Iraq faces a "golden opportunity" following the regional truce. Will it capitalize on it?
Following the cessation of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, Iraq has a "golden opportunity" to assume a pivotal role in the region. It can capitalize on the regional calm to reduce tensions, develop a new vision for its national security, and strengthen international and trade relations. This will have an initial impact on the Iraqi economy, according to observers.
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However, translating this calm into real economic gains, according to observers, remains contingent on the Iraqi government's ability to accompany it with radical internal reform that ensures the rule of law and frees economic decision-making from the grip of militias. Otherwise, it will be little more than a truce that deprives Iraq of the opportunity to advance.
positive effects
In this context, the Prime Minister's financial advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, said, "Regional calm in the Middle East, particularly among Iraq's neighbors, could have a direct and profound positive impact on the Iraqi economy."
Saleh explained to Shafaq News Agency, "The Gulf states, Turkey, and Iran may increase their investments in Iraq in the areas of infrastructure, energy, transportation, and agriculture, and provide Iraq with the opportunity for stability, especially to implement its geo-economic project, the 'Development Road' project."
He continued, "In addition to attracting Arab and foreign investments to operate in the industrial economic cities linked to the development project, we are working with minimal risk and the highest degree of stability. All of these factors are linked to the degree of stability in regional security and its repercussions on our country."
He asserts that "the more attractive and stable the investment environment becomes for foreign investors, the more costs will decrease as profit opportunities grow."
Saleh points out that "one of the best foreign investment opportunities, in addition to the development path, is competition for joint investment in natural resource sites (except for the oil and gas industry), as this is a promising vital field for investors."
"golden opportunity"
This is also the view expressed by Hussein Al-Sa'bari, the deputy chairman of the parliamentary investment committee, who said, "The regional situation has calmed down following the cessation of the war between Iran and Israel, and relations between Arab and regional states have become closer. Therefore, the Iraqi government must capitalize on this atmosphere to become a hub and a link between the parties, in order to ensure regional development."
Al-Sa'bari told Shafaq News Agency, "The current situation represents an opportunity for political development and international and commercial relations, which requires Iraq to assume its primary role in the region and capitalize on this golden opportunity."
Economic researcher Ahmed Eid agrees with Hussein Al-Saabari, stating that "the regional de-escalation between Iran and Israel presents an opportunity to reduce tensions in the region, which will initially have a positive impact on the Iraqi economy through reduced insurance and transportation costs, improved market sentiment, and relative stability in the dinar exchange rate. It may also contribute to reducing financial pressures on the general budget and boosting temporary investor confidence."
conditional economic gains
However, Eid noted in an interview with Shafaq News Agency that "translating this calm into real economic gains remains contingent on the Iraqi government's ability to accompany it with effective internal reform. External stability is important, but it cannot compensate for the rampant corruption in all Iraqi state institutions, which devours investment opportunities, paralyzes projects, and undermines the business environment."
He continued, "As for an increase in investments or a reduction in financial risks in Iraq as a result of this calm, yes, relatively speaking, but that depends on two factors: the duration of the stability and the extent to which investors are convinced that this calm is not temporary, and the second is the Iraqi government's ability to keep pace with this calm with internal reforms, such as improving the business environment and reducing security and militia interference."
He explains, "If this is achieved, regional calm could reduce Iraq's credit rating risks, thus encouraging some hesitant Gulf, Turkish, or Iranian investments, and enhancing opportunities for debt refinancing or obtaining international loans at lower interest rates."
strategic opportunities
Eid asserts that "Iraq possesses clear strategic opportunities, represented by expanding trade with neighboring countries (Turkey, Iran, and the Gulf), and attracting investments in renewable energy, particularly from European and Gulf companies that are monitoring the situation."
He added, "As well as reviving postponed projects such as the Basra-Turkey railway line or the Grand Faw Port, and utilizing Iraq as a transit corridor between the Gulf and Europe via the 'Development Road' project, and revitalizing the religious tourism sector and attracting visitors from Iran and the Gulf without security concerns."
Accordingly, Eid says, "External political stability is a necessary condition for attracting capital, but it is insufficient unless accompanied by internal reforms that guarantee the rule of law and free economic decision-making from the grip of armed groups. Any regional calm without radical internal reform will be nothing more than a temporary truce that deprives Iraq of the opportunity to rise."
A New Vision for National Security
The regional truce is not limited to economics, as military expert Alaa Al-Nashou explains, "The region is exposed to rapidly evolving events amid regional and international tensions, which requires Iraq to develop a new vision for its national security."
Al-Nashou explained to Shafaq News Agency, "Countries around the world rely on security capabilities, which include intelligence, accurate information, control, command, information security, facilities, and personnel. All of this enhances the country's national security. Therefore, Iraq needs a security vision related to a balanced foreign policy for the sake of common interests, and a rejection of interference and submission to any state."
The military expert asserts that "Iraq must build horizons based on real security foundations linked to securing Iraqi society by strengthening cooperation with Arab, regional, and international national security."
Erdogan, Trump Meet at NATO Summit to Discuss Ceasefire, Bilateral Ties and Regional Crises
Erdogan expressed interest in boosting ties in the areas of energy, investment, and defense. He underscored that enhanced bilateral relations could support the long-standing goal of reaching a $100 billion trade volume between the two NATO allies.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in The Hague, where the two leaders held talks on regional and global developments, as well as bilateral cooperation, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA).
In a statement released by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, President Erdogan welcomed the Israel-Iran ceasefire, which he said was “achieved through US President Trump’s efforts.” He emphasized the need for this ceasefire to pave the way for a broader, lasting peace in the region. Erdogan also called for an immediate end to the ongoing crisis in Gaza and urged renewed dialogue to address the war in Ukraine.
Highlighting the strong potential for deeper cooperation between Ankara and Washington, Erdogan expressed interest in boosting ties in the areas of energy, investment, and defense. He underscored that enhanced bilateral relations could support the long-standing goal of reaching a $100 billion trade volume between the two NATO allies.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening NATO’s deterrence capabilities and emphasized the critical role that Türkiye and the United States play as leading partners within the Alliance.
APICORP: We are ready to immediately resume oil exports via Ceyhan, provided...
APICORP member companies announced on Wednesday, 2025, their readiness to resume "immediate" oil exports between Iraq and Turkey via the port of Ceyhan.
The companies said in a blog post monitored by Al-Jabal that they "realized the urgent geostrategic importance of reopening the Iraq-Turkey ( ITP ) oil pipeline ."
