The Central Bank of Iraq: We are proceeding with reforming the banking sector and call for reliance on official sources.
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The Central Bank also noted its ongoing efforts to support banks whose access to external transfer channels has been restricted, enabling them to meet the approved regulatory requirements and standards.
It stated that the bank is currently in the process of contracting with an independent and specialized auditing firm to conduct the final evaluation of banks that have met the criteria of the first phase of the reform program. This evaluation will ensure their compliance with external transfer requirements and relevant international standards.
The statement added that these measures aim to allow compliant banks to regain access to foreign currency transfer channels, including the euro, the UAE dirham, the Chinese yuan, and other approved international currencies.
The Central Bank of Iraq affirmed that these steps are part of a comprehensive reform program aimed at strengthening the soundness of the banking sector and consolidating confidence in it, thereby serving the interests of the national economy and supporting the integration of the Iraqi banking sector into the global financial system.
Regarding information circulating in the media and on social media platforms, the Central Bank of Iraq stressed the necessity of relying exclusively on official Central Bank of Iraq channels for news and information related to the banking reform program, namely its official website and verified social media accounts, while avoiding reliance on unofficial or unreliable sources.
The Central Bank of Iraq reiterated its commitment to continuing the implementation of the banking reform program with full transparency, in order to achieve its aspirations for developing the banking sector and enhancing its presence and integration into the global financial system.
Media Office
The Revolutionary Guard announces the "expansion" of the Strait of Hormuz area and fires warning shots towards an American boat.
On Tuesday, Brigadier General Mohammad Akbarzadeh, the political assistant to the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, announced the expansion of the Strait of Hormuz area to include new areas on the Iranian coasts and islands.
Akbarzadeh said that the expansion of the Strait of Hormuz includes the coasts of Jask and Sirri and beyond the major islands, noting that the region has become known as a strategic area.
In this context, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's naval command announced that an American fast boat attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz, but was closely monitored by the Iranian armed forces.
She added that the naval forces detected "provocative behavior" from the American boat, which prompted them to "fire warning shots and deliver the necessary message," confirming that the boat changed course immediately afterward.
This comes in conjunction with what the American website "Axios" reported yesterday, Monday, that President Donald Trump is inclined towards military action against Iran, confirming that the President of the United States is actually thinking about resuming "Project Freedom" in the Strait of Hormuz and is considering the option of striking 25% of the targets that have not yet been targeted in Iran.
The National Security Service announced on Tuesday the introduction of the SARA 1 multi-mission drone system to support field security monitoring and processing operations.
The agency stated in a statement received by Kalima News that this step comes “within the framework of developing technical and intelligence capabilities.”
He added that the aircraft has advanced monitoring and vision systems that operate day and night and in various conditions, as well as having a high ability to maneuver and respond quickly.
The statement explained that the aircraft system underwent direct field use and proved its efficiency and reliability in carrying out security tasks “with precision and consistency.”
The agency confirmed that the introduction of the system represents “a step that enhances field control and keeps pace with security challenges using modern technological methods.”
"A fundamental structural imbalance": Consumption and imports threaten the growth of monetary credit in Iraq
The Iraq Future Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations reported on Tuesday that data from the first three quarters of 2025 revealed a "fundamental structural imbalance" in the distribution of cash credit in the Iraqi banking system, with increased consumption and imports, which could lead to disruption of economic growth in the country.
The head of the institution, economist Manar Al-Obaidi, said in a detailed report that only three sectors (social and administrative activities, other sectors, and construction) accounted for 59.2% of the total portfolio, while the share of the real productive sectors (agriculture, manufacturing, and extraction) did not exceed 9.05%.
He explained that this structure makes credit developmentally neutral or even an impediment to development in some aspects, as it finances consumption and imports instead of production, perpetuates the economy’s dependence on public spending and oil rents, and weakens the ability of small and medium enterprises to grow and operate.
Al-Obaidi stressed that addressing the issue requires a two-pronged intervention: modifying the incentive structure for banks through the tools of the Central Bank and tax policy on the one hand, and building the infrastructure for risks and guarantees on the other, so that productive lending becomes an attractive option for the bank and not just a national duty.
