Starting tomorrow, Al-Zaydi directs the resumption of operations by oil companies in Kurdistan.

Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed on Wednesday that oil companies in Kurdistan resume their work starting Thursday, during his reception of a high-level delegation from Kurdistan.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Al-Zaidi received today a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government headed by the Minister of Natural Resources, Kamal Muhammad Salih, accompanied by representatives of a number of international oil companies operating in the region, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Oil, and the Chief of Staff of the Army.

The statement added that the Prime Minister listened to a detailed explanation of the working conditions of the oil companies, in light of the recent events resulting from the war that the region witnessed, as well as presenting a comprehensive vision regarding the resumption of those companies’ work as quickly as possible.

According to the statement, Al-Zaydi directed that all requirements be provided to secure the work of oil companies operating in the region, noting that the damage inflicted on Iraq as a result of the cessation of oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz was significant, requiring a doubling of efforts to compensate for that damage by addressing the problems that hinder increased production.

Information received by Shafaq News Agency earlier on Wednesday indicated that a high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government is scheduled to travel to Baghdad on Wednesday to hold talks regarding the resumption of the region’s oil exports.

According to information obtained by Shafaq News Agency, the Kurdish delegation consists of: Kamal Mohammed, Minister of Natural Resources; Omid Sabah, Chief of Staff of the Council of Ministers; and Amanj Rahim, Secretary of the Council of Ministers. The delegation will hold serious talks regarding the resumption of Kurdistan’s oil exports, and the issue of increasing export volumes will also be discussed.

The information confirms that if the Kurdistan Region’s oil exports resume, this will have a direct impact on the salaries of the region’s citizens, and therefore Baghdad will be obligated to send the salaries on their scheduled date.

Kurdistan Region’s oil exports have fallen from 200,000 barrels to 20,000 barrels due to attacks by Iraqi factions and Iranian forces, which have forced companies to halt their operations.

The head of the office of the Council of Ministers of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Omid Sabah, announced on May 24 that, following the end of the Eid al-Adha holiday, a high-level official delegation from the Ministry of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Region, accompanied by representatives of foreign oil companies, is scheduled to visit the capital, Baghdad, to conduct detailed discussions aimed at reaching a final formula that guarantees the resumption of the region’s oil exports as soon as possible.

He noted that foreign oil companies operating in the region had demanded official guarantees from the Iraqi government following recent security tensions and attacks on oil fields, indicating that Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi had personally pledged to provide these guarantees to protect the fields and companies.

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Washington tells Tehran: The Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until the location of the “uranium” is determined.

The Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported on Wednesday that America informed the Iranian authorities that it would not open the Strait of Hormuz until Iran handed over its enriched uranium sites.

The newspaper said that “Washington informed Tehran that it will not open the Strait of Hormuz or lift sanctions before knowing the location of the enriched uranium.”

She added that “Washington demanded that Tehran clarify the location of its enriched uranium stockpile before announcing the agreement.”

US President Donald Trump had confirmed earlier on Wednesday that Iran had agreed not to possess a nuclear weapon, noting that developments related to the Iranian file were proceeding at a rapid pace.

Trump expressed his belief that the situation “will be very good” in the coming period, indicating that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is involved in the ongoing talks between the two sides.

He indicated the possibility of holding a meeting with him at a later stage, while expecting that gasoline prices would decrease after the end of the current war.

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Al-Lami suggests that new names will be submitted for the vacant ministerial portfolios.

ndependent politician Sheikh Haider al-Lami, close to Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed that finalizing the cabinet is not a difficult matter. He suggested that new figures will be nominated for ministerial positions in al-Zaidi’s cabinet, in addition to those rejected in the government’s approval vote.

Al-Lami told Al-Maalouma, “Completing the cabinet and filling the remaining ministerial posts in Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet is not difficult; it will be achieved through agreement and understanding among the political blocs.”

He added, “The cabinet will be finalized through an agreement among the blocs on specific individuals for the vacant ministerial positions, and matters may be settled and the cabinet completed before the 15th of this month through an agreement among the political blocs participating in the government.”

He explained that “the matter will not end with the candidates whose appointments to the cabinet were rejected. Other figures will be selected and presented to the House of Representatives for a vote, especially since the political blocs have capable individuals who can manage the ministries. It is likely that they will nominate other candidates for ministerial portfolios. Therefore, if Parliament rejects some candidates, the blocs will simply put forward others.”

Almaalomah.me

State of law: The vote on the vacant ministerial posts may be decided at this time.

