An American institute on al-Zaidi: Did the United States hand Iraq over to al-Khazali?

The Middle East Forum, an American think tank, linked the nomination of Ali al-Zaidi to form the new Iraqi government with the question of whether the United States had handed Iraq over to Qais al-Khazali, the Secretary-General of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement.

The American Institute explained in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency that since 2018, the United States has designated many Iraqi businessmen and banks as part of a network that helps Iran and armed factions access dollars, evade sanctions, and finance their influence within the country.

While the report indicated that this network was part of the political economy that allowed militias to move from armed groups to centers of influence through money, banks, contracts and state institutions, it noted that among the names associated with this were Ali Ghulam, Salim Ahmed, and Aqeel Muften, in addition to Ali al-Zaydi, who was nominated by the Iranian-backed coordination framework to form the government.

The report noted that Al-Zaidi is linked to the South Islamic Bank, which the report described as one of the banks prohibited from dealing in dollars under measures taken by the Central Bank of Iraq following American pressure on suspicion of “money laundering, dollar smuggling and illegal use of the American currency.”

The report continued, saying that al-Zaydi’s nomination comes amid the rise of Qais al-Khazali within the state, noting that al-Zaydi is the candidate of the leader of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, with the support of the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaidan, who is once again showing that he will not separate himself from the equation of the coordination framework.

He pointed out that Zidane could have been part of a process that would reduce Iranian influence and militias within the country, but instead he chose to protect the existing balance.

According to the report, Khazali no longer relies solely on the authority of his militias or his parliamentary bloc, as he has expanded his influence over the past years within security, economic and political institutions. He has also presented himself as the active player who protects the political system from collapse, which has strengthened his role within the state.

The report continued that, in addition to his “agents” within parliament and economic interests, Khazali strengthened his influence within sensitive security institutions, including the Counter-Terrorism Service, after the dismissal of Abdul Wahab al-Saadi and the rise of leaders closer to the coordinating framework and the parties that make it up.

The report added that if Khazali’s candidate were to become prime minister, his influence would move from influence within the government to almost complete control over it.

The report stated that Khazali’s supporters in Baghdad are promoting the idea that the US government accepts him and that Washington will deal with him in the same way it dealt with the “terrorist president” who became interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Syria. It added that this comparison presents Khazali not as the leader of an Iranian-backed faction, but as representing a new reality that Washington can work with, if he guarantees stability and brings the factions under one umbrella.

However, the report noted that the differences were clear, as al-Shar’a emerged in a different context, with broader Arab and regional support, while al-Khazali comes from within an Iranian-backed armed, economic and political network that has undermined Iraqi sovereignty.

The report said the irony is that Washington, after years of pressuring Iraqi banks and dollar networks to prevent Iran and factions from evading sanctions, now seems ready to treat al-Zaidi as an acceptable candidate.

The report went on to say that Washington’s acceptance of al-Zaidi is more problematic, as Washington is not only dealing with a candidate linked to controversial banking and business files, but also with a man who is seen in Baghdad as being close to al-Khazali, the leader of a faction classified as “terrorist” by the United States, and linked to Iran.

While the report indicated that al-Zaydi’s nomination may not be final, as he still has 30 days to form the government, it noted that if he fails, the coordinating framework will choose another candidate.

He added that al-Zaidi’s nomination may be an attempt to buy time to allow the coordinating framework to see where the confrontation between Washington and Tehran is headed, but in both cases, the prime ministership remains within the same network.

The report concluded by saying that if the Khazali network and the factions manage to form the government, Iran will have gained another four years to evade sanctions, strengthen its influence, and consolidate the control of its allies within the Iraqi state.

Shafaq.com

Iraq’s financial revenues exceed 15 trillion dinars in two months

The Ministry of Finance revealed on Monday that the volume of Iraqi revenues in the federal budget during the months of January and February of 2026 exceeded 15 trillion dinars.

Shafaq News Agency followed up on the data and tables issued by the Ministry of Finance this May for the accounts of January and February of 2026, and it was shown that the total revenues amounted to 15 trillion, 708 billion, 703 million, 55 thousand, and 312 dinars, a decrease of 13% compared to the same period of 2025, which amounted to 17 trillion, 427 billion, and 196 million dinars.