According to the report, personal loans represented the largest share of credit at 26% of total credit, followed by construction and building works, which represented approximately 15% of total credit, and then wholesale and retail trade at 10% of total credit.
Parliamentary Finance Committee: Employee salaries are secured and the Central Bank has pledged to finance them.
The Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed on Tuesday that employee salaries are secured and that the budget is contingent upon the formation of a government. The committee also indicated that Iraq needs more than 7 trillion dinars to cover salaries.
Committee member, MP Uday Awad, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The Central Bank has pledged to finance and secure employee salaries according to the Reserve Deduction Law.”
He added, “The 2026 budget will be submitted upon the formation of the government,” noting that “borrowing is permitted to mitigate the crisis, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Awad explained that “Iraq needs more than 7 trillion dinars to secure employee salaries, and this amount is secured by the Central Bank for six months according to the Reserve Deduction Law.”
The Popular Mobilization Forces launch search operations in the desert following claims by the Israeli camp.
Major General Ali Al-Hamdani, commander of the Middle Euphrates Operations in the Popular Mobilization Forces, announced on Tuesday the launch of “imposing sovereignty” operations in the Najaf and Karbala deserts across four axes, with the aim of securing the road linking Karbala and the Al-Nukhaib region, stressing that the operation is being carried out under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and under the supervision of the Chief of Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah.
This operation comes amid escalating talk in recent days about the existence of a secret military site or camp in the western Iraqi desert, believed to have been used to support operations related to the recent regional war against Iran, according to media reports and unofficial security reports.
The security moves also coincide with an escalating political and security controversy regarding the Al-Nukhaib region and the Western Desert, following statements by members of parliament and political forces who spoke of the difficulty of accessing some desert locations, and the presence of mysterious military movements within those areas.
On Monday, MP Shaker Abu Turab al-Tamimi, from the Badr parliamentary bloc, stated that what he described as the “American-Israeli camp” still exists within Iraqi territory, noting that security forces have not yet been able to reach or approach the site, according to him.
Wall Street: Qaani maneuvers to keep factions alive and avoid disarming them
Washington is pressuring al-Zaidi amid anticipation of the confidence vote session.
Wall Street: Qaani maneuvers to keep factions alive and avoid disarming them
The commander of Iran's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, urged Iraqi officials he met during his visit to Baghdad to avoid excluding militia leaders from the government or attempting to disarm them. According to information reported by the Wall Street Journal, which covered the issue of al-Zaidi's nomination, the prime minister-designate has the support of President Donald Trump, who invited him to Washington. The newspaper confirmed that the United States strongly supports him, adding that this support from the White House is conditional on excluding armed factions from the next Iraqi government and limiting Tehran's influence in Baghdad. Citing current and former US officials, the newspaper indicated that al-Zaidi had previously faced similar US pressure, as he owns a bank that the Treasury Department banned from dollar transactions in 2024 due to suspected dealings with a militia leader. The newspaper added that al-Zaidi is considered a compromise choice after Trump threatened to cut off US aid to Iraq when former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was nominated following months of political negotiations. The newspaper also quoted Iraqi officials as saying that the United States and Iran had inquired about the nomination before it was announced. They indicated that al-Zaidi had received phone calls from Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. They added that Esmail Qaani, during a visit to Baghdad the day before yesterday, urged Iraqi officials not to exclude militia leaders from the government or attempt to disarm these groups. They explained that Washington is seeking to take concrete measures against the militias, given their execution of 600 attacks on American diplomatic and military sites in Iraq since the start of the American-Israeli war on Iran. Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and President Nizar Amidi emphasized the importance of strengthening understandings among national forces based on the principle of partnership, in order to agree on the formation of the new government and grant it the confidence to proceed with implementing its program.
