MP: The session to elect the president is not yet decided, and postponement is possible.

Former MP, Arif Al-Hamami, confirmed on Tuesday that the session scheduled for April 11 to elect the President of the Republic has not yet been decided, noting that setting the date came as a result of initial understandings that have not reached the stage of final confirmation.

Al-Hamami told Al-Maalouma that “the Iraqi parliament’s setting of a session on April 11 to elect the president is still not decided among the political forces, and it cannot be confirmed that it will be held at this time,” indicating that “postponing the date remains very possible in light of the lack of mature agreements.”

He added that “Iraq is going through a difficult phase and multifaceted challenges, which requires a clear political decision to complete the formation of the government, starting with the election of the President of the Republic, up to the assignment of the candidate of the largest bloc, in order to proceed with managing the current crises, especially the financial and economic files.”

Al-Hamami indicated that “next week will witness a series of important meetings in Baghdad between various political forces,” noting that “these meetings may lead to outcomes that push towards greater consensus regarding the April 11th session, including the forces of the Coordination Framework, in preparation for electing the President of the Republic and tasking the candidate of the largest bloc.”

Almaalomah.me

In a mysterious mission, Al-Halbousi disappears from sight and leaves the country.

A source in Anbar province revealed on Tuesday that Mohammed al-Halbousi, head of the Progress Alliance, has disappeared from public view amid reports suggesting he has traveled abroad on a mission whose details remain unclear.

The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “al-Halbousi left Anbar for Jordan to meet with senior Jordanian officials, in the presence of American officials and leaders from the former Ba’ath Party. His trip is expected to include visits to Turkey and Gulf states to discuss the formation of a new government aligned with the Trump administration.”

The source added that “al-Halbousi held secret and unannounced talks with officials in the Trump administration and Gulf states before heading to Jordan, without disclosing the results,” noting that his movements were characterized by complete secrecy. The source
explained that “influential figures in the central government were aware in advance of al-Halbousi’s visit to establish a long-term political partnership with the United States, the Gulf states, Turkey, and Jordan,” confirming that al-Halbousi traveled overland from Anbar via the Trebil border crossing.

This visit coincided with Israeli-American bombing of Anbar cities, which resulted in the martyrdom and injury of a number of security personnel and civilians, adding further ambiguity to the timing and purpose of the mission.

Almaalomah.me

In numbers… Iraq’s Integrity Commission reveals its annual achievements: Recovering and protecting nearly one trillion dinars

The Federal Integrity Commission announced on Tuesday a “heavy” tally of its oversight and investigative operations during the year, confirming the prevention of waste and the preservation of public funds worth nearly “one trillion Iraqi dinars,” with the issuance of arrest and summons orders that included dozens of ministers and officials.

The Authority stated in its annual report that the total amount of funds that were preserved amounted to (837,094,441,942) dinars and (550,815,321) US dollars, within the framework of its investigative and precautionary procedures aimed at protecting public funds and preventing their waste.

She explained that the number of reports that she considered during the year amounted to (37,175) reports with a completion rate of (85.64%), while the number of criminal cases amounted to (31,355) cases with a completion rate of (73.23%), which reflects the growing volume of work in the investigative field, indicating that the number of summons orders issued amounted to (14,645) orders, including (18) orders against ministers and those of their rank, and (276) orders against those of special ranks and general managers.

The number of arrest warrants reached (3,461) warrants, including (21) warrants against ministers and those of their rank, and (118) warrants against those of special ranks, in addition to issuing (1,950) arrest warrants, and (215) travel ban decisions, including decisions against senior leaders, noting the implementation of (1,555) arrest operations in various governorates, which resulted in the arrest of (671) accused persons caught in the act.

Regarding stalled projects, the Authority identified (116) projects in (10) governorates, with a total value of (946,031,754,995) dinars and (721,191,424) dollars, and (32) criminal cases were opened concerning them.

