A call for strict governmental and legal action to control the oil smuggling issue across the region.

The economic expert Hashim al-Haboubi called on the federal government on Tuesday to take firm and realistic measures against the Kurdistan Regional Government to prevent ongoing oil smuggling operations, coinciding with the recent international breakthrough of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to compensate for Iraq’s losses in recent months.

Al-Haboubi told the Information Agency that “the recent agreement between Tehran and Washington, which allowed for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of oil exports, necessitates decisive government action to control the internal oil sector.”

He added that “the sharp decline in oil exports over the past period due to tensions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has had a severe negative impact on the Iraqi state treasury’s revenues,” noting that “previous governments failed to prevent the continued smuggling of oil through the region, which caused significant damage and a large waste of public funds.”

Al-Haboubi pointed out that “Baghdad is now obligated to impose its legal and regulatory authority on the region’s border crossings and oil fields to prevent any illegal sales that harm the national economy.”

Almaalomah.me

A race against time… Parliament heads to an extraordinary session to decide on the cabinet.

Political and parliamentary efforts are intensifying to complete the new cabinet and fill the remaining vacant ministerial posts before the end of the current legislative recess. This comes amidst increasing pressure from members of parliament on the leaders of political blocs to expedite agreement on the nominated candidates and convene an extraordinary session to vote on them.

MP Mukhtar al-Youssef revealed that there is a parliamentary movement underway to gather the necessary signatures to hold an extraordinary session of parliament to finalize the remaining cabinet positions. He confirmed that a number of MPs are exerting significant pressure on the heads of political blocs to resolve this issue in the near future.
Al-Youssef told the Information Agency, “There is a real movement within parliament to collect the necessary signatures to hold an emergency session in order to finalize the remaining cabinet positions before the end of the legislative recess.” He explained that “completing the government formation has become an urgent necessity in light of the political, security, and economic challenges facing the country.”

He added that “filling the vacant posts will contribute to strengthening government performance and activating the work of the remaining ministries, which will positively impact the implementation of the government program and improve the level of services.”
In contrast, former MP Abdul Hadi al-Saadawi dismissed the existence of divisions among political blocs regarding the remaining ministerial portfolios, asserting that the delay is not related to disagreements between political forces, but rather to differences within some blocs concerning their candidates for ministerial positions.

Al-Saadawi explained to Al-Maalomah that “talk of political divisions over the cabinet is exaggerated, as the main problem lies in the internal disagreements within some blocs regarding the names nominated for the remaining portfolios.”

He pointed out that “these disagreements were among the reasons that led to the postponement of finalizing several ministries during the past period,” noting that “reaching understandings within the political blocs would pave the way for holding a voting session and proceeding with the completion of the cabinet in its entirety.”

Observers believe that the success of MPs in gathering the required signatures to convene an extraordinary session could expedite the resolution of one of the most prominent outstanding political issues, especially given the increasing demands to complete the government structure and allow the new ministers to assume their duties before the start of the next legislative session.

Amid pressure from members of parliament and efforts by political blocs to reach final agreements, the coming days appear crucial in determining the fate of the remaining ministerial portfolios, and whether the political forces will be able to close this file before the end of the legislative recess, or whether internal disagreements will postpone the decision to a later date.

Almaalomah.me

Cautious anticipation… What awaits Iraq after the US-Iran agreement?

While political assessments in Baghdad and the region’s capitals race to read what might result from the recent US-Iranian understanding, the Iraqi scene seems closer to a gray area that oscillates between optimism about the possibility of capitalizing on the breakthrough, and cautious waiting until it becomes clear whether the agreement will actually hold on the ground or remain a fragile political framework that is susceptible to shaking at the first regional test.

This ambiguity is further compounded by the complexities of the Iraqi scene itself, where political, security and economic issues are intertwined with an extensive regional and international network of influence, making Iraq one of the countries most affected by any shift in the relationship between Washington and Tehran, whether in terms of internal stability, power balances, or even regional energy and trade routes.

According to initial announcements, the “peace agreement” between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, includes a cessation of military operations, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation, the lifting of the naval blockade on Iran, and the opening of a path for nuclear negotiations within 60 days.

Although the executive details are still incomplete, the mere announcement of it on Sunday night/Monday morning has begun to affect market expectations and regional powers’ assessments, in an early indication that its potential repercussions will not remain confined to Washington and Tehran, but will necessarily affect countries, foremost among them Iraq.