A statement received by Al-Zaman yesterday said that the meeting discussed the overall situation in the country, as well as regional and international developments. The statement added that the meeting emphasized the importance of strengthening understandings among national forces based on the principle of partnership, in order to agree on the formation of the new government and grant it confidence to proceed with implementing its program, sustaining reform, development, and economic revival projects, and fulfilling the aspirations of citizens throughout the country. Both sides stressed the necessity of cooperation and joint coordination among all political forces and parties to confront current challenges and to work with a responsible national spirit to consolidate stability and achieve the supreme national interest. In a related development, the National Political Council rejected any interference from parties or political figures outside its own bloc in the matter of its ministerial entitlements, coinciding with the ongoing efforts to form the new government. The Council said in a statement received yesterday that it held a meeting at the headquarters of Khamis al-Khanjar, head of the Sovereignty Alliance, in the presence of Mohammed al-Halbousi, head of the Progress Party, Hebat al-Halbousi, Speaker of Parliament, and leaders of the parties and alliances that comprise it, to discuss the latest developments in the formation of the next government. He noted that the meeting discussed the terms of the political agreement and its implementation mechanisms in accordance with constitutional requirements and national balances, in addition to exploring ways to support the upcoming government and enhance political stability. He confirmed that he had sent the names of his nominees for ministerial portfolios to the designated prime minister, within the framework of ongoing political understandings. The statement continued, saying that the council rejects any interference from figures or parties outside its own bloc in its ministerial appointments. The public awaits the convening of Parliament to vote on al-Zaydi's program and cabinet before the MPs depart for Hajj.
The most complex issue awaits resolution: Oil: The oil and gas law is the key to stability between Baghdad and Erbil.
The spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, Sahib Bazoun, confirmed on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) that the oil and gas file between Baghdad and Erbil will not witness complete stability until the oil and gas law is approved within the House of Representatives, noting that there are existing understandings between the federal government and the region regarding the management of the oil file.
Bazoun told Baghdad Today that there is an agreement and a political decision between the two sides, but that enacting the oil and gas law during the current parliamentary session represents the most important step to ensure the stability of the oil relationship and preserve the rights of all parties.
He explained that oil still constitutes about 90% of the Iraqi state’s imports, which makes this file a top priority for the next government, noting that the Prime Minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, has placed among his priorities the diversification of the state’s sources of income and the reduction of dependence on oil revenues, as he is “an economist.”
Bazoun pointed out that the Ministry of Oil is working to revitalize and expand oil export outlets, stressing the reactivation of the Ceyhan and Banias port outlets, in addition to proceeding with the activation of the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline with an export capacity of up to one and a half million barrels per day.
He added that the relative calm witnessed in the Strait of Hormuz during the past month helped in exporting two oil shipments, expressing his optimism about the improvement of conditions and the stability of export activity during the coming period.
Regarding strategic alternative plans, Bazoun revealed that the ministry has begun implementing the Basra-Haditha pipeline project, a strategic project with a capacity of two and a half million barrels per day and a diameter of 56 inches.
He explained that the importance of the project is not limited to transporting crude oil, but extends to supplying refineries located along the pipeline in the south, center and north with petroleum products, as well as enabling Iraq in the future to export oil through multiple outlets including Türkiye, Syria and Jordan via the port of Aqaba.
He confirmed that the project has already entered into force at an estimated cost of about five billion dollars, of which one and a half billion dollars have been allocated so far, noting that the work is proceeding "very normally" according to the plans set.
The Oil and Gas Law is one of the most prominent controversial laws postponed in Iraq since 2005, as it is related to regulating the management of oil wealth and the distribution of revenues between the federal government, the Kurdistan Region and the producing governorates, amid repeated political and economic demands to resolve it in order to end the disputes related to oil exports and contracts.
Oil and gas law: Will the current parliamentary session succeed in resolving one of the most complex issues?
The oil and gas law is imposing itself as one of the most sensitive issues within the Iraqi scene, amid increasing questions about the ability of political forces to pass it during the current parliamentary session.
The spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, Sahib Bazoun, confirmed on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) that the oil and gas file between Baghdad and Erbil will not witness complete stability until the oil and gas law is approved within the House of Representatives, noting that there are existing understandings between the federal government and the region regarding the management of the oil file.
Bazoun said that there is an agreement and a political decision between the two parties, but that enacting the oil and gas law during the current parliamentary session represents the most important step to ensure the stability of the oil relationship and preserve the rights of all parties.