She added, "This pipeline provides Iraq with a safe export route to global oil markets via the port of Ceyhan," noting that " the resumption of exports via the pipeline will add more than 300,000 barrels to the international market."
She continued, "Once we receive payment guarantees for past and future exports, APICORP member companies are ready to immediately resume exports via the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline."
IMF: Iraq has made progress in transitioning to a new system for financing foreign trade.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission considered that the Central Bank of Iraq has achieved "significant progress" by transitioning to a new system for financing foreign trade.
A statement issued by the bank quoted the mission as confirming that "the Central Bank of Iraq has made progress in absorbing excess liquidity by increasing the issuance of short-term debt instruments (central bank transfers and Islamic certificates of deposit), adjusting subscription limits for banks in central bank auctions, and improving liquidity forecasting tools and practices."
The statement added, "The mission commended the Central Bank of Iraq's efforts to successfully transition to the new trade finance system," noting that commercial banks now process trade finance transactions entirely through their relationships with correspondent banks.
According to the mission, "the Central Bank of Iraq has made significant progress by transitioning to a new system for financing foreign trade through correspondent banking channels, instead of relying on the daily dollar auction."
According to the statement, the mission indicated that "this development has contributed to enhancing banks' compliance with international transparency requirements, such as OFAC regulations and others, and improving their relationships with global correspondent banks."
The statement added that this step resulted in narrowing the gap between the official dollar exchange rate and its parallel exchange rate, indicating relative success in curbing illegal speculation and reducing currency leakage.
The statement continued, citing the IMF mission, that "the methodology for managing foreign exchange has become more effective than before, especially with the Central Bank of Iraq continuing to implement complementary measures such as requiring traders to submit genuine import invoices and simplifying procedures for obtaining hard currency for legitimate importers."
The World Bank approves $930 million in financing for Iraq.
The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved a new financing package exceeding $1.3 billion to support vital development projects in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, aimed at strengthening infrastructure and improving basic services.
Iraq received the largest share of the financing, amounting to $930 million, to finance the Iraq Railway Expansion and Modernization (IREM) project, which aims to develop the railway network between the port of Umm Qasr in the south and the city of Mosul in the north.
The project aims to reduce travel time, increase freight efficiency, and improve the quality of transport services, contributing to supporting trade, creating jobs, and diversifying the Iraqi economy.
In Syria, the World Bank approved $146 million in financing to support efforts to restore electricity supplies and improve energy access in light of the challenges facing the country's electricity sector.
Lebanon received $250 million in financing to contribute to reconstruction efforts at a time when the country continues to face the repercussions of severe economic and financial crises.
Al-Sudani: "Made in Iraq" is a national project we are counting on.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani inaugurated, on Wednesday, the Construction Cooperation Center (Construction Basket), which was implemented by the General Company for Construction Materials Trade at the Ministry of Trade, in partnership with the private sector.
During the opening ceremony, Al-Sudani emphasized that the project contributes to providing building materials at competitive prices and convenient installments to citizens, particularly targeted groups such as retirees, those covered by the social security network, martyrs' families, and employees.
The Prime Minister praised the efforts of the Ministry of Trade and those behind the project, considering the "Made in Iraq" concept a working method for restoring prestige to national industry, given the "real revolution" the construction sector is witnessing, both through state projects and at the investment level.
Al-Sudani directed a coordination workshop to be held among relevant authorities to establish a mechanism enabling citizens to obtain loans and building permits, while also securing the construction materials they need to build a home.
He pointed out that the government has adopted a cooperative approach, with public sector participation, to control commodity prices, starting with food items through the "hypermarket" project, and now in the construction sector through the "construction basket."
He explained that the project provides construction materials in accordance with Iraqi standard specifications and supports housing projects by granting investment licenses for approximately one million housing units, in addition to initiatives by the Housing Fund and the Real Estate Bank.
He explained that sovereign guarantees for the private sector focused on industrial sectors, with facilities for investors in constructing various factories. He emphasized the continuation of work with the Federation of Industries and Contractors, and the empowerment of the private sector as a partner in meeting market needs and providing job opportunities.
Al-Sudani concluded by pointing out the need to extend this experience to other governorates, starting with Nineveh and Basra.
Labor announces the release of the full-time appointee salary for June 2025.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced today, Wednesday, the launch of the full-time salary for more than 386,000 beneficiaries in Baghdad and the governorates for the current month of June.
The head of the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs at the Ministry, Dhikra Abdul Rahim, said in a statement received by Iraq Observer, “The Commission has completed the technical, administrative and financial procedures for more than 386 thousand beneficiaries to release the salaries of their full-time appointees with a total amount of more than (66) billion and (42) million dinars for the month of June 2025. ”
She called on "beneficiaries, both male and female, to go to the approved electronic disbursement outlets to receive their salaries after completing the procedures and being notified by the bank."
The war highlighted the weakness of the Iraqi economy and revealed its dependence on Iran.
Everything is imported from it, from food, medicine, and electricity to iron, gas, and electrical appliances, and its markets are controlled by monopolists and driven by fear
Any outbreak of unrest in the eastern region translates directly into sudden price hikes, commodity shortages, and rumors that tremble markets. To what extent did the recent war reveal the depth of Iraq's economic dependence on Iran?
Their war has starved us," says Abu Sajad, reaching for an empty shelf in the Shorja market in central Baghdad. "The battle between Israel and Iran began just days ago, but its flames quickly reached our tables. Prices skyrocketed, especially for Iranian goods, as they constitute almost the entire market. Suddenly, they started saying: The warehouses are almost empty, and prices are now in the hands of monopolists."
More than ten days have passed since the escalation of the confrontation between Israel and Iran, and even before the missiles whizzed across the skies of Iraq , the hearts of citizens were filled with fear in a country that imports almost everything from Iran: food, medicine, electricity, and even the hot air that blows through fans. Thus, any outbreak of unrest in the eastern region translates directly into sudden prices, shortages of goods, and rumors that tremble the markets.
With no precise government data available in the early days, official statements began to hint at "taking precautions," then at "tightening controls." Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Commerce announced a comprehensive plan to enhance food security in the country against the backdrop of regional tensions.
Ministry spokesman Mohammed Hanoun said, "The purpose of announcing the plan is to enhance the state's ability to confront any potential disruptions to food supplies and ensure the continuity of the supply of essential commodities without interruption or excessive price increases."
This war, though far from its borders, is a reflection of everything that is fragile within Iraq: a deep dependence on foreign powers, the absence of national production strategies, and markets driven more by fear than politics.
