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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shafaq.com

Politico: America is pressuring NATO to end its mission in Iraq.

The Trump administration is pressuring NATO to radically recalibrate its relationships and end its mission in Iraq, according to a report published Thursday by the American newspaper Politico. Four diplomats stated that Washington’s efforts, which also include reducing peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, are now being referred to internally as “returning to the status quo.”

Thereport, translated by Al-Maalomah News Agency, quoted four NATO diplomats as saying that “the United States, under Donald Trump, is pressuring the alliance to reduce many of its external activities, including ending a major NATO mission in Iraq. The US has also exerted pressure in recent months to reduce NATO peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and to prevent Ukraine and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region from formally participating in the alliance’s annual summit in Ankara next July.”
The report added, “These efforts reflect the White House’s attempt to treat NATO as a purely Euro-Atlantic defense alliance, reversing decades of expansion in crisis management, global partnerships, and values-based initiatives that have long irked the US president and his base.”

It continued, “Under Washington’s pressure, NATO will scale back so-called ‘off-the-board activities’ that extend beyond its core defense and deterrence missions. This trend is now known internally as ‘back to square one,’ according to four diplomats, all of whom were granted anonymity to speak freely on this sensitive internal matter.”
The US request faces opposition within the alliance itself. One diplomat said, “This is not the time to withdraw from Iraq; the government wants us there.” A second diplomat said that a “majority” of allies agree on the need to reduce the Iraq mission, but over a longer period, while maintaining a smaller-scale operation.

Almaalomah.me

The US military informs Trump of its readiness to strike Iran “as soon as possible”.

Senior national security officials have informed US President Donald Trump that the US military is ready to carry out possible strikes against Iran as early as Saturday, although the timeframe for any military action could extend beyond the weekend, according to CBS News on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the consultations.

Officials confirmed that Trump has not yet made a final decision on carrying out the strike, at a time when discussions within the White House were described as ongoing and changing, with a careful assessment of the risks of escalation and the political and military repercussions, whether to act or refrain from doing so.

According to the network, the Pentagon will temporarily reposition a number of military personnel outside the Middle East region to Europe or within the United States over the next three days, in anticipation of a possible military operation or US forces being subjected to counterattacks by Iran.

One source explained that this measure falls within the usual precautionary steps before any military activity, and does not necessarily mean that an attack is imminent.

In this context, an informed source said that Foreign Minister Marco Rubio intends to visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in about two weeks to continue consultations on regional developments.

White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said there were “many reasons and arguments that could justify a strike against Iran,” but stressed that “diplomacy is the president’s first choice.”

She added: “It would be very wise for Iran to reach an agreement with President Trump and his administration.”

The United States had already deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the region, while the USS Gerald Ford was en route to the Middle East, and maritime tracking data showed it was off the coast of West Africa as of Wednesday.

Indirect talks between the United States and Iran, mediated by foreign powers, were held in Geneva and focused on Iran’s nuclear program. The talks lasted several hours. The US administration said some progress had been made, but Levitt emphasized that the two sides “remain very far apart on some issues.”

Shafaq.com

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry clarifies the content of the “Washington message” if the framework adheres to Maliki.

On Thursday, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement clarifying what was stated in a television interview with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, confirming that an oral message received by Iraq from the American side in Washington included an allusion to the possibility of imposing sanctions, along with criteria related to the nature of cooperation and the formation of the next government.

The ministry stated in a statement that “in the context of the interview conducted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein, with Al-Sharqiya channel, some interpretations and information were circulated by the media out of context, especially regarding the absence of any threat to impose sanctions on Iraq.”

She explained that “the verbal message received from the American side in Washington, in the event that the largest bloc adheres to its current candidate, included two main points,” indicating that “the first point included a clear and explicit hint at the possibility of imposing sanctions on some individuals and institutions.”

She added that “the second paragraph included a set of criteria related to the nature of cooperation and joint work with the United States of America, especially with regard to the formation of any future government and its working mechanisms.”

The ministry confirmed that “the minister’s remarks during the interview focused on the criteria mentioned in the second paragraph, and did not address the content of the first paragraph related to the hint of sanctions,” noting that this “led to confusion in some media coverage.”

On Wednesday, the US State Department confirmed in an exclusive statement to Shafaq News Agency that Washington’s position remains “firm and unwavering” regarding the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for the Iraqi premiership, warning that his selection would force the United States to reassess its relationship with Iraq.

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

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

Shafaq.com

Kurdistan awaits the green light from Baghdad to launch the “National Bank” and pledges to grant loans.

The Ministry of Finance and Economy in the Kurdistan Region stated on Thursday that the National Bank “Nishtiman Bank,” which is planned to be launched in the region, will provide loans and financial advances to employees and citizens, after completing the official approvals from the Central Bank of Iraq.

The legal advisor to the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Hawari Kamal, said in a statement seen by Shafaq News Agency that the ministry is “awaiting final approval from the Central Bank of Iraq to grant the official license to begin operations of (Nishtman) Bank,” noting that “the bank’s building has been provided, and a delegation from the Central Bank visited it and expressed its approval of it.”