He explained that oil still constitutes about 90% of the Iraqi state’s revenues, which makes this issue a top priority for the next government.
He then pointed out that the Prime Minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, had placed among his priorities the diversification of the state’s sources of income and the reduction of dependence on oil revenues, in his capacity as an “economist.”
Bazoun pointed out that the Ministry of Oil is working to revitalize and expand oil export outlets, stressing the reactivation of the Ceyhan and Banias port outlets, in addition to proceeding with the activation of the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline with an export capacity of up to one and a half million barrels per day.
He added that the relative calm witnessed in the Strait of Hormuz during the past month helped in exporting two oil shipments, expressing his optimism about the improvement of conditions and the stability of export activity during the coming period.
Regarding strategic alternative plans, Bazoun revealed that the ministry has begun implementing the Basra-Haditha pipeline project, a strategic project with a capacity of two and a half million barrels per day and a diameter of 56 inches.
He explained that the importance of the project is not limited to transporting crude oil, but extends to supplying refineries located along the pipeline in the south, center and north with petroleum products , as well as enabling Iraq in the future to export oil through multiple outlets including Turkey, Syria and Jordan via the port of Aqaba.
He confirmed that the project has already entered into force at an estimated cost of about five billion dollars, of which one and a half billion dollars have been allocated so far, noting that the work is proceeding “very normally” according to the plans set.
The Oil and Gas Law is one of the most prominent controversial laws postponed in Iraq since 2005, as it is related to regulating the management of oil wealth and the distribution of revenues between the federal government, the Kurdistan Region and the producing governorates, amid repeated political and economic demands to resolve it in order to end the disputes related to oil exports and contracts.
Parliamentary Finance Committee: Employee salaries are secured, and the budget is contingent upon the formation of the government.
The parliamentary finance committee confirmed on Tuesday that employee salaries are fully secured, while noting that the approval of the 2026 budget is contingent upon the formation of the next government.
Member of the Finance Committee, MP Uday Awad, said in a press statement that “the Central Bank has pledged to finance and secure the salaries of employees based on the Reserve Deduction Law,” stressing that “there is no concern regarding the salaries file at the present time.”
Awad added that “the 2026 budget will be sent as soon as the new government is formed,” indicating that “the government has the authority to borrow in order to reduce the size of the financial crisis, especially in light of the unclear regional situation, including the issue of whether or not the Strait of Hormuz will be opened.”
He explained that “Iraq needs more than 7 trillion dinars to secure employee salaries,” noting that they are “effectively secured for six months according to the reserve discount law adopted by the Central Bank.”
Parliamentary moves to address imbalances in the investment environment
In a move reflecting a new direction to restructure the investment sector in Iraq, the Investment and Development Committee in the House of Representatives has begun intensive efforts to address imbalances in the investment environment, focusing on supporting productive industrial and economic projects and creating job opportunities instead of limiting investments to residential complexes and commercial malls.
MP Suzan Al-Saad confirmed to Al-Sabah that an early meeting was held with the head of the National Investment Authority with the aim of strengthening coordination between the legislative authority and the authority, noting that this step comes to address any legislative or legal shortcomings that hinder the work of investors, with a move towards accelerating the approval of laws supporting investment.
Al-Saad explained that the Investment Authority’s plans during the past period focused largely on residential and commercial projects, without building an integrated investment system as is done in developed countries, noting that the committee seeks to identify the obstacles that prevent the establishment of important industrial projects capable of absorbing unemployment and supporting national industry.
The MP also noted that the committee has observations regarding residential complex projects throughout Iraq, especially concerning pricing mechanisms and the quality of materials used in construction, which necessitates a comprehensive review to ensure quality and fairness in prices.
Al-Saad explained that the committee hosted the head of the National Investment Authority in the House of Representatives and discussed the reality of the investment sector and the challenges that hinder the implementation of projects, especially the administrative complexities and procedures for granting investment licenses.
The spokesperson added that the meeting addressed ways to develop the investment environment by simplifying procedures and enhancing the Authority’s role in attracting local and foreign capital, in addition to discussing future plans and their compatibility with the government program.
