Al-Zaidi at the White House in mid-July… Iraq and America reaffirm strategic partnership

Iraq and the United States affirmed on Tuesday their commitment to strengthening a “strong and mutually beneficial” strategic partnership that includes security, energy, and investment, as well as supporting political and economic stability in the country.

This came in a joint statement issued today by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Tom Barrack, as reported by Shafaq News Agency.

According to the statement, Al-Zaidi and Barak reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Iraqi and US governments to establishing a strong and mutually beneficial US-Iraqi partnership capable of fulfilling the aspirations of Iraqis for a future of sovereignty, security and prosperity, and providing tangible benefits to the Iraqi and American people.

Barak conveyed President Trump’s desire to receive the Prime Minister at the White House in mid-July to discuss the future of this relationship.

According to the statement, the two sides discussed the Iraqi government’s shared and ambitious vision for building a brighter future free from terrorism, and implementing Iraqi plans aimed at the complete disarmament and disbanding of all armed groups and formations operating outside the authority and control of the Iraqi state, confining weapons to the state, and imposing full sovereignty, in order to ensure that Iraq is kept away from conflicts and that its territory is not used by any party to threaten regional peace, while emphasizing the urgent need to fully accomplish these efforts.

The Prime Minister reiterated Iraq’s commitment to deepening trade and investment relations between the two countries, which Barak welcomed as a shared approach. Both sides also commended Iraq’s decision to finalize the granting of the operating license to Starlink to provide world-class internet services to Iraqi consumers, launch negotiations with Chevron to develop the West Qurna-2 and Nasiriyah oil fields, enable American companies HKN, Western Zagros and Hunt to resume their operations with full security guarantees, move forward with the memorandum of understanding with TI Capital to rehabilitate the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline as a vital oil export route, and commit to expanding trade cooperation between the United States and Iraq to support Iraq’s electricity needs, including Excelerate Energy’s project to develop a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Khor Al-Zubair.

Both sides also stressed the importance of supporting a strong, united, sovereign, federal, democratic Iraq based on well-established constitutional institutions, and ensuring full equality for all citizens, thereby enhancing Iraq’s unity, stability, and prosperity.

Shafaq.com

Parliamentary movement to end acting appointments to senior positions in Iraq

On Tuesday, MP Ibtisam Al-Hilali, from the State of Law Coalition, revealed a political movement within the House of Representatives to submit a request to the Speaker of the House aimed at issuing a parliamentary resolution that sets a date for ending the management of senior and special positions, undersecretaries of ministries, and acting directors-general.

Al-Hilali told Shafaq News Agency that there are dozens of senior positions in the Iraqi government, including special grades, undersecretaries of ministries, directors general and those of their rank, as well as heads of independent bodies, that are run by acting officials chosen by the government without consulting the House of Representatives.

She added that some of those holding these positions have been in their roles for years and are still managing them in an acting capacity to this day.

Al-Hilali indicated that the House of Representatives will work during the next legislative session to exercise its oversight and legislative role in issuing a decision and official directive to the government that includes setting a time limit for ending the acting appointments, and selecting competent and professional individuals capable of managing these positions in the next stage.

Shafaq.com

Barak from Erbil: Trump has special respect for the Kurdish people and the Kurdistan Region.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Iraq and Syria and US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, affirmed on Tuesday that President Trump has special respect for the Kurdish people, the Kurdistan Region, and its leadership.

This came during a meeting between Barak and the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, in Erbil, in the presence of the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Baghdad, Joshua Harris, and the Commander of the Coalition Forces in Iraq and Syria, General Kevin Lambert, according to a statement issued by the regional government and received by Shafaq News Agency.

The two sides discussed the general situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the region, while the Prime Minister of the region renewed his thanks and appreciation to the United States for its continued support, stressing the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields.

For his part, Barak praised the progress and development in the Kurdistan Region, stressing that President Trump views the Kurdish people, the region, and the leadership of Masoud Barzani with special respect.

Both sides agreed on the importance of developing trade relations between the United States, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and enhancing the activity of American companies, particularly in the energy sector.

They also affirmed their support for the new federal government headed by Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi, which contributes to achieving economic prosperity and serving all citizens and components in Iraq, as well as addressing outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil in accordance with the constitution.