According to the financial tables, oil revenues amounted to 13 trillion, 127 billion, 528 million, and 433 thousand dinars, which constitutes 84% ​​of the general budget, while non-oil revenues amounted to 2 trillion, 581 billion, 174 million, and 621 thousand dinars.

Meanwhile, non-oil revenues transferred from the Kurdistan Region to the state treasury amounted to 120 billion dinars.

According to the financial tables, the total current expenditures amounted to 16 trillion, 978 billion, 257 million, and 451 thousand dinars, including salaries for employees that exceeded 10 trillion dinars, pensions for retirees amounting to 3 trillion dinars, in addition to social welfare salaries of 912 billion dinars.

The Iraqi state’s continued reliance on oil as the sole source of its general budget puts the country at risk from global crises that occur from time to time due to the impact on oil, which prompts governments each time to cover the deficit by borrowing from abroad or internally. This indicates an inability to manage state funds effectively and an inability to find alternative financing solutions.

Shafaq.com

One hundred aircraft and 15,000 troops to carry out the American “Project Freedom” in Hormuz

The US Central Command announced on Monday the launch of “Project Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz, with extensive military air support.

The Central Command said that “the operation is supported by more than 100 aircraft and 15,000 military personnel,” while US President Donald Trump confirmed that “Operation Project Freedom went into effect this morning.”

Trump had previously announced that “the United States would begin efforts to free ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz as a humanitarian gesture to help neutral countries in the war being waged by the United States and Israel against Iran” in an operation he called “Project Freedom”.

In this context, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations announced that “the United States has established an enhanced security zone to support transit through the Strait of Hormuz,” as part of measures to protect navigation.

In contrast, the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters in Iran, Major General Ali Abdollahi, warned on Monday against ships crossing without coordination, saying that “any safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz is done in coordination with the armed forces.”

He stressed that “all commercial vessels and oil tankers must refrain from any passage without coordinating with the forces stationed in the strait,” threatening to target any foreign military presence in the area.

Shafaq.com

Kirkuk maintains 200,000 barrels per day as Kurdistan’s production declines

Sources in the North Oil Company revealed on Monday that exports of approximately 200,000 barrels per day of Kirkuk oil continue, with operational measures being taken to compensate for the decline in quantities coming from the Kurdistan Region.

Sources told Shafaq News Agency that approximately 30,000 barrels per day of total exports were pumped from the region, but the decline in production there during the recent period, as a result of the shutdown of a number of oil companies, has affected the volume of exported quantities.

She added that the North Oil Company resorted to compensating for part of this decline by transporting crude oil from the southern fields within Kirkuk Governorate, at a rate of about 50,000 barrels per day, which is transported by tankers to the “K1” station, to be pumped later through the Kirkuk-Kurdistan Region pipeline.

The sources explained that these measures are part of an operational plan aimed at maintaining the stability of oil flow and avoiding any sharp decline in exports, in light of technical and operational challenges facing some fields.

She explained that relying on tanker transport is a temporary solution to ensure the continuity of supplies until the shut-down fields are restarted and oil companies return to their normal operations.

The sources confirmed that the Kirkuk-Kurdistan Region line represents an important route within the export system, as it is used to transport part of the governorate’s production in addition to additional quantities supplied from other regions.

She stressed that the current stage requires coordination between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to ensure the stability of production and exports, given the importance of this sector in supporting the Iraqi economy.

Shafaq.com

The United States activates aerial surveillance over the Gulf.

Flight tracking data on Monday showed a U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton reconnaissance drone flying over the Arabian Gulf, following Washington’s announcement of an operation to secure the exit of ships from the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the data, the aircraft activated its transceiver at approximately 9:40 AM (Baghdad time), while flying at an altitude of about 10 kilometers over Jordan.

At approximately 11:40 a.m., the aircraft, bearing the call sign “OVRLD1”, departed the Saudi coast, continuing its flight over the Arabian Gulf within an area that witnesses regular patrols.

On Sunday evening, US President Donald Trump announced the launch of “Operation Freedom” to help ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz leave, noting that these ships belong to countries that have no connection to the ongoing tension between Washington and Tehran.

The MQ-4C Triton is one of the U.S. Navy’s newest unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and is used for long-range maritime surveillance missions.

It is characterized by its ability to fly for long hours and at high altitudes, and is equipped with advanced radar systems that enable it to track ships and maritime targets and provide an accurate intelligence picture to support operations in sensitive areas, such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf.

