Rubio: Soleimani’s relative and daughter are pro-Iran and live in luxury in America.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Saturday that the niece of the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, and her daughter, were green card holders and living comfortably in the United States, following the US State Department’s announcement of their arrest in preparation for their deportation from the United States.

Rubio stated in a post on the “X” platform, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, that “until recently, Hamida Soleimani Afshar and her daughter held green cards and lived in luxury in the United States.”

He explained that “Afshar is the niece of the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. She is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime, and has celebrated attacks against Americans and referred to our country as the ‘Great Satan’.”

Rubio continued, “This week, I terminated the legal status of both Afshar and her daughter, and they are now in ICE custody awaiting deportation from the United States.”

The Secretary of State concluded by saying, “The Trump administration will not allow our country to become a haven for foreigners who support terrorist regimes hostile to America.”

It is worth noting that the former commander of the Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, was assassinated by an American strike in January 2020 near Baghdad International Airport, months after attacks targeting American forces in Iraq and Syria, which were instigated by the Quds Force commander.

Shafaq.com

A positive appearance: Exchange rate stability reflects the strength of  reserves and the flow of goods.

The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Saturday that the stability of exchange rates in the local market reflects positive indicators, while pointing out that the strength of reserves and the accumulation of commodity stock contributed to reducing the fluctuations of the parallel market.
Saleh told Al-Furat News Agency: “The stability of exchange rates in the local market reflects positive indicators that are embodied in two main directions.”

He added that “the flexibility of financing foreign trade from the country’s foreign currency reserves, which are among the most efficient according to the standard of trade efficiency of reserves,” indicating that “these reserves extend to cover more than a year of imports, compared to the global standard, which is estimated at only about three months, in addition to continuing to meet the demand for foreign currency at the official rate of 1320 dinars per US dollar.”

He added that “the accumulation of diverse commodity stocks, both governmental and private, covers the country’s needs for essential and durable goods for a period ranging from one to three years,” noting that “this stability came as a result of adopting alternative trade methods, through the efficient and rapid use of the ports of neighboring countries, which ensures the smooth flow of goods to local markets.”

He pointed out that “these factors combined contributed to reducing exchange rate fluctuations in the parallel market, and led to achieving a high degree of price stability, with the exception of some seasonal fluctuations in the prices of a limited number of goods.”

He stressed that “the market maintained its expectations that the conflict in the Gulf and Middle East region will remain short-term and will not extend for a long period.”

Alforatnews.iq

A member of parliament warns of the dangers of delaying the presidential elections and continuing the cycle of postponement.

Member of Parliament Abboud al-Issawi confirmed on Saturday that there has been a decline in the progress toward resolving the presidential and cabinet appointments before the April 11th parliamentary session. He warned that the country’s security and economic situation necessitates that political blocs end the current deadlock.
Al-Issawi told the Information Agency, “Current indicators show a decline in the level of political understanding required to resolve the presidential and cabinet positions before the scheduled April 11th session,” adding that “time is beginning to put pressure on everyone.”

He further stated that “the significant challenges facing Iraq on both the security and economic fronts require a fully empowered government, and we cannot continue in this cycle of postponement.” He pointed out that “national responsibility compels political forces to make concessions and overcome the current crisis to avoid potentially disastrous consequences.”

Al-Issawi stressed that “the Iraqi people are waiting for tangible solutions to their economic and security problems, and this will only be achieved by forming an executive authority capable of making crucial decisions, free from the conflicts of power-sharing,” noting “the necessity of utilizing the next few days to reach a final agreement that ends the political stalemate.”

Almaalomah.me

MP: No vote on the president without a pledge to hand over wanted individuals in the region

MP Ahmed Shaheed Al-Shammari confirmed on Saturday that there is a parliamentary movement to make the election of the President of the Republic conditional on his pledge to hand over all those wanted by the judiciary who are present in the Kurdistan Region, indicating that the region has become a haven for figures who incite against the security forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Al-Shammari told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “there are names and figures convicted by the Iraqi judiciary who use the Kurdistan Region as a base for inciting against the security forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces,” noting that “some of these figures have gone so far as to support the American-Zionist aggression against the Popular Mobilization Forces and the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

He added that “the representatives are proceeding with their decision not to elect any candidate for the presidency unless they provide a formal pledge to hand over these wanted individuals,” noting that “the continued harboring of these individuals constitutes a threat to national security and a clear violation of the Iraqi constitution and law.”

Almaalomah.me

MP: Forming a government without the input of the street will deprive it of legitimacy

MP Hussein Saheb, from the Ishraqa Kanoun Movement, warned on Saturday of the repercussions of delaying the formation of a national government that meets the aspirations of Iraqis, noting that moving towards forming a government that is far from the will of the street will deprive it of its popular legitimacy.

Saheb told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the current stage is critical and requires prioritizing the supreme national interest over narrow partisan interests,” indicating that “any further delay in resolving the government issue will create a large gap between the authority and the citizen.”

He added that “political forces are required to listen to the voice of the Iraqi street and not repeat past failures,” noting that “the public is waiting for a service-oriented government capable of addressing the outstanding economic and security issues.”

