Keywords: Iraq


Ali Larijani, influential Iranian powerbroker, dies at 67

Veteran Iranian politician Ali Larijani, long recognized as one of the Islamic Republic’s most influential figures, has died at the age of 67, according to Iranian media. Larijani, a key architect of Iran’s security strategy and a trusted adviser to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,......

World Cup 2026: Iraq to play intercontinental playoff match in Mexico

The Iraqi national football team will travel to Mexico to play its crucial intercontinental playoff match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite logistical challenges caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The decisive game is scheduled to take place in Monterrey on March 31 and will determine......

Iraq faces salary crisis as oil exports collapse during Iran conflict

Iraq is confronting a severe economic shock as the near collapse of its oil exports threatens the government’s ability to pay public sector salaries as early as next month. Officials warn that the country’s oil dependent economy is approaching a fiscal crisis after the disruption of its main......

Iraq seeks World Cup playoff delay after players stranded by airspace closure

Iraq has asked FIFA to postpone its intercontinental World Cup qualifying playoff after the ongoing regional conflict left most of the national team unable to leave the country. The match, scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico, would see Iraq face the winner of the Bolivia versus Suriname semifinal. Iraq’s......

Iraq extends airspace closure until March 10 amid regional war

Iraq has prolonged the closure of its airspace for another 72 hours as the regional conflict triggered by strikes on Iran continues to disrupt aviation across the Middle East. The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the country’s skies will remain closed to all arrivals, departures and......

Erbil hit by more than 70 drone and missile attacks amid regional escalation

Air defense systems intercepted at least one drone near the U.S. consulate in Erbil on Tuesday as Iraq’s Kurdistan region endured another day of attacks linked to Iran backed militias targeting American sites. Explosions were also reported near Erbil International Airport and the Harir military......

Maliki refuses to withdraw bid for Iraq’s premiership despite US pressure

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has declared that he will not withdraw his candidacy for the post of prime minister, despite warnings from Washington that American support for Iraq could be reconsidered if he returns to office. Speaking in Baghdad, Maliki stressed that his decision is rooted......

US pushes to bar Ukraine from NATO summit in Ankara

The United States is urging NATO allies to exclude Ukraine and four Indo Pacific partner countries from formal sessions of the alliance’s July summit in Ankara, according to Politico, which cited four diplomats familiar with the discussions. Washington is pressing to prevent Ukraine, Australia,......

Majority bloc backs Nouri al-Maliki for prime minister despite Trump warnings

Iraq’s main Shiite political alliance, which holds a majority in parliament, has confirmed its support for former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki to return to office, defying strong objections from former US president Donald Trump. Al-Maliki, a dominant figure in Iraqi politics for more than a......