On another front, both sides stressed the importance of activating the Kurdistan Parliament and ending the political deadlock, which would pave the way for the formation of the new cabinet of the regional government as soon as possible.

Shafaq.com

Abdi and Barak meet as Kurdish Council delegation arrives in Erbil

A source from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported on Tuesday that SDF commander Mazloum Abdi will hold a meeting with US Special Envoy to Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, coinciding with the arrival of a delegation from the Kurdish National Council to the region.

The source told Shafaq News Agency’s correspondent in Syria that “Abdi arrived yesterday in the Kurdistan Region and is supposed to hold meetings with US envoy Tom Barrack, as well as with the region’s president, Nechirvan Barzani.”

The source added that “Abdi will discuss with Barak the progress of the integration process between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government, and the terms of the January 29, 2026 agreement between the two sides.”

Shafaq News correspondent confirmed that members of the Presidential Board of the Kurdish National Council arrived in Erbil yesterday, Monday.

An official source told Shafaq News that “Kurdish Council officials will hold meetings with regional officials in the next two days before returning to Syria to begin preparations for holding the Council’s conference.”

US Presidential Special Envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barrack, arrived in Erbil on Tuesday afternoon, where he held a meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

These talks come after a visit that Barak began on Monday to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, where he met with Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi and discussed with him strengthening bilateral relations and issues of common interest.

Shafaq.com

Al-Zaidi follows in his predecessors’ footsteps… a visit to Washington amid unresolved issues

It seems that the current Prime Minister, Ali al-Zidi, has followed the same custom witnessed by previous governments by the Prime Minister visiting the United States and the White House. This raises many questions about the importance of this visit and the true nature of its content, which is not disclosed in the media and official protocol statements. This comes at a time when some political parties are warning against al-Zidi going to Washington before the government is formed and all ministerial portfolios are completed, especially since the government is currently incomplete and needs 9 candidates to be voted on and complete the cabinet.

Former minister and State of Law Coalition member Zuhair al-Jalabi told Al-Maalomah that “al-Zaidi’s visit will be a courtesy to the White House, especially since the selection of the prime minister was preceded by influence from the American side during the formation of the new government, as happened in 2021 after the political deadlock at that time.”
He added that “the prime minister’s visit to Washington should be preceded by the completion of the cabinet formation, not by going with a government missing nine ministers. Going with an incomplete government means that the visit will be accompanied by many suspicions regarding the possibility of the American administration dictating its conditions and interfering in the selection of cabinet nominees.”

On the other hand, former MP Jassim al-Bayati confirmed to Al-Maalomah that “al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington should be a visit with positive results and in the interest of Iraq, and not just a tour to listen to what the American administration dictates.”

He added, “The Prime Minister should hold a prior, closed meeting with the Coordination Framework forces, followed by a broader meeting with the State Administration Coalition forces, which represent all political forces.” He explained that “the aim of these meetings is to discuss and establish red, yellow, and green lines regarding sensitive issues shared between Baghdad and Washington.”

He pointed out that “the most prominent of these issues are security, national sovereignty, and investment, in addition to the issue of Iraqi funds deposited in the US Federal Reserve, along with a review of the ongoing US violations of the Strategic Framework Agreement signed between the two parties.” He also rejected the notion that “the visit’s objectives should be limited to gaining personal support, as this would have negative repercussions and create complex political problems within Iraq.”

Some media outlets, citing informed sources, reported that al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington in mid-July will include discussions on a number of political, security, and economic issues of mutual interest. Foremost among the topics to be discussed are the security agreement signed between Baghdad and Washington, the mechanisms for withdrawing US forces after the expiration of their designated deployment periods in Iraq, and the future of security cooperation between the two countries. Economic matters will also be addressed, particularly the proposal to establish an Iraqi financial fund in the United States, financed by revenues from Iraqi oil exports to the American market.

Almaalomah.me

Iraq wins international lawsuit against Orange, saving its treasury from paying $800 million.

On Monday, the Ministry of Justice announced a legal achievement represented by winning the international arbitration case filed by Orange against the Republic of Iraq/Communications and Media Commission, which resulted in the dismissal of all claims of the plaintiff company and spared the Iraqi state from paying financial compensations estimated at approximately (800) million US dollars.