Almaalomah.me

America exports $357 million worth of agricultural products to Iraq during 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that U.S. exports of agricultural products to Iraq amounted to $357 million in 2025.

The ministry stated that agricultural and animal products exported to Iraq amounted to $375.04 million, and the average value of annual exports during the last three years was $330.12 million, while the compound annual growth rate from 2016 to 2025 recorded a rate of 10.7%.

She noted that US exports to Iraq included rice, soybeans, meat, chicken, nuts, spices, sauces, baked goods, as well as food preparations and dairy products.

Shafaq.com

For the second time, war disrupts Iranian gas supplies to Iraq.

The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity announced on Saturday a significant decline in gas supplies coming from Iran to the country during the current period, attributing this to regional circumstances and the ongoing war in Iran.

The ministry spokesman, Ahmed Moussa, told Shafaq News Agency that “the quantities of gas currently supplied are limited to about 5 million cubic meters per day, supplied to the central region only, after previously reaching 19 million cubic meters, with 10 million cubic meters for the southern region and 9 million cubic meters for the central region.”

Musa added that “the current quantity is very low, especially since the normal rates that should be supplied at this time of year reach about 30 million cubic meters per day, which negatively affects the stability of the electrical power system in the country.”

He pointed out that “the system was affected by the loss of 3,500 megawatts, which is being compensated for by alternative fuel from the Ministry of Oil,” noting that some stations have seen a significant decrease in their generating capacity due to the shutdown and shortage of gas.

The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity confirmed in late March that it would proceed with the implementation of electricity interconnection projects with neighboring countries, whether with the Gulf states, or work to prepare the interconnection with Turkey to restart it, as well as completing the second phase of the interconnection project with the Kingdom of Jordan.

These projects have not been halted by recent events or current circumstances, and are considered important steps within the Ministry’s directions to diversify energy sources and enhance the stability of the electrical system, according to an official statement issued on March 27.

Iraq relies on gas imported from Iran to operate its power plants, but after the cancellation of US exemptions, Baghdad became “besieged.” Attempts to obtain a new exemption from the Trump administration were met with silence, while pressure on the Iraqi government to secure quick alternatives increased over the past six months.

Iraq imports 50 million cubic feet of energy from Iran, which constitutes two-thirds of Iran’s energy production, according to Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi.

The last waivers from US sanctions granted by the administration of former President Joe Biden expired on March 7, 120 days after they came into effect.

According to the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, the country needs about 50,000 megawatts to meet its energy needs in the summer, while it currently produces about 28 megawatts, according to official figures.

Shafaq.com

Telegram has been discontinued within federal institutions but continues to be used in the Kurdistan Region.

The Technology for Peace platform revealed yesterday, Friday, April 3, 2026, that the Telegram application has stopped working within institutions and departments affiliated with the federal government.

The platform noted in a post on its Facebook account that “the application is still operating normally in the governorates of the Kurdistan Region, without any official explanation from the relevant government authorities so far regarding the reasons for this measure or its nature.”

For their part, technology and communications experts recommended that users activate and operate VPN (Virtual Private Network) software to ensure the continued operation of the application and access to its services.

This development comes amid widespread reliance by institutions and individuals on the Telegram application for information exchange and communication, amid anticipation of official clarifications that reveal the background of the decision to stop and the reason for the disruption in Baghdad and other governorates affiliated with the federal government.

Burathanews.com

Iran is establishing a new system for crossing the Strait of Hormuz, dividing countries based on their relationship with Iran.

Al Jazeera English has revealed details of a new system prepared by Iran to manage the Strait of Hormuz and allow ships to enter the strait according to the official relationship with Iran.

According to the network, the new system will divide the world’s countries into three categories: “hostile, neutral, and friendly.” Neutral countries will be subject to large financial fees, while hostile countries will be barred from entering. Friendly countries, however, will be allowed to enter the strait for free.

The network indicated that the new system placed the Gulf states, including Iraq, in the category of hostile and neutral countries, expecting that most of the Gulf states would be prevented from using the strait, while imposing large “tolls” on other neutral countries that depend on the strait to export their oil.

It is noted that Iraq is suffering significant economic consequences as a result of the strait’s closure and its inability to export oil via the usual maritime transport routes.

Burathanews.com

Trump: Iran’s largest bridge is collapsing, and it’s time to make a deal.

US President Donald Trump asserted on Thursday that Iran’s largest bridge is collapsing, emphasizing that it is time for Tehran to reach an agreement with Washington.

Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account, “Iran’s biggest bridge is collapsing and will never be used again – and more are coming! It’s time for Iran to make a deal before it’s too late, before there’s nothing left of what could have been a great nation.”

Earlier today, the Fars News Agency reported that a bridge on a highway linking the Iranian capital Tehran to the city of Karaj in the west of the country was hit by airstrikes, resulting in a number of injuries.

She added that “initial estimates indicate a number of casualties, in addition to other areas being targeted inside Karaj.”

She noted that “the targeted bridge is the highest in the Middle East, and it was opened earlier this year.”

Shafaq.com