Jets in the Sky, Banks Expanding, Maliki Losing Support - Happening in Iraq Today!

Kurdistan seeks CBI green light to launch Nishtiman Bank

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The National Bank of Kurdistan, known as Nishtiman Bank, is awaiting final authorization from the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) to begin operations and extend loans to citizens, the Kurdish Ministry of Finance and Economy said on Thursday.

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In a statement, Hawri Kamal, legal adviser at the ministry, noted that the ministry secured the bank’s headquarters and that officials selected the proposed board members and submitted their names for ratification as part of the licensing process.

Nishtiman Bank, he added, will provide financial advances to public employees and citizens, including mortgages, car financing, and support for agricultural and industrial projects, as well as small loans, with the scale and structure of these facilities to be determined in line with the bank’s financial capacity once it formally begins operations.

Mouloud Saber, Director General of Commercial Banks in the Kurdistan Region, had earlier said the bank forms part of broader efforts to regulate the sector, which includes 94 state-owned and private banks, and to reorganize administrative structures within government banks. The bank’s capital stands at 250 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $164M), with 25 billion dinars deposited in cash at the Central Bank’s Kurdistan branch and the remaining 225 billion dinars placed in commercial banks.

KRG Adds Iraqi Islamic Bank to e-Psûle Platform, Expands Digital Payment Options for Citizens

According to an official statement, the addition makes Iraqi Islamic Bank the seventh strategic partner in the system, alongside AsiaPay, FastPay, FIB, NassWallet, ZainCash, and Cihan Bank.

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The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced on Thursday that the Iraqi Islamic Bank has joined its e-Psûle digital payment platform, enabling citizens to pay their electricity bills through the bank while benefiting from special discounts.

According to an official statement, the addition makes Iraqi Islamic Bank the seventh strategic partner in the system, alongside AsiaPay, FastPay, FIB, NassWallet, ZainCash, and Cihan Bank. The partnership expands access to digital financial services and provides users with additional flexibility in managing utility payments.

Customers of Iraqi Islamic Bank can now access e-Psûle through the bank’s mobile application and online portal, a move officials say will simplify transactions and accelerate the shift toward cashless public services.

The KRG also highlighted a limited-time incentive to encourage adoption. Until March 12, household electricity subscribers who use e-Psûle via participating banks or electronic wallets will receive a 20% discount on electricity bills or outstanding electricity loans.

The platform was officially launched on February 10 by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. It is the government’s sole authorized digital payment gateway, licensed by the Central Bank of Iraq, and is designed to streamline procedures, improve transparency in revenue collection, and enhance convenience for citizens.

Officials say the continued expansion of partner institutions reflects growing confidence in the platform and signals the KRG’s broader push to modernize public services through secure digital solutions.

Washington reduces its diplomatic presence in Iraq and Gulf states amid tensions with Iran

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Two Iraqi and American officials said on Thursday that the United States has reduced the number of its diplomatic staff at its missions in Iraq and some Gulf states, taking precautionary measures against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions, without disclosing details about the size or nature of the reduction.

They added in an interview with Shafaq News Agency that the reduction included staff in a number of locations, while work continued in the remaining missions according to normal operational arrangements with a reduction in some staff and non-essential activities.

Meanwhile, an official at the US Embassy declined to comment on this news to Shafaq News Agency, saying only that "the US Embassy in Baghdad and the US Consulate General in Erbil are open, and our operations are proceeding as usual."

In response to questions about the status of the forces, an official at the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is part of the US Department of Defense, told Shafaq News Agency that "the US military will not comment on personnel movements or troop status for reasons related to operational security and the safety of military personnel."

The moves come after US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday, February 18, warning Britain against “giving away” the Diego Garcia base, saying the base could be needed in any military operation to deter a “potential attack” from Iran.

In parallel, several capitals escalated their warnings to their citizens against traveling to Iran and called on those already there to leave, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urging his citizens to leave Iran "immediately," warning of "an imminent risk of escalation."

The US State Department has also reiterated in recent security alerts its call for its citizens to "leave Iran now" in light of unrest and security risks.

This is happening while indirect nuclear talks continued in Geneva, mediated by Oman, without any announcement of a decisive breakthrough.

On the military front, Western reports said the US military is preparing for the possibility of operations that could last "for weeks" if Trump orders an attack, with official US expectations of an Iranian response and a shift in targeting beyond nuclear infrastructure.

In the same context, Axios quoted Israeli officials as saying that the government is preparing for the possibility of a large-scale confrontation that "could erupt within days," while informed sources spoke of different time estimates within the US administration.

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The skies of the Middle East are teeming with "Raptor" and "Thunderbolt"... and there are no Iraqi emergency plans yet! 

 

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Over the past 48 hours, the US Air Force has carried out one of its largest air reinforcement operations in the region, deploying approximately 120 combat and support aircraft to a number of bases within the Middle East, according to data monitored by entities specializing in tracking military air traffic.

