Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), the largest bloc in parliament, held its first meeting on Thursday in the presence of Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi to review progress on forming the new government, according to a statement.

The meeting, attended by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and hosted by Badr Organization Secretary-General Hadi al-Amiri, addressed political, security, and economic developments, as well as the impact of the regional escalation on Iraq.

Al-Zaidi outlined initial steps for forming the government and elements of the ministerial program, and referred to a recent phone call with US President Donald Trump.

Participants also stressed the importance of building state institutions on “sound foundations” that strengthen Iraq’s authority and sovereignty.

Read more: Ali al-Zaidi named Iraq's prime minister: Easy nomination, harder road ahead

Shafaq News

Shafaq Foundation for Culture and Media issued the 268th issue/ April 2026 of Feyli Magazine.

Feyli Magazine, Issue No. 268, April 2026.

Shafaq News

Below is a summary of key security and public safety incidents reported across Iraq on April 30, 2026.

Drug Arrests Report (Babil)

Several drug dealers were arrested in Babil province, where authorities also seized three kilograms of crystal meth.

Drug Smuggling Case (Al-Anbar)

Iraqi Border forces foiled a smuggling attempt involving more than 33 kilograms of narcotics, including 195,000 pills, transported via balloon along the province’s western border.

Drug Sentencing Ruling (Maysan)

Four individuals sentenced to life imprisonment by the Maysan Criminal Court over drug trafficking after seizure of 5.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Armed Dispute Incident (Saladin)

One person killed and three injured in an armed family dispute inside agricultural land in the Shirqat district, northern Saladin province.

Land Dispute Clashes (Al-Anbar)

One person killed and another injured in a clash over a land dispute in the city of Ramadi.

Terrorism Arrests Campaign (Nationwide)

Eighteen suspects arrested on terrorism charges across multiple regions during National Security Service operations in April 2026.

Security Drone Incident (Baghdad)

Unidentified drone shot down in the al-Rusafa district on the eastern side of Baghdad by the Ministry of Defense.

Shafaq News- Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday banned its citizens from traveling to Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon, urging those already in the three countries to leave promptly.

نظرًا للتطورات الراهنة.. وزارة الخارجية تحظر السفر إلى إيران ولبنان والعراق وتدعو مواطني دولة الإمارات المتواجدين في هذه الدول إلى العودة في أقرب وقت pic.twitter.com/gTLt42bzQj

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) April 30, 2026

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributed the move to “current developments in the region,” stressing the need to follow official guidance and safety advisories.

The decision comes despite Iraq reopening its national airport on April 10, ending weeks of suspension linked to the regional conflict, particularly the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Shafaq News- Erbil

A second attack hit the Azadi refugee camp housing Iranian Kurdish opposition members in Erbil’s Koysanjaq district on Thursday, according to a Kurdish Iranian opposition official.

Karim Barwizi of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran told Shafaq News that the camp was targeted with eight missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, and additional projectiles were intercepted before reaching the site. The attack caused material damage but no casualties.

The strike follows an earlier wave of attacks three days ago targeting the same camp and a residential complex housing Iranian Kurdish refugees in the Surdash subdistrict south of al-Sulaymaniyah. The first incident, carried out by a single drone, caused material damage without injuries, while a second attack involving two drones resulted in both casualties and property damage, the extent of which remains unclear.

The Kurdistan Region has faced roughly 650 drone attacks during periods of regional escalation before a temporary truce between Washington and Tehran, incidents that caused civilian casualties and significant damage to infrastructure and economic facilities.

Read more: 650 Strikes in Iraqi Kurdistan: How deniability became a weapon

Shafaq News- Tehran

Air defenses were activated over Tehran on Thursday, with interception activity targeting small and reconnaissance drones across multiple parts of the capital.

Tasnim News Agency indicated that air defense sounds continued in western, central, and southeastern districts, linking the activity to efforts to counter small unmanned aerial vehicles.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that F-16 fighter jets were conducting routine patrols across the region to support security and stability.

Separately, US officials are preparing to review potential military options against Iran. Reuters reported that President Donald Trump is expected to receive a briefing from senior military commanders focused on measures to compel Tehran to negotiate and bring the conflict to an end.

Earlier today, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who described Trump as leading efforts toward a “great deal” with Iran, while alleging that Tehran is pursuing a North Korea-style strategy to acquire nuclear weapons through the development of a missile shield.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq collected 161.9 billion dinars (about $124.5 million) in traffic fines in 2025, the Ministry of Interior reported on Thursday, reviving debate over the 2019 Traffic Law and its financial burden on drivers.

A total of 3.88 million traffic violations were recorded during the year, including 1.1 million detected through electronic surveillance cameras deployed across major roads and cities.

Lawmakers have raised concerns over the scale of penalties. MP Jawad Al-Saadi pointed to fines reaching up to 200,000 dinars ($154), describing them as difficult for many drivers to afford, particularly taxi operators whose accumulated penalties in some cases exceed the value of their vehicles.