The ministry stated in an official statement that the arbitration panel’s decision also included obligating Orange to pay the sum of (10) million US dollars to Iraq for legal fees and expenses, in a step that reflects the strength of the Iraqi legal position and the efficiency of the efforts made in managing this file and achieving positive results that serve the interests of the Iraqi state.

Shafaq.com

Nechirvan Barzani: The US envoy’s visit to Erbil is important, and we will discuss the outstanding issues in Baghdad.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani stressed on Monday the importance of the visit of US Special Envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barak, to the capital Erbil, noting that the meetings will include discussions on the disputes and outstanding issues between the regional government and the federal government.

K24 satellite channel quoted President Nechirvan Barzani as saying, “This is the first time that Barak has visited Erbil in his official capacity, and it is certain that issues related to the Iraqi file in general will be discussed during it.”

The region’s president also explained that these meetings will discuss vital issues concerning the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil, with the aim of strengthening joint coordination between all parties.

Barak’s visit to Baghdad and Erbil comes with the aim of discussing multiple political and security issues, coinciding with the rapid developments and events taking place in the region.

Shafaq.com

Barak arrives in Baghdad: I will discuss with al-Zaidi charting a new course for a strong relationship between Iraq and America.

US envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barrack, arrived in Baghdad on Monday as part of a tour that includes a series of meetings with political leaders and government officials in the country, including the Kurdistan Region.

Upon his arrival, Barak posted on the “X” platform, stating that he would meet with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to convey to him the support of US President Donald Trump for the Iraqi government.

He added that he would discuss with al-Zaydi the strategic partnership between Iraq and America with the aim of charting a new course for a strong and sustainable relationship between the two sides.

Earlier today, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani stressed the importance of Barak’s visit to the capital Erbil, noting that the anticipated meetings would include discussions on the disputes and outstanding issues between the regional government and the federal government.

Barak’s current tour to Baghdad and Erbil is to discuss multiple political and security issues, coinciding with the rapid developments and events taking place in the region.

Shafaq.com

As of April, Iraq’s revenues exceeded 31 trillion dinars, with oil contributing 84% of the budget.

Data from the State Account for the federal budget up to April 2026 showed that Iraq recorded total revenues of 31.163 trillion dinars, compared to actual expenditures of 37.835 trillion dinars, reflecting the continued heavy reliance on oil resources to finance government spending.

According to the report issued by the Ministry of Finance/Accounting Department, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, oil revenues amounted to 26.121 trillion dinars, constituting 84% of total revenues, while non-oil revenues amounted to about 5.041 trillion dinars, representing 16% of total public revenues.

In contrast, the actual expenditures of the federal budget up to April amounted to 37.835 trillion dinars, distributed as follows: 36.444 trillion dinars for current expenditures, and 1.391 trillion dinars for investment expenditures.

According to the report, employee compensation (salaries and wages) accounted for the largest share of current spending, amounting to 20.484 trillion dinars, followed by social welfare expenditures of 9.233 trillion dinars, while debt service amounted to about 2.868 trillion dinars, in addition to allocating 2.625 trillion dinars for grants, subsidies and other expenses, while commodity requirements remained stable at 1.074 trillion dinars.

Shafaq.com

Iraqi atmosphere in Boston… “The Lions of Mesopotamia” prepare to face Norway with widespread fan support

Hours before the start of the highly anticipated World Cup match, Iraqi fans began flocking in large numbers to the American city of Boston, coming from various states, Canada, and neighboring countries, to support the Iraqi national team in its match scheduled for early Tuesday morning, as part of the 2026 World Cup competitions.

The gardens and areas surrounding the Iraqi national team’s residence witnessed a remarkable public presence, where Iraqi flags were raised and national chants and songs were sung expressing support for the “Lions of Mesopotamia” before their important match against the Norwegian national team.

The city of Boston was adorned with a purely Iraqi atmosphere, amidst the continued gatherings and public celebrations in various squares and places frequented by fans, amidst a state of great enthusiasm and anticipation for the first whistle.

A number of fans confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that their presence was motivated by their love for the national team and their desire to experience a historic moment by seeing Iraq in the major global event after four decades of waiting, stressing that they will be strongly present in the stadium stands throughout the ninety minutes of the match, hoping to achieve a positive result that will please Iraqi fans all over the world.

Shafaq.com