He added that “the names of the bank’s board members have been selected and sent to the Central Bank for approval, in preparation for granting the final license and officially commencing operations.”

Kamal confirmed that “Nishtman Bank will offer a range of loans and financial advances targeting employees and citizens, including loans for purchasing homes and real estate, financing the purchase of cars, in addition to supporting agricultural and industrial projects, as well as small loans,” indicating that “the size and types of these loans will be determined according to the bank’s financial capacity after it begins operations.”

The Kurdistan Regional Government announced in August 2022 that the steps to establish the National Bank had reached their final stages, and that most of the work related to this project had been completed.

The Director General of Commercial Banks in the region, Mawloud Saber, said in an interview published on the official website of the regional government at the time, that this bank seeks to regulate the government banks and commercial banks, which currently number 94 banks, and is working on reorganizing all departments in the government banks.

He added that “the capital of that bank amounts to 250 billion Iraqi dinars, and 25 billion of that amount was deposited in cash in the special account of the Central Bank of Iraq, Kurdistan Region branch, and 225 billion in commercial banks.”

The National Bank was also scheduled to be launched in the region at the beginning of 2023, but this did not happen, for reasons unknown.

Shafaq.com

Araghchi: We have reached an understanding with America and copies of the potential agreement will be exchanged.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced on Tuesday that an understanding had been reached with the United States on “main principles,” and indicated that work was underway on two versions of the potential agreement document for the two sides to exchange.

Araqchi said in his first comment after the end of the second round of talks in Geneva: “We reached an understanding on the main principles with America,” adding that “there are positive developments compared to the previous round.”

He added that “the two sides will work on and exchange two versions of the potential agreement document. The two sides still have issues that need to be worked on,” noting that “this does not mean that we will reach an agreement soon, but the process has begun.”

Indirect talks between the US and Iran began Tuesday morning in Geneva, amid statements by US President Donald Trump about strengthening the military presence in the Middle East, as well as signals from the Iranian side indicating its readiness for compromises.

US envoys Steve Wittkopf and Jared Kushner participated in the negotiations, along with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, while Iranian television revealed that the latest round of nuclear negotiations lasted “approximately 3 hours”.

The previous round of talks was held on February 6 in Muscat, Oman, mediated by Oman. It represented the first meeting after a hiatus of several months in the dialogue between the two sides, which resulted from the Iranian-Israeli conflict entering its public phase in June 2015, and which the United States joined.

Shafaq.com

Maliki… A third term: a political dilemma or a wise decision?

Iraqi political circles followed with interest the outcome of the nomination of Mr. Nouri al-Maliki for the Iraqi premiership for the third time by the majority of members of the Coordination Framework, and took into account its international and regional dimensions and interests after a tweet by US President Donald Trump in which he stated that he had heard of “a very bad choice to reinstall Nouri al-Maliki as president,” and pointed out that “the last time Maliki was in power, he plunged the country into poverty and chaos. This must not be repeated.” He added, “If he is elected, the United States will not provide any future assistance to Iraq.”

Some members of the Coordination Framework failed to act wisely or rationally in dealing with the American position. Instead, they persisted in their support for Maliki, disregarding the higher interests of the Iraqi state and the importance of its political and economic relationship with the United States. Maliki remained steadfast in his insistence on remaining Prime Minister, despite internal opposition and calls from key figures within the Coordination Framework to distance themselves from the nomination process and choose another political figure to preserve Iraq’s security and stability and shield it from any major economic crises. These crises could arise from the American administration’s refusal to cooperate and offer advice on all political, military, and economic levels, which would inevitably impact the country’s internal situation.

As the push to maintain Maliki’s political option and retain him as Prime Minister continued, the American administration, through several messages sent to Iraqi politicians, threatened to impose broad economic sanctions targeting the Central Bank of Iraq, SOMO (State Oil Marketing Organization), the Ministries of Defense and Interior, and all entities and individuals seeking Maliki’s return and election for a third term.
Given these American political stances and the continued rejection of al-Maliki, the Coordination Framework must make sound decisions that preserve Iraq’s standing and prevent any further deterioration or the imposition of broad sanctions that would harm the Iraqi people, exacerbate their suffering and economic crises, and weaken their political system.

The Center for Political Studies and Research, in its monitoring and interest of Iraqi affairs, believes that Mr. al-Maliki has no remaining political prospects of assuming the premiership, and that international and regional rejection has reached significant proportions through the threat of economic sanctions and the refusal to cooperate and establish a strategic partnership with the United States. If the Coordination Framework does not make a wise political decision by selecting a figure from among its members or an independent candidate, it will expose the country to a political crisis and effective economic sanctions. It must prioritize Iraq’s interests above any narrow personal, factional, or partisan considerations, and the supreme interest of the Iraqi people must be the true determinant, the foundation, and the central focus in preserving Iraq, its standing, and its leading regional and international role.

