Parliamentarian: The American-Israeli camp is still present in western Iraq

MP Shaker Abu Turab al-Tamimi, from the Badr parliamentary bloc, said on Monday that the “American-Israeli” camp is still present in western Iraq, noting that Iraqi forces are not allowed to approach it.

Al-Tamimi told Shafaq News Agency that “information emerged two months ago regarding the existence of this camp on Iraqi territory,” indicating that “the camp is still there and Iraqi security forces have not been allowed to approach it.”

Al-Tamimi held the Minister of Interior, the Joint Operations Command, and the Border Forces responsible for this, given that the area falls within the Border Forces sector.

He added that “the government was unaware at first, but later learned through the security services of the existence of a joint American-Israeli camp in the Western Desert.”

He considered that “the lack of an official clarification or denial from the government regarding the existence of the camp reinforces the information that has been circulating about it.”

Yesterday, the Joint Operations Command, through the head of the Security Media Cell, Lieutenant General Saad Maan, confirmed that no military forces or equipment were found during extensive search operations carried out by security forces in the deserts of Karbala and Najaf, following an incident that occurred on March 5, 2026, which witnessed a clash with unknown detachments that resulted in the death of one martyr and the injury of two security personnel.

This clarification comes at a time when Hebrew reports, including the website “G-Feed” and the “Jerusalem Post” newspaper, have addressed allegations regarding the existence of a secret military facility inside Iraq that is allegedly used in operations against Iran, with reference to American intervention to prevent Iraqi authorities from investigating the site.

According to those reports, sources spoke of an airstrip inside the bottom of a dry lakebed southwest of Najaf and Karbala, which was used for logistical and military purposes related to air operations. These are claims that have not been officially confirmed by Iraqi or American authorities.

Other Hebrew reports also contained conflicting accounts of military activities in Iraq during previous periods, while no official Iraqi or international bodies have confirmed this information.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Israel had established a secret military site in the Iraqi desert to support its war against Iran on February 28, 2026, noting at the same time that Israel had launched raids on Iraqi forces that approached it at the time.

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An Iraqi oil tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Iran.

Iranian media reported that the tanker “Aguis Phanourios 1,” carrying Iraqi oil, transited the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Iran, en route to Vietnam. The Fars News Agency stated: “The supertanker ‘Aguis Phanourios 1’ transited the Strait of Hormuz Sunday, after coordination with Iran, following the designated route.” It added that “the tanker, loaded with Iraqi crude oil, is currently in the Sea of ​​Oman, heading towards the port of Nghi Son in Vietnam.”

On May 5, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced that the only safe route for ships wishing to cross the Strait of Hormuz is the one previously designated by Tehran, noting that any diversion of travel to other routes would be met with a decisive response.

On April 7, US President Donald Trump announced the suspension of Operation Freedom, three days after it was launched with the aim of removing commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and securing their crews, after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard threatened to target any foreign armed force, especially the US military, if it tried to approach the Strait of Hormuz.

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Rule of law: The framework is geared towards an “organized government,” and al-Zaydi’s continued tenure depends on addressing the crises.

Salah Boushi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed on Wednesday that the leaders of the coordination framework are moving towards forming an “organized government” that is free from political favors, noting that its success depends on turning agreements into tangible institutional performance.

Bushi told Al-Maalomah that “the next stage requires moving from the language of political consensus to institutional work that serves the citizen and preserves the prestige of the state,” indicating that “the leaders of the framework are determined to proceed with a government capable of facing the challenges, far from the policy of appeasement.”

He added, “The continuation of Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi’s government depends primarily on its ability to address the current crises facing Iraq,” noting that “government performance is the sole criterion for guaranteeing political support and stability in the coming phase.”

Almaalomah.me

The Democrat explains the nature of the positions and ministerial portfolios he will receive in Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

Wafa Mohammed Karim, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), confirmed that his party has secured the position of First Deputy Prime Minister, in addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and another service ministry.