According to available information, the deployed force included:

48 F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft
, 12 F-22 Raptor aircraft
, 18 F-35 Lightning II aircraft
, 6 E-3G Sentry AWACS early warning
aircraft, 1 E-11A BACN air communications aircraft,
22 aerial refueling tanker aircraft (KC-135 and KC-46)
, 13 military transport aircraft (C-17, C-5, and others).

This large air buildup was accompanied by reports in American newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal and Axios, indicating that US President Donald Trump may decide to launch an attack on Iran at any moment, after becoming fed up with what he describes as Tehran’s “time game,” and that Iran will not accept – according to those assessments – the conditions and red lines that Trump puts forward regarding its nuclear file and its regional role.

Faced with this rapidly evolving situation, a sharp internal question arises: What about Iraq's preparations? So far, there are no announced contingency plans or detailed official positions explaining to the public how the state will deal with the consequences of any large-scale military clash between Washington and Tehran, despite the sensitivity of Iraq's geographical location and the entanglement of its economic and security interests with both sides.

In this context, strategic affairs expert Hussein Al-Asaad revealed to Baghdad Today on Thursday (February 19, 2026) what Iraq could do in the event of a military war between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Al-Asaad said that "Iraq is closely monitoring the recent developments between the United States and Tehran, and caution must be exercised that any military escalation between the two sides could put the country in a very critical situation, given its strategic geographical location in the middle of the region."

He explained that "Iraq has been on high alert within its security and military apparatus since the increase in tension between Washington and Tehran, and there are emergency plans in place to secure vital facilities and maintain the stability of major cities from any potential side effects of the conflict."

He added that “among the preparations that Iraq must undertake is strengthening border control, especially with Iran, to control any armed movements or arms smuggling that may affect internal security, while raising the readiness of security and military units to secure civilian areas and maintain local security stability, and developing a civil emergency plan that includes securing food and medicine stocks, and ensuring the continuity of basic services in case the infrastructure is affected, in addition to diplomatic coordination with all international and regional parties to reduce the risk of Iraq becoming a direct battleground.”

The expert in strategic affairs continued, “Iraq always tries to be a neutral party, but at the same time it is ready for any scenario that may impose itself on reality, whether by strengthening civil defense capabilities or by coordinating with regional and international powers to avoid the country falling into a spiral of conflict,” stressing that “Iraqi stability is directly linked to regional and international politics, and any military action between Washington and Tehran will leave tangible effects on the Iraqi economy and society, and therefore the current plans aim to protect the citizen and infrastructure as much as possible.”

Between the buildup of American aircraft over the region and the relative official Iraqi silence regarding the details of the emergency plans, the public's concern remains suspended between a scenario of widespread escalation that would disrupt the home front, and a scenario of diplomatic containment that passes over Iraqi airspace without leaving behind a new wave of crises.

Washington – The Interior Minister of the Kurdistan Region discusses strengthening security cooperation with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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As part of his official visit to the United States of America, the Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Rebar Ahmed, visited the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington, D.C.

The minister held a meeting with the assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jason Kaplan, during which they reviewed prospects for joint security cooperation. 

Both sides stressed the need to strengthen coordination ties and develop working mechanisms between the security institutions in the region and the Federal Office.

The talks focused on vital issues, with both sides emphasizing the development of joint efforts in combating terrorism, strengthening ways to address international and transnational crimes, and exchanging security expertise to enhance regional and international stability.

This visit comes within the framework of the Kurdistan Regional Government's ongoing efforts to strengthen its international partnerships with global security institutions, in order to ensure the increased efficiency of local agencies in confronting contemporary security challenges.

An Iraqi delegation will visit Iran soon... Gas supplies are completely cut off, and the heatwave will reveal the extent of demand.

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The Ministry of Electricity announced the formation of an official delegation that will visit Iran soon to discuss the issue of gas supply in preparation for the summer season, given the existing need for it.

According to the ministry spokesman, Ahmed Moussa, "The gas supplies and quantities agreed upon with the Iranian side are still completely halted, which has led to the loss of more than 5,500 megawatts of generating capacity for the national grid."

He noted that "this stoppage directly affected a number of vital centers supplying the southern and central regions, in addition to the capital, Baghdad," explaining that "the current moderate temperatures have contributed to controlling the loads and providing relatively stable supply hours."

He stressed that “any fluctuation in temperatures will reveal the actual size of the demand, especially with the approach of summer, which requires full readiness of stations and an abundance of fuel,” noting that “the delegation that will leave for Iran will discuss the quantities that can be supplied to ensure the stability of the network during the peak of summer.”

Musa also said that "work is continuing on the liquefied gas platform project at Khor Al-Zubair port, and it is hoped that it will be completed by the beginning of next June," indicating that "the platform will secure about 500 million standard cubic feet per day, which will provide between 3,500 and 4,000 megawatts through combined and simple cycle power plants."