Within parliamentary discussions, MP Ali Khalis, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Transport and Communications Committee, stressed ongoing efforts to review the penalty structure. Proposed amendments under consideration include recalibrating fines based on road conditions and speed limits, removing the automatic doubling of unpaid penalties, as well as introducing installment payment options for accumulated debts.

The draft amendment, however, has remained under review for more than 18 months without a parliamentary vote.

Drivers have also voiced concern over the financial pressure created by repeated violations. Speaking to Shafaq News, private driver Abu Ali noted that frequent fines linked to parking and traffic infractions are difficult to manage, as they accumulate quickly. He also pointed to delays in the notifications system, which in some cases lead to higher charges before motorists become aware of the violations.

“Penalties are increasingly competing with basic monthly expenses such as fuel and maintenance,” he complained.

Traffic authorities, however, maintain that the system is a legal enforcement mechanism aimed at improving road discipline. Haider Shaker, head of the Media Division at the General Traffic Directorate, explained that the Traffic Law introduced electronic monitoring to reduce direct interaction between officers and drivers. It also set fines at 50,000 dinars ($38.50), 100,000 dinars ($76.90), and 200,000 dinars ($153.80), depending on the severity of violations, including offenses such as driving against traffic.

''Fines are reduced by 50% if paid within 72 hours, while unpaid penalties double after 30 days,'' he added, describing the system as designed to deter violations rather than generate revenue.

Despite a reported 10% decline in traffic fatalities in 2024, Iraq still ranks 32nd globally in road deaths, according to the Ministry of Planning. In Diyala province, more than 6,000 traffic accidents have been recorded since the start of 2025, many along the Baghdad–Kurdistan highway. In Dhi Qar, more than 5,500 traffic-related injuries were also registered at Nasiriyah Teaching Hospital over the same period.

Read more: $1.2B traffic fix fails: Iraq seeks radical solution

Shafaq News- Ankara

Iraq ranked eighth among Turkiye’s top importers with $659 million worth of goods in March, down from $774 million in February, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) stated on Thursday.

Germany ranked first with imports valued at $1.82 billion, followed by the United Kingdom at $1.419 billion, the United States at $1.378 billion, Italy at $1.216 billion, France at $995 million, Spain at $846 million, and Romania at $802 million.

Foreign Trade Statistics, March 2026According to the general trade system exports decreased by 6.4% and imports increased by 8.2% in March 2026You can visit our website for details.🔎↪️ https://t.co/opNnM8EBDy pic.twitter.com/gECHbGHOFz

— turkstat (@TurkStat) April 30, 2026

Exported goods included manufactured products, as well as agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, and quarrying, which together accounted for 94% of Turkiye’s total exports.

Shafaq News- Washington/ Baghdad (Updated at 22:20)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday urged the formation of a new Iraqi government “free of terrorism” during a call with Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, while congratulating him on his nomination.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “We look forward to a strong, vibrant, and highly productive new relationship between Iraq and the United States. This is the beginning of a tremendous new chapter between our Nations — Prosperity, Stability, and Success like never seen before. Again, Ali, CONGRATULATIONS!”

Earlier, Trump congratulated al-Zaidi, during a phone call, on his formal nomination and extended an invitation to visit Washington after forming the government.

According to a statement, the two sides discussed bilateral strategic relations and ways to expand cooperation, while reaffirming joint efforts to support regional stability.

تلقينا إتصالاً هاتفياً من الرئيس الأمريكي السيد دونالد ترامب، قدم خلاله التهنئة بمناسبة تكليفنا رسمياً لتشكيل الحكومة الجديدة، كما وجه لنا دعوة رسمية لزيارة واشنطن بعد تشكيل الحكومة.وشهد الاتصال استعراض العلاقات الستراتيجية الثنائية بين العراق والولايات المتحدة، وسبل تطويرها… pic.twitter.com/1W5XWDVSc2

— علي فالح الزيدي (@AliFalihAlzaidy) April 30, 2026

The call came about an hour after al-Zaidi received a similar call from US envoy Tom Barrack, who also conveyed congratulations and discussed strengthening ties between Baghdad and Washington.

The European Union Mission in Iraq also welcomed al-Zaidi’s nomination, stressing the need to accelerate government formation to address pressing challenges facing the country.

Al-Zaidi’s nomination follows weeks of deadlock within the Shiite Coordination Framework, the largest bloc in parliament, which holds about 162 of parliament’s 329 seats, after outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and former premier Nouri al-Maliki withdrew from the race.

Read more: Who is Ali Al-Zaidi? The businessman tapped for Iraq's premiership

Shafaq News- Washington/ New York

US Central Command announced on Thursday that it had directed 44 Iranian commercial vessels to return to their ports of origin.

U.S. Marines aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) stand watch in the Arabian Sea during naval blockade operations against Iran. As of today, 44 commercial vessels have been directed to turn around or return to port. pic.twitter.com/uisKpGHEqW

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 30, 2026

Earlier, Seyed Majid Mousavi, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, warned that US naval vessels could face the same fate as American military bases in the region.

“The Iranian response to enemy actions will be long and painful strikes,” he said.