The State of Law Coalition revealed on Wednesday that the forces within the Coordination Framework have agreed to hold an extraordinary meeting in the near future to finalize the cabinet formation, suggesting that the vote on the remaining ministerial posts will take place at the beginning of July.

Coalitionleader Jassim Mohammed Jaafar told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the meeting of the Coordination Framework leaders, held at the home of Victory Coalition leader Haider al-Abadi, was lengthy and addressed several issues.” He noted that “resolving the disagreements regarding the distribution of the remaining portfolios necessitates this anticipated extraordinary meeting.”

Jaafar added that “those present agreed on the need to address these vacancies as quickly as possible,” indicating that “the matter will be resolved and voted on in Parliament at the beginning of July, coinciding with the end of the first legislative session of the Council of Representatives.”

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“Al-Maalomah” reveals the files of Trump’s envoy to Iraq

Revealed on Wednesday that President Trump’s envoy, Tom Barrack, will discuss with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi the corruption files of officials in previous governments, carrying the names of those involved in stealing Iraqi funds between 2003 and 2026, most notably former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

Haider told the Information Agency, “The information we received from the American decision-making source indicates that President Trump’s envoy, Tom Barrack, carried a file containing the names of 1,000 political figures from Shia, Sunni, Kurdish, Christian, and Yazidi parties involved in stealing huge sums of money from the state budget, with former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani at the top of the list.”

He added, “Barrack carries conclusive evidence to charge 1,000 figures who took turns running the country and amassed enormous wealth through illicit means, exploiting the critical conditions Iraq witnessed.”

Almaalomah.me

Al-Fayez: Finalizing the cabinet depends on political consensus.

The head of the Tasmeem parliamentary bloc, Amer al-Fayez, confirmed on Wednesday that discussions are ongoing among political forces to finalize the cabinet formation. He noted that the upcoming parliamentary recess could affect the holding of a vote on the cabinet. Al-Fayez told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “Discussions are still underway among political forces to reach final understandings regarding the completion of the cabinet and filling the vacant ministerial positions.”

He added, “Parliament will enter its legislative recess soon, and if an agreement is reached on the candidates and the cabinet is complete, the parliament’s leadership may call for an extraordinary session to vote on the nominees.”

He pointed out that “holding the extraordinary session remains contingent on securing a quorum, as difficulties may arise due to the recess and the busy schedules of some members of parliament.” He explained that “political forces are striving to resolve this issue as quickly as possible to ensure the completion of the government formation.”

Almaalomah.me

A high-level delegation from Kurdistan plans to visit Baghdad to discuss resuming the region’s oil exports.

A high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government is scheduled to travel to Baghdad on Wednesday for talks on resuming the region’s oil exports.

According to information obtained by Shafaq News Agency, the Kurdish delegation consists of: Kamal Mohammed, Minister of Natural Resources; Omid Sabah, Chief of Staff of the Council of Ministers; and Amanj Rahim, Secretary of the Council of Ministers. The delegation will hold serious talks regarding the resumption of Kurdistan’s oil exports, and the issue of increasing export volumes will also be discussed.

The information confirms that if the Kurdistan Region’s oil exports resume, this will have a direct impact on the salaries of the region’s citizens, and therefore Baghdad will be obligated to send the salaries on their scheduled date.

Kurdistan Region’s oil exports have fallen from 200,000 barrels to 20,000 barrels due to attacks by Iraqi factions and Iranian forces, which have forced companies to halt their operations.

The head of the office of the Council of Ministers of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Omid Sabah, announced on May 24 that, following the end of the Eid al-Adha holiday, a high-level official delegation from the Ministry of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Region, accompanied by representatives of foreign oil companies, is scheduled to visit the capital, Baghdad, to conduct detailed discussions aimed at reaching a final formula that guarantees the resumption of the region’s oil exports as soon as possible.

He noted that foreign oil companies operating in the region had demanded official guarantees from the Iraqi government following recent security tensions and attacks on oil fields, indicating that Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi had personally pledged to provide these guarantees to protect the fields and companies.

Shafaq.com

Al-Hakim: Consultations are underway to hold an emergency session to decide on the remaining ministerial portfolios.

The head of the National State Forces Alliance, Ammar al-Hakim, announced on Wednesday that Iraqi political forces and parties are conducting intensive consultations to decide on the remaining seats in the government cabinet by holding an emergency session of the House of Representatives, given that there is a mandatory legislative recess that lasts from the beginning of June until July 1st.