Dependence accumulates failure
Economic analyst Nawar Al-Saadi describes the Iraqi market scene as "a reflection of a systematic deficit that is strangely dependent on the skills and labor of Iran." He explains, "When markets suffocate, the question of local alternatives reveals the depth of this dependency. Iraq relies on Iran for everything daily and essential: food, electricity, medicine, and building materials. This is a fragility that will one day break, creating wreckage for everyone."
He added to The Independent Arabia, "The most striking paradox emerged in the summer of 2023, when the Hawizeh Marsh in southern Iraq witnessed widespread fish die-offs due to declining water levels. Activists took to the streets demanding that the government release additional water to save the fish stock, especially since the marsh is a source of livelihood for thousands of families. But nothing was achieved: no response, no plan, and no acknowledgment."
The result, according to Al-Saadi, was that just weeks after the fish deaths, the Ministry of Agriculture announced its intention to import quantities of fish from Iran to cover the market shortage. In a statement published in September 2023, the ministry said it was seeking to "control fish prices due to the scarcity," without any reference to the environmental tragedy that preceded the decision, or to the victims among the local fishermen whose nets died before their fish. The decision was made as if nothing had happened, without any prior investigation into the causes of the deaths, any support for those affected, or even a review of the water policies that had brought the marshes to this point.
"We are a country that neglects what it has and then buys it back from another neighbor," says Al-Saadi, adding, "It wasn't just fish. It was also tomatoes, eggs, dairy, and even palm trees. They all died silently, replaced with a new import bill, without us asking: Why? Who is responsible?"
Imports everything
Sectors collapse, often in the form of chronic neglect. Disasters are gradual, followed by a delayed response, and sometimes no response at all. Over the past years, Iraq has not missed any opportunity for decline without exploiting it to further increase its dependence. Instead of reforming its industrial and food sectors, it has turned to Iranian markets, searching for what can be produced there and purchased there.
The economic analyst says that Iranian imports have weakened Iraq's ability to build its private sector. Instead of developing dairy factories, food processing plants, and national farms, the state has adopted a commercial dependency on one party, losing both paths: production and food sovereignty.
Al-Saadi continues, "There is a long-term link between weak domestic production and growing reliance on Iranian imports. This reliance has deprived Iraq of opportunities to rebuild its private sector, particularly the food and agricultural industries."
"Official institutions have stuck to their political and economic options and decided to postpone the solution. Therefore, when the government talks about supporting local products, the recipients do not trust their national products much due to the lack of focus on them and sometimes because of their poor quality compared to those imported from abroad," Al-Saadi believes. He emphasizes that no matter how hard factories try to produce, they operate at half capacity, or sometimes less, because the market is already reserved for imported goods. Local products face unfair competition in terms of prices, support, and distribution networks. With every new shipment that passes through the border crossings, the chances of survival of dozens of small factories diminish.
Dominance by numbers
According to Mohammad Reza Bani-Taba, spokesperson for the Iranian Dairy Industries Association, Iranian dairy products reached 39 countries during the first half of this year, with Iraq being the top destination in terms of revenue, accounting for 58 percent of the value and 30.5 percent of the total volume of exports. Furthermore, 80 percent of Iran's dairy exports abroad go to Iraq, followed by Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to the Iranian Industrial Association.
Iranian control is not limited to the food sector alone. Iraq is a major importer of non-oil goods from Iran, valued at approximately $20 billion annually. In the first months of this year alone—March and May—Iraq's imports reached $1.5 billion, according to Iranian Customs data.
Specifically, Iran's dairy exports reached $381 million during the same period, with a weight of 281,000 tons, representing a 16.4 percent increase in value and a 17.3 percent increase in volume compared to the previous year.
Looking at Iraqi data, the Central Bank notes that Iraqi imports increased by 158.1 percent during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with consumer goods rising by 93 percent, compared to a slight decline in petroleum product imports.
In just eight months, Iranian exports to Iraq reached nearly $8 billion, according to Iranian foreign trade reports, while just one month—between September 22 and October 21, 2024—set a record high of $2.78 billion.
Iraq's shy exports
M.S., a source from the Iraqi Ministry of Trade who preferred to remain anonymous, said that more than 5,600 factories in Iraq have been reopened over the past two years as part of a government program to revive local production in various sectors, including food processing, building materials, and medicine. However, these were barely enough to meet market demand. Some were operating below capacity due to persistent market pressures on local factories.
As a result of popular fears of commodity shortages due to the tense situation in Iran, the Iraqi Ministry of Trade confirmed that its strategic stock of grains and wheat is sufficient to cover domestic consumption for six months, and that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in wheat for three years. "The state has sufficient supplies for some products, but this is not enough to sustain the production market. The slightest crisis reveals this, causing prices to rise and traders to exploit the situation to find immediate alternatives. Otherwise, we will enter a cycle of silent inflation," the source explained.
According to the OEC platform, Iraq's total exports to Iran in 2022 were estimated at approximately $457 million, mostly grains and mineral ores, compared to $7.34 billion in revenue from Iranian imports throughout the same year.
Iraq imported a third of Iran's agricultural and food exports in the nine months, approximately $1.405 billion out of a total of $4.312 billion. This figure was nearly the highest in any year of Iraqi-Iranian trade cooperation.
Since 2003, with the fall of the former regime, relations between Iraq and Iran began to improve. However, the true turning point came in 2005, when Baghdad and Tehran concluded their first official agreements for the supply of gas and electricity, as part of a plan aimed at supporting Iraq's infrastructure, which had been devastated by the war of the previous years.
Since then, economic cooperation has flourished significantly. Over the past two decades, Iranian exports to Iraq have increased fifteenfold, from approximately $600 million in 2003 to more than $10 billion in a single year.
What does Iraq import?
Among all of Iraq's imports from Iran, raw iron tops the list. Raw iron bar imports alone amounted to approximately $820 million in 2022, according to data from the International Trade Observatory. This comes at a time when the local market is experiencing weak production of raw materials.
Next comes liquefied natural gas, whose imports from Iran amounted to approximately $795 million. This leaves Iraq acutely exposed to the energy situation, especially since more than 60 percent of its power plants run on Iranian gas, according to official reports.
Imports are not limited to infrastructure and energy. Iraq also imports huge quantities of ceramics and unglazed tiles used in paving and construction. In the field of agriculture and food, Iran appears to be its primary partner. Iranian reports indicate that Iraq was the primary destination for Iranian fruits and vegetables last year, including tomatoes, apples, and watermelons, products that sometimes constitute more than 30 percent of Iran's agricultural exports.