Shafaq.com

Al-Zidi informs the coordinating body of the date for presenting his cabinet for a vote.

On Monday, MP Mohammed Al-Shammari, from the parliamentary services bloc, revealed new details regarding the date for submitting the ministerial cabinet of the new government and the mechanism for deciding on it within the House of Representatives.

Al-Shammari told Shafaq News Agency that Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi has enough time constitutionally to finalize his government formation and present it to the House of Representatives within the specified period.

He added that “Al-Zidi informed the leaders of the Coordination Framework of his intention to present the ministerial cabinet on the 9th of this month,” noting that “the House of Representatives will hold a session during the next week to vote on granting confidence to the new government.”

Al-Shammari pointed out that “the final decision on ministerial portfolios has not yet been completed,” noting that “there are intensive political efforts to complete all ministries in conjunction with the confidence vote session.”

According to the MP, the number of ministries in the next government will be 22 portfolios, distributed as follows: 12 ministries for the Coordination Framework forces, 6 ministries for the Sunni blocs, and 4 ministries for the Kurdish parties.

It is worth noting that a political source revealed to Shafaq News Agency a few days ago that the Ministry of Higher Education will be allocated to the Progress Party (which obtained the position of Speaker of Parliament) led by Mohammed al-Halbousi, which holds 27 seats as a major party, while the Azm Alliance, led by Muthanna al-Samarrai, which holds 15 seats, will receive the Ministry of Defense.

Sources also indicated that al-Zaydi will meet with Sunni leaders, including al-Halbousi, because the latter raised the bar for his party’s demands in the government cabinet, which sparked controversy behind the scenes of the political forces, especially with the Sunni ministries file entering the stage of direct negotiation.

Last week, the ruling Shiite coalition forces in Iraq announced the nomination of Ali al-Zidi for the premiership, after al-Sudani and al-Maliki withdrew from the race for the position, in a move that opened the door to a new settlement within the Shiite bloc after weeks of political deadlock over the shape of the next government and the distribution of its sovereign and service positions.

Ahafaq.com

Nechirvan Barzani to the leaders of the framework: We will provide all facilities to ensure the success of forming the government.

On Monday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani discussed with leaders of the Coordination Framework in Baghdad the developments in the political process in Iraq and the efforts to form the new federal government.

The regional presidency stated in a statement that both sides emphasized the importance of forming a government that responds to the challenges of the current stage and meets the aspirations of all components of the Iraqi people.

Both sides stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between political forces and joint action to resolve outstanding issues, particularly between Erbil and Baghdad, in accordance with the constitution, while emphasizing the protection of security, stability and sovereignty of the country.

According to the statement, Barzani affirmed the Kurdistan Region’s support for the political process and its readiness to provide the necessary facilities to ensure the success of the formation of the new government.

For their part, the leaders of the Coordination Framework praised the visit, stressing the importance of joint coordination and the exchange of visions to resolve political crises.

The meeting also addressed the repercussions of the war in the region and its effects on Iraq, with both sides stressing the need to keep the country away from the dangers of tensions and conflicts.

The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, headed to the federal capital, Baghdad, on Monday for a two-day visit to discuss three main issues.

According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, received by Shafaq News Agency, Barzani will hold a series of meetings with senior Iraqi leaders and officials during the visit to discuss the political process, the formation of the new federal government, relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and a number of other issues.

The agency learned that the delegation accompanying the President of the region includes Fuad Hussein, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Fawzi Hariri, Head of the Office of the President of the Kurdistan Region; Nouri Othman, Director of the Office of the President of the Kurdistan Region; Abdul Hakim Khosrow, Head of the Coordination and Follow-up Department in the Kurdistan Regional Government; and Falah Mustafa, Assistant to the President of the Kurdistan Region.

In this context, an informed political source told Shafaq News Agency that the President of the Region will meet with the leaders of the framework, in addition to holding a meeting with the caretaker Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani.

According to the source, Nechirvan Barzani will hold a meeting with Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi, as well as a meeting with Ammar al-Hakim, head of the Wisdom Movement, and a meeting with the leaders of the National Political Council.

Shafaq.com

America receives a “revised” Iranian response to end the war

US media reported on Friday that the United States had received, through Pakistani intermediaries, a revised Iranian response to the latest US conditions for ending the war.

CBS News quoted Pakistani officials as saying they had conveyed to Washington a revised Iranian response to the latest US conditions for ending the war.