In the legal field, the Authority confirmed the issuance of (522) non-final judicial rulings of conviction involving (810) convicts, while the rulings that had reached the final level amounted to (370) rulings, and the number of convicts covered by the general amnesty amounted to (1,301) convicts for (666) judicial decisions.

She added that her achievements in the preventive field were represented by receiving (49,060) financial disclosure statements, in which the response rate of the three presidencies was (100%), and the disclosure of (83) cases of conflict of interest, while the total amount of money in which final judicial rulings were issued in cases of illicit gain amounted to (21,035,599,000) Iraqi dinars.

The number of visits conducted by the Authority through its teams to monitor job performance and promote the integrity of work procedures amounted to (734) visits, which included (419) administrative formations, while the number of reports prepared regarding them amounted to (61) reports.

In the field of recovery, the number of files for receiving fugitives that are ready is (78) files, and (55) files are being prepared, while the number of files for recovering smuggled funds that are ready is (56) files, and (139) files are being completed, and (5,947,308,992) Iraqi dinars were recovered from inside Iraq.

Shafaq.com

China confirms that 3 ships successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that three Chinese ships recently crossed the Strait of Hormuz successfully.

Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that “Beijing appreciates the assistance provided by the concerned parties to ensure the safe passage of ships,” stressing that “China will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of navigation.”

Recent shipping tracking data showed that the number of ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz daily, which before the war ranged between 130 and 140 ships, gradually decreased as tensions escalated, until at times it dropped to less than 10 ships a day, and at certain times the crossing was limited to only a few ships, which shipping industry workers described as “a rare development in one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.”

The American-Israeli war on Iran has entered its second month, with raids on Iran continuing, and Iran responding by striking Israeli territory and American military sites in the Middle East.

Tehran had announced on March 11 that it would not allow any oil shipments belonging to the United States or its allies to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil exports pass.

Shafaq.com

60 oil tankers crossed through the Al-Walid border crossing and headed to revive the Haditha-Aqaba pipeline.

Anbar Provincial Council member Adnan al-Kubaisi announced on Tuesday that more than 60 trucks loaded with Iraqi oil had begun crossing through the al-Walid border crossing, predicting that the number of trucks transporting the oil would rise to between 600 and 700 in the coming period.

Al-Kubaisi told Shafaq News Agency that “there is a trend to resume the mechanism of exporting oil through the Syrian and Jordanian ports in quantities that may exceed 200,000 barrels per day, as was the practice before 2003 using tankers.”

He added that “the next stage may witness parliamentary action to compel the government to implement the modern Aqaba pipeline project, given its strategic importance in diversifying oil export outlets.”

Al-Kubaisi pointed out that “the project was previously approved but faced objections, but there is currently pressure to reactivate it and proceed with its completion, given the economic benefits it provides, as well as its positive impact on Anbar Governorate, especially with regard to the petrodollar file.”

Shafaq.com

US Defense Secretary: We are working aggressively in Iranian airspace… and the coming days will be decisive.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that US forces are operating “vigorously in Iranian airspace,” stressing that “the coming days will be critical” as military operations continue and Iranian capabilities decline.

Hegseth added at a press conference that US forces are “bombing deep inside Iran with force,” noting communication with members of the Navy and Air Force “who are shooting down Iranian missiles and drones,” and stressing that “our forces have lethal capabilities and our pilots are operating with high efficiency in Iran.”

He explained that “Operation Epic Wrath focuses on speed of execution in order to achieve victory,” indicating that the soldiers “did not ask to return home but asked me to complete the mission and provide them with bombs and targets,” noting that the American forces “face the Iranian threat daily and are aware of the dangers of Iran possessing nuclear weapons.”

He continued, “Our war is linked to history and heritage, and our success in it is important, and we are closer to victory than ever before,” stressing that “the coming days will be decisive, and Iran knows that.”