At the level of daily consumption, the Iraqi market is almost entirely devoid of household electrical appliances, air conditioners, car tires, and spare parts imported from Iran. These are marketed as a "medium-cost, medium-quality" option, but they impose a near-exclusive presence in the absence of a competitive domestic industry.
Iranian gas... a time bomb
According to economic analyst Amjad Al-Ghazi, all imports from Iran are feasible and capable of substitution, but the time bomb that will have disastrous consequences for the people and the government itself is gas imports. He explained, "For decades, Iranian gas has been the heart of Iraqi power plants, especially during the summer, when energy demand increases significantly. But this dependency has caused significant fragility in power generation systems and has become a threat to the viability of electricity in the country."
He added to The Independent Arabia, "In March 2024, a five-year agreement was signed granting Iran the right to supply Iraq with up to 50 million cubic meters of gas per day, at an annual cost of between $4 and $5 billion. This deal not only did not help the country compensate for its lack of local infrastructure, but it also placed its energy security at the mercy of regional crises."
According to Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadhil, Iraq relies on Iranian gas for approximately 40–60 percent of its total electricity generation. Any disruption equates to a loss of 3,500–8,000 megawatts of generated power, immediately leading to widespread blackouts and social repercussions. In March and May 2025, Iran reduced supply to approximately 20 million cubic meters per day—less than half—contributing to a loss of approximately 5,500 megawatts in national electricity generation, directly impacting areas including Baghdad and the Middle Euphrates. Supply has been cut several times due to internal pressure or undisclosed reasons, prompting Baghdad to resort to importing emergency fuel such as diesel and experimenting with floating power plants to mitigate the risks.
The shortcomings in the management of the energy production system have been evident for years, from power plants to the transmission networks that deliver electricity to population centers, all the way to the final distribution networks for consumers. Al-Ghazi says that the ministry had planned to increase production capacity to 27,000 megawatts by the summer of 2025, but the fuel shortage thwarted this plan, causing the actual capacity to fall below 23,000 megawatts. Iraq's power plants rely on a mix of domestic and imported gas, and without Iranian gas, the system would effectively cease to function.
On June 13, 2025, Israel launched strikes on Iranian energy facilities, described as "targeting the giant South Pars gas field," Phase 14 of the offshore field, which constitutes a key component of Iran's internal and external gas supplies. These strikes shut down production of approximately 12 million cubic meters per day from the field, meaning a reduction in gas export capacity. Al-Ghazi says, "If the strikes continue, or if missiles are fired at South Pars or regional gas facilities again, or if any technical failure occurs, the strike could cost Iraq thousands of megawatts, exposing it to severe power outages, followed by a dark summer that exposes the fragility of the idea of full imports."
Central Bank: Iraq's foreign exchange reserves are sufficient to cover 13 months of imports.
The Central Bank revealed on Wednesday that Iraq's foreign currency reserves are sufficient to cover 13 months of imports.
The bank said in a report seen by Shafaq News Agency that "import coverage is often viewed as a measure of the number of months that imports could be sustained if all foreign currency inflows were to cease," noting that "the global standard used is for reserves to cover all imports for a period of six months."
He added, "The ratio of foreign reserves to imports has decreased from 16 months at the beginning of 2024 to 13 months at the beginning of 2025," indicating that "despite the decrease in the ratio, Iraq's reserves will still cover imports for 13 months if Iraq does not receive foreign currency revenues."
Central Bank Governor: We have given priority to supporting youth-related projects.
he Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, confirmed on Wednesday that the central bank has prioritized supporting projects related to youth.
The bank stated in a statement that "the Central Bank hosted a celebration announcing the launch of the 'Knights' program, an Iraqi concept and under the direct sponsorship of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, as a realistic investment program for entrepreneurs with the aim of creating real opportunities for youth and strengthening the role of the private sector in developing the national economy."
In his speech during the ceremony, the Governor of the Central Bank, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, emphasized that "the Central Bank of Iraq has prioritized supporting projects related to the youth segment, which contributes to the local economy with products and services that contribute to raising the gross domestic product, ensuring an effective role in this regard. The Iraqi banking sector, in light of its recent reforms, can also focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises that generate income and directly support the private sector."
The "Fursan" program helps participants access investment opportunities and obtain soft loans for those who qualify. The program also provides a safety net that ensures the continuity of promising projects and prevents their failure. These projects serve as incentives for innovative youth and create new job opportunities that contribute to sustainable economic and social development in Iraq.
A group of young people presented their projects through the products they offer and their assessment of market demand and available potential, hoping that other entrepreneurs will join them in the future.
Masrour Barzani: Baghdad will send a delegation to the Kurdistan Region to resolve the salary issue.
Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced on Wednesday that the crisis of halting funding for salaries of public sector employees in the region is on its way to being resolved, and that he had communicated with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zidan, and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in this regard.
This came during a press conference held today in Erbil, where Masrour Barzani addressed the conflict in the region, saying, "The announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran is in the interest of all countries in the region, and we hope it will be a step toward restoring peace and stability throughout the region."
He added, "We in the Kurdistan Region have done our best to stay out of this war and chaos, and we must express our gratitude to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who has sought to spare Iraq from entering this conflict."
Regarding the issue of salaries, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region stated, "For the past two months, the salaries of Kurdistan Region employees have not been paid legally, which is considered an unconstitutional measure. We believe it is unacceptable to link the salaries of Kurdistan Region employees to any political dispute or conflict."
He stressed that "we will not give up any constitutional right of the people of the Kurdistan Region in any way, and we will continue to defend it," adding that "during the past period, there was not a day when we were not busy searching for a solution to this crisis."
Masrour Barzani continued, "We have been in contact with officials. Yesterday, I spoke with the head of the Supreme Judicial Council and the prime minister, and I assured them that we are keen to move towards resolving this crisis. They welcomed this and announced their readiness to send a delegation within the next two days to address the salary issue."
The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government spoke about the suspension of Kurdistan's oil exports, saying that because of this, "the Iraqi economy and the Kurdistan Region's economy have incurred losses exceeding $25 billion, and to date, the federal government has not compensated the citizens of the Kurdistan Region for these losses."
He stressed that "to resume Kurdistan's oil exports, an agreement must be reached with all parties, especially with the oil companies operating in the region, which are demanding guarantees for extraction costs."
Masrour Barzani continued, "We were waiting for a ruling from the Federal Supreme Court in Iraq that would benefit the salaries of Kurdistan Region employees, but the court was dissolved with the resignation of a number of members. Now we are pinning our hopes on the Supreme Judicial Council in Iraq to resolve the salaries issue."