She emphasized that the committee stressed the importance of raising the level of coordination between the Investment Authority and the relevant ministries and bodies, in order to support economic development and stimulate investment in the country.
Al-Zidi is close to gaining confidence and forming a strong government with the support of all parties in Iraq.
Political analyst Ahmed Al-Tamimi confirmed on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) that the current disagreements between political forces regarding the distribution of ministerial portfolios are a natural part of the negotiations process for forming governments in Iraq, predicting that the political forces will succeed in passing Ali Al-Zidi’s government during this week.
Al-Tamimi told Baghdad Today that the political process has become accustomed to intensive rounds of negotiations and political bargaining related to the distribution of sovereign and service ministries, noting that current indicators show advanced understandings between political blocs towards resolving the cabinet and voting on it within Parliament.
He explained that the political forces are aware of the sensitivity of the current stage and the country’s need for a fully empowered government, therefore the disputes raised fall within the framework of traditional political competition and do not reach the level of disrupting or thwarting the formation of the government.
He added that there is an internal and external desire to end the state of executive vacuum and to expedite the granting of confidence to the new government, noting that some objections related to names or ministerial quotas may be resolved in the last hours before the voting session, as happened in previous government experiences.
Al-Tamimi indicated that passing Ali al-Zaidi’s government is “closer than ever,” especially in light of the initial agreements between the main political forces, explaining that the next stage will depend to a large extent on the ability of the new government to achieve political balances and present a government program capable of addressing service and economic issues.
He stressed that the success of the next government will also be linked to its ability to calm the street and enhance internal stability, in light of the economic, service and security challenges facing the country.
For weeks, the political arena has witnessed intense activity among political blocs and alliances to resolve the issue of forming the new government, amid internal and external anticipation of the nature of the ministerial lineup and the political and economic program that will be adopted in the next phase.
yesterday
A meeting with Katarina Hansen was attended by the head of development.
Taif Sami is seeking the European Bank's expertise to implement economic reforms.
Finance Minister Taif Sami met with European Bank Director Katarina Hansen on Monday (May 11, 2026) to discuss strengthening cooperation in development and reform areas, in the presence of the head of the Iraqi Fund for External Development.
The meeting addressed mechanisms for supporting development programs and projects and developing the financial sector, as well as opportunities to expand technical and advisory cooperation in line with the government’s directions in implementing economic reforms and enhancing the investment environment.
The Ministry of Finance stated in a statement received by Network 964 that “Minister of Finance Taif Sami met with the Director of the European Bank, Ms. Katarina Hansen, in the presence of the Head of the Iraqi Fund for External Development, to discuss a number of financial and economic files of common interest, and to follow up on prospects for cooperation between the two sides in the development and reform fields.”
The meeting witnessed “a discussion of mechanisms to support programs and projects that contribute to the development of the financial sector and raise the efficiency of institutional performance, in addition to exploring opportunities to expand technical and advisory cooperation in line with the government’s directions in implementing economic reforms and enhancing the development and investment environment.”
Both sides also stressed “the importance of continued joint coordination and benefiting from international expertise in supporting financial and administrative modernization plans, in order to enhance economic stability and support development priorities.”
Official data released by the Ministry of Finance, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency on Friday (May 8, 2026), revealed that the total Iraqi domestic debt reached approximately 96 trillion and 629 billion dinars by the end of April 2026, while the total external debt amounted to $13.039 billion, which the Ministry considered an indication of a tangible improvement in the management of the financial file during the current government headed by Al-Sudani.
Figures from the Public Debt Department showed that the government borrowed 46.035 trillion dinars domestically between 2023 and April 2026, of which it repaid 19.910 trillion, equivalent to about 43% of the total new borrowing, while the largest part of the total domestic debt is due to the legacy of previous governments for the period between 2004 and 2022, amounting to 70.505 trillion dinars.
Regarding external debt, the Ministry of Finance repaid $2.166 billion of inherited loans during the same period, while the outstanding balance of pre-2003 debt decreased to only $2.963 billion, compared to $12.926 billion recorded for the period between 2016 and 2022—a reduction of over 77% in this specific category. Thus, the government has repaid a total of approximately $16 billion of domestic and external debt, out of a total debt of $95 billion before repayments, leaving a remaining balance of $79 billion.
