Algerian: The government will be forced to change the exchange rate after the country's economic downturn.
The head of the political body of the National Tribal Movement, Abdul Rahman al-Jazaeri, confirmed that the government ill be forced to change the dollar exchange rate in local markets after the economic downturn the country has witnessed as a result of the war in the region.The video for this My FX Buddies Blogpost is below here:
Al-Jazaeri told Al-Maalouma, "The Prime Minister's move to increase the value of the dollar in local markets at the expense of the Iraqi dinar is possible and not unlikely given the conditions and developments in the region and their repercussions on Iraq."
He added, "The war in the region has had a complete and clear impact on all Iraqi economic programs, the budget, the dollar exchange rate, and foreign transactions, in addition to the disruption in the export of Iraqi oil."
He explained that "the urgent need compels the government to take measures that will increase the exchange rate in local markets in order to put the economy back on track, especially with an economic figure at the top of the executive branch."
He added, "The war in the region has had a complete and clear impact on all Iraqi economic programs, the budget, the dollar exchange rate, and foreign transactions, in addition to the disruption in the export of Iraqi oil."
He explained that "the urgent need compels the government to take measures that will increase the exchange rate in local markets in order to put the economy back on track, especially with an economic figure at the top of the executive branch."
Iraq returns to the "grey list"... International demand obliges Baghdad to implement a plan to combat money laundering
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced on Friday that it has placed Iraq on its "grey list" of countries that require increased monitoring regarding their efforts to combat money laundering and financial crimes.
The group’s chair, Elisa de Anda Madrazo, said in a statement translated by Shafaq News Agency that “the group’s general meeting decided to add Iraq to the grey list, as there is still a need to take measures to address the risks associated with cash transactions, increase investigations related to money laundering and terrorist financing, and enhance the use of financial information.”
According to the statement, inclusion on the grey list means that the country in question is subject to enhanced monitoring by the Financial Action Task Force, and is required to implement a reform plan to address deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems.
The decision comes at a time when the new Iraqi government is asserting that economic reform and combating corruption are key priorities for the next phase.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had announced, since taking office last May, that rebuilding the Iraqi economy, attracting foreign investment, and fighting corruption would be among the main pillars of his government's program.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced in July 2018 that Iraq had been removed from the monitoring zone, due to the significant progress made by the Central Bank of Iraq and the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Office in improving and addressing shortcomings, and in fulfilling all its obligations towards the FATF recommendations and addressing the requirements of the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing strategy prepared by the bank at that time.
A US official: Iraq has agreed to cooperate in combating money laundering and has begun "taking steps".
A U.S. administration official confirmed on Friday that Iraq has agreed to cooperate with a financial group to combat money laundering, corruption and terrorist financing, and has begun taking positive steps in this regard.
The official told Shafaq News Agency that "after a process that lasted nearly two years to review the Iraqi system for combating money laundering and terrorist financing, Iraq agreed to work cooperatively with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to address the most strategic deficiencies in its system for combating money laundering and terrorist financing."
He added, "Iraq has already begun taking positive steps, demonstrating a political will to comply with the international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)," noting that "we encourage Iraq to continue this positive movement and accelerate the implementation of the FATF Action Plan."
Sources indicated to Shafaq News Agency this evening that the changes being made by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will affect more than 100 officials, and are closer to redrawing the centers of influence within the Iraqi state than to mere routine administrative procedures.
The evaluation process is not limited to administrative performance only, but also includes the nature of the political and organizational affiliations of some officials, amid talk of a trend to remove figures who are accused of being close to armed factions or who have failed to manage the files entrusted to them during the past years.
According to political sources who spoke to Shafaq News Agency, US envoy Tom Barrack discussed with al-Zaidi during his recent visit to Baghdad issues that go beyond the formation of the government or the distribution of positions, reaching the form of the Iraqi state during the next stage, the mechanisms for managing sovereign institutions, and strengthening the independence of government decision-making from traditional centers of influence.
According to the sources, there are understandings that led to the abolition of the positions of deputy prime ministers, as well as the exclusion of the “Ministry of Federal Security” project, which was proposed to include various security formations, including the Popular Mobilization Forces and armed factions.