Karim told Al-Maalouma, “The names being circulated for the cabinet are only on social media; there are no confirmed names, especially within the KDP.”
He added, “The cabinet will retain the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the KDP. There are more than 15 names circulating as potential KDP candidates for the cabinet, but the final decision on nominations will be made during a meeting of the party’s political bureau, where three names will be submitted for each ministry.”

He indicated that “there are possibilities for Benkin Rekani to return to the cabinet, in addition to Hoshyar Zebari for the position of Deputy Prime Minister. This matter will be decided at the party meeting after Nechirvan Barzani returns from Baghdad to the Kurdistan Region, where he is currently working to resolve Kurdish demands.”

He explained that “the Democratic Party will receive the position of First Deputy Prime Minister along with a sovereign ministry and a service ministry. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Housing will remain with the Democratic Party, while the Ministries of Justice will go to the National Union and the Ministry of Environment to either the New Generation Movement or the Stance Movement.”

Almaalomah.me

An evening meeting of the framework was held with Al-Zaydi in attendance, and three “important” files were on the table for discussion.

An informed political source revealed on Wednesday that the leaders of the Coordination Framework will hold an evening meeting in the presence of Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zidi to discuss the cabinet formation, oil exports in coordination with the Kurdistan Region, and mediation between Iran and America.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “an important meeting will be held this evening at the home of the leader of the Iraqi Foundation Party, Mohsen al-Mandalawi, in the presence of the leaders of the Coordination Framework and the Prime Minister-designate, Ali al-Zidi, to decide on the points of the sovereign and service ministries and to agree on a mechanism for their distribution.”

He added: “After that, the candidates for ministerial portfolios will be discussed to finalize them during the next two days and submit them definitively to Al-Zidi for a vote at the end of next week.”

He pointed out that “the leaders of the coordination framework will exchange observations among themselves regarding the government formation in order to put the final touches on it in preparation for voting on it under the dome of Parliament after agreeing on a specific date.”

The source indicated that the second file that the leaders of the framework will discuss is “the file of exporting oil through the Turkish port of Ceyhan, in addition to presenting the mechanism for exporting oil in coordination with the Kurdistan Region in a way that achieves smooth exporting, as well as resolving the thorny issues between Baghdad and Erbil and proposals for settling them.”

The source explained that the third file relates to “Iraq’s role in adopting mediation, de-escalation, and bringing together the visions between Iran and America to end the war.”

He stressed that “the problems that accompanied the process of selecting ministers will be discussed, along with other issues of concern to the citizen.”

This comes a day after a two-day visit by Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, during which he met with Shiite and Sunni political leaders, Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zubaidi, outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Speaker of Parliament Hebat al-Halbousi, and Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan, where Barzani discussed a number of important issues with these leaders.

Shafaq.com

MP: Al-Zaydi will present 14 ministers to parliament next week and complete his cabinet after Hajj

MP Shaker Mahmoud Al-Tamimi, from the Badr bloc, revealed on Wednesday that Prime Minister-designate Ali Al-Zaidi will present 14 ministers from his cabinet to the House of Representatives next week, and will present the remaining ministers after the Hajj season ends.

Al-Tamimi told Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Zidi will submit the names of 14 ministers to the House of Representatives on Sunday or Monday of next week for a vote, and he will complete his cabinet after the Hajj season ends, considering that many members of parliament will go to perform the Hajj rituals.”

He explained that “the ministries that Al-Zaydi will present are from various political blocs and are not limited to the coordination framework, but also include Sunni and Kurdish blocs.”

On Monday, MP Mohammed Al-Shammari, from the parliamentary services bloc, revealed to Shafaq News Agency that Prime Minister-designate Ali Al-Zidi had informed the leaders of the coordination framework of his intention to present the cabinet on the 9th of this month, noting that “the House of Representatives will hold a session during the next week to vote on granting confidence to the new government.”