Iraq and regional conflicts

In this context, political analyst Imad Al-Musafir, who is close to the coordination framework, says that Iraq is “within a region teeming with conflicts, and it is certain that any escalation or stability in this region will have a negative and positive impact on the Iraqi interior, especially given the significant economic and political ties between Iraq and the countries of the region.”

The traveler adds to Shafaq News Agency that what is required today is “a clear vision for the Iraqi political decision-maker regarding what is happening in the region, and to employ it correctly in a way that serves Iraqi interests, and not at the expense of national constants and principles held by the Iraqi people.”

Conditional opportunity

In contrast, Dr. Ihsan Al-Shammari, Professor of Strategic and International Studies at the University of Baghdad and Head of the Center for Political Thought, believes that Iraq may be one of the most prominent countries to benefit from ending the state of war between Washington and Tehran, given the magnitude of the direct effects that this confrontation has on the Iraqi interior.

Al-Shammari told Shafaq News Agency that Iraq “was one of the countries most affected by the military operations between America and Iran, and the accompanying political, diplomatic and economic repercussions,” adding that the agreement “represents an opportunity for Ali al-Zaidi’s government to rearrange the cards, especially at the political level, towards a roadmap for reforming the state and its institutions and putting forward a national project.”

On the economic level, Al-Shammari, speaking to Shafaq News Agency, points out that previous tensions, especially those related to the Strait of Hormuz, have affected oil revenues, but he sees the current easing of tensions as an opportunity that should be invested more deeply by “diversifying the routes for exporting Iraqi oil through Saudi Arabia, the port of Yanbu, Jordan, Syria and even Turkey, which would allow for pumping approximately 1.4 million to 1.5 million additional barrels.”

He adds that “the issue is not just about increasing revenues, but about restructuring the Iraqi economy according to the realities of the war that took place.”

From a security standpoint, Al-Shammari believes that the agreement could constitute “a supporting document for the principle of restricting weapons to the state, as there is no justification for any weapons remaining outside the framework of the state,” noting that the next stage may push the government to move forward with the issue of armed factions within broader understandings with Tehran.

But Al-Shammari warns at the same time against being satisfied with traditional approaches, saying that this “will not bring Iraq any more benefit,” noting that even Iraqi-American and Iraqi-Gulf relations “were damaged during the previous stage, and that today the opportunity is ripe to rearrange them quickly.”

Caution and vigilance

Despite the positive atmosphere that accompanied the announcement of the agreement, Dr. Haitham Al-Hiti, a professor of political science at the University of Exeter in Britain, calls for greater caution in interpreting the current stage.

Al-Hiti told Shafaq News Agency, “No one knows how solid the agreement is or its ability to become a reality,” adding that “the agreement is still fragile and unclear, and came after many political maneuvers and compromises.”

He believes it is too early to talk about decisive repercussions for Iraq, whether positive or negative, noting that “the next stage will be determined not only by the American-Iranian relationship, but also by the American role within Iraq.”

He adds that the American agenda being managed by envoy Tom Barrack inside Iraq “will be more influential than the course of the relationship between Washington and Tehran,” explaining that the measure of developments in Iraq “will be linked to the American role and the plan that Barrack will implement, and to how the Iraqi political forces respond to this shift in light of the pressing economic reality.”

Multiple gains

For his part, writer and political analyst Ali Al-Baydar believes that the agreement opens a new window for Iraq that could turn into a lasting gain if it is properly utilized.

Al-Bader told Shafaq News Agency that Iraq “could be one of the regional countries most positively affected by the agreement, given its geopolitical location and its relations with the parties involved.”

He points out that the previous phase, especially since the events of October 7, 2023, imposed dual American and Iranian pressures on Iraq that made the “political compass unstable,” adding that any breakthrough may alleviate internal polarizations and disparities in political loyalties.

Economically, Al-Bader expects that stability will enhance the investment environment and increase confidence in the Iraqi economy, while in terms of security, he believes that the agreement will likely lead to “a decrease in mutual attacks and a reduction in the use of Iraqi territory as a battleground,” giving security agencies an opportunity to focus on issues such as combating terrorism.

Shafaq.com

Al-Zaidi at the White House in mid-July… Iraq and America reaffirm strategic partnership

Iraq and the United States affirmed on Tuesday their commitment to strengthening a “strong and mutually beneficial” strategic partnership that includes security, energy, and investment, as well as supporting political and economic stability in the country.

This came in a joint statement issued today by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Tom Barrack, as reported by Shafaq News Agency.

According to the statement, Al-Zaidi and Barak reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Iraqi and US governments to establishing a strong and mutually beneficial US-Iraqi partnership capable of fulfilling the aspirations of Iraqis for a future of sovereignty, security and prosperity, and providing tangible benefits to the Iraqi and American people.

