumulation of diverse commodity stocks, both governmental and private, covers the country’s needs for essential and durable goods for a period ranging from one to three years,” noting that “this stability came as a result of adopting alternative trade methods, through the efficient and rapid use of the ports of neighboring countries, which ensures the smooth flow of goods to local markets.”

He pointed out that “these factors combined contributed to reducing exchange rate fluctuations in the parallel market, and led to achieving a high degree of price stability, with the exception of some seasonal fluctuations in the prices of a limited number of goods.”

He stressed that “the market maintained its expectations that the conflict in the Gulf and Middle East region will remain short-term and will not extend for a long period.”

Alforatnews.iq

A member of parliament warns of the dangers of delaying the presidential elections and continuing the cycle of postponement.

Member of Parliament Abboud al-Issawi confirmed on Saturday that there has been a decline in the progress toward resolving the presidential and cabinet appointments before the April 11th parliamentary session. He warned that the country’s security and economic situation necessitates that political blocs end the current deadlock.
Al-Issawi told the Information Agency, “Current indicators show a decline in the level of political understanding required to resolve the presidential and cabinet positions before the scheduled April 11th session,” adding that “time is beginning to put pressure on everyone.”

He further stated that “the significant challenges facing Iraq on both the security and economic fronts require a fully empowered government, and we cannot continue in this cycle of postponement.” He pointed out that “national responsibility compels political forces to make concessions and overcome the current crisis to avoid potentially disastrous consequences.”

Al-Issawi stressed that “the Iraqi people are waiting for tangible solutions to their economic and security problems, and this will only be achieved by forming an executive authority capable of making crucial decisions, free from the conflicts of power-sharing,” noting “the necessity of utilizing the next few days to reach a final agreement that ends the political stalemate.”

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