The Central Bank of Iraq previously reported that the country's total public debt reached 90.6 trillion dinars by the end of September. This debt is comprised of domestic debt, more than half of which is owed to the Central Bank, with the remainder owed to banks, mostly government-owned, and external debt amounting to $54 billion. The external debt includes debts that were suspended before 2003, Paris Club debt which has decreased to $3.8 billion, and long-term investment debt of approximately $10 billion. Fakhri explained that the public debt represents about 43% of the GDP, dropping to 30-31% when non-performing debts are excluded. This contrasts sharply with major industrialized nations such as the United States (120%) and Japan (250%).
Latest financial figures on domestic debt:
These data were included in a report by the Public Debt Department of the Ministry of Finance, which indicated with updated figures that the total domestic borrowing that took place during the period from 2023 until April 30, 2026 amounted to 46.035 trillion dinars. These loans were distributed as follows: 7.590 trillion in 2023, rising to its peak in 2024 with an amount of 17.105 trillion dinars, then settling at 10.840 trillion in 2025 and 10.5 trillion in the first months of 2026.
Despite the size of the new borrowing, the Ministry of Finance, according to the ministry’s data, succeeded in paying off an amount of 19.910 trillion dinars, so that the total internal debt balance stabilized at 96 trillion and 629 billion dinars, while the internal debt balance due to the accumulated borrowing from previous governments (2004-2022) had recorded 70.505 trillion dinars.
Latest financial figures on external debt:
Regarding the external debt file, the data showed tangible progress in reducing financial burdens, as the current external debt balance reached $10.076 billion, and the Ministry of Finance was able, between 2023 and April 2026, to repay $2.166 billion of loans inherited from previous governments.
Regarding “pre-2003 debt” (to Paris Club countries and non-Paris Club countries), the Ministry of Finance report revealed that the outstanding balance as of the end of April 2026 had decreased to only $2.963 billion. In comparison, the outstanding balance of external project debt for the period 2016–2022 had previously reached $12.926 billion.
Article 140: Kirkuk and the disputed territories are victims of Kurdish division.
More than two decades after the adoption of the Iraqi constitution, Article 140, which is considered the “backbone” of the national rights of the Kurds, remains a rigid text that has not been implemented on the ground, after it became a victim of narrow partisan interests and conflicts over positions and power in Baghdad.
According to the Iraqi constitution, Article 140 concerning the disputed territories was supposed to be implemented before the end of 2007, but the process was disrupted from its very first steps.
Instead of working to restore the annexed lands, the committees established under Article 140 transformed into ineffective bureaucratic institutions. While Kurdish factions were preoccupied with internal conflicts, Arabization policies resurfaced in new forms in Kirkuk, Sinjar, and Khanaqin, leading to demographic changes in those areas.
Kurdish parties... trading in time and positions
Throughout successive Iraqi governments, the ruling parties in the Kurdistan Region have used Article 140 as a political bargaining chip to obtain ministries and senior positions in Baghdad, while national issues have become victims of oil and financial agreements.
The division has jeopardized the constitutional rights of the Kurds.
The absence of a unified national discourse is the greatest gift to the Kurds' adversaries, as Kirkuk and the disputed territories—sensitive national issues—have become arenas for partisan conflict. Furthermore, the Kurdish delegation in Baghdad does not appear as a unified political bloc; rather, each faction acts independently, pursuing its own interests. This has allowed Iraqi parties to stall and buy time.
Even during the recent visit of Kurdish party delegations to Baghdad to participate in consultations to form the new Iraqi government, headed by Ali al-Zaidi, no delegation went in the name of the Kurds or the region. Rather, all parties sent their representatives separately, and everyone was preoccupied with conflicts over positions and privileges.
For years, the residents of the disputed areas have lived under the threat of displacement and agricultural land problems. In the absence of a clear administrative vision for their regions, service projects have been neglected, while political parties only appear during election seasons, while the residents are left alone to face the real crises and Arabization policies.