Meanwhile, negotiations regarding the allocation of security ministries and some contentious portfolios are still ongoing, amid assurances that al-Zaydi is seeking to select technocratic figures, even if they enjoy the support of certain political forces, sources say.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) approves Iraq's plan to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) adopted a joint action plan with the Republic of Iraq to develop its anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation (CTF) system at the conclusion of its plenary meeting. An official statement was issued regarding the Republic of Iraq, noting progress in proactive measures taken by the competent Iraqi authorities and outlining a specific joint action plan to further develop the national CTF system. The text of the international statement was issued in June 2026.
Iraq has made a high-level political commitment to work with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) to enhance the effectiveness of its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regime. Since the adoption of its Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) in November 2014, Iraq has made progress on the actions recommended in the report, including implementing market entry controls to prevent criminals and terrorists from accessing critical sectors, providing guidance and advice to non-bank financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs), introducing risk mitigation measures in the real estate sector, and enhancing authorities' understanding of how legal entities are misused in money laundering and terrorist financing operations. Iraq will continue to work with the FATF to implement its Action Plan through:
1. Enhance his understanding of specific risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing, and adopt appropriate risk-based preventive measures.
2. Enhance the detection of irregular (informal) money or value transfer services, establish a legislative framework for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), and apply effective, proportionate, and deterrent penalties in the event of violations of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing requirements.
3. Ensuring that financial institutions and designated non-financial professions and businesses implement targeted financial sanctions (TFS) measures and politically exposed persons (PEPs).
4. Increase the quantity and quality of suspicious transaction reports (STRs) with a focus on high-risk sectors, and demonstrate increased use of financial information, particularly that related to designated non-financial professions and businesses.
5. Strengthening the risk-based application of Beneficial Ownership measures.
6. Pursue further money laundering investigations and cases, and review the rulings issued in these cases.
7. Pursue further investigations and prosecutions of terrorism financing in relation to specific risks, and address technical compliance issues related to the crime of terrorism financing.
8. Develop a strong understanding of the non-profit organization (NPO) sector and the terrorist financing risks that affect it, and apply risk-based measures while avoiding undue disruption or other unintended consequences to the legitimate activities of these organizations.
9. Enhance its capacity to identify and combat evasion of targeted financial sanctions related to the financing of arms proliferation (PF TFS).
It should be noted that, in accordance with the procedures adopted for mutual evaluation and follow-up (within the second round) by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its regional groups, the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing system in Iraq was evaluated by the MENAFATF group, which culminated in the preparation of a report in 2024 reflecting the results of the evaluation process and the development of the system at that time.
As a result of the FATF’s review of what is known as “Quality and Consistency”, a number of weights and assessments given to the section relating to investigations into the financing of terrorism and understanding the risks of terrorism and corruption were readjusted in light of the nature of the existing risks.
Iraq, through all its financial, judicial, regulatory and security institutions, has affirmed its commitment to implementing the provisions of the joint action plan according to specific timetables, which represents a fundamental pillar for strengthening the Iraqi financial system, protecting the national economy and accelerating exit from the enhanced monitoring list, noting that this procedure is a path that many countries in the region and the world have followed in the second rounds of evaluation.
We would like to point out that Iraq avoided the blacklist, which includes a number of countries, by complying with the standards and addressing the identified weaknesses.
It is worth mentioning that extensive governmental, security and judicial systems participated in these integrated national efforts, including: (the Supreme Judicial Council, law enforcement agencies represented by the Ministry of Interior, the National Security Service, the National Intelligence Service, the Counter-Terrorism Service, the Asayish Service and the Ministry of Interior in the Kurdistan Region, in addition to the Central Bank of Iraq, the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Office, the General Authority of Customs, the Integrity Commission, the Securities Commission, the Insurance Bureau, the Committee for Freezing Terrorist Funds, the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations, the Department of Companies Registration, and the Real Estate Registration Department, in addition to counterpart agencies in the Kurdistan Region, financial institutions and designated non-financial professions and businesses).
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Council
Baghdad – Media Office
Central Bank of Iraq
June 19, 2026
Want to Support My FX Buddies?
ThanksSupport My FX Buddies
BuyMeACoffee CashApp:$tishwash
https://paypal.me/tishwash
.jpeg)
Shingali: Washington is obstructing the participation of factions in the government and delaying the completion of the cabinet.