US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Al Jazeera that Washington will not pursue an agreement with Iran similar to the one reached under former President Barack Obama. He said President Donald Trump has made clear that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, adding that the United States seeks control over Iran’s enriched uranium to prevent further nuclear development.

Pigott also noted that Trump prefers direct, face-to-face negotiations and would not send envoys on lengthy trips “just to review a document.”

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all parties involved in the Strait of Hormuz crisis to act urgently to restore navigation rights and freedom of passage.

In remarks to reporters, Guterres stressed the need to immediately uphold maritime freedoms in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, expressing deep concern over restrictions affecting navigation and the disruption of oil, gas, and essential goods supplies.

Shafaq News- Erbil

The relationship between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) remains strained over long-standing disputes on power-sharing within the Kurdistan Region, a senior KDP official told Shafaq News on Thursday.

Ari Harsin, head of the KDP’s Fourth Branch, described each party as the other’s main political rival, with the KDP positioned as the alternative for the PUK and vice versa.

Pointing to continuing delays in reaching a broader political understanding between the two leading Kurdish parties, he stressed that dialogue and mutual compromise are essential for any agreement. Harsin also referred to what he characterized as a dual administrative structure in the Kurdistan Region, warning against any political course that could lead to a formal split into two separate administrations.

Tensions between the KDP and PUK have effectively stalled the Kurdistan Region’s parliament since the October 2024 elections. The KDP secured 39 of the 100 seats, while the PUK won 23. Kurdish lawmakers briefly convened on December 3, but efforts to elect a speaker and form a cabinet collapsed, leaving parliamentary activity suspended indefinitely.

On relations with the federal government, Harsin stressed that the KDP has not boycotted Baghdad, adding that the recent summoning of its delegation should not be interpreted as a political boycott.

Read more: Opinion: KDP, PUK, and the fracturing of Kurdish political partnership in Iraq

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq fell to 162nd out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters without Borders (RSF) on Thursday, as the watchdog pointed to persistent conflicts and deteriorating conditions for journalists in several parts of the world.

The ranking places Iraq seven spots lower than last year, with RSF linking the decline to rising risks faced by Iraqi journalists both online and in the field, alongside growing pressure surrounding coverage of sensitive issues, including wars in the Middle East.

In the Middle East and North Africa, Mauritania placed highest at 61st, followed by Qatar at 75th and Morocco at 105th. Lebanon came in at 115th. Syria recorded the most notable improvement, climbing from 177th to 141st following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Israel slipped four places to 116th, with RSF attributing the shift to the impact of the ongoing war in Gaza. The Palestinian territories posted a slight improvement, reaching 156th.

South Sudan placed 118th, Oman stood at 127th, Kuwait at 136th, Tunisia at 137th, and Libya at 138th. Jordan came in at 142nd, Algeria at 145th, and the United Arab Emirates at 158th. Sudan stood at 161st, Iraq 162nd, Yemen 164th, Egypt 169th, and Bahrain 170th.

Saudi Arabia entered the bottom ten for the first time, placing 176th, a move partly linked to the execution of journalist Turki al-Jasser, RSF noted. Iran followed at 177th.

The organization classifies countries into four categories: good, satisfactory, problematic, and very serious. For the first time in the index’s 25-year history, more than half of the countries assessed fell into the two lowest categories. The report also estimated that only one in 100 people worldwide now lives in a country with a diverse and healthy media landscape.

Read more: The New era of control: Can Iraq's free press survive its politically-tainted rulers?

Shafaq News- Tehran/ Beirut 

Lebanon will remain a priority in any future diplomatic track, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in a phone call on Thursday.

In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran’s "firm support" for the Lebanese people in the face of Israeli attacks, adding that “halting Israeli strikes on Lebanon is included in the understandings between Iran and the United States.”

Both sides stressed the need for international action to stop Israeli operations in southern Lebanon, expressing their commitment to continue addressing the issue at both regional and international levels.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese government said it remains committed to the terms of the ceasefire arrangement with Israel, stating that its position has not changed.

In a press conference following a cabinet session, Information Minister Paul Morcos stressed that “Lebanon continues to insist on a halt to Israeli hostilities as a key condition, adding that negotiations with Israel have not yet begun. “Beirut is maintaining contacts with Washington to increase pressure on Israel as part of efforts to sustain the ceasefire,” he noted. 

Shafaq News- Washington/ Berlin

US President Donald Trump on Thursday called on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to focus on “fixing his broken country,” rather than critiquing US efforts to neutralize the Iranian nuclear threat.

“The Chancellor of Germany should spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (Where he has been totally ineffective!),” Trump added, pressing him to devote less time interfering with those ‘’making the World, including Germany, a safer place!’’

Berlin did not immediately react to Trump’s remarks.

Earlier today, Merz signaled Germany’s readiness to take part in military measures to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, subject to international or parliamentary authorization. He also urged Iran to return to negotiations without delay, stressing that the waterway should remain open “without conditions.”

The escalation began after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to impose restrictions on US- and Israeli-linked shