Ali al-Zaidi

Following the international coalition's September 2026 withdrawal from Iraq, the United States should transition from military occupation to wielding influence through financial systems, technology investment, and intelligence sharing rather than coercive control, while gradually supporting Baghdad's efforts to subordinate Iran-aligned militias under state authority by mid-2027.

The US granted a sanctions waiver allowing flights between Iran and Iraq's Najaf holy city, marking a diplomatic exception to broader Iran sanctions in the region's religious and political context.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and French President Emmanuel Macron signed six bilateral agreements covering defense, energy, and aviation, with Total investing $12 billion in Iraqi oil projects, as Baghdad seeks European partnerships ahead of foreign troop withdrawal deadlines.

Iraq and France signed six agreements covering defense, energy, youth innovation, and civil aviation, with Prime Minister Al-Zaidi and President Macron expanding bilateral cooperation across strategic and economic sectors.

New Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi facilitated 48 U.S. energy deals, positioning American firms to develop Iraq's Akkas gas field toward 400 million cubic feet daily output by 2030, reflecting broader U.S. strategy to expand regional influence while marginalizing Iran.

Iraq launched an investigation after Iranian drones attacked Kurdistan's prime minister's office, killing no one, amid escalating tensions between Tehran and the autonomous region hosting US troops and Iranian exiles.

Iraq's health minister publicly declared the government lacks funds to pay state salaries, revealing a severe liquidity crisis requiring $8.24 billion monthly while oil export disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz have drastically reduced revenues, exposing the economy's dangerous dependence on a single resource.

Iran denied engaging in direct U.S. peace talks Monday, contradicting Trump's claim of imminent negotiations after he canceled planned military strikes, citing Saudi pressure and hopes to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S.-Iran escalation has ignited region-wide violence across the Middle East, involving airstrikes, Red Sea attacks, and retaliatory strikes spanning multiple countries, threatening to merge with the Ukraine conflict and destabilizing national sovereignty throughout the region.

The United States is approaching complete military withdrawal from Iraq as regional geopolitical tensions reshape Middle Eastern dynamics, prompting investors to reassess risk assets in an unstable landscape.

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia conducted joint airstrikes against Iranian-linked militias in Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters, escalating regional tensions after Iran fired missiles at American troops in Jordan and expanding the conflict beyond previous boundaries.

Iran launched ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in West Asia on Wednesday while American and Saudi aircraft struck Tehran-backed militias in Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters and six Iranian advisers, escalating regional tensions and raising risks of renewed full-scale conflict.

The US and Saudi Arabia struck Iran-backed groups in Iraq Wednesday while Iran's Revolutionary Guards attacked oil tankers and fired ballistic missiles at US installations, ending a brief ceasefire and reigniting regional tensions over disputed drone attacks and strategic waterway control.

Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. Middle East forces Tuesday, ending a brief fighting pause as mediators pursued negotiations; the military intercepted all missiles amid escalating regional tensions over strategic strait control.

Israel initiated conflict with Iran since February 28, bearing minimal war costs while its defense industries post record profits, as Iranian strikes target Gulf infrastructure and regional proxies instead, effectively dismantling Iran's four-decade deterrence network.

Iraq's oil production collapsed from 4.3 million barrels daily to 817,000 following the US-Israel-Iran conflict onset, devastating government revenues that depend 90 percent on petroleum exports and threatening economic stability and regional influence.

Iraq mobilized thousands of tanker trucks to export 650,000 metric tons of fuel oil monthly through Syria to Mediterranean ports after US-Iran conflict disrupted Hormuz routes, transforming Syria into a 25% regional export hub while securing crucial government revenue.

Israeli strikes threaten Iran-backed Iraqi militias if they intervene in renewed Tel Aviv-Tehran conflict, analysts warn, as Baghdad negotiates weapons surrender agreements with five factions to maintain state security control.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi discussed diversifying oil exports to Europe during visits to France and Germany, seeking to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz amid Middle East tensions and potential Mediterranean route expansion.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized supporting Iraq's anti-corruption programs during their September 2026 meeting, affirming commitment to regional stability, military cooperation, and strengthening bilateral strategic partnership between the two nations.

The US is establishing economic and security influence across Iraq and Syria through energy infrastructure, oil projects, and technology investments, rather than military force, consolidating control via a unified diplomatic channel under Tom Barak.

Iraqis face fuel shortages as regional war disrupts imports.

Iraq remains outside the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, sparking questions about its neutrality or growing isolation.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi confronts defiant Shia paramilitary groups rejecting a September 30 disarmament deadline, threatening state sovereignty and economic stability as oil revenues plummet amid geopolitical tensions.

Iraq is negotiating with Iran to secure safe passage for its oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, with Oil Minister Bassem Khudair expressing optimism about reaching agreements within days to protect crude shipments amid regional tensions.

Oil prices surged 7-8 percent as regional conflicts widened across Middle Eastern oil-producing states and critical shipping routes, with Iran launching missiles at Jordan and US-Saudi forces striking Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, disrupting global energy supplies.