He noted that “in the past few hours we have seen the lowest number of missiles launched by Iran,” stressing that “the Iranians’ capabilities are declining and our central command confirms that they have a leadership deficit.”

Hegseth also confirmed “what President Trump said, that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” adding that “we don’t see many pictures from inside Iran because they have cut off the internet.”

He noted that “there has been a change in the new Iranian regime and it needs to be wiser,” adding that “if Iran is wise, it will agree to the deal on offer.” He also said that he “visited the Middle East on Saturday and spoke to our forces there.”

The US Secretary of Defense threatened that “the United States will continue its military operations with greater intensity if Iran refuses to sign a peace agreement,” noting that “Trump wants to reach an agreement with Iran and Tehran is aware of Washington’s conditions.”

For his part, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Keane said during the conference that the forces “continue to destroy and undermine Iran’s capabilities,” stressing “the continued destruction of missile and drone capabilities as well as manufacturing operations.”

He added that US forces “bombed more than 11,000 targets and achieved air superiority that allowed the use of B-52 bombers,” noting the “destruction of more than 150 Iranian ships.”

The US Chief of Staff affirmed “continuing to impose dominance over the Iranian Navy and focusing on targeting its mine-laying capabilities.”

Shafaq.com

Prime Minister’s Advisor: Three-pronged plan to secure salaries amid global challenges

The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed on Tuesday that the current policy guarantees the continuation of salaries and social welfare grants. While identifying three main sources to ensure the sustainability of salaries and social spending, he indicated that Iraq is capable of facing global financial and economic shocks efficiently and effectively. The advisor told the official news agency that “the sustainability of monthly expenditures for salaries, wages, pensions, and social welfare allowances, in light of the current economic challenges and global fluctuations due to geopolitical risks, is a top priority, and depends on three main sources of revenue that guarantee the protection of the living and social stability of citizens on a regular monthly basis.”

He explained that “the first source is maximizing non-oil revenues, as ensuring the liquidity of collecting these revenues is achieved by intensifying approved electronic payment methods, which enhances the state’s own financial resources and reduces total dependence on oil revenues.”

Saleh added that “the second source is expanding the base of crude oil and petroleum product exports. This policy includes using traditional export channels whenever possible, including land and sea transport through neighboring countries, according to current global oil prices, which have seen an increase of nearly 70% compared to their levels before the outbreak of tensions in the Gulf and Middle East region.” He pointed out that “this export expansion contributes, in light of high crude oil prices, to boosting the revenues needed to cover social spending and ensure the stability of the local market.”

He also explained that “the third source of revenue is to follow a pattern of targeted quantitative easing policies, with monetary and fiscal coordination, where coordination between monetary and fiscal policy is intensified, and this coordination is supported by efficient foreign exchange reserves, to ensure the stability of the national economy and the sustainability of public social spending, including the payment of salaries, pensions and social welfare allowances without any interruption.”

Saleh concluded by saying: “The continuation of these integrated policies guarantees the protection of monthly job income, enhances economic and social stability in the country, and makes Iraq capable of facing global financial and economic shocks efficiently and effectively.”

Burathanews.com

The US military sends a message to Iranian soldiers: Leave your positions immediately.

The US Central Command confirmed on Thursday that the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s naval forces, Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, stating that this “contributes to strengthening the security of the region.”

US Central Command chief Brad Cooper said in a statement seen by Shafaq News that Tangsiri led the Revolutionary Guard’s naval forces for eight years and oversaw “attacks targeting commercial vessels and civilians using drones and missiles.”

He added that the US military operations, as part of what he described as “Operation Epic Wrath,” resulted in the destruction of 92% of the large ships belonging to the Iranian navy, depriving it of the ability to carry out effective military operations in the Middle East or beyond.

Cooper indicated that the US strikes against the Revolutionary Guard’s naval forces would continue, calling on Iranian military personnel to “leave their positions immediately to avoid danger.”