Barak conveyed President Trump’s desire to receive the Prime Minister at the White House in mid-July to discuss the future of this relationship.

According to the statement, the two sides discussed the Iraqi government’s shared and ambitious vision for building a brighter future free from terrorism, and implementing Iraqi plans aimed at the complete disarmament and disbanding of all armed groups and formations operating outside the authority and control of the Iraqi state, confining weapons to the state, and imposing full sovereignty, in order to ensure that Iraq is kept away from conflicts and that its territory is not used by any party to threaten regional peace, while emphasizing the urgent need to fully accomplish these efforts.

The Prime Minister reiterated Iraq’s commitment to deepening trade and investment relations between the two countries, which Barak welcomed as a shared approach. Both sides also commended Iraq’s decision to finalize the granting of the operating license to Starlink to provide world-class internet services to Iraqi consumers, launch negotiations with Chevron to develop the West Qurna-2 and Nasiriyah oil fields, enable American companies HKN, Western Zagros and Hunt to resume their operations with full security guarantees, move forward with the memorandum of understanding with TI Capital to rehabilitate the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline as a vital oil export route, and commit to expanding trade cooperation between the United States and Iraq to support Iraq’s electricity needs, including Excelerate Energy’s project to develop a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Khor Al-Zubair.

Both sides also stressed the importance of supporting a strong, united, sovereign, federal, democratic Iraq based on well-established constitutional institutions, and ensuring full equality for all citizens, thereby enhancing Iraq’s unity, stability, and prosperity.

Shafaq.com

Parliamentary movement to end acting appointments to senior positions in Iraq

On Tuesday, MP Ibtisam Al-Hilali, from the State of Law Coalition, revealed a political movement within the House of Representatives to submit a request to the Speaker of the House aimed at issuing a parliamentary resolution that sets a date for ending the management of senior and special positions, undersecretaries of ministries, and acting directors-general.

Al-Hilali told Shafaq News Agency that there are dozens of senior positions in the Iraqi government, including special grades, undersecretaries of ministries, directors general and those of their rank, as well as heads of independent bodies, that are run by acting officials chosen by the government without consulting the House of Representatives.

She added that some of those holding these positions have been in their roles for years and are still managing them in an acting capacity to this day.

Al-Hilali indicated that the House of Representatives will work during the next legislative session to exercise its oversight and legislative role in issuing a decision and official directive to the government that includes setting a time limit for ending the acting appointments, and selecting competent and professional individuals capable of managing these positions in the next stage.

Shafaq.com

Barak from Erbil: Trump has special respect for the Kurdish people and the Kurdistan Region.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Iraq and Syria and US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, affirmed on Tuesday that President Trump has special respect for the Kurdish people, the Kurdistan Region, and its leadership.

This came during a meeting between Barak and the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, in Erbil, in the presence of the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Baghdad, Joshua Harris, and the Commander of the Coalition Forces in Iraq and Syria, General Kevin Lambert, according to a statement issued by the regional government and received by Shafaq News Agency.

The two sides discussed the general situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the region, while the Prime Minister of the region renewed his thanks and appreciation to the United States for its continued support, stressing the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields.

For his part, Barak praised the progress and development in the Kurdistan Region, stressing that President Trump views the Kurdish people, the region, and the leadership of Masoud Barzani with special respect.

Both sides agreed on the importance of developing trade relations between the United States, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and enhancing the activity of American companies, particularly in the energy sector.

They also affirmed their support for the new federal government headed by Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi, which contributes to achieving economic prosperity and serving all citizens and components in Iraq, as well as addressing outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil in accordance with the constitution.

On another front, both sides stressed the importance of activating the Kurdistan Parliament and ending the political deadlock, which would pave the way for the formation of the new cabinet of the regional government as soon as possible.

Shafaq.com

Abdi and Barak meet as Kurdish Council delegation arrives in Erbil

A source from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported on Tuesday that SDF commander Mazloum Abdi will hold a meeting with US Special Envoy to Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, coinciding with the arrival of a delegation from the Kurdish National Council to the region.

The source told Shafaq News Agency’s correspondent in Syria that “Abdi arrived yesterday in the Kurdistan Region and is supposed to hold meetings with US envoy Tom Barrack, as well as with the region’s president, Nechirvan Barzani.”

The source added that “Abdi will discuss with Barak the progress of the integration process between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government, and the terms of the January 29, 2026 agreement between the two sides.”

