Trump: We are waiting for the appointment of a new prime minister in Iraq and we have some options
- US President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that his country is waiting for the appointment of a new prime minister in Iraq, noting that Washington is considering this file and has “some options.”
- “We are looking forward to a prime minister for Iraq, and we have some ideas about that,” Trump added in press statements, stressing that “in the end, everyone needs us.”
- In a related context, Trump touched on the file of tension with Iran, noting that “if an agreement is reached with it, the US aircraft carriers in the region will leave soon.”
- Trump's statements come amid accelerated regional political developments, related to the future of the US military presence in the region, relations with Tehran, as well as the political scene in Baghdad.
Trump: We are looking into the issue of the Iraqi prime minister and we have some options regarding that.
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday (February 13, 2026) that the US administration is considering the issue of the Iraqi Prime Minister.
Trump told reporters outside the White House that "the United States is closely monitoring the selection of the next Iraqi prime minister."
Regarding the Iranian issue, he indicated that "the ongoing negotiations with Iran may lead to successful results," adding that "failure to reach an agreement would mean a very bad day for Tehran."
The US president added that Washington might resort to strengthening its military presence by sending a second aircraft carrier to join the existing fleet, as a precautionary measure in case the diplomatic track with the Iranian side fails.
link another version
US President Donald Trump said that the issue of nominating the next prime minister in Iraq is being "carefully studied" by his administration, noting that everyone "needs the United States of America."
Trump’s latest comment on Iraq came in response to a question about whether the veto on Nouri al-Maliki, the Coordination Framework’s nominee for prime minister, still stood.
Trump said, "We are looking very carefully at the issue of the prime minister in Iraq," adding, "We'll see what happens. We have some ideas about it, but ultimately, everyone has to work with the United States."
Washington clarifies Trump's statement regarding Maliki: A negative outcome for the Iraqi people
A U.S. State Department official revealed on Friday the U.S. administration’s firm stance on the issue of Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, returning to the premiership in Iraq, stressing that this move would put bilateral relations between Baghdad and Washington on the table for “reassessment.”
The decisive US stance comes after President Donald Trump said earlier on Friday that he was considering the appointment of a new prime minister in Iraq, indicating that he had "some options" regarding the matter.
The American official, who preferred not to be named, told Shafaq News Agency that "President Trump was clear in his remarks: choosing 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."
He added: "We will not go into details, but choosing Maliki would be a negative outcome for the Iraqi people."
He explained that "the parameters of American policy towards Iraq in the next stage are based on fundamental points that are not open to compromise, namely ending the dominance of Iranian-backed militias over the Iraqi political scene, reducing Iranian influence within state institutions, and strengthening strong economic partnerships between Iraq, the United States, and regional partners."
In response to a question about whether this position represents a final "red line" or is negotiable, the US official stressed that Washington is "looking for partners who share the same goals."
It is worth noting that Trump said on January 27, 2026, in a post on the "Truth Social" platform, that the return of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to the premiership is "something that should not be allowed," considering that Iraq "slid into poverty and chaos" during his previous term.
For his part, Nouri al-Maliki, the head of the State of Law Coalition and the Coordination Framework’s candidate for the position of next Prime Minister, said on February 3 that Trump had been misled against his candidacy for a third term by three countries and internal parties, adding: “I heard that the tweet was written here, but I have not yet confirmed this matter.”
In a televised interview, Maliki indicated that his candidacy would not expose Iraq to economic sanctions by the United States, noting that this matter was being promoted in order to push for him to give up this candidacy.
According to the head of the State of Law Coalition, he would be prepared to give up his candidacy for prime minister, if this were done at the request of the majority of the coordinating framework.
For its part, the Coordination Framework repeatedly reiterated its support for its candidate, Nouri al-Maliki, for the premiership, stressing that the selection of the Prime Minister is a purely Iraqi constitutional matter, done away from external dictates.
The Iraqi street is paying the price for bureaucratic delays, political inaction, and rising prices.
The political vacuum represents one of the most serious challenges facing the stability of countries emerging from accumulated crises, as the absence of central decision-making becomes a daily reality affecting every aspect of citizens' lives. The Iraqi scene stands as a prime example, where the impact of political paralysis extends beyond the ruling elites to the public, the economy, the market, and the currency.
The delay in forming a government exacerbates the complexities of the economic and social crises, disrupting support programs, slowing investments, and eroding market confidence. Prices are rising faster than salaries, while demands for services are mounting in major cities. Observers note that local markets have begun to treat political timing as an economic indicator, as financial stability is now practically linked to the clarity of executive authority.