Observers believe that Article 140 requires a political will that puts land and identity above partisan interests and positions, but the current reality of the Kurdish parties reveals that this article has become, from Baghdad’s point of view, a dead file, while for the Kurdish parties it has turned into just an election slogan and a burnt political card.
As long as “position and budget” are more important than “land identity”, Article 140 will remain ink on paper without any actual application.
95% of the government formation has been finalized... 48 crucial hours to determine the date of the confidence vote session
On Monday, Coordination Framework member Uday Abdul-Hadi confirmed that more than 95% of the paths for forming the government have been decided, noting that the next 48 hours will be crucial in determining the date for holding the confidence vote session within the House of Representatives.
Abdul-Hadi told Al-Maalomah that “the meetings and gatherings held yesterday evening were very fruitful, especially within the Coordination Framework forces,” indicating that “about 95% of the paths for forming the government have been decided in terms of determining the entitlements of the political blocs.”
He added that “the political blocs have already begun submitting their candidates for ministerial portfolios,” noting that “the next 48 hours will be crucial in determining the date of the session to grant confidence to Ali al-Zidi’s government within the House of Representatives.”
He explained that “today will witness an important meeting of representatives of the Coordination Framework forces to discuss some remaining issues,” noting that “final understandings will lead to the next stage, which is setting a date for the parliamentary session, and this will not be long given the clear desire among all political forces to resolve the issue of forming the government.”
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Fars News Agency: Iran has set five conditions for entering the second round of negotiations with the United States.
The agency quoted a source it described as well-informed, saying: "Iran has set five conditions, representing the minimum guarantees for building trust to begin any negotiations with the United States."
The source explained: "Iran stipulates an end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, the lifting of sanctions, and the release of its funds." The source added: "The conditions also include compensation for war damages and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz."
The agency indicated: "Iran informed Pakistan that the continuation of the American naval blockade has reinforced distrust in negotiations with Washington, and that Tehran believes that without the fulfillment of its five conditions, there will be no possibility of entering into new negotiations."
Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi receives the European Union Ambassador to Iraq
Political paralysis in Baghdad: Parliament unable to set a date for a vote of confidence in al-Zidi's government.
The Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Farhad Al-Atroushi, revealed on Tuesday that the date for the parliamentary session to grant confidence to the new government is still unknown, due to the continuation of sharp political disagreements and complex negotiations between Shiite and Sunni forces .
Al-Atroushi said, in a press statement followed by Al-Sa’a Network, that “Prime Minister-designate Ali Falih Al-Zidi has not yet submitted an official request to the Parliament Presidency to set a date for the vote on his government and ministerial program .”
These statements coincided with predictions made by the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc in parliament, Shakhwan Abdullah, who suggested that the formation of the new federal government would be postponed until next week, pointing to the existence of international and regional interventions affecting the course of political agreements .
According to circulating political leaks, Al-Zidi was planning to present about 14 ministerial portfolios to Parliament to gain confidence, amidst ongoing disputes over the sensitive sovereign and security ministries, most notably the ministries of oil and defense .
Political circles are also discussing the names of candidates for ministerial positions and senior posts within the next government, coinciding with information about a preliminary political agreement aimed at passing Al-Zidi’s government in the next few days after the completion of the ministerial program .
The Iraqi constitution gives the prime minister-designate a deadline of 30 days to present his cabinet and government program to the House of Representatives. Al-Zidi was officially tasked with forming the government on April 27, 2026, succeeding former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani
Al-Zaidi and Talabani stress the need to continue efforts to form the new government
Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani emphasized on Tuesday the need to continue efforts to form the new government.
The Prime Minister's Media Office stated in a press release received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi received PUK leader Bafel Talabani."
The statement added that "the meeting discussed the general situation across the country and stressed the importance of continuing efforts to form a new, inclusive government capable of addressing the challenges facing the country at this stage, contributing to stability, serving the citizens, and safeguarding the country's best interests."
Al-Shammari: Attempts to bring back certain figures will not succeed, and the current stage requires new faces.