MP Dr. Majid Shenkali revealed today, Friday (June 19, 2026), that the delay in announcing the names of the remaining ministers in the government is due to what he described as "political negotiations" related to the participation of some factions in the government formation, and waiting for an international position on this matter.
Shankali said in a statement followed by “Baghdad Today” that “the Iraqi Prime Minister is trying to reach understandings with the American side regarding allowing some armed factions that have declared their commitment to limiting weapons to the hands of the state to participate in the government,” noting that “some political forces, including Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and the Sadiqun Movement, are demanding ministerial quotas within the new formation.”
He added that "these factions are waiting to obtain ministerial portfolios, including the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, in addition to the position of Deputy Prime Minister," indicating that "this issue is still one of the reasons for delaying the call to hold a session of the House of Representatives to complete the government cabinet."
In a related context, Shenkali pointed out that "there is a political debate about the feasibility of continuing some positions, such as deputy prime ministers and deputy presidents," considering them an additional cost and a waste of public money that does not provide direct executive value in the work of the government.
It is worth noting that this controversy comes amid ongoing political disputes over the completion of the formation of the Iraqi government, where internal considerations among political forces are intertwined with issues related to the relationship with the United States and the role of some armed factions in the political process.
The Iraqi arena witnesses, from time to time, discussions about the distribution of ministerial portfolios among the political blocs, in addition to the ongoing debate about integrating armed factions into political work in exchange for their commitment to restricting weapons to the state.
The issue of senior positions and vice-presidential posts is also frequently raised, amid calls from some members of parliament and researchers to restructure the administrative system in order to reduce expenses and improve the efficiency of government performance.
An economic institution warns against the "dollarization" of the Iraqi economy and the deepening of poverty if the dinar is devalued.
The “Iraq Future” Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations warned on Friday of the repercussions of reducing the value of the Iraqi dinar against the US dollar, stressing that the negatives of such a step - if the federal government takes it - will outweigh its temporary benefits to the country’s economy.
These warnings come at a time when political and financial circles are increasingly discussing the possibility of devaluing the local currency as an option to address the current deficit and alleviate pressure on the general budget, especially after government revenues declined sharply to only 10% compared to their previous levels before the recent military conflict in the region and the easing of the Strait of Hormuz.
The report quoted the head of the institution, economist Manar Al-Obaidi, as saying, "Despite the assurances in official reports regarding the stability of monetary policy and its pursuit of stability, it remains necessary to analyze the pros and cons of this approach to assess its real impact on the Iraqi economy and society."
Partial financial gains
The report explained that those who support the option of reducing the dinar rely on a number of financial and monetary gains; most notably providing a partial financial option that contributes to reducing government expenditures denominated in dinars (such as local salaries), which in turn reduces the overall size of spending in dollars.
Supporters also believe that higher prices for imported goods will enhance the competitiveness of local agricultural and industrial products, as well as protect cash reserves from continuous depletion and reduce the gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market rate.
Risks of "dollarization" and recession
On the other hand, the institution warned of dire consequences that could squander these gains, most notably a complete loss of confidence in the national currency.
In this regard, Al-Obaidi explained that “the continuous change in the value of the currency at a rate of every two years undermines the public’s confidence in the dinar, which pushes the private sector and citizens to adopt the dollar as the primary currency in daily and commercial transactions.”
He added that this “dollarization” will create a huge demand for hard currency in the parallel market, which may cause the price gap to widen instead of narrowing as a result of the scarcity of official supply, warning that the lack of exchange rate stability will inevitably drive away local and foreign investments that base their feasibility studies on long-term plans.
The report also indicated that devaluing the dinar would automatically increase the cost of government contracts for purchasing goods and services denominated in foreign currency, thus raising the state's operating expenses and plunging the country into a spiral of "successive reductions" without sustainable financial guarantees.
A wave of inflation and deepening poverty
On the social level, the organization warned that the absence of adequate social protection mechanisms to support vulnerable groups means that the currency devaluation will generate a sharp wave of inflation that will push large segments of citizens below the poverty line, as well as bringing the commercial sector (which represents the largest share of non-oil GDP) into a state of paralysis and stagnation, which will negatively affect job opportunities and exacerbate unemployment rates among young people.