On the other hand, disagreements persist between the major blocs and lists, exceeding the constitutional deadlines for determining the president and prime minister, reflecting a structural flaw in the consensus-building mechanism. Negotiations have devolved into an open-ended tug-of-war, with each faction attempting to secure its position within the future power structure before even agreeing on the government itself.
The government formation crisis then takes on a form that is more a struggle over the nature of the next executive system than a mere competition for positions.
The parties are torn between a broad consensus government model and a political majority model, which is hindering any quick settlement, because the agreement is no longer just on names but on the rules of governance.
In parallel, the political vacuum has entered a critical phase after the constitutional deadlines for voting on senior positions were missed, leaving institutions in a state of administrative limbo. Ministries are hesitant to make long-term decisions for fear of political challenges or a sudden government reshuffle.
This reality is directly reflected in the economic and social fabric of the state, with the salary crisis and rising prices emerging as the first indicators of its impact. Economic anxiety transforms into a general mood that puts pressure on the political process, as citizens feel that the political crisis has shifted from the halls of parliament to the very means of sustenance.
The caretaker government headed by “Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani” operates within limited powers, so it cannot launch infrastructure projects, pass budgets, control the market and monetary policy, or confront the financial deficit. The state becomes a temporary administration, while the heavy economic files require full sovereign decisions.
A "liquidity and distance" crisis: Erbil employees and retirees face renewed hardship with the Islamic Bank.
Employees and retirees in Erbil expressed their dissatisfaction on Friday with what they described as the "deterioration" of banking services provided by the Iraqi Islamic Bank for Investment and Development in Erbil, coinciding with the release of monthly salaries by the Ministry of Finance and Economy in the Kurdistan Region.
Retirees told Shafaq News Agency that when the Kurdistan Ministry of Finance and Economy announces the release of monthly salaries, their suffering begins with the rapid depletion of cash from the bank's ATMs, forcing beneficiaries to visit the bank's main building, which cannot accommodate the influx of visitors.
They added that there are three ATMs in all of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and they are far from the route of passenger buses in remote areas, which forces beneficiaries (especially retirees) who do not own cars to hire a private taxi and repeatedly visit the ATMs in order to receive their financial entitlements, which are often empty due to the lack of cash.
Despite the Kurdistan Region Ministry of Finance recently announcing the release of salaries, retirees said that they went to the three ATMs two days ago, and despite the difficulty of going to them due to the distances, they were empty and there was no cash in them, so they returned empty-handed.
Employees and retirees in Erbil, through our agency, appealed to the Kurdistan Regional Government to respond to their repeated problems with the Islamic Bank for Investment and Development in obtaining their financial entitlements.
The Ministry of Finance and Economy of the Kurdistan Regional Government announced last Tuesday that the federal government had deposited the salaries of the region’s employees for January of this year, but the amount was “deficient” by more than 36 billion dinars.
Later on Tuesday, the Federal Ministry of Finance responded to the Kurdistan Finance Ministry's statement regarding the shortage of funds for employee salaries for January of this year, indicating that the financial differences will be disbursed properly when the 2026 budget tables are prepared.
The Federal Ministry of Finance explained in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that "the financing procedures were carried out based on the legal and financial contexts in force in the Iraqi state, where the amounts were released in accordance with the legally approved disbursement circular (1/12), which stipulates the disbursement of funds to employees and retirees who are registered and actually present in the lists approved by the Ministry."
The Kurdistan Ministry of Finance reiterated yesterday that the shortfall in funding for January salaries is due to the Federal Ministry of Finance not sending the full amounts, stressing that the responsibility for any deductions or delays during the past three years lies with Baghdad.
The European Bank launches financing programs for small and medium-sized enterprises in Iraq.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on Friday the launch of a package of programs aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq, providing specialized advisory services and financing facilities for these projects .
The bank also officially launched its first call for applications to join its flagship "Star Venture" program, inviting promising technology-based startups to participate through a competitive selection process, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency.
“This day is a milestone in our partnership with Iraq,” said Katarina Björlin Hansen, the bank’s country director for Iraq, during the launch ceremony for the bank’s programs. “We see promising potential in the Iraqi private sector, which is a key pillar for achieving sustainable growth and creating opportunities for future generations .”
She affirmed: “The bank is committed to working with our partners to foster an environment conducive to their growth and success,” noting that the bank “supports ambitious Iraqi entrepreneurs, helping them expand their businesses, employ more talent, and enhance their international competitiveness, through launching our programs to finance and develop small and medium enterprises, and launching the first local call for companies to join the program .”