Shafaq News correspondent confirmed that members of the Presidential Board of the Kurdish National Council arrived in Erbil yesterday, Monday.

An official source told Shafaq News that “Kurdish Council officials will hold meetings with regional officials in the next two days before returning to Syria to begin preparations for holding the Council’s conference.”

US Presidential Special Envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barrack, arrived in Erbil on Tuesday afternoon, where he held a meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

These talks come after a visit that Barak began on Monday to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, where he met with Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi and discussed with him strengthening bilateral relations and issues of common interest.

Shafaq.com

Al-Zaidi follows in his predecessors’ footsteps… a visit to Washington amid unresolved issues

It seems that the current Prime Minister, Ali al-Zidi, has followed the same custom witnessed by previous governments by the Prime Minister visiting the United States and the White House. This raises many questions about the importance of this visit and the true nature of its content, which is not disclosed in the media and official protocol statements. This comes at a time when some political parties are warning against al-Zidi going to Washington before the government is formed and all ministerial portfolios are completed, especially since the government is currently incomplete and needs 9 candidates to be voted on and complete the cabinet.

Former minister and State of Law Coalition member Zuhair al-Jalabi told Al-Maalomah that “al-Zaidi’s visit will be a courtesy to the White House, especially since the selection of the prime minister was preceded by influence from the American side during the formation of the new government, as happened in 2021 after the political deadlock at that time.”
He added that “the prime minister’s visit to Washington should be preceded by the completion of the cabinet formation, not by going with a government missing nine ministers. Going with an incomplete government means that the visit will be accompanied by many suspicions regarding the possibility of the American administration dictating its conditions and interfering in the selection of cabinet nominees.”

On the other hand, former MP Jassim al-Bayati confirmed to Al-Maalomah that “al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington should be a visit with positive results and in the interest of Iraq, and not just a tour to listen to what the American administration dictates.”

He added, “The Prime Minister should hold a prior, closed meeting with the Coordination Framework forces, followed by a broader meeting with the State Administration Coalition forces, which represent all political forces.” He explained that “the aim of these meetings is to discuss and establish red, yellow, and green lines regarding sensitive issues shared between Baghdad and Washington.”

He pointed out that “the most prominent of these issues are security, national sovereignty, and investment, in addition to the issue of Iraqi funds deposited in the US Federal Reserve, along with a review of the ongoing US violations of the Strategic Framework Agreement signed between the two parties.” He also rejected the notion that “the visit’s objectives should be limited to gaining personal support, as this would have negative repercussions and create complex political problems within Iraq.”

Some media outlets, citing informed sources, reported that al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington in mid-July will include discussions on a number of political, security, and economic issues of mutual interest. Foremost among the topics to be discussed are the security agreement signed between Baghdad and Washington, the mechanisms for withdrawing US forces after the expiration of their designated deployment periods in Iraq, and the future of security cooperation between the two countries. Economic matters will also be addressed, particularly the proposal to establish an Iraqi financial fund in the United States, financed by revenues from Iraqi oil exports to the American market.

Almaalomah.me

Iraq wins international lawsuit against Orange, saving its treasury from paying $800 million.

On Monday, the Ministry of Justice announced a legal achievement represented by winning the international arbitration case filed by Orange against the Republic of Iraq/Communications and Media Commission, which resulted in the dismissal of all claims of the plaintiff company and spared the Iraqi state from paying financial compensations estimated at approximately (800) million US dollars.

The ministry stated in an official statement that the arbitration panel’s decision also included obligating Orange to pay the sum of (10) million US dollars to Iraq for legal fees and expenses, in a step that reflects the strength of the Iraqi legal position and the efficiency of the efforts made in managing this file and achieving positive results that serve the interests of the Iraqi state.

Shafaq.com

Nechirvan Barzani: The US envoy’s visit to Erbil is important, and we will discuss the outstanding issues in Baghdad.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani stressed on Monday the importance of the visit of US Special Envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barak, to the capital Erbil, noting that the meetings will include discussions on the disputes and outstanding issues between the regional government and the federal government.

K24 satellite channel quoted President Nechirvan Barzani as saying, “This is the first time that Barak has visited Erbil in his official capacity, and it is certain that issues related to the Iraqi file in general will be discussed during it.”

The region’s president also explained that these meetings will discuss vital issues concerning the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil, with the aim of strengthening joint coordination between all parties.

Barak’s visit to Baghdad and Erbil comes with the aim of discussing multiple political and security issues, coinciding with the rapid developments and events taking place in the region.

Shafaq.com