The head of the “Iraq of the Future” Foundation concluded his remarks by saying: “Adjusting the exchange rate alone is not a radical solution, but rather a postponement of a deeper crisis. The real problem lies in three main axes: the continuous inflation of operating expenses, the scarcity of non-oil revenues, and the imbalance in the trade balance. Comprehensive structural reform begins with addressing these roots and not through individual and temporary solutions.”
The US Secretary of State will visit the Middle East next week.
The American news website Axios reported on Friday evening that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio intends to visit the Middle East next week.
According to the website, Rubio will visit the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain during a Middle East tour next week.
Earlier today, Rubio, in a telephone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, affirmed Washington’s support for the Lebanese government’s efforts to establish a sovereign state that lives in peace with its neighbors.
For his part, US President Donald Trump, in statements on Friday, specifically thanked the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, stressing that Washington’s relations with the three countries are “great,” and praising the role played by the region’s capitals in supporting efforts to de-escalate tensions and engage in dialogue over the past months.
Last Wednesday, Trump and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, remotely signed a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz, in a move that preceded a ceremony that was scheduled to take place in Switzerland, and opened the door tobroader negotiations on the nuclear issue and sanctions during a period of 60 days.
American perspective: No guarantees for energy companies in Iraq as long as factions retain their weapons.
The American " Foundation for Defense of Democracies " institute expressed doubt about the ability of the Iraqi government to achieve what it called "the difficult balancing act" between dealing with the issue of the factions' weapons and providing guarantees to American energy companies for their work in Iraq, in light of the tense regional situation, considering that any guarantees are meaningless as long as the factions retain their weapons.
The American Institute said in a report entitled “Washington wants a business-focused relationship with Iraq, but security cannot be ignored,” translated by Shafaq News Agency, that unfortunately for Iraq, Tehran’s influence is not limited to its security sector, but also extends to the government and the economy.
The US report suggested that Washington and Baghdad could begin working to reduce this widespread "malign" influence by expanding the ban on members of factions in the government to include the positions of deputy minister and director general in government ministries.
In addition, the report suggested that the US Treasury Department could use anti-corruption tools, such as the Global Magnitsky Sanctions Act, to target Iraqis who exploit their government positions for the benefit of factions and Iran.
The report recalled the meeting between US envoy Tom Barrack and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Baghdad on June 15, which focused on security issues, particularly the disarmament of Iranian-backed factions. The meeting also resulted in a statement addressing the progress made in energy deals with US companies.
According to the report, al-Zaidi received enthusiastic support from the administration of President Donald Trump, which considers him the right choice to support American priorities in Iraq, including countering Iranian influence, noting that he is scheduled to visit Washington next month.
Nevertheless, the report noted that al-Zaidi, a businessman, lacked a political record that supported his commitment to Washington's priorities, and that his mandate came from a coordinating framework that includes parties allied with Iran.
However, the report noted that one month is not enough to judge al-Zaidi’s commitment or his ability to counter Iranian influence, but given his backers, Washington should not rely on al-Zaidi’s government and will remain an enthusiastic partner.
The report also noted the decision by the Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib al-Imam Ali factions to prepare to give up their weapons, in addition to the Saraya al-Salam, which is linked to the leader of the Shiite national movement, Muqtada al-Sadr. It stated that despite the welcome issued by Baghdad and Washington, there are major questions about the fate of the fighters and weapons, recalling that the leader of Asaib, Qais al-Khazali, had defended the necessity and legitimacy of the Popular Mobilization Forces.
Meanwhile, the report said the letter from the US Embassy in Iraq praised Iraq's efforts "to enable US companies HKN Energy, Western Zagros and Hunt to resume operations with full security guarantees."
However, the report argued that any guarantees would be meaningless as long as the Iranian-backed groups, which targeted all of these and other American companies during the recent conflict with Iran, retained their weapons.
Although the report noted that the Iraqi government condemns such attacks, it said that it has demonstrated its inability to counter them.
The report indicated that Tom Barrack is believed to have asked al-Zaidi to put forward a timetable for disarming the factions, adding that this represents "a crucial start, but Washington also needs details about where the weapons will go and what will happen to the faction fighters."