The selected startups will receive specialized consulting services, international expertise, and opportunities to access networks of investors and mentors, which will support their growth and enable them to expand into regional and global markets, according to the office director .
The launch event was attended by representatives of the Iraqi government, the donor community, financial institutions, business associations, and private sector leaders, and formed a platform to promote common goals for the development of small and medium enterprises, enhance the competitiveness of Iraqi companies, and present solutions, cooperation opportunities, and financing .
The conference also provided valuable opportunities for communication, networking and introductions between small and medium enterprises and banks and development financial institutions, which contributed to strengthening cooperation with Iraqi business associations with which the bank will work to enhance trade networks and help identify and reduce obstacles to growth .
It is noted that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) began its operations in Iraq in September 2025, focusing on private sector development to improve access to finance, support local entrepreneurs, and promote long-term sustainable economic growth. The bank supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by laying the foundations that enable them to grow, create jobs, and enhance their competitiveness. It also works through an integrated approach that combines financing, advisory support, and participation in policy formulation to build resilient institutions and sustainable local markets .
Customs: The tariff rate is determined according to what is contained in each container.
Customs: A platform specifically for small traders to buy dollars
The General Authority of Customs revealed today, Friday (February 13, 2026), that there is a plan to open a platform specifically for small traders to buy dollars.
The director of the valuation department at the authority, Ahmed Jassim Al-Akeedi, told the official agency, as reported by "Baghdad Today" that: "The Ministerial Council for the Economy is studying opening a platform to buy dollars to support small traders."
He pointed out that "the ASYCUDA system represents a global platform for automating customs work and reducing human interventions and personal interpretations," explaining that "the implementation of the system coincided with economic decisions to control imports and rationalize spending by activating the 'pre-declaration' and the fundamental financial transfer."
Al-Akeedi added that "the previous mechanism relied on a (lump sum) system based on the size of the container, while the current system calculates the tariff based on the value and type of material inside each container."
He explained that "the tariff included most of the 99 items in the customs register, with rates ranging between 5% and 15%, and may reach 30% for some materials," indicating that "the cost of the container, which was previously paid at an amount of 3 million dinars, was replaced by a rate of 5% of the actual value of the container's contents."
He pointed out that "customs decisions aim to establish a sound economic policy that prevents exploitation," stressing "the importance of controlling trade and undermining random imports."
He added that "the imposition of advance disclosure and prior authorization procedures has already led to a reduction in the central bank's sales from $1.6 billion to $400 million per week."
Want to Support My FX Buddies?
.png)
Support My FX Buddies Big or Small I appreciate it all
BuyMeACoffee CashApp:$tishwash
https://paypal.me/tishwash
.jpeg)
Trump: Our relations with Venezuela are very good and I intend to visit it.
US President Donald Trump confirmed that Washington enjoys “very good relations” with Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez, revealing his intention to visit Venezuela.
The White House press team quoted Trump as saying, “I intend to visit Venezuela.” During a press conference in the South Lawn of the White House, he emphasized that the United States is “interacting very closely” with Rodriguez, asserting that relations with her are “very good.”
When asked whether the United States recognizes Rodriguez as president, Trump replied: “Right now we do. We are engaging with them.”
In a related development, the report noted that on January 3, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto announced that the United States had targeted civilian and military sites in Caracas, describing it as an "act of military aggression." Washington later confirmed the strikes and announced the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and their transfer out of the country.
The data added that Maduro and his wife, for example, appeared on January 5 before the Federal Court for the Southern District of New York State, where they were charged with involvement in drug trafficking.
With the start of Ramadan, a breakthrough is expected in the presidential deadlock, with the nomination of the candidate from the largest bloc.
Abdel Samad Zarkoushi, a member of the coordinating framework, predicted on Friday (February 13, 2026) that the candidate of the largest bloc would be appointed during the first days of the holy month of Ramadan.
Al-Zarkoushi told Baghdad Today that “dialogues and meetings of the Coordination Framework forces are continuing almost daily, and there are serious efforts to resolve the issue of the position of President of the Republic,” noting that “important understandings have been reached in the past few days, and are expected to be reflected in next week’s meetings.”
He added that "the readings available to us indicate that the issue of electing the President of the Republic and assigning the candidate of the largest bloc will be resolved in the first days of Ramadan," noting that "the forces of the framework are still holding on to their candidate Nouri al-Maliki for the next government, and there are no changes in this direction."