The KRG Prime Minister continued, "If an agreement is not reached with the Iraqi government to resolve the salary issue, we will resort to internal revenues, reducing expenses, or any other means possible to secure the financial rights owed to the people of the Kurdistan Region, according to our capabilities." He added, "However, I am optimistic about reaching a radical solution with the federal government on this matter."
Trump: We will meet with the Iranians next week and we may reach an agreement.
US President Donald Trump ruled out on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) the desire of Israel and Iran to return to war.
Trump said in a press statement: "I do not believe that either Israel or Iran will attack the other after today."
He added, "Last week, we carried out a very precise and successful attack on Iran's nuclear facilities," stressing, "We have a great military, and our attacks in Iran demonstrated the power of American deterrence."
Trump indicated that "the massive deployment of American power paved the way for peace."
He continued, "According to a statement by the Israel Atomic Energy Commission, the attacks succeeded in setting back Iran's nuclear program for years."
The US president criticized "the fake media in the United States that question the results of our strikes in Iran," noting that "30 missiles were launched from American submarines during our attack and accurately destroyed their targets in Iran."
"B-2 pilots did a great job targeting Iran's Fordow facility and returned safely to the United States," Trump said, adding that "52 Israeli aircraft were headed to Iran in response to what they believed was a ceasefire violation and were asked to turn back."
The ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel entered its second day on Wednesday after a 12-day war, amid international calls for a return to negotiations and a permanent settlement to prevent a renewed conflict.
In the latest developments, the Iranian parliament approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, pending approval by the Guardian Council.
Buy Me a Coffee Cashap: $tishwash
The war highlighted the weakness of the Iraqi economy and revealed its dependence on Iran.
Everything is imported from it, from food, medicine, and electricity to iron, gas, and electrical appliances, and its markets are controlled by monopolists and driven by fear
Any outbreak of unrest in the eastern region translates directly into sudden price hikes, commodity shortages, and rumors that tremble markets. To what extent did the recent war reveal the depth of Iraq's economic dependence on Iran?
Their war has starved us," says Abu Sajad, reaching for an empty shelf in the Shorja market in central Baghdad. "The battle between Israel and Iran began just days ago, but its flames quickly reached our tables. Prices skyrocketed, especially for Iranian goods, as they constitute almost the entire market. Suddenly, they started saying: The warehouses are almost empty, and prices are now in the hands of monopolists."
More than ten days have passed since the escalation of the confrontation between Israel and Iran, and even before the missiles whizzed across the skies of Iraq , the hearts of citizens were filled with fear in a country that imports almost everything from Iran: food, medicine, electricity, and even the hot air that blows through fans. Thus, any outbreak of unrest in the eastern region translates directly into sudden prices, shortages of goods, and rumors that tremble the markets.
With no precise government data available in the early days, official statements began to hint at "taking precautions," then at "tightening controls." Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Commerce announced a comprehensive plan to enhance food security in the country against the backdrop of regional tensions.
Ministry spokesman Mohammed Hanoun said, "The purpose of announcing the plan is to enhance the state's ability to confront any potential disruptions to food supplies and ensure the continuity of the supply of essential commodities without interruption or excessive price increases."
This war, though far from its borders, is a reflection of everything that is fragile within Iraq: a deep dependence on foreign powers, the absence of national production strategies, and markets driven more by fear than politics.
Dependence accumulates failure
Economic analyst Nawar Al-Saadi describes the Iraqi market scene as "a reflection of a systematic deficit that is strangely dependent on the skills and labor of Iran." He explains, "When markets suffocate, the question of local alternatives reveals the depth of this dependency. Iraq relies on Iran for everything daily and essential: food, electricity, medicine, and building materials. This is a fragility that will one day break, creating wreckage for everyone."
He added to The Independent Arabia, "The most striking paradox emerged in the summer of 2023, when the Hawizeh Marsh in southern Iraq witnessed widespread fish die-offs due to declining water levels. Activists took to the streets demanding that the government release additional water to save the fish stock, especially since the marsh is a source of livelihood for thousands of families. But nothing was achieved: no response, no plan, and no acknowledgment."
The result, according to Al-Saadi, was that just weeks after the fish deaths, the Ministry of Agriculture announced its intention to import quantities of fish from Iran to cover the market shortage. In a statement published in September 2023, the ministry said it was seeking to "control fish prices due to the scarcity," without any reference to the environmental tragedy that preceded the decision, or to the victims among the local fishermen whose nets died before their fish. The decision was made as if nothing had happened, without any prior investigation into the causes of the deaths, any support for those affected, or even a review of the water policies that had brought the marshes to this point.
"We are a country that neglects what it has and then buys it back from another neighbor," says Al-Saadi, adding, "It wasn't just fish. It was also tomatoes, eggs, dairy, and even palm trees. They all died silently, replaced with a new import bill, without us asking: Why? Who is responsible?"
Imports everything
Sectors collapse, often in the form of chronic neglect. Disasters are gradual, followed by a delayed response, and sometimes no response at all. Over the past years, Iraq has not missed any opportunity for decline without exploiting it to further increase its dependence. Instead of reforming its industrial and food sectors, it has turned to Iranian markets, searching for what can be produced there and purchased there.
The economic analyst says that Iranian imports have weakened Iraq's ability to build its private sector. Instead of developing dairy factories, food processing plants, and national farms, the state has adopted a commercial dependency on one party, losing both paths: production and food sovereignty.
Al-Saadi continues, "There is a long-term link between weak domestic production and growing reliance on Iranian imports. This reliance has deprived Iraq of opportunities to rebuild its private sector, particularly the food and agricultural industries."
"Official institutions have stuck to their political and economic options and decided to postpone the solution. Therefore, when the government talks about supporting local products, the recipients do not trust their national products much due to the lack of focus on them and sometimes because of their poor quality compared to those imported from abroad," Al-Saadi believes. He emphasizes that no matter how hard factories try to produce, they operate at half capacity, or sometimes less, because the market is already reserved for imported goods. Local products face unfair competition in terms of prices, support, and distribution networks. With every new shipment that passes through the border crossings, the chances of survival of dozens of small factories diminish.
Dominance by numbers
According to Mohammad Reza Bani-Taba, spokesperson for the Iranian Dairy Industries Association, Iranian dairy products reached 39 countries during the first half of this year, with Iraq being the top destination in terms of revenue, accounting for 58 percent of the value and 30.5 percent of the total volume of exports. Furthermore, 80 percent of Iran's dairy exports abroad go to Iraq, followed by Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to the Iranian Industrial Association.
Iranian control is not limited to the food sector alone. Iraq is a major importer of non-oil goods from Iran, valued at approximately $20 billion annually. In the first months of this year alone—March and May—Iraq's imports reached $1.5 billion, according to Iranian Customs data.
Specifically, Iran's dairy exports reached $381 million during the same period, with a weight of 281,000 tons, representing a 16.4 percent increase in value and a 17.3 percent increase in volume compared to the previous year.
Looking at Iraqi data, the Central Bank notes that Iraqi imports increased by 158.1 percent during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with consumer goods rising by 93 percent, compared to a slight decline in petroleum product imports.
In just eight months, Iranian exports to Iraq reached nearly $8 billion, according to Iranian foreign trade reports, while just one month—between September 22 and October 21, 2024—set a record high of $2.78 billion.
Iraq's shy exports
M.S., a source from the Iraqi Ministry of Trade who preferred to remain anonymous, said that more than 5,600 factories in Iraq have been reopened over the past two years as part of a government program to revive local production in various sectors, including food processing, building materials, and medicine. However, these were barely enough to meet market demand. Some were operating below capacity due to persistent market pressures on local factories.
As a result of popular fears of commodity shortages due to the tense situation in Iran, the Iraqi Ministry of Trade confirmed that its strategic stock of grains and wheat is sufficient to cover domestic consumption for six months, and that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in wheat for three years. "The state has sufficient supplies for some products, but this is not enough to sustain the production market. The slightest crisis reveals this, causing prices to rise and traders to exploit the situation to find immediate alternatives. Otherwise, we will enter a cycle of silent inflation," the source explained.
According to the OEC platform, Iraq's total exports to Iran in 2022 were estimated at approximately $457 million, mostly grains and mineral ores, compared to $7.34 billion in revenue from Iranian imports throughout the same year.
Iraq imported a third of Iran's agricultural and food exports in the nine months, approximately $1.405 billion out of a total of $4.312 billion. This figure was nearly the highest in any year of Iraqi-Iranian trade cooperation.
Since 2003, with the fall of the former regime, relations between Iraq and Iran began to improve. However, the true turning point came in 2005, when Baghdad and Tehran concluded their first official agreements for the supply of gas and electricity, as part of a plan aimed at supporting Iraq's infrastructure, which had been devastated by the war of the previous years.
Since then, economic cooperation has flourished significantly. Over the past two decades, Iranian exports to Iraq have increased fifteenfold, from approximately $600 million in 2003 to more than $10 billion in a single year.
What does Iraq import?
Among all of Iraq's imports from Iran, raw iron tops the list. Raw iron bar imports alone amounted to approximately $820 million in 2022, according to data from the International Trade Observatory. This comes at a time when the local market is experiencing weak production of raw materials.
Next comes liquefied natural gas, whose imports from Iran amounted to approximately $795 million. This leaves Iraq acutely exposed to the energy situation, especially since more than 60 percent of its power plants run on Iranian gas, according to official reports.
Imports are not limited to infrastructure and energy. Iraq also imports huge quantities of ceramics and unglazed tiles used in paving and construction. In the field of agriculture and food, Iran appears to be its primary partner. Iranian reports indicate that Iraq was the primary destination for Iranian fruits and vegetables last year, including tomatoes, apples, and watermelons, products that sometimes constitute more than 30 percent of Iran's agricultural exports.
At the level of daily consumption, the Iraqi market is almost entirely devoid of household electrical appliances, air conditioners, car tires, and spare parts imported from Iran. These are marketed as a "medium-cost, medium-quality" option, but they impose a near-exclusive presence in the absence of a competitive domestic industry.
Iranian gas... a time bomb
According to economic analyst Amjad Al-Ghazi, all imports from Iran are feasible and capable of substitution, but the time bomb that will have disastrous consequences for the people and the government itself is gas imports. He explained, "For decades, Iranian gas has been the heart of Iraqi power plants, especially during the summer, when energy demand increases significantly. But this dependency has caused significant fragility in power generation systems and has become a threat to the viability of electricity in the country."
He added to The Independent Arabia, "In March 2024, a five-year agreement was signed granting Iran the right to supply Iraq with up to 50 million cubic meters of gas per day, at an annual cost of between $4 and $5 billion. This deal not only did not help the country compensate for its lack of local infrastructure, but it also placed its energy security at the mercy of regional crises."
According to Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadhil, Iraq relies on Iranian gas for approximately 40–60 percent of its total electricity generation. Any disruption equates to a loss of 3,500–8,000 megawatts of generated power, immediately leading to widespread blackouts and social repercussions. In March and May 2025, Iran reduced supply to approximately 20 million cubic meters per day—less than half—contributing to a loss of approximately 5,500 megawatts in national electricity generation, directly impacting areas including Baghdad and the Middle Euphrates. Supply has been cut several times due to internal pressure or undisclosed reasons, prompting Baghdad to resort to importing emergency fuel such as diesel and experimenting with floating power plants to mitigate the risks.
The shortcomings in the management of the energy production system have been evident for years, from power plants to the transmission networks that deliver electricity to population centers, all the way to the final distribution networks for consumers. Al-Ghazi says that the ministry had planned to increase production capacity to 27,000 megawatts by the summer of 2025, but the fuel shortage thwarted this plan, causing the actual capacity to fall below 23,000 megawatts. Iraq's power plants rely on a mix of domestic and imported gas, and without Iranian gas, the system would effectively cease to function.
On June 13, 2025, Israel launched strikes on Iranian energy facilities, described as "targeting the giant South Pars gas field," Phase 14 of the offshore field, which constitutes a key component of Iran's internal and external gas supplies. These strikes shut down production of approximately 12 million cubic meters per day from the field, meaning a reduction in gas export capacity. Al-Ghazi says, "If the strikes continue, or if missiles are fired at South Pars or regional gas facilities again, or if any technical failure occurs, the strike could cost Iraq thousands of megawatts, exposing it to severe power outages, followed by a dark summer that exposes the fragility of the idea of full imports."
Risks have receded...oil flows are doubling through the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has rebounded as security concerns over the vital shipping lane ease following a US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
Ship tracking data showed that the number of tankers departing the Persian Gulf doubled after flows through the narrow strait separating Iran and Oman, through which a fifth of global oil trade passes, declined following the exchange of missile strikes between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
The seven-day moving average for the number of tankers departing the Gulf was approximately 20, while the average number of arriving vessels was approximately 23 per day. LNG and LPG tanker transits also resumed to approximately eight tankers each on Tuesday.
Witkoff: Iran is ready for a comprehensive peace agreement, and major announcements regarding Abraham will be made soon.