He spoke of "high-level coordination with the Ministry of Oil to supply some stations with national gas produced in the southern and central regions, especially the Basmaya station, as well as securing alternative fuel (gas oil) for stations capable of operating with it."

He added that "the demand for energy is witnessing a significant increase as a result of the expansion of electrical appliances, modern buildings and investment projects," stressing that "the growth of residential areas and the conversion of agricultural lands into residential areas, as well as the spread of slums, have become additional, rapidly increasing loads that put pressure on the electrical grid."

Except for Hamoudi, the coordinating framework withdraws its support from Maliki.

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Iraqi sources reported on Thursday that some members of the Coordination Framework and Shiite blocs withdrew their support for Nouri al-Maliki’s candidacy, while only Humam Hamoudi, head of the “Abshir Ya Iraq ” bloc, remained in support of him.

Sources told Al-Araby TV, as reported by Al-Sa’a Network, that “some members of the coordinating framework and Shiite political blocs withdrew their support for Maliki’s candidacy, and only Humam Hamoudi, who heads the Abshir Ya Iraq bloc, which holds 4 seats in the Iraqi parliament, continues to support him .”

The sources added that "the deadline given by the US Chargé d'Affaires, Joshua Harris, to the political leaders within the coordination framework ends today ."

She noted that "a meeting of the coordination framework was scheduled for last Monday, but it was postponed at the request of al-Maliki due to the expiration of the deadline, and it was postponed to Thursday ."

Against this backdrop, the coordinating framework may withdraw al-Maliki’s nomination or replace him with another candidate who does not face internal and external problems, and who is a figure acceptable to everyone .

US President Donald Trump had warned that Washington would not provide any assistance to Iraq if Maliki returned to power .

Internal movement within the coordination framework to withdraw al-Maliki's nomination

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The “Coordination Framework” forces are witnessing escalating internal movement that may lead to the withdrawal of Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination for prime minister, amid internal political pressures, external reservations, and a clear division regarding proceeding with his nomination or searching for a consensus alternative, according to the “Eram News ” website.

The website revealed in a report seen by Al-Sa’a Network, citing its sources, that “there is a movement within the coordinating framework to gather two-thirds of its members to proceed with an official procedure to withdraw al-Maliki’s nomination, in preparation for naming an alternative figure described as less controversial and more capable of achieving political consensus .”

He added that "several names have been put forward behind the scenes, most notably the current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as a choice that enjoys relative acceptance internally and externally, while the name of former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is being put forward as a compromise candidate in case an agreement on the first option cannot be reached, in addition to the name of Hamid al-Shatri being circulated in some circles ."

He stressed that “talk of alternatives is no longer just media leaks, but has become part of a real internal debate, especially with some forces realizing that the continuation of the crisis may threaten to undermine understandings within the Shiite community .”

He pointed out that "the coordination framework is facing a crucial test between sticking to its current candidate at any cost, or going towards a compromise option that achieves a degree of internal and external acceptance," explaining that "any step to withdraw the nomination will be done according to an internal voting mechanism, which means that the matter has become linked to the balance of power within the alliance itself ."

The report suggests that "continued divisions within the framework may lead to one of two paths: either al-Maliki's withdrawal by a collective decision that saves face for everyone, or forces within the coalition resorting to an internal vote with a two-thirds majority to overturn the nomination, in a move described as politically sensitive." 

Trump: We will know within 10 days if we will reach an agreement with Iran.

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US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States must reach a "productive agreement" with Iran, warning that "bad things will happen" if no understanding is reached.

Trump added, in remarks during the launch of the Peace Council, that the next ten days will be crucial in determining whether an agreement will be reached with Tehran, noting that "Iran cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon."

He continued, saying, "We will see where things go between Israel and Iran," referring to the escalating tension between the two sides.

Trump also pointed out that the B-2 bombers had completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities, adding that this was followed by peace in the Middle East, as he put it.

The US president affirmed that achieving peace in the region is “not impossible,” but stressed that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains a priority for Washington.

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Sulaimani.. Joint Art Exhibition Residence A group of painters and artists present distinctive works

Iraq’s Gold & Dollar Reserves “Very Good” – Is the Economy Really Safe?

Kujer: Iraq's gold and currency reserves are "good" and ensure economic stability

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MP Jamal Kojar confirmed that the fluctuation of gold prices towards an upward trend does not directly affect the government's economic and financial situation, noting that the impact falls directly on citizens.

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Kujer told Al-Furat News Agency that the speculation carried out by traders who deal in gold directly affects the individual, indicating that the Iraqi bank's gold reserves are positive and can contribute to supporting economic stability.

He added that "the bank's foreign currency reserves are very good, which puts the country's financial situation in safe hands from fluctuations."

Gold prices in Iraq have witnessed a significant increase over the past several months, particularly since the beginning of 2026, driven by a global surge that pushed the precious metal above one million dinars per mithqal in local markets. Despite some recent slight declines due to momentary fluctuations, the overall trend remains one of sustained upward movement, fueled by global and local economic and geopolitical factors. 

According to economic experts, the main reasons for the rise are due to several factors, including global ones, where the rise is mainly due to increased demand for gold as a safe haven in light of economic uncertainty and global geopolitical tensions.

The continued strengthening of gold reserves by central banks, including the Central Bank of Iraq, as Iraq has repeatedly increased its holdings to support the stability of the national currency, in addition to the contribution of the weakness of the US dollar and expectations of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, has increased the global attractiveness of gold, which has been directly reflected in the Iraqi market.

Locally, gold prices have been affected by the rising cost of living and the fluctuating exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar, which has prompted citizens to acquire gold as a financial hedge. 

The difficult balance

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The national economy faces one of the most complex monetary and financial dilemmas imposed by the transformations of the global market, which lies in how to formulate a precise and sensitive balance between the need to maintain monetary reserves as protective shields to protect the value of the local currency from oil shocks and geopolitical fluctuations, and the existential imperative to transform stagnant monetary masses into productive investments that guarantee the repayment of future obligations and achieve comprehensive development.

Excessive reserve holdings, exceeding safe limits and international standards, amount to a forced freezing of vital capital. This institutional behavior inevitably leads to structural deficiencies in growth rates and a continuous erosion of the time value of money due to global inflation. This traps the national economy in a vicious cycle of "technical stagnation," masked by a false sense of calm. The real crisis lies in the psychology and behavior of some financial institutions, which have developed a chronic "risk-averse" attitude. This has driven them to adopt a policy of excessive reserves as a "passive" defensive measure, rather than injecting liquidity into the economic veins that are thirsty for growth.

Every unit of currency held in reserve vaults without genuine need or justifiable legal cover is a “missed investment opportunity” in every sense of the word, with all its economic and social costs. This holding directly contributes to stifling credit lines and raising the real cost of borrowing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), thus preventing the financing of vital projects that are the primary engine for job creation and reducing unemployment. This excessive caution keeps the macroeconomy hostage to the volatile fluctuations of the rentier market, without the ability to create a genuine “investment multiplier” in non-oil sectors. This causes GDP to grow “nominally” and “on paper” due to improved raw material prices in global markets, while in reality it remains in a state of structural deflation that threatens the long-term financial sustainability of the state.

To transition to a resilient and recovering economy, a “smart balance” strategy must be adopted. This vision redefines reserves from a passive, silent defense tool into an effective engine of positive growth by reallocating cash surpluses to fund “smart” sovereign wealth funds focused on sectors with multiplier developmental returns and tangible social impact. Here, the renewable energy model emerges as a strategic and contemporary solution. Investing in solar energy and sustainability technologies does not deplete available resources; rather, it “liberates the budget” from the enormous and ongoing operating costs associated with burning conventional fuels.

The traditional view of debt as a mere burden and an imminent danger must change in the minds of policymakers. In modern financial engineering, debt is a powerful financial lever if intelligently directed to finance projects that increase GDP efficiency and broaden the tax base. This approach allows for debt repayment through strong and diversified production revenues, rather than through easy and destructive solutions such as destroying citizens' savings through deliberate inflation. This, in essence, represents the concept of monetary justice, which safeguards individual rights against the ambitions of the state.

Absolute transparency in managing these sovereign investments is the real hard currency we need today to bridge the gap between power and society. When citizens clearly see that the cash reserves that were hoarded behind walls have actually been transformed into modern infrastructure, clean power plants, and productive factories, the lost confidence in the financial system as a whole will be rebuilt, and money will automatically move from the dormant “domestic hoarding” vaults to the credit and production cycle that serves everyone.

Balancing the logic of “security” with the logic of “growth” is the only sure bridge to cross the “trap of total dependence” on a single, depleting resource, and to ensure a sovereign future in which the citizen, as the weakest link in crises, is not sacrificed, but rather is the primary beneficiary of the transformation of funds from a state of “negative stagnation” to a state of “vital investment” that creates wealth and protects future generations from the fluctuations of harsh economic fate

 

Investment Authority: Significant increase in foreign investment demand

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The Investment Authority confirmed on Wednesday that Iraq has witnessed a remarkable increase in investment interest over the past two years, while indicating that expanding investment opportunities towards priority sectors enhances long-term growth.

The spokesperson for the commission, Hanan Jassim, said that “Iraq has witnessed a remarkable development in the level of investment interest during the past two years, represented by the entry of a number of reputable international companies into the Iraqi market in multiple vital sectors, which reflects the growing confidence in the investment environment and the improvement of the system of legislation and procedures, in addition to the relative stability that has positively affected the decisions of international investors.”

She added that "the importance of these investments lies in their contribution to enhancing economic growth and diversifying the production base, through the introduction of modern technologies and raising the efficiency of performance in the targeted sectors, as well as their role in creating direct and indirect job opportunities, supporting local supply chains, and stimulating economic activity in the governorates."

Jassim explained that “foreign investments constitute an important tributary to enhance non-oil revenues and increase the added value of the national economy, in addition to their far-reaching effects in improving the trade balance, stimulating market activity and enhancing financial sustainability, in line with the government’s directions in achieving balanced economic development.”

She explained that “the Authority plays a pivotal role in attracting foreign investments by creating an attractive investment environment, simplifying procedures, facilitating the granting of investment licenses, and systematically promoting promising opportunities,” stressing that “the entry of reputable international companies has contributed to raising the level of competitiveness between local and foreign companies, and has provided real opportunities to develop partnerships with the national private sector, and enhance knowledge transfer and capacity building in a way that supports the localization of industry and services and achieves sustainable economic and social returns.”

For his part, the head of Toyota Iraq, Sardar Bibani, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The company’s cooperation with the Iraqi government is carried out through the implementation of laws and instructions, in addition to transferring Toyota’s experience to Iraqi youth through training courses held by the company.”

He pointed out that "the company is working to increase safety standards and regulate the import process in a way that achieves consumer rights," noting that "Toyota Iraq is launching today the new generation of (RAV4) in conjunction with its global announcement and in the Middle East region, which is evidence of the recovery of the Iraqi market."

"Liquidity shortage" delays salary payments for self-financing departments in Iraq

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An informed source revealed on Wednesday that the salaries of a number of self-financing departments and institutions for this month have begun to be released, after being delayed from their usual date due to the financial liquidity crisis.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the salaries of self-financing departments are usually disbursed at the beginning of each month, but the lack of liquidity at government banks, especially Al-Rafidain and Al-Rasheed banks, along with the lack of financial allocations at the concerned authorities, led to a delay in their disbursement during the past few days.

He added that "the relevant authorities have begun releasing the salaries, with part of them being disbursed two or three days ago, and the rest of the salaries will be disbursed successively."

The source indicated that “government banks, especially Rafidain and Rasheed banks, are suffering from a clear shortage of liquidity, in addition to their inability to support the general budget and enhance revenues,” attributing this to “the absence of strategic plans to develop the work of these banks and the weakness of efficiency and experience in their management, which calls for intervention from the concerned authorities and Parliament to re-evaluate the work of these banks.”

It is noted that the Iraqi government has taken measures in recent months to strengthen treasury resources and address the liquidity crisis, including increasing customs duties and imposing deductions on employee salaries, at a time when the country is experiencing delays in salary payments and a financial shortage.

Sulaymaniyah: Iranian currency circulation booms with high profits

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 A currency trader in the central market of Sulaymaniyah revealed on Wednesday the growing practice of "currency trading" between Iranian and Iraqi traders, through the purchase of sums in Iranian currency and their entry into electronic accounts, before transferring them back to Iran to take advantage of price differences between the two markets.

The merchant told a Shafaq News Agency correspondent that some Iranian traders arrive in Sulaymaniyah with sums of Iranian currency for the purpose of selling it, and then proceed to buy other sums of the same currency, which are then put into bank cards or electronic accounts, before being transferred back to Iran as part of these operations.

He explained that the process is based primarily on investing the difference in the price of the dollar against the Iranian currency, as 100 dollars is currently equivalent to about 16 million tomans in Iran, which means that 10,000 dollars is equal to about 1.6 billion tomans.

He explained that the profit is achieved through a price difference ranging between 35 and 40 million Tomans, which is equivalent to about half a million Iraqi dinars as net profit for every 10,000 dollars that are circulated.

He pointed out that part of the process takes place inside Iran through intermediaries or money transfer offices that charge a commission for similar transfers and obtain a net profit of up to 75 million Tomans for every ten thousand dollars.

The trader pointed out that these activities do not include all workers in the money exchange market, but are limited to a limited number of traders, some of whom are Iranian and others Iraqi, who use electronic payment cards or bank accounts to carry out the trading operations.

Economic observers believe that these operations reflect the continued impact of financial restrictions and informal transfers between Iraq and Iran, given the disparity in exchange rates, which opens the door to speculative activities that generate quick profits and raises questions about banking oversight and the volume of liquidity outside official channels.

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Washington vows to use "all available tools" to curb Iran's destabilizing activities in Iraq.

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The acting US ambassador to Iraq, Joshua Harris, vowed Wednesday evening to use "all available tools" to counter Iran's activities that threaten Iraq's stability, while stressing that Iraqi leaders are working to develop a political framework capable of putting the country's interests first.

The US Embassy stated in a statement on the “X” platform, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, that Chargé d’Affaires Harris consulted with leaders in the Kurdistan Region to promote common interests in preserving Iraq’s sovereignty, enhancing regional stability, and strengthening economic ties.

He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting a fully sovereign, stable, and prosperous Iraq, as well as to establishing a strong and sustainable American partnership with the Kurdistan Region, which will bring tangible benefits to both Americans and Iraqis.

Regarding the ongoing deliberations on forming a government in Iraq, Harris stressed "the readiness of the United States to use the full range of tools at its disposal to counter Iran's destabilizing activities in Iraq, while Iraqi leaders work to develop a fully independent political framework capable of putting Iraq's interests first."

Earlier today, the US State Department confirmed that the United States' position remains "firm and unwavering" regarding the nomination of State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki for the Iraqi premiership, hinting at "tough" diplomatic measures if this option is pursued.

The American position came in an official response from the State Department to a question posed by a Shafaq News Agency correspondent in Washington, in which he inquired whether there was a change in the traditional American "veto" against Maliki, and the extent to which the news was true about a "time limit" granted by the American administration to withdraw his candidacy from the race.

The US State Department spokesman conveyed the current administration's position to our correspondent, saying: "President Trump has spoken clearly; the selection of Nouri al-Maliki as the next prime minister of Iraq will force the US government to reassess the relationship between the United States and Iraq."

Regarding questions about the deadline and the change in position, the response implicitly indicated that the American standards had not changed, describing the selection of Maliki as "a negative outcome for the Iraqi people."

The “coordination framework,” which includes ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq, is witnessing a division over the nomination of Maliki for the next government, amid American warnings of the repercussions of his selection. This has prompted forces within the coalition to try to persuade him to withdraw in order to preserve the unity of the framework, while Maliki insists on his nomination and believes that reversing it should be done by an official decision from the coalition.

The escalating American pressure on Iraq comes as a translation of President Donald Trump’s explicit threats, which included criticism of the previous course taken by Maliki when he assumed the premiership for eight years.

"The framework will not confront Trump"

The Sudanese camp is strongly backing away from Maliki, and Mahbouba admits it at Imad al-Assad's pre-dawn meal.

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Journalist Imad Al-Assad (Al-Abadi) resumed his interviews, which have been famous for years under the title “Political Suhoor,” which are broadcast after midnight during the month of Ramadan. He dedicated his first episode to talking with Qusay Mahbouba, a leader in the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, who was one of the first to be enthusiastic about the Sudanese bloc’s concession in favor of Nouri Al-Maliki, but he revealed tonight a “strong retreat” from this position because “Trump’s veto is holding firm” and the entire coordination framework does not want to enter into a confrontation with Washington, as he put it.

Qusay Mahbouba:

Today we hear American messages that the veto is still strong against Mr. Maliki, and I don't think that Maliki, or the coordinating framework, or anyone else wants to enter into a confrontation with the United States of America.”

In conclusion, if America continues with its position, we are a country that does not have a high degree of security and economic independence from the United States in order to be able to enter into a confrontation with it. Therefore, if Maliki cannot cross this veto, he certainly has to listen to it.

"A clear and explicit hint" and "media confusion"

Urgent government clarification: Yes, there are sanctions due to Maliki... The Foreign Minister did not intend to deny it.

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Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein's statement sparked debate in recent hours, as it appeared to deny the United States' intention to impose sanctions on Iraq if Maliki came to power, but the Foreign Ministry later issued a clarification.

 

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry issued a clarification regarding Minister Fuad Hussein's denial of the United States' intention to impose sanctions on Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki were to become Prime Minister. The ministry said late Wednesday night that the verbal message received from Washington to Iraq contained two paragraphs. The first paragraph did indeed contain a "clear and explicit hint" of the possibility of imposing sanctions on some individuals and institutions, while the second paragraph stipulated a set of criteria related to cooperation, joint work, the formation of any future government, and its working mechanisms. The minister was focusing on the second paragraph, which made the context of the speech seem to rule out the sanctions scenario, which is what the media published after the interview

In the context of the interview conducted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Fuad Hussein, with Al Sharqiya channel within the program “Confrontation” presented by journalist Hisham Ali, some interpretations and information were circulated by the media out of context, especially regarding the absence of any threat to impose sanctions on Iraq.

In light of this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to clarify the following:

First: The verbal message received from the American side in Washington, in the event that the largest bloc adheres to its current candidate, included two main points:

1- The first paragraph included a clear and explicit hint at the possibility of imposing sanctions on some individuals and institutions.

2- The second paragraph included a set of criteria related to the nature of cooperation and joint work with the United States of America, especially with regard to the formation of any future government and its working mechanisms.

The ministry confirms that the minister’s remarks during the interview focused on the criteria mentioned in the second paragraph, and did not address the content of the first paragraph related to the hint of penalties, which led to confusion in some media coverage.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq

Harris conveys to Kurdish leaders a firm US stance on the formation of the Iraqi government

 

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The acting US ambassador to Iraq, David Harris, confirmed on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) that America is prepared to use the full range of available tools to counter Iran's "destabilizing" activities in Iraq.

A statement from the US Embassy, received by Baghdad Today, said that Harris "consulted with leaders in the Kurdistan Region to promote shared interests in preserving Iraq's sovereignty, enhancing regional stability, and strengthening economic ties."

Harris reaffirmed the United States' commitment to supporting a fully sovereign, stable, and prosperous Iraq, as well as to establishing a strong and lasting American partnership with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to the benefit of both Americans and Iraqis.

Regarding the ongoing deliberations on the formation of the Iraqi government, Chargé d'Affaires Harris stressed "the readiness of the United States to use the full range of tools at its disposal to counter Iran's destabilizing activities in Iraq, while Iraqi leaders work to develop a fully independent political framework capable of putting Iraq's interests first."

Three files on the table of Nechirvan Barzani and Harris

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 On Wednesday, the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, discussed with the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Iraq, Joshua Harris, the latest developments in the political process, strengthening relations with Washington, as well as the unity of the Kurdish parties.

The Kurdistan Region Presidency said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that "the meeting discussed the United States' relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the latest developments in the political process in the country, and the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region."

Both sides emphasized "strengthening the United States' relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and agreed that common interests and values bind America to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. In this regard, they discussed areas of cooperation between the two sides," according to the statement.

He noted that “relations between Erbil and Baghdad, the importance of unity among the Kurdish parties in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and the situation in the region in general, formed another focus of the meeting.”

Axios: There is a 90% chance that the United States will attack Iran

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Iran has been given two weeks to hold talks between the United States and Iran.

After the Geneva talks failed to resolve deep differences and Washington's red lines, US military preparations in the region have reached a dangerous level, Axios website reported Wednesday, February 18,

According to the report, the US military, dubbed the "Trump Armada," now includes two aircraft carriers, 12 warships, hundreds of aircraft and several air defense systems.

 

In the past 24 hours alone, 50 new F-35, F-22 and F-16 fighter jets have arrived in the area.

"The president is getting frustrated. Although some people around him are warning him of war, I think we will see 90 percent military action in the next few weeks," one Trump adviser told Axios.

Washington has given Tehran two weeks to submit a new and detailed proposal, otherwise the military option will be implemented, the report said.

The Israeli government is preparing a war scenario within days, aimed not only at Iran's nuclear program, but also at "overthrowing the Tehran regime," Axios reported.

 

The news comes amid the possibility of war between the United States and Iran, especially if the two rounds of talks fail.

ABC News: Washington is considering lifting financial sanctions and the ban on oil sales to Iran.

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ABC News reported on Wednesday that Washington is considering lifting financial sanctions and the ban on oil sales to Iran.

The channel quoted a US official as saying that "the proposal required from Iran includes monitoring of its nuclear program and attractive economic incentives, and that Washington sees the possibility of reaching an agreement if Tehran can formulate a specific proposal."

The official confirmed to the channel: Iran has put forward the idea of suspending uranium enrichment, which does not meet Trump's demand, and the Iranian side has informed us that they will return within two weeks with detailed proposals.

He noted: "Progress has been made in talks with Iran, but there are still details that need to be discussed."

The Axios news website revealed on Wednesday that the administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing to launch a "major war" against Iran with the participation of Israel, which could begin "very soon ". 

Axios sources stated that "any US action against Iran would most likely be a massive military campaign lasting for weeks, and would look more like an all-out war than the delicate operation that took place last month in Venezuela, which resulted in the arrest of its president, Nicolas Maduro ."

The sources explained that "the war will most likely be a joint American-Israeli campaign, but it will be broader in scope and have a greater impact on the regime than the 12-day war, which Israel led last June, and which the United States later joined to bomb Iranian underground nuclear facilities ."

Trump had repeatedly threatened a military strike against Iran in early January in response to the killing of thousands of protesters in unprecedented demonstrations, but his administration shifted to a negotiating approach accompanied by a massive military buildup .

With negotiations proceeding slowly and resorting to such a large military deployment, Trump raised expectations regarding the shape of any attack should a diplomatic agreement fail .

Currently, "reaching an agreement seems unlikely," according to Axios, noting that Iran insists on limiting negotiations to its nuclear program, while the United States wants to include the missile program and support for Tehran's proxies in the region .

After a second round of negotiations in Geneva on Tuesday, both sides said the talks had "made progress," but gaps remained wide, and US officials were not optimistic about narrowing them.

New US sanctions target 18 Iranian officials

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The US State Department announced on Wednesday that it had imposed sanctions on 18 Iranian officials for their alleged involvement in human rights abuses within the country.

The US State Department said in a statement that "during the popular protests that swept Iran in December 2025 and January 2026, the Iranian regime used violence and repression against tens of thousands of peaceful protesters. The regime imposed a near-total nationwide internet shutdown, unprecedented in scope and duration, severely restricting the ability to independently document abuses and isolating Iranians from the world."

The statement added: "Even today, the regime continues to restrict the ability of Iranians to exercise their basic freedoms. As US President Donald Trump has made clear, the United States stands with the Iranian people."

The statement continued: "Pursuant to his authority under Section 212(a)(3)(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is taking action to impose visa restrictions on 18 Iranian regime officials and leaders in the telecommunications sector, as well as their immediate family members."

He noted that this policy "targets individuals involved, or believed to be involved, in serious human rights violations, particularly restricting Iranians' right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. So far, 58 people have been targeted by this policy."