U.S. and Saudi forces jointly struck Iran-backed Iraqi militias Wednesday, killing at least 20 fighters and escalating regional tensions despite ongoing indirect peace negotiations, marking a dangerous new battlefield front.

Iraq's government condemned joint Saudi-US airstrikes against Iran-backed militias that killed at least 20 fighters, calling them sovereignty violations. Prime Minister al-Zaidi cancelled his Saudi visit in protest, demanding evidence of attacks originating from Iraqi territory.

Iraqi resistance forces vow retaliation after U.S.-Saudi airstrikes kill twenty PMF members and five Iranian advisors, prompting Baghdad to reconsider security cooperation with Washington and unify regional resistance movements against American and Saudi interests.

U.S. and Saudi forces intercepted Iranian missiles and struck Iraqi sites after Iran-backed militias launched over 30 drone attacks on American troops and Saudi energy infrastructure in three days, marking escalation in ongoing Middle East conflict.

Saudi Arabia shot down Iranian-backed militia drones targeting oil facilities for a second consecutive day, while Houthi rebels claimed forcing back a Saudi tanker, escalating regional tensions despite recent U.S.-Iran pauses.

The U.S. conducted its 13th night of strikes against Iran, killing four civilians, as both nations escalate military clashes over control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, threatening global oil supplies and shipping routes amid collapsing peace negotiations.

Iran breached Trump's Strait of Hormuz blockade with four vessels while oil surged above $100, demonstrating asymmetric deterrence strategy that raised warfare costs for adversaries and exposed US miscalculation rooted in fear, as regional tensions escalate toward potential larger conflict.

The Trump administration suspended Iraq's oil revenue access through the U.S. Federal Reserve, controlling 90% of Baghdad's budget and forcing compliance with American demands regarding militia disarmament and anti-corruption measures, highlighting Washington's financial leverage over the oil-producing nation.

Thomas Barrack, a US envoy to Iraq and Syria, advocated for his business partner's firm to join a fifteen billion dollar pipeline project while maintaining financial ties, potentially violating federal ethics regulations regarding conflicts of interest.

French President Macron urged Iraqi PM Al-Zaidi to develop alternative energy routes beyond the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to reduce global fuel prices and enhance regional stability through strengthened Franco-Iraqi defense and security cooperation.

France and Iraq agreed to maintain military cooperation after the international coalition's September 30 mission ends, marking Baghdad's first post-coalition security arrangement, and signed agreements on air defence systems and a strategic defense roadmap.

Iraq's judiciary backed government efforts to disarm militias before the September 30 coalition withdrawal deadline, as Iran-aligned factions resisted surrendering weapons, creating tension between US pressure for compliance and Tehran's opposition to disarmament.

Iraq targets doubling crude oil production to 8-10 million barrels daily within six years, seeking higher OPEC quotas to expand market share and reduce vulnerability to regional disruptions affecting traditional export routes.

U.S. officials report progress toward an Iran-Oman deal reopening the Strait of Hormuz, potentially ending a five-month conflict disrupting oil exports, while regional tensions persist through Houthi attacks and new defense alliances.

Iraq's oil ministry denied responsibility for tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, claiming sales gradually improved despite the ongoing conflict reducing export revenues to $2.3 billion over two months, far below the $5.3 billion monthly salary requirement.

Prime Minister Al-Zaidi signed five agreements with Turkey covering security, transportation, water management and energy cooperation, advancing Iraq's strategy to diversify dependencies across multiple partners and reduce vulnerability to single-route disruptions.

The US and Saudi Arabia conducted air strikes against Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, prompting Baghdad to condemn the operation as a sovereignty violation despite Washington's claims of prior coordination, while experts debate the strikes' strategic intent and Iraq's vulnerability to regional power struggles.

Iraq's leader visited Washington, demonstrating improved diplomatic relations and establishing a new strategic direction with the United States, signaling potential progress in their bilateral partnership.

Egypt strongly condemned attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities and Jordan, with President Al-Sisi expressing solidarity as US-Saudi forces jointly struck Iran-backed groups in Iraq, marking Saudi Arabia's first publicly acknowledged military intervention there since 1991.

Saudi and US warplanes struck Iraqi militia logistics and weapons sites Wednesday following over 30 drone attacks in 72 hours, targeting Iran-aligned groups threatening Saudi oil infrastructure, with casualties reported between eight and 20.

Turkey acquired a 15 percent stake in Iraq's Kirkuk oilfield, potentially receiving 1 million barrels daily, marking a historic energy alliance that diversifies Turkey's sources while strengthening regional security and trade ties amid geopolitical tensions.

Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zaidi visits Turkey seeking strategic cooperation on oil pipeline agreements, water management, and the Development Route infrastructure project amid regional tensions and expired energy deals.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Iran to sign bilateral agreements on foreign affairs, finance, energy and economy while pledging security cooperation, as Iraq balances relations between the United States and Iran amid regional tensions.

Gulf states urgently appeal for diplomacy as US and Iran escalate military strikes across the Middle East, with sixteen American personnel killed and critical infrastructure damaged, risking broader regional conflict.