MP Mohammed Al-Shammari affirmed on Tuesday that any attempts to rearrange the political landscape in order to impose certain figures back on the forefront will not succeed, pointing to the need to move beyond the names that consumed the previous phase and caused a decline in public trust.
Al-Shammari told Al-Maalouma News Agency that "attempts to rearrange political alliances to bring some figures back to the forefront will not succeed unless they are based on a real project that serves the Sunni and Iraqi public in general," indicating that "the public no longer accepts repeating experiences that have only resulted in political crises."
He added that "the next stage needs new faces capable of overcoming the disputes and crises that have weakened citizens' confidence in the political process," noting that "the insistence on recycling some controversial names represents an obstacle to the stability of legislative and executive entitlements."
It is worth noting that the political arena is witnessing intense activity by some dismissed and former leaders attempting to regain their influence through political pressure or coalition maneuvering. This is being met with rejection from political and parliamentary forces that insist on changing the approach of unilateral leadership.
Erbil officially requests Baghdad to finalize understandings regarding customs and the ASYCUDA system.
Iranian media said a moderate quake had shaken the capital around midnight local time.
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An earthquake on Tuesday shook Tehran, a city on edge after months of war, with residents across the metropolis saying the ground jolted and rolled around midnight.
Tehran, the sprawling capital of Iran with almost 10 million residents, sits on or near several major fault lines and is occasionally hit by earthquakes. Though the earthquake was moderate in magnitude and no casualties or major damage have been reported, it still shocked many of the city’s residents. “We shook as if we were in a swing,” said Saboor, a Tehran resident, who asked that only his last name be used out of fear of retribution.
State media put the tremor at magnitude 4.6, about 10 kilometers deep, while the U.S. Geological Survey registered it as 4.3, and the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre at 4.5. Earthquakes in that range can damage buildings that are not up to advanced standards. Iran’s state television said two aftershocks were registered at magnitudes of 4 and 3.4 in the same area.
Morteza Rezaei, the deputy head of Red Crescent for Tehran province, told state television that no casualties or major damage had been reported so far, but rescue teams within the epicenter’s radius were dispatched and placed on high alert.
“We have had no reports of damage and destruction and no roadblocks in the areas,” said Mr. Rezaei. “I recommend people remain calm if something unfortunate happens,” adding they should call emergency rescue numbers for help.
Iranian media reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was at the border of Tehran and Mazandaran provinces, east of the capital, and said the ground shook for 10 seconds. The U.S.G.S. said the tremor was centered near the city of Damavand.
Earlier on Tuesday, a small earthquake was reported in the Pardis area near Tehran. State media said the towns in the immediate vicinity of the earthquake, around midnight, were Pardis, Bumhen, Rudehehn and the cities of Tehran and Karaj.
In the northeastern part of the city, Ali, a resident of the area, said that when the earthquake hit, many of his neighbors had rushed to the street in their pajamas, carrying their blankets. State media also said in the Pardis area, near the epicenter, residents had evacuated their homes and taken shelter in their cars and in parks.
Pictures and videos on state television from Pardis showed families with children sleeping on blankets on the side of the road and several people praying. There was also bumper-to-bumper traffic as people took to their cars.
Earlier in the evening, a strong storm ripped through Tehran with wind gusts of around 35 miles per hour, injuring 17 people, according to the city’s emergency management center.
Residents said their nerves were already frayed as they are hanging in limbo of neither peace nor all-out war, wondering if a tenuous cease-fire will collapse and the United States and Israel will strike again.
Sara, a 54-year-old resident of Tehran, said her apartment tower in northern Tehran swayed, and she panicked.
“I was sitting at the kitchen table and suddenly felt as if the chair was being pulled from under me,” she said in a voice message from Tehran. “I thought, ‘I’m having a dizzy spell’ then noticed the chandeliers swinging. I thought it was an attack — earthquake was the last thing on our minds.”
Some Iranians with internet access posted on social media that the jolts reminded them of the war and rattled their nerves.
“When the earthquake hit, I jumped off the bed and ran into the hallway. Then I remembered that was for the war,” said Elham Nazari in a social media post about what to do in case of an attack.