Al-Hakim said during a press conference he held in Al-Muthanna Governorate that it is possible to cut short this holiday with an emergency session, in addition to the fact that many members of the council have gone to the holy lands to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, and we are waiting for their return to proceed with completing the government headed by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi.

The Iraqi parliament voted on May 14 to grant confidence to the government of Ali Faleh al-Zaidi and its ministerial program with 14 ministers, while the vote on the remaining 9 ministries was postponed until after the Eid al-Adha holiday due to the continuation of political disputes over the distribution of portfolios, amid reports of international warnings against the inclusion of armed factions in the new ministerial formation.

On another front, Al-Hakim renewed his support and praise for the steps taken to restrict weapons to the state, considering this a constitutional and legal entitlement that cannot be reversed.

The head of the State Forces Alliance welcomed the “rapid response” of the Peace Brigades, the military wing of the Shiite National Movement led by Muqtada al-Sadr, and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, headed by its Secretary-General Qais al-Khazali, in addition to the “Imam Ali” Brigades, in handing over their weapons to the state, expecting that other factions will respond soon, and noting that there are armed factions that prefer to hand over weapons at the beginning of next September with the end of the mission of the international coalition against ISIS led by the United States of America and its departure from Iraq.

This position coincides with the authorization granted by the Coordination Framework, which includes the Shiite political forces, on Monday evening to the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali al-Zubaidi, to take the decisions and measures necessary to preserve the country’s higher interests, while simultaneously announcing its support for the project to restrict weapons to the state and to separate the Popular Mobilization Forces from all political, partisan, and social frameworks.

Shafaq.com

IMF: Iraq among the economies most affected by regional turmoil in 2026

A report issued by the International Monetary Fund showed that Iraq will be among the economies most affected by regional turmoil during 2026, with clear repercussions on inflation rates, external accounts and public finances.

According to the report, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, Iraq is among a limited group of countries facing double pressures as a result of the disruption of trade and the rise in transportation costs, in addition to the effects of armed confrontations on trade routes, especially those related to the Strait of Hormuz, which has led to a noticeable decline in current account and financial balance indicators compared to previous expectations.

The IMF noted that Iraq and Iran experienced the greatest negative pressures on their external and fiscal accounts among the affected countries in the region, as trade losses and declining economic activity outweighed any potential gains from higher oil prices, leading to downward revisions in fiscal performance for 2026.

On the inflation side, the report explained that Iraq witnessed an increase in expectations within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, driven by increased import costs and higher commodity prices, with increases in the region ranging from moderate levels in Iraq and some GCC countries to higher levels in Iran.

According to the IMF, these developments reflect the sensitivity of the Iraqi economy to regional turmoil, particularly with regard to supply chains and foreign trade costs, in addition to the country’s reliance on vital transport routes that pass through geopolitical hotspots.

The report also predicted that pressure on Iraq’s economic indicators would continue in the coming period, unless there is a breakthrough in the regional trade environment and an improvement in the conditions of economic and financial stability.

Shafaq.com

Al-Fayez rules out holding an “emergency” parliamentary session to complete the cabinet.

On Wednesday, MP Amer Al-Fayez, a leading figure in the coordination framework, ruled out holding a session of the House of Representatives during the coming week, suggesting that the completion of the cabinet will be postponed until after the end of the legislative holiday.

Al-Fayez told Shafaq News Agency that “the Prime Minister and the Coordination Framework are determined to complete the cabinet in order to support stability and complete the projects included in the government’s ministerial program.”

He added that “what is hindering the completion of the cabinet is the House of Representatives entering its legislative recess,” explaining that “there is a need to call for an emergency session, but the quorum for emergency sessions may or may not be achieved, given the travel and vacations of most members of parliament.”

He pointed out that “the political blocs concerned with the ministries have not yet submitted the names of the candidates to the Prime Minister,” explaining that “the names can be submitted within a few days if an agreement is reached to hold a session of the House of Representatives.”

Al-Fayez added that “there is difficulty in holding a session of the House of Representatives during the next week, and the council is currently on legislative leave, and the representatives are not ready to attend,” suggesting that “if a quorum is not achieved, the completion of the cabinet will be after the end of the legislative leave.”

The head of the National State Forces Alliance, Ammar al-Hakim, had confirmed earlier today that Iraqi political forces and parties are conducting intensive consultations to decide on the remaining seats of the government cabinet by holding an “emergency” session of the House of Representatives, given that there is a mandatory legislative recess that lasts from the beginning of this June until the first of July.

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