He concluded by saying that, in addition to the various Iranian-backed factions, Washington should ask Baghdad to take steps to dismantle the Popular Mobilization Forces, which constitute a financial and security burden on Iraq.
Ahead of his visit to Washington, al-Zaydi's "sieve" causes the biggest government shake-up since 2003.
It wasn't long after Ali Faleh al-Zaidi took over his duties that he began sending clear signals to his opponents and allies at the same time, under the title "The next stage will not be an extension of what came before it."
While his government is still completing its ministerial formation, informed sources speak of a broad list of changes that may affect more than 100 officials at various administrative levels, starting with undersecretaries and not ending with directors-general, in a move that seems closer to redrawing the centers of influence within the Iraqi state than to mere routine administrative procedures.
According to information obtained by Shafaq News Agency, the team assigned by Al-Zaidi to review the performance of government institutions is continuing its work away from the spotlight, through a comprehensive evaluation of official institutions and bodies, in preparation for launching one of the broadest replacement operations that the country has witnessed since 2003.
The evaluation process is not limited to administrative performance only, but also includes the nature of the political and organizational affiliations of some officials, amid talk of a trend to remove figures who are accused of being close to armed factions or who have failed to manage the files entrusted to them during the past years.
In a country where successive governments have been accustomed to "waiting before approaching high positions for fear of clashing with influential parties," al-Zaydi's moves appear to be very different.
The current prime minister began his term with a series of decisions affecting sensitive security and economic positions, including the National Security Service and the Central Bank, which opened the door to questions about whether these steps represent the beginning of a project to restructure state institutions, or whether they come in response to the requirements of a "new political phase" in which internal calculations are intertwined with external pressures.
The timing of these measures is of exceptional importance as al-Zaidi’s anticipated visit to Washington and his expected meeting with US President Donald Trump approach, a visit that many observers view as a pivotal moment in shaping the relationship between the new government and the US administration.
According to political sources who spoke to Shafaq News Agency, US envoy Tom Barrack discussed with al-Zaidi during his recent visit to Baghdad issues that go beyond the formation of the government or the distribution of positions, reaching the form of the Iraqi state during the next stage, the mechanisms for managing sovereign institutions, and strengthening the independence of government decision-making from traditional centers of influence.
According to the sources, there are understandings that led to the abolition of the positions of deputy prime ministers, as well as the exclusion of the “Ministry of Federal Security” project, which was proposed to include various security formations, including the Popular Mobilization Forces and armed factions.
Meanwhile, negotiations regarding the allocation of security ministries and some contentious portfolios are still ongoing, amid assurances that al-Zaydi is seeking to select technocratic figures, even if they enjoy the support of certain political forces, sources say.
But the road ahead for the prime minister does not appear entirely paved, as any change in the highest state positions necessarily means disrupting political balances that have accumulated over more than two decades, which makes any broad replacement process a real test of al-Zaydi’s ability to impose his will within a system of governance based on consensus, power-sharing, and the division of influence.
With the postponement of the meetings of the Coordination Framework forces until after the tenth of Muharram, the political forces seem to be waiting for the picture of the final understandings regarding the government formation and the expected changes to become clear, before determining the form of their position on the Al-Zaydi project.
Until then, the list of 100 names does not appear to be a "media show," but rather a title for a silent political battle taking place behind the scenes, which may redraw the centers of power within the Iraqi state, and reveal the extent to which al-Zaydi can turn promises of reform into reality, or remain within the limits of the balances that brought him to power.
Politician: Trump seeks to make Baghdad the gateway to the New Middle East project
Political analyst Atheer al-Sharaa believes that US President Donald Trump is seeking to make Baghdad a gateway to the New Middle East project by imposing his dictates to serve the American agenda.
Al-Sharaa told Al-Maalouma that "US envoy Tom Barrack briefed Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on what Trump wants from Iraq in the coming phase, prior to al-Zaidi's upcoming visit to Washington."
He added that "the United States is striving to make Iraq subservient to its demands and interests in the coming phase, and in return, it will pay increased attention, especially since Trump has a New Middle East plan and seeks to make Baghdad the gateway to this project, which he has championed since 2020."