Al-Zarkoushi confirmed that "the forces of the framework will hold an important meeting next week, perhaps before the month of Ramadan, to discuss several issues, and its outcomes may lead to accelerating the pace of setting a session for the House of Representatives to vote on the President of the Republic, after which the latter will assign the candidate of the largest bloc."
These statements come amid continued political deadlock over the appointment of the President and Prime Minister, following repeated rounds of talks between the Coordination Framework forces and other political forces.
The House of Representatives had failed in previous sessions to achieve the legal quorum necessary to elect the President of the Republic, which led to postponing the decision more than once, amid political tensions and disagreements over the candidates.
According to the Iraqi constitution, the election of the president of the republic precedes the step of assigning the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc to form the government, which makes this entitlement pivotal in ending the state of paralysis and moving towards forming a new government to manage the next stage.
Reuters: A US delegation will meet with Iranian officials in Geneva on Tuesday.
The Iraqi army after the international coalition: A new phase of professionalism and readiness
The Iraqi armed forces face a major responsibility to secure the borders and protect the country from any internal and external threats, following the withdrawal of the international coalition forces from the country.
This transformation comes as an opportunity to demonstrate the Iraqi army's ability to assume full responsibility without relying on external support, with a focus on building a professional national army that is trained and equipped with the latest weapons and military technologies.
The history of the Iraqi army extends for more than a century, during which it has fought internal and external battles, from the Iran-Kuwait wars to confronting ISIS.
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu’man, affirms that Iraq “is moving steadily towards building a professional military system based on field experiences accumulated in battles that were decided in favor of the state, and this vision is based on a unified national doctrine and the exclusive loyalty to the state and the constitution.”
Al-Nu’man adds to Shafaq News Agency that the Iraqi army seeks to achieve technical self-sufficiency by reviving military manufacturing and localizing military technology, while developing the air force, preparing for electronic warfare, and employing the army’s experience in urban warfare and confronting terrorist gangs, to become at the forefront of the region’s armies in terms of equipment and numbers.
Capacity building
Observers note that the "new" Iraqi army after 2003 relied on a volunteer approach to build a professional military institution, whose members choose military life voluntarily, while some experts point out that the "integration officers", that is, the figures associated with political entities who were thrown into the army after the regime change, within the army affected the level of efficiency.
In this context, military expert Alaa Al-Nashou says, “Establishing a professional national army requires significant resources, and begins with forming military schools, institutes, and colleges to train officers and fighters, and proceeds to preparing military divisions and corps to lead operations internally and externally.”
Al-Nashou’ confirms to Shafaq News Agency that preparing a professional soldier is not limited to physical training only, but includes physical, psychological and tactical maneuvers that prepare him to deal with all military scenarios, from attack and defense to retreating combat.
The expert stresses the need to put in place mechanisms to ensure professionalism within the army, most notably keeping the military institution away from partisan and political conflicts, combating corruption and nepotism within it, and removing unqualified officers and ranks, especially "integration officers".
It also calls for the need to grant military formations direct powers to confront any threat on the borders without the intervention of "armed factions," and to form a military council of former commanders and officers to oversee the development of combat, organizational and moral capabilities, and to bring military personnel into training courses inside and outside Iraq, especially in countries with advanced military experience such as America, Europe and Russia.
Modern armament
Military experts believe that developing the air force has become a crucial element in protecting Iraq. Between August 2024 and October 2025, the Iraqi army received 15 American Bell 505 training aircraft, in addition to French Caracal aircraft designated for search and rescue, air transport and support for ground forces.
Observers note that these aircraft represent a qualitative leap in military training and pilot qualification, and contribute to providing fire support to ground forces and increasing their flexibility, at a time when Iraq is preparing to receive the Korean M-SAM air defense system during February to ensure the protection of the borders from any possible air intrusion.
In this regard, military expert Adnan Al-Kinani confirms that Iraq now possesses an advanced air force that includes fighter jets, drones, short, medium and long ballistic missiles, and an air defense system to protect the borders from infiltration.
Al-Kinani adds to Shafaq News Agency, “Iraq also has a local military manufacturing industry to provide weapons and equipment in the event of any potential aggression or difficulty in importing, and multi-specialty ground forces that include special forces, infantry, mechanized infantry, armor and artillery, and electronic warfare capabilities to counter modern threats.”
In conclusion, he notes the importance of having qualified national leaders to guide training, supervise armament, and carry out operations, stressing that the presence of unqualified leaders poses a threat to the army’s ability to protect the state.