Rawabetcenter.com

Half the salaries of officials to save Iraq: A lost initiative under the dome of parliament

A parliamentary call for members of parliament, ministers, and those holding special ranks to donate half or more of their monthly salaries to the state treasury, in an attempt to address the economic crisis plaguing Iraq, has sparked widespread reaction among the Iraqi public.

This initiative, which was announced earlier by MP Karim Aliwi Al-Muhammadawi, aims to create an additional financial resource to reduce taxes and customs duties on citizens, and will continue for a period ranging from six months to a full year, or until the current crisis is overcome.

However, the proposal did not find widespread support within parliamentary circles, at a time when the government continues to take austerity measures that include cutting some salaries and increasing customs duties, in addition to dismissing advisors from some ministries, under ongoing financial pressures.

In this context, MP Abbas Hayal stressed that donating salaries should be viewed within the context of radical solutions that serve the country, saying, “We are supposed to be up to the level of events and what Iraq and the region are going through, and we need a radical solution that serves the country and brings it to safety. Any symbolic measure such as donating salaries needs a law or an official government decision, in addition to real reforms and sound financial management.”

Hayal, speaking to Shafaq News Agency, said, “It is necessary to calculate the percentages of salaries and their impact, as the state needs about 85 trillion dinars annually to pay the salaries of its employees, and the share of MPs and special grades must be known.”

He adds that “Iraq is a country rich in oil and resources, and the current financial crises cannot be solved with patchwork measures, but rather require practical solutions that take into account the poor classes and employ the available resources efficiently.”

For his part, MP Thaer Jassim points out that donating a salary could be beneficial if it has a tangible economic impact, saying: “In general, if the issue of half the salary helps the state treasury and revives the economy, it is even possible to donate the entire salary, but this matter should be determined by specialists, and not just a media proposal.”

During his interview with Shafaq News Agency, Jassim points out that “there are other realistic solutions, such as reviewing oil and telecommunications contracts, which generate less revenue than their actual potential, and these issues can provide more real resources than symbolic donations.”

More symbolic than financial

For his part, economist Nawar Al-Saadi explains that the impact of reducing or donating MPs’ salaries on the financial situation is limited, indicating that “the size of public spending depends mainly on oil revenues, while MPs’ salaries constitute a very small percentage of expenditures, so even if they were donated in full, it would not affect the financial deficit substantially.”

Al-Saadi added to Shafaq News Agency, “The step has a moral and political dimension, as it enhances trust between the citizen and the state, but it cannot solve the financial crisis. Therefore, what is actually required is to address the imbalance in the spending structure, diversify revenues, reduce dependence on oil, and control waste and corruption. As for reducing salaries, it is a positive step in terms of the message, but it is not a real economic solution.”

In November 2025, economist Manar Al-Obaidi revealed that the total expenditure on the Iraqi parliament during the period from 2015 to 2025 exceeded 5.5 trillion Iraqi dinars, in exchange for the approval of only 321 laws, which means that the cost of approving one law exceeded 17 billion dinars.

Al-Obaidi explained in a post on social media that the previous session (the fifth) was the highest in spending, as its expenditures amounted to about 2.4 trillion dinars, during which 69 laws were approved, bringing the cost of one law to about 35 billion dinars.

As for the fourth session, its expenditure amounted to 1.8 trillion dinars, during which 91 laws were passed, at an estimated cost of approximately 20 billion dinars per law, according to the expert.

Shafaq.com

A parliamentary proposal to boost Iraq’s budget by $650 million through the import of 100,000 cars annually

On Tuesday, the head of the “Victorious” parliamentary bloc, Faleh al-Khazali, revealed a proposal to import 100,000 cars annually in exchange for scrapping old models with a fee of $4,000 per car, stressing that this project – if implemented – would provide the state budget with about $700 million annually and reduce traffic accidents and environmental pollution in Iraq.

Al-Khazali said in a press conference held at the parliament building and attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency: “We submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister, and we requested that this proposal be placed on the Cabinet’s agenda, which would contribute to maximizing financial revenues by $650 million annually,” explaining that “these sums contribute to supporting the education and health sectors and other sectors.”

He pointed out that “the proposal was summarized as not allowing the entry of cars below the model, and the condition of the entry of cars from reputable and international companies, as well as the condition of specifying three models, and their entry in exchange for specific money.”

Al-Khazali explained that “the proposal is to bring in a new car in exchange for another car of a different model, in addition to setting car scrapping fees of up to $4,000, at an annual rate of up to 100,000 cars, considering that there are 8 million cars in Iraq.”

Al-Khazali explained that “the cars that are scrapped will provide a source of metals and other materials, and they weigh an average of about 3 tons per car. This will provide other financial revenues for the state, in exchange for bringing in new cars of global origin.”

He pointed out that “if this proposal were implemented, it would reduce traffic accidents in Iraq, which has recorded 60,000 victims in recent years, in addition to reducing air pollution currently caused by poor-quality cars.”

Shafaq.com