The sources added that they are optimistic that reaching an agreement may be closer than it was before Iran submitted its new response.

According to the American news website Axios, Trump’s special envoy Steve Wittkopf sent a list of amendments on Monday that focused on reinstating the nuclear issue in the text of the agreement.

According to what the website quoted from an informed source, the amendments included a demand for Iran to pledge not to transfer any enriched uranium as long as negotiations continue. Washington also requested an Iranian commitment not to resume any activity at the nuclear facilities that were bombed.

Earlier today, Iran announced that it had submitted its revised proposal in negotiations with the United States, after the talks had stalled in recent days, while President Donald Trump’s administration explored “military options.”

The deadline for sending the revised Iranian response was Friday, after Trump rejected the previous version of the proposal, according to CNN.

Iran, in its previous offer, sought to postpone discussions on nuclear issues to a later stage, which Trump rejected.

Despite Islamabad’s intensive mediation efforts, this week saw an escalation in threats and statements from both the American and Iranian sides.

But the network quoted informed sources on Friday as saying that mediators in Pakistan “believe that reaching a fair agreement is still possible,” noting that “the ball is now in Tehran’s court.”

After Iran announced it had sent its revised proposal, oil prices fell, trimming their weekly gains in London and New York, Bloomberg reported.

On Thursday, Trump received a briefing from top military leaders on possible escalation options, including a “final, powerful strike” aimed at forcing Tehran to make concessions on its nuclear program.

Fox News reported that the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Brad Cooper, briefed Trump in the White House Situation Room on Thursday regarding options for a possible “final strike” against Iran.

According to the American network, the US military is preparing to launch a “strong and time-limited wave of strikes” if Trump decides to resume military operations.

Potential targets include remaining Iranian military equipment and facilities, leaders in the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guard, as well as other infrastructure.

Shafaq.com

Iraq begins exporting crude oil through the Rabia border crossing to regional markets.

The Border Ports Authority announced on Friday the launch of the first crude oil export operation through the Rabia border crossing with Syria, with the dispatch of the first 70 tankers towards regional markets.

The head of the Border Ports Authority, Omar Adnan Al-Waili, said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “the first crude oil export operation through the Rabia border crossing was launched today, with 70 tankers loaded with oil being exported as a first batch towards the Syrian Arab Republic, and the number is subject to increase, in accordance with approved organizational and security procedures and under the direct supervision of the competent government authorities.”

Al-Waeli stressed that “this step constitutes a launch for activating the Rabia port as a strategic corridor for exporting crude oil, which will contribute to relieving pressure on other ports and diversifying marketing channels, as well as supporting the national economy and increasing revenues.”

He added that “work is underway to increase the port’s capacity and develop its infrastructure and logistics services, in line with the expected volume of activity during the next phase,” noting that “exporting oil through land ports is an important option for diversifying marketing channels and reducing the risks associated with traditional routes.”

This operation comes within the framework of the government’s directions aimed at maximizing non-oil revenues and activating the role of border crossings as effective economic hubs, as well as strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries and facilitating trade exchange in a way that serves common interests.

The Rabia-Yarubiya border crossing between Iraq and Syria reopened its doors to trade and travelers on April 22, after a 13-year closure.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of the Arab Exporters and Importers Union, Muhammad Riyad Al-Sirafi, confirmed that reopening the “Al-Yarubiyah – Rabia” border crossing will contribute to strengthening supply chains and reducing shipping costs, given the logistical and economic importance of the crossing in trade between Iraq and Syria.

Shafaq.com

Abdul Hadi: The outlines of the ministerial cabinet will become clear within two weeks.

Member of the Coordination Framework, Uday Abdul-Hadi, confirmed on Friday that the first outlines of the cabinet will emerge within the next two weeks, noting that there is currently agreement on a number of portfolios.

Abdul-Hadi told Al-Maalouma that “the consultations to form the government by Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi are continuing at an active pace, in light of the Coordination Framework meetings,” indicating that “the first outlines of the cabinet may become clear within the next two weeks, given the current agreement on some portfolios.”

He pointed out that “the last meeting of the Coordination Framework renewed its support for the candidate designated to form the government, while emphasizing the need to accelerate the pace of engagement with political forces and proceed with forming the cabinet,” noting that “current indicators suggest there are no significant complications, which makes the formation process flexible and smooth.”

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