The U.S. Treasury Department had designated Tanksiri a “global terrorist” in 2019, with additional sanctions imposed on him in 2024 related to drone programs.

Shafaq.com

Al-Saadi: Iraqi oil shipments will continue to flow through the Strait of Hormuz after coordination with Tehran.

Former MP Baqir al-Saadi confirmed on Thursday that Iraqi oil shipments will continue to flow to international markets via the Strait of Hormuz, following coordination with Tehran.

Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Saadi said, “The coming days will witness the flow of more oil shipments produced from Iraqi fields via giant tankers towards international markets through the Strait of Hormuz, in coordination with Tehran to secure safe passages.”
He added that “the return of Iraqi oil to global markets is very important for Baghdad’s economy,” stressing that “Iraqi fields will compensate for lost production by increasing their output rates, which will positively impact the next phase.”

Al-Saadi explained that “oil represents more than 90% of Iraq’s revenues,” noting that “coordination between Baghdad and Tehran is very important and has begun to bear fruit in securing safe passages for tankers carrying Iraqi oil to international markets.”

Almaalomah.me

Despite Iranian denials, Trump says Iran is negotiating secretly and is afraid to make it public.

US President Donald Trump insisted on Thursday that Iran is participating in peace talks despite its denials, asserting that Iranian negotiators are afraid to announce it for fear of internal reactions.

“They are negotiating, by the way, and they very much want to make a deal,” Trump said during a dinner for Republican members of Congress. “But they are afraid to say so, because they think if they do, they will be killed by their own people.”

In this context, the American newspaper “The Wall Street Journal” stated that Trump is seeking to end the war with Iran in the coming weeks, and that he has informed his aides of his desire to put a quick end to the conflict.

The newspaper quoted a US official as saying that some of Trump’s close associates are “pushing for escalation and regime change in Iran,” while the president has expressed willingness to send troops into Iran, but is hesitant because of the risks of escalation.

The source added that there are “fears of increased casualties in the event of a US ground intervention in Iran,” noting that losses on the US side amounted to “about 300 wounded and 13 dead since the start of the last war with Iran.”

The newspaper explained that Trump “discussed securing US access to a portion of Iranian oil as part of any agreement to end the war.”

Trump said on Wednesday that Iran’s leaders are negotiating with the United States but denying it to their people, adding: “I ended 8 wars, and now we are winning our war on Iran,” and asserting that the Iranian negotiators “are afraid of being killed by their own people.”

Trump stressed that “the Iranians are negotiating with us and are eager to make a deal,” adding: “We have destroyed everything in Iran. We want to see the United States succeed in its military operations in Iran.”

In contrast, the US government threatened on Wednesday to intensify attacks on Iran if no agreement is reached, with White House spokeswoman Carolyn Levitt saying that “there is no need for more death and destruction.”

Levitt added: “If Iran does not accept the reality of the current moment, and if it does not realize that it has been militarily defeated and will remain so, then President Trump will ensure that it is struck with even greater force than it has ever experienced before.”

She indicated that the leadership in Tehran has an opportunity to cooperate with Trump, which requires abandoning its nuclear program and ceasing to threaten the United States and its allies.

In this context, the White House announced that the United States and Iran remain engaged in peace talks, despite reports in Iranian media that Tehran has rejected Washington’s proposal to end the war.

In response to those reports, Levitt said that “talks are ongoing and productive, as President Trump has declared,” stressing that “President Trump does not threaten in vain, and he is prepared to open the gates of hell, and Iran should not miscalculate again.”

She explained that there are “elements of truth” in the media reports about a 15-point American plan that includes demands directed at Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday that his government does not intend to hold any negotiations with the United States to end the war, adding in an interview with state television that exchanging messages through intermediaries “does not mean negotiating with the United States.”

Araghchi noted that the highest authorities are “reviewing the proposals submitted,” stressing that Iran does not intend to hold talks with the United States.

Shafaq.com