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.

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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.”

Almaalomah.me

Al-Karawi calls for a national strategy to revive Iraqi industry

MP Mudhar al-Karawi called on Friday for the adoption of a comprehensive national strategy to revive Iraqi industry, noting that more than 80% of factories and industrial facilities are nearly closed to production.

Al-Karawi told Al-Maalouma, “The occasion of International Workers’ Day necessitates reflecting on the state of industry in Iraq, which has suffered in recent years from numerous pressures that have led to the near-complete closure of approximately 80% of its factories and associated facilities, and the dismissal of tens of thousands of experienced, skilled, and competent workers.”

He added, “The industrial sector needs a clear strategic vision to rehabilitate it and propel it back into production, given the availability of significant human resources that can contribute to providing ample job opportunities for young people in various fields.”
He pointed out that “Iraq imports more than 90% of its needs from abroad, an exceptional situation that must change, because the continuation of this situation will have cumulative negative repercussions over time.”

He affirmed that “creating a favorable environment for the revival of national industry will yield numerous benefits, most notably easing pressure on government employment and reducing imports, which drain the majority of hard currency,” emphasizing “the necessity of reassessing the economic balance to drive genuine industrial growth.”

Almaalomah.me

Report urges Trump to draw “red lines” ahead of al-Zaidi’s rule over Iraq

A US report urged President Donald Trump’s administration to maintain what it called “red lines” during the process of forming the new Iraqi government, three days after Ali al-Zaidi was tasked with becoming prime minister.

American conditions

The report issued by the US-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies , and translated by Shafaq News Agency, warned against including figures linked to armed factions or close to Iran in ministerial or senior positions.

The US report warned that forming a government that includes figures close to Tehran could harm the future of Iraqi-American relations, calling on Washington to continue to exert pressure to ensure the formation of a government that is “not subject to the influence of militias” and maintains a balanced relationship between Baghdad and its international partners.

The report stressed that Iraq represents a crucial arena for confronting Iranian influence and illicit financial activities, as well as combating terrorism, emphasizing that achieving this requires an effective partnership with Baghdad without pushing the country towards an economic or military crisis.

He pointed out that assigning businessman Ali al-Zaidi to the premiership does not guarantee that he will actually assume the position, as he still has 30 days to form a government that enjoys the confidence of Parliament, in light of previous experiences in which candidates failed to secure sufficient support, as happened in 2020.

Al-Zaydi was chosen after disagreements within the coordinating framework, as the American report saw that his “limited political experience” contributed to achieving consensus on him, as he was a figure who might be more susceptible to influence by the framework’s leaders.

Financial concerns

The report expressed concern about al-Zaidi’s past affiliations, noting that he served as chairman of the board of directors of the “South Islamic Bank,” which was barred by the Central Bank of Iraq in 2024 from participating in the dollar auction in response to American pressure.

According to the US-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Iraq is an important center for financing illicit Iranian activities, through oil smuggling networks that generate – according to estimates – about $1 billion annually for Tehran and its allies, in addition to exploiting the Iraqi financial system to access dollars in various ways.

According to the report, these activities, along with factional attacks during the recent war, prompted Washington to take pressure measures, including reducing dollar shipments to Iraq and imposing sanctions on faction leaders, as well as offering financial rewards for information about some of them.

Factional challenge

The report stressed that any new prime minister, especially if he came to power with the support of forces close to Iran, would not be able to confront the armed factions on his own, without direct American pressure.

He noted that these factions emerged from the last war – the February 28 war between the United States and Israel against Iran – “more daring,” citing the participation of their leaders in high-level political meetings despite some of them being on US terrorism lists.

The report concluded that the (current) Iraqi government has not taken any decisive steps to deter attacks targeting American diplomatic and military facilities, but has allowed factions to respond to American strikes, thus giving them “implicit legitimacy” to operate outside the framework of the state.

Shafaq.com

In the presence of the designated official, the coordination framework discussed the formation of the al-Zaydi government and the repercussions of the war.

On Thursday, the Coordination Framework held its meeting at the office of the Secretary-General of the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri, in the presence of the caretaker Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and the Prime Minister-designate, Ali Faleh al-Zaidi.

The framework stated in a statement that the meeting discussed all political, security and economic issues, as well as the challenges resulting from the ongoing war in the Middle East and its repercussions on Iraq.

Regarding the formation of the government, the attendees reviewed the results of the committees formed for this purpose, which the statement said had achieved “clear progress” in resolving the national entitlement within its constitutional timeframe.

Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi also presented the steps for forming the government and the details of the ministerial program, in addition to the telephone call he received from the US President.

The coordination framework, according to the statement, stressed the importance of building the state on sound foundations that enhance its strength, prestige and sovereignty.

Shafaq.com

Pakistani sources: Iran may present a revised peace proposal to America today.

CNN quoted sources as saying that mediators expect a new response after US President Donald Trump rejected the previous version of the Iranian proposal.

The sources also indicated that there were signs of progress in the negotiations despite the continued uncertainty.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry had confirmed that Pakistan would remain the official mediator for talks with America.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei said it was unrealistic to expect quick results from the talks, noting that Tehran was seeking a path through which the threat of war could be completely averted.

Shafaq.com