US Special Envoy to the Middle East, James Witkoff, said on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) that he has a "strong sense" that Iran is now ready to conclude a comprehensive peace agreement, in a remarkable development following weeks of military escalation in the region.
In press statements monitored by Baghdad Today, Witkoff affirmed that "the United States hopes to conclude a comprehensive peace agreement with Iran," noting that "the current circumstances, despite their sensitivity, open a real door to a historic settlement."
He added, "I have a strong sense that Iran is now truly ready for this agreement," noting that "the signals coming from Tehran show greater flexibility than ever before."
In a related context, Witkoff revealed that "the United States believes the coming period will witness major announcements regarding new countries joining the Abraham Accords," without mentioning specific names, but stressing that "diplomatic momentum continues strongly in the region."
Rubio hints at regime change in Iran if economic decline continues
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted on Wednesday at regime change in Iran if the country's economic decline continues.
"If Iran's economic decline continues and its support for terrorist organizations continues, regime change could occur," Rubio told Politico.
He added that "Trump's bold move to bomb Iran was not only effective, but also helped end the conflict," noting that "Iran is now much further away from possessing a nuclear weapon than it was before its nuclear sites were bombed."
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that negotiations with Tehran would resume next week, predicting a comprehensive agreement.
Al-Sudani stresses to a UN representative in Iraq the importance of consolidating the ceasefire.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stressed on Wednesday the importance of consolidating the ceasefire between Iran and Israel and working to ensure the sustainability of stability and peace in the region.
The Prime Minister's media office said in a statement received by Al-Youm Al-Akhbariya that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Mohammed al-Hassan, where they discussed regional developments and files and issues of common interest.
" The Prime Minister stressed "the importance of consolidating the ceasefire and working to ensure the sustainability of stability and peace in the region," noting "the importance of concerted regional and international efforts to stop the cycle of violence and avoid further destruction and suffering."
He stressed "the need to stop the Zionist aggression on the Gaza Strip and allow the delivery of aid to the Palestinians besieged in the Strip."
For his part, Al-Hassan conveyed the UN Secretary-General's "thanks and gratitude for the role of the Iraqi government and the Prime Minister's policies, which spared Iraq the effects of escalation, and for his ongoing contribution to supporting the establishment of security and stability in the region." He emphasized that "the United Nations and its bodies, including the UN Security Council, are working to consolidate the ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza."
The file of deducting 3% of salaries is on the table of Kurdistan and Baghdad.
The Ministry of Finance and Economy in the Kurdistan Regional Government confirmed on Wednesday that it had received a delegation from the federal Ministry of Finance to discuss the 3% deduction from basic salaries of employees, in light of the federal Ministry of Finance's decision.
A delegation from the Federal Ministry of Finance, headed by the Director General of the Iraqi Retirement Fund, Dr. Haider Jassim, visited the Ministry of Finance and Economy in the Kurdistan Region, the statement said, noting that the meeting addressed the issue of deducting 3% from the salaries of employees and retirees in the Kurdistan Region in light of the implementation of the Unified Iraqi Retirement Law.
She added that "the meeting also discussed the issue of Peshmerga forces' retirement and ways to calculate their years of service and salaries within the unified Iraqi retirement law," stressing that "the region's finance ministry extended an invitation on May 13, 2025, to the head of the National Retirement Authority and the director general of the Iraqi Retirement Fund to visit Erbil with the aim of meeting and discussing a solution to the problem of retirees' salaries in the Kurdistan Region."
Government advisor: Iraq is committed to supporting peace and looks forward to a phase of consolidating development.
Prime Minister's Advisor Hussein Allawi affirmed on Wednesday that Iraq is committed to supporting peace and stability in the region and looks forward to a new phase that consolidates security and development, stressing the country's rejection of being dragged into wars and its pursuit of long-term stability in the Middle East.
In a statement to the official agency followed by the Iraq Observer, the Prime Minister's Advisor said: "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani spoke clearly after the recent cabinet session, affirming the Iraqi state's commitment to fundamental principles based on the constitutional and social dimensions, and to Iraq's civilization that extends back more than 7,000 years."
He added, "Iraq seeks peace, stability, and development, and is preparing for a new phase in the region. Therefore, we look forward to a long-term ceasefire and lasting stability, especially since the region has suffered from wars for four decades."
He pointed out that "today there is an opportunity for the Iraqi people and the peoples of the Middle East to see stability after difficult periods, most notably the aggression against Iran and the great humanitarian losses caused by Zionist attacks on Arab countries."
Allawi continued: “We aspire to a tomorrow free of wars and conflicts, based on dialogue, development, and convergence between civilizations and countries, and strengthening the region’s economies towards development,” noting that “Iraqi diplomacy has been a focus of support from Arab and Islamic countries and the world, especially the United States of America.”
He explained that “the government continues to implement the government agenda and program in its third basket, where the Prime Minister leads the path of development, reconstruction, and joint economic projects with Arab countries. Iraq also leads the economic and development summit for the next four years.”
He noted that “the 34th session of the Arab Summit focused on three main axes: dialogue, solidarity, and development, which are the slogans raised by the Baghdad Summit, and the government is working to consolidate them through joint Arab cooperation, economic partnerships, and creating a new environment different from the past four decades that the region has experienced.”
He concluded by saying: “We need a long period of peace to heal wounds, especially in Yemen, and to support stability in Lebanon and Syria, and to achieve the basic rights of the Palestinian people to establish a state that preserves their dignity and their historical and future rights, in addition to supporting stability in Libya and ending the conflict in Sudan. We also affirm Arab rights in the water issue, and confront terrorism and extremism, to build a prosperous region that is a focal point for Arab youth, based on our need for stability, development, and the integration of youth into public policy and the economy.”
Half a year without an actual budget... Where have the government's plans gone
Amid the financial and economic challenges facing the country, the 2025 budget file continues to stir controversy within political and parliamentary circles, amid a state of anticipation and growing public concern. Despite more than half a year having passed since the start of the fiscal year, the budget schedules remain absent from the halls of Parliament, reflecting a state of government confusion and a lack of seriousness in dealing with one of the country's most important financial and strategic issues. This delay comes at a time when the Iraqi public is witnessing increasing pressure to improve services, implement stalled projects, and meet citizens' basic needs. Meanwhile, the ambiguity surrounding the date for submitting the schedules is paralyzing the legislative and oversight process concerned with setting priorities and ensuring the fair and efficient distribution of resources.
* Violation of laws
and regarding this issue, member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Hussein Mounes, confirmed that the government is still not serious about sending the budget tables to the House of Representatives.