The State Department stressed that it "will continue to use all available tools to expose and promote accountability for violations by Iranian regime officials and other individuals."

Trump had repeatedly threatened to launch a military strike against Iran in early January 2026 in response to the killing of thousands of protesters in unprecedented protests, but his administration shifted to a negotiating approach accompanied by a massive military buildup.

With negotiations proceeding slowly and resorting to such a large military deployment, Trump raised expectations regarding the shape of any attack should a diplomatic agreement fail.

Currently, "reaching an agreement seems unlikely," according to Axios, noting that Iran insists on limiting negotiations to its nuclear program, while the United States wants to include the missile program and support for Tehran's proxies in the region.

After a second round of negotiations in Geneva on Tuesday, both sides said the talks had "made progress," but gaps remained wide, and US officials were not optimistic about narrowing them.

Axios: There is a 90% chance that the United States will attack Iran

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Iran has been given two weeks to hold talks between the United States and Iran.

After the Geneva talks failed to resolve deep differences and Washington's red lines, US military preparations in the region have reached a dangerous level, Axios website reported Wednesday, February 18,

According to the report, the US military, dubbed the "Trump Armada," now includes two aircraft carriers, 12 warships, hundreds of aircraft and several air defense systems.

 

In the past 24 hours alone, 50 new F-35, F-22 and F-16 fighter jets have arrived in the area.

 

"The president is getting frustrated. Although some people around him are warning him of war, I think we will see 90 percent military action in the next few weeks," one Trump adviser told Axios.

Washington has given Tehran two weeks to submit a new and detailed proposal, otherwise the military option will be implemented, the report said.

The Israeli government is preparing a war scenario within days, aimed not only at Iran's nuclear program, but also at "overthrowing the Tehran regime," Axios reported.

The news comes amid the possibility of war between the United States and Iran, especially if the two rounds of talks fail.

"Crucial" week for Iran and the possibility of a US attack

 

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As senior US officials traveled to Tel Aviv, Israel's Channel 13, referring to the possibility of a US attack on the Islamic Republic, called this week "decisive and deadly" for Iran and the United States.

 

Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), arrived in Israel on Saturday and met with Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv.

 

The meeting was also attended by the head of Israeli military intelligence and the head of the organization's operations department.

"US President Donald Trump has not yet made a decisive decision to attack Iran," Cooper said, according to Israel's Channel

Cooper also confirmed that the United States will complete the preparations for a possible operation against Iran by the end of the week.

 

"Senior Israeli army officials have conveyed their country's position to the Americans, according to which the initial attack on Iran must include specific military objectives," Channel 13 added.

According to Israel, in addition to attacking government institutions in order to encourage the Iranian people to overthrow the Islamic Republic, US warplanes should also target surface-to-air missile systems on Iranian soil.

 

-Wittkoff and Kushner visit Israel

The Centcom commander's trip to Tel Aviv came amid a backlash that has seen the Israeli army on full alert in recent weeks along with an increased U.S. military presence in the region.

In another development, US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Tel Aviv for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The talks will focus on developments in the Gaza war and political and security coordination between the United States and Israel, the Times of Israel news agency reported, citing informed sources.

 

- US military options against the Islamic Republic

According to reports, Trump has not ruled out a military attack against the Islamic Republic.

With the beginning of the protests in Iran on December 28, 2025 and the significant participation of cities and towns across Iran that began with the economic crisis, currency collapse, inflation, and living standards, but extended to political demands Avoid protests.

 

In recent days, Trump has revealed that he has moved a "military boat" to the area and expressed hope that it will not need to be used.

- Military movements in the region

 

The aircraft carrier “USS Abraham Lincoln” and three escort destroyers have sailed west from the South China Sea and are now stationed in the Indian Ocean, according to a U.S. Navy official.

The ship is expected to join other US military units in the Persian Gulf and Bahrain in the coming days.

 

Meanwhile, the British Defense Ministry said it would send Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar "as part of defense activities.

Dozens of US military transport planes are reportedly heading to the area.

Meanwhile, the Israeli newspaper Hayom reported that the Israeli government has provided Washington with information about mass executions in Iran, contrary to assurances received by Trump from Islamic Republic officials.

Trump had previously said one of the reasons for delaying the attack on Iran was to cancel the executions of more than 800 protesters arrested during the protests. But the Islamic Republic denied Trump's remarks. 

According to the Israeli newspaper Hayom, contrary to Iranian officials' claims, the information available to the US government and collected and handed over by Israel contains conclusive evidence of the execution of demonstrators in various ways and Israel was involved in obtaining this information.

In response, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran viewed any attack by the United States and Israel as an "all-out war.

"Everything in Iran is on high alert and Iran is ready for the worst-case scenario," he added.

Therefore, based on these reports, the United States is likely to make a decisive decision about Iran and the Tehran authorities this week, and the possibility of a military attack and a new round of war could be one of the US options against the Islamic Republic.

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