A major US ally in the Middle East could soon lose military aid, and it’s not Israel They helped defeat ISIS and faced Iranian attacks We Got This Covered · Aug 30
9/11 Turbocharged America's Worst Foreign Policy Impulses—but Didn't Change Its Direction The United States' shift toward aggressive interventionism was well underway before the 2001 attacks. Reason · Aug 29
Iraq opens oil exports beyond Hormuz after months of war, eyes ship-to-ship route off Oman Iraq now allows crude oil collection outside the Persian Gulf for buyers. This move comes as exports continue through the Strait of Hormuz despite disruptions. Iraq's state oil marketer is offering specific crude grades via ship-to-ship transfer. This shift follows previous steep discounts offered to entice buyers. The country aims… The Economic Times · Aug 28
Iran scrambles to sustain trade as US threatens to sanction countries that refuse to break ties Iran's economy is poised for more instability as the Trump administration tries to coerce other countries into ending all financial dealings with the Islamic Republic The Independent UK · Aug 27
BPCL explores buying Gulf oil on FOB basis, lifts Iraqi oil Bharat Petroleum Corp expects its first Iraqi oil cargo soon and seeks more Gulf oil. The company is willing to lift oil from inside the Strait of Hormuz. New US legislation could impact India's major Russian oil and gas purchases. Russia currently supplies a significant portion of India's oil needs.… The Economic Times · Aug 27
Iran has caused ‘billions’ in damage to American intelligence assets, report says CIA outposts in Saudi Arabia and Iraq have reportedly been struck by Iranian drones The Independent UK · Aug 26
Iran warns of military ship ban in Hormuz under potential deal with Oman and other Middle East news Iran will not allow military vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz if the agreement the Islamic Republic is negotiating with Oman is finalized The Independent UK · Aug 26
The Risks China and Major Trade Partners Of Iran Could Face From Trump's Economic Pressure Although enforcement details remain unclear, the strategy could have major consequences far beyond Tehran, particularly for China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iraq and India. International Business Times · Aug 26
Iran-US war latest: Trump says Hormuz is a ‘very functioning Strait despite the odd rocket or drone’ in bizarre rant US president repeats claim that the vital oil waterway is open The Independent UK · Aug 26
‘Muslim countries should unite’: Iranian President Pezeshkian seeks regional alliance, US exit Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged Muslim nations to strengthen regional security and stability. He emphasized expanding cultural, commercial, and political ties among Islamic states. Iraqi officials praised Iran's role in combating terrorism and sought economic cooperation. Both nations discussed enhancing bilateral relations and security cooperation. Iraq reiterated its commitment to… The Economic Times · Aug 26
Iraq may show how U.S. can squeeze Iran's trade partners The United States is pressuring Iraq to curb its financial dealings with Iran. Washington has sanctioned Iraqi banks involved in trade with Tehran. Iraq relies heavily on US goodwill for its oil revenues and finances. Trade between Iraq and Iran exceeds ten billion dollars annually. New US measures could jeopardize… The Economic Times · Aug 26
US prepares to send diplomats back to Middle East embassies after Iran war evacuations: Report Embassies slated to restore higher staffing levels include those in Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq and Kuwait, according to the report. The State Department is continuously reviewing the security posture of its diplomatic missions worldwide and is adjusting staffing levels at certain posts in the Middle East… The Economic Times · Aug 25
Drones, tracking devices: union's 'Iraq-style tactics' Construction bosses were allegedly tailed, tracked, watched by drones and had pets baited in a campaign likened to Iraq-style tactics, an inquiry has been told. AAP · Aug 25
"We do not accept the use of Iraqi territory to attack any country": Iraqi President Nizar Amidi "We are keen to prevent Iraq from becoming involved in the war. The country most affected by the war is Iraq. We do not accept the use of Iraqi territory to attack any country, and everyone wants weapons to be exclusively in the hands of the state. We speak frankly… The Economic Times · Aug 22
The Economic Times · Aug 22 Iran allowed Iraqi tankers to pass through Hormuz Strait: state media Tehran has allowed Iraqi oil tankers passage through the Strait of Hormuz. This decision follows repeated requests from Baghdad over the past six months. Iran asserts control over the vital waterway, requiring permission and transit fees. Iraq relies on this strait for exporting the bulk of its crude oil.
France 24 · Aug 22 Iran warns states joining US sanctions will be considered enemies Iran on Saturday said that any country participating in the United States’ “economic war” against the Islamic republic would be considered “an enemy”. The warning came after President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday the war with the US should end because the world had already accepted that Iran had won, according…
The Economic Times · Aug 22 Iran backs Iraq’s sovereignty as Baghdad seeks to bring militias under state control Iran's Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf stated Iran supports Iraqi consensus and independence. Economic cooperation will advance with an upcoming Iraqi business delegation visit. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and security cooperation between the nations. Iraq is moving towards withdrawing foreign forces, enhancing its sovereignty. Paramilitary groups face a deadline to…
The Guardian - UK · Aug 20 Samira al-Mana obituary Other lives: Exiled Iraqi author whose writing addressed the consequences of authoritarian rule and the pain of separation from one’s homeland
The Independent UK · Aug 19 Israel's military to investigate Gaza attacks, and other major developments in the Middle East The Israeli military plans a criminal investigation into the killings of a 5-year-old girl and her family, as well as 15 paramedics in Gaza
The Times of India · Aug 19 In 2004, US soldiers hid a time capsule inside a barracks wall before deploying to Iraq and 19 years later contractors found it during renovations A forgotten US Army time capsule discovered in late 2022 has now finally gone on public display. It was left inside a Fort McCoy barracks by Kentucky National Guard soldiers before their deployment to Iraq in 2004. Members of the 617th Military Police Company created the makeshift collection shortly before…
The Economic Times · Aug 19 Oil edges up on uncertainty over exports through Hormuz Oil prices climbed for a fourth day due to supply uncertainty. Investors weighed conflicting messages from Tehran and Washington on the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq approved new export routes to avoid the critical waterway amid the ongoing conflict. Chinese shipping giants stopped using Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb straits. US crude…
The Guardian - UK · Aug 18 Iraq’s ghost villages: Islamic State drove people away – now a new enemy is preventing their return Nearly a decade after fighting ended in northern Iraq, the climate crisis has brought extreme heat and a water shortage, making life almost impossible
The Economic Times · Aug 18 Iraq to probe drone attack on Kurdistan PM's office Iraq will investigate a drone attack on the Kurdistan prime minister's office. Iran denied involvement and called the incident a ploy to harm relations. Kurdistan authorities blamed Tehran for the drone strikes on government buildings. The region has faced over a thousand attacks since the Middle East war began. This…
The Independent UK · Aug 17 Iran working to finalize Hormuz agreement with Oman, and other news from the Middle East Iran says it is working to finalize a joint statement with Oman on a plan to manage the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz
The Times of India · Aug 17 How Trump bypassed Iran's negotiators and used Kurdistan's Barzani to contact IRGC The Donald Trump administration took an unusual route in its efforts to end the war with Iran, turning to Iraq’s Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani as a backchannel to the powerful and raging Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after long-running Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death in American-Israeli strikes, according to…