In an interview with Al-Maalouma News Agency, Mounes said, “The government violated the Financial Management Law by delaying the submission of the 2025 general budget schedules, considering this a disregard for the role of the House of Representatives and its oversight and legislative work.”
He added, "The Iraqi government is not serious about sending the tables to the House of Representatives, expressing his surprise at the government's failure to send the budget law tables to the House, despite six months having passed since the start of the fiscal year."
*Vague details
: MP Mohammad Al-Sayhoud revealed on Tuesday that meetings are taking place between the Ministry of Finance and the Parliamentary Finance Committee regarding the 2025 budget schedules, noting that the schedules have not yet been finalized.
Al-Sayhoud told Al-Maalouma News Agency, “The Finance Committee held several meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Finance over the past few days to follow up on developments in the preparation of the budget schedules, but the government has not yet officially determined a date for sending it to Parliament.”
He added that "the House of Representatives does not have detailed information regarding the reasons for the postponement, despite the budget's importance in supporting public spending and implementing service programs," noting that "the delay in resolving this issue could impact the timing of the launch of upcoming projects in a number of governorates."
While parliamentary calls for a clear government position on the timing of submitting the budget schedules are escalating, the Iraqi public remains waiting, at a time when ongoing delays threaten to disrupt the implementation of service projects and disrupt public spending across the various governorates. This raises major questions about the government's commitment to its constitutional and legislative responsibilities during the coming period.
Trump: I will meet with the Iranians next week and may ask for a pledge that Iran will not resume its nuclear activity.
US President Donald Trump announced that he will meet with Iranian officials next week, and may ask for a pledge that Iran will not resume its nuclear activity.
Trump said in a press conference: "Iran fought a brave war, and the Iranians want money to rebuild their country, and China can buy oil from them."
He added: "We hit Iran hard before it could move any nuclear materials from the facilities we bombed."
Trump continued: "The war is over and we will meet with the Iranians next week, and I may ask Iran for a pledge not to resume its nuclear activities." /0
Al-Maliki leads the State of Law list in Baghdad governorate elections.
A senior political source revealed that: "The State of Law Coalition has officially submitted its papers and lists of candidates for the 2025 parliamentary elections to the Electoral Commission."
The source said, "The coalition has chosen its head, Nouri al-Maliki, to lead the State of Law list for Baghdad Governorate, and MP Yasser al-Maliki will lead the coalition's list in the holy Karbala Governorate."
Trump: We may ease sanctions on Iranian oil to help rebuild it
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(Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States was not backing away from its maximum pressure policy on Iran, which includes restrictions on its oil sales, but suggested sanctions could be eased to help the country rebuild.
Asked whether he would ease oil sanctions on Iran, Trump said during a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO summit, "They're going to need money to get the country back on its feet. We want to see that happen."
The US president said on Wednesday that China could continue buying Iranian oil after Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, but the White House later clarified that his remarks did not indicate an easing of US sanctions.
Trump has imposed successive rounds of Iran-related sanctions on a number of independent Chinese refineries and port operators for their purchases of Iranian oil.
Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, told CNBC that Trump's comment about China's ability to buy Iranian oil was "a signal to the Chinese that we want to work with you, and we don't want to hurt your economy."
China is the largest buyer of Iranian crude oil and has long opposed Trump's sanctions on that oil.
"We are interested in working with you in harmony, and we hope this will be a signal to the Iranians," Witkoff said.
Al-Sudani's intentions were good, and he used America to stop
The will of society ensured peace.
Hussein Allawi, an advisor to the prime minister, said that the Iraqi government has invested in its relations with the United States and the European Union to stop the war between Iran and Israel, and that Al-Sudani has good intentions and has translated the popular will that rejects the country being dragged into a "bitter conflict." He noted that the initiatives led by Iraq have been respected and appreciated by the international community, and that the years of stability and development achieved by the current government must be preserved.
Hussein Allawi, in an interview with media figures Sufyan Al-Jabouri and Wafaa Ghanem:
The Iraqi government has succeeded in distancing Iraq from this bitter conflict since October 7, leading up to the war between the Islamic Republic and the Israeli entity. Iraq was intended to be dragged into this conflict, but political wisdom succeeded in transforming the popular will into political action to prevent this slide. This path, taken by the Prime Minister with the support of the highest religious authority, is to lead and practice productive diplomacy, dialogue, and stand against the aggression to which Iran has been subjected.
The Iraqi state has experienced 40 years of tension and 20 years of bloodshed and sacrifice since the establishment of a democratic system. However, the last three years of Mr. Al-Sudani's government have witnessed remarkable stability. This achievement must be preserved, as must the development path and the political understandings with the State Administration Alliance and the Coordination Framework. This has been reflected in strengthening Iraq's good foreign relations with the United States and the European Union, and investing in these relations to prevent continued aggression and end the war.
The good intentions of the Iraqi state were respected and appreciated by the international community and the United Nations. The initiatives led by Iraq during moments of escalating regional tensions were also respected because Iraq is a country with a civilization dating back 7,000 years. These initiatives expressed the societal will to reject war, which Mr. Al-Sudani translated into continuing the policy of development and investment, as well as working with influential countries to establish security and stability in the region and within Iraq as well.
Iran announces the dismantling of spy networks from Mossad, the CIA, and MI6.
I just put the article
The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence issued a statement announcing the discovery, identification, targeting, and destruction of important spies, agents, and mercenaries affiliated with foreign espionage agencies, particularly CIA and Mossad officers.
"We are engaged in a fierce battle with enemies in the hidden layers of the battlefront at the national, regional, and international levels," the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence said in a statement.
In its statement, the ministry indicated that it relied on various networks to collect highly classified strategic information.
Following the ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Tel Aviv, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence announced the discovery and identification of “important infiltrators, agents, and mercenaries affiliated with foreign intelligence agencies, particularly intelligence officers and spies from the CIA, Mossad, and MI6,” noting that it would release some of its reports in the coming days, depending on the circumstances.
The same source explained that it "prepared the estimates based on the behavior of US President Donald Trump, the program of indirect nuclear negotiations, and enemy intelligence movements, and submitted the estimates to the relevant high-level officials."
With the outbreak of war between Iran and Israel, and in light of the documentation published by Mossad from within Iranian territory, Tel Aviv gathered extensive intelligence information, which helped it assassinate a large number of senior Iranian military and Revolutionary Guard commanders, as well as nuclear scientists. It also carried out operations from within Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran launched a counter-campaign against "agents," intercepting hundreds of drones targeting the country and arresting and executing several individuals linked to Mossad.
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📉 The dollar is dropping — and the Iraqi dinar is showing signs of strength
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