He explained that "there is an American plan aimed at controlling all of Iraq through this project, especially since Washington is holding onto the economic card with Iraq, where Iraqi oil is sold and the proceeds are deposited in the US Federal Reserve."
Iran’s IRGC sets up secret Iraq cells to attack US bases in Gulf
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has established clandestine cells in Iraq to launch attacks on Gulf countries hosting US troops, bypassing established Iraqi armed factions to avoid detection, Reuters reported on Friday, citing Iraqi military, security, and “militia” sources.
The network consists of three or four cells, each made up of around 10 elite Iraqi Shiite fighters operating outside the command structure of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella alliance of Iran-backed factions, and reporting directly to Tehran. The sources said fighters launched at least seven drone attacks from desert areas near Basra and Samawa between April 20 and May 17 against sites in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
According to the report, the development points to a shift in Iran's regional approach as it seeks to preserve its influence while confronting military setbacks, economic difficulties, and the erosion of allied armed groups. Several major Iraqi factions have recently signaled a willingness to disarm and shift their focus to domestic politics, a trend that may have encouraged Tehran to rely on smaller, tightly controlled networks.
“The newer groups established by the IRGC appear smaller, more ideologically hardened and more tightly controlled, reflecting Iran's need to conserve resources amid economic strain,” retired Iraqi army general Jasim Al-Bahadli remarked.
The allegations, the report added, present an early test for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, who has pledged to prevent Iraqi territory from being used to threaten regional security. Iraqi authorities are investigating whether recent attacks on Gulf states originated inside Iraq, while Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have lodged protests with Baghdad.
Pakistan reveals the reason for the breakdown in Iran-US talks.
In a press statement on Friday, Ishaq said, "The reason behind the delay in the start of the Swiss negotiations is related to the preoccupation of Iranian officials with the rituals of the month of Muharram."
He added, "There are no obstacles to the start of the Swiss negotiations, and the talks must be completed within 60 days."
The Swiss Foreign Ministry had previously announced that the US-Iranian negotiations would not be held on Friday.
Iran’s IRGC sets up secret Iraq cells to attack US bases in Gulf
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has established clandestine cells in Iraq to launch attacks on Gulf countries hosting US troops, bypassing established Iraqi armed factions to avoid detection, Reuters reported on Friday, citing Iraqi military, security, and “militia” sources.
The network consists of three or four cells, each made up of around 10 elite Iraqi Shiite fighters operating outside the command structure of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella alliance of Iran-backed factions, and reporting directly to Tehran. The sources said fighters launched at least seven drone attacks from desert areas near Basra and Samawa between April 20 and May 17 against sites in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
According to the report, the development points to a shift in Iran's regional approach as it seeks to preserve its influence while confronting military setbacks, economic difficulties, and the erosion of allied armed groups. Several major Iraqi factions have recently signaled a willingness to disarm and shift their focus to domestic politics, a trend that may have encouraged Tehran to rely on smaller, tightly controlled networks.
“The newer groups established by the IRGC appear smaller, more ideologically hardened and more tightly controlled, reflecting Iran's need to conserve resources amid economic strain,” retired Iraqi army general Jasim Al-Bahadli remarked.
The allegations, the report added, present an early test for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, who has pledged to prevent Iraqi territory from being used to threaten regional security. Iraqi authorities are investigating whether recent attacks on Gulf states originated inside Iraq, while Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have lodged protests with Baghdad.
A leader in Azm: The Zionists' failure to adhere to the ceasefire will undermine the agreement between Tehran and Washington.
Trump: The agreement could be an “unconditional Iranian surrender.”
US President Donald Trump said on Friday evening that the memorandum of understanding could be an “unconditional Iranian surrender,” noting that the naval blockade had pushed Tehran to the negotiating table more than ever before.
Trump added to the American news website Axios: “I negotiated from a position of strength because Iran’s navy and air force are finished. I believe what is happening in Iran is a regime change, and Khamenei’s son is different from his father. Unfortunately, I harmed the Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and he was seriously injured. I have not spoken with the new Iranian Supreme Leader, but he has some courage.”
The US president called the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran a “disaster,” adding that his agreement to end the war with Iran spared the world a “global recession,” and considering that his view of the limits of his power after the war with Iran is based on the fact that “there are no limits.”