Meanwhile, an informed political source revealed earlier on Wednesday that the leaders of the Coordination Framework will hold an evening meeting in the presence of Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi to discuss the cabinet formation, oil exports in coordination with the Kurdistan Region, and mediation between Iran and America.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “an important meeting will be held this evening at the home of the leader of the Iraqi Foundation Party, Mohsen al-Mandalawi, in the presence of the leaders of the Coordination Framework and the Prime Minister-designate, Ali al-Zidi, to decide on the points of the sovereign and service ministries and to agree on a mechanism for their distribution.”

It is noted that the number of ministries in the next government will be 22 portfolios, distributed as follows: 12 ministries for the Coordination Framework forces, 6 ministries for the Sunni blocs, and 4 ministries for the Kurdish parties.

Shafaq.com

“Iraq is in a predicament”… More than 40 million barrels of its oil are stuck west of Hormuz

Recent shipping and market data has revealed large quantities of Iraqi crude oil piling up on tankers anchored west of the Strait of Hormuz, amid escalating attacks on ships and continued restrictions on navigation in the vital waterway.

According to shipping tracking data, there are about 163 million barrels of Gulf crude oil stuck in the area west of the Strait, including 43 million Iraqi barrels, as a result of slowing transit operations and increased security risks that have prompted a number of shipping companies to reduce or postpone their trips.

These developments come after four commercial vessels and oil tankers were attacked since May 3, in addition to the targeting of the Fujairah oil hub in the UAE, which has increased market caution and raised transportation and insurance costs for shipments.

The accumulation of unexported shipments increases the pressure on Iraq, which faces a challenge in maintaining the flow of its oil exports, especially given its limited storage capacity and the lack of wide alternative export outlets outside the Gulf.

Shafaq.com

The US Secretary of Defense calls al-Zaidi to discuss activating security cooperation.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi received a phone call from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who congratulated him on being tasked with forming the new government.

This was stated in an Iraqi government statement received by Shafaq News Agency, which added that the call included discussions on bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States in various fields, particularly security cooperation, in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement between Baghdad and Washington.

Both sides emphasized the special nature of the relationship between the two countries and the importance of working to reactivate it in the area of ​​training, with the aim of strengthening the capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces and raising their level of efficiency.

Yesterday, a senior US State Department official stated that US facilities in Iraq had been subjected to more than 600 attacks during the period of military escalation with Iran, and at the same time called on Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zubaidi to rein in the armed factions loyal to Tehran and hostile to Washington.

Shafaq.com

Axios: Washington and Tehran are nearing an agreement to end the war.

US officials said on Wednesday that Washington and Tehran are close to reaching an agreement on a one-page memorandum to end the war.

According to Axios, citing US officials, “The United States expects a response from Tehran on several key points within 48 hours.”

Officials indicated that “the agreement includes Tehran suspending uranium enrichment, Washington lifting sanctions and releasing Iranian funds, and both parties will lift restrictions on passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Earlier on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump suspended Operation Freedom, a military operation aimed at protecting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress in negotiations with Iran and a request from Pakistan and other countries.

Shafaq.com

A parliamentary proposal would require al-Zidi and his ministers to make a written pledge before gaining confidence.

On Wednesday, Ali Al-Sarai, a member of the “Reconstruction and Development” bloc, revealed that he had submitted a request to the Speaker of Parliament to add a clause to the government program that Prime Minister-designate Ali Al-Zidi would present, which would require nominated ministers to make a written pledge before being granted confidence.

Al-Sarai told Shafaq News Agency that the proposal stipulates that ministers should not run for the upcoming parliamentary or provincial council elections, and that their first and second degree relatives should not run, with the aim of preventing ministries from being used for election propaganda and exploiting government power and influence in election campaigns.

He added that the proposal also includes those with the rank of minister and undersecretary, provided that the aforementioned paragraph is added later through an amendment to the election law.

It is noted that on Monday, April 27, 2026, the President of the Republic of Iraq, Nizar Amidi, tasked businessman Ali al-Zaidi with forming the new Iraqi government, after he was nominated by the Coordination Framework, succeeding Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

The Iraqi parliament announced that the vote on the new government will take place next week, and that the names and the government program will be received by the end of this week.

Shafaq.com