Regarding Israel, Trump said: “If it weren’t for me, Israel wouldn’t exist today, because I ended Barack Obama’s agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was a path to a nuclear weapon,” referring to the nuclear agreement with Iran.
Later, Trump said, “I ended 8 wars, and the Iranian one was the toughest. We will not need to resume the war against them, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did a great job.”
Trump thanked the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, adding: “We appreciate China not interfering in the Iran war, and we have great relations with Israel.”
He pointed out that “700 ships are currently in the Strait of Hormuz,” threatening Iran by saying, “We will do things that will not please Iran if we do not reach an agreement.”
Trump heads to Camp David to discuss "Israeli violations" of the Iran deal
link
US President Donald Trump announced today, Friday (June 19, 2026), his intention to go to Camp David to discuss Israeli violations of the deal with Iran and to deal with the Iranian nuclear file.
According to Reuters, as translated by Baghdad Today, the US president confirmed during his regular meeting with White House officials that he would meet with his close administration officials during his "retreat to the fortified and secure Camp David," after canceling the signing of the memorandum of understanding with Iran scheduled for next Friday as a result of Israeli violations.
It is noted that Camp David is a fortified and secure site, protected from espionage, used by the US president to discuss with his top military leaders and administration officials the most serious US issues, and Trump has only visited this site once before.
The talk of Trump’s move to Camp David comes in the context of escalating tensions related to the Iranian nuclear issue, as Camp David is one of the most important US presidential sites used to hold sensitive security and military meetings away from the media and leaks.
Tehran postpones Switzerland meeting and reveals conditions for starting negotiations on the "final agreement".
The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced the postponement of the meeting scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2026, in Switzerland to a later date, while indicating that plans are underway to hold a new round of negotiations in the coming days. The ministry confirmed that consultations are ongoing through intermediaries to begin the next phase of negotiations aimed at reaching a final agreement.
This sudden postponement of the Switzerland meeting comes at a time when the international community is awaiting the signing and ratification of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end maritime tensions. Friday was expected to be a crucial step toward the formal and direct signing of the agreement by delegations under international auspices, coinciding with the implementation of arrangements to reopen the strategic waterway and regulate the passage of ships and oil tankers.
Iranian conditions for starting final negotiations:
In a related context, the Iranian Foreign Ministry set a key condition for moving forward with the diplomatic track; it stressed that the start of negotiations for a final agreement is conditional on the implementation of the following clauses of the memorandum of understanding:
Article 1 (1) — Immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities:
It stipulates that Iran, the United States, and their allies declare an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts and axes (including the Lebanese front), and pledge not to launch any military attack from now on.
Item Four (4) — Lifting the naval blockade on Iran:
The United States is obligated to immediately begin lifting the naval blockade imposed on Iran and remove any obstacles preventing navigation to and from Iranian ports, with the blockade to be completely lifted within 30 days. In addition, the US pledges to withdraw its forces from areas near Iran within 30 days of the final agreement being signed.
Article Five (5) — Reopening and clearing the Strait of Hormuz:
Iran hereby undertakes to exert its utmost efforts to ensure the safe and unhindered passage of commercial vessels (for an initial period of 60 days) from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa, commencing transit immediately. Given the presence of military debris, Iran commits to begin clearing naval mines and technical obstacles within 30 days, in cooperation and coordination with the Sultanate of Oman for the management of maritime traffic.
Item Ten (10) — Exceptions for oil exports and banking transactions:
The U.S. Treasury Department pledges to issue “immediate waivers” allowing Iran to export crude oil, petrochemical products, and related goods. These waivers will also cover all associated services, such as banking transactions, insurance, and shipping, throughout the negotiation period and until the complete lifting of sanctions.
Item Eleven (11) — Release of frozen Iranian funds:
The United States undertakes to fully release Iranian funds and assets that are frozen or restricted abroad, and to make them fully available to the Central Bank of Iran for use in any payments it determines, with Washington issuing all necessary legal licenses for this purpose.
According to paragraph 13 of the same memorandum, entering into negotiations to draft the “final agreement” (which is supposed to be completed within 60 days) is conditionally contingent upon the actual implementation of these five specific clauses, as they represent immediate mutual gains: (security of navigation and cessation of hostilities in exchange for lifting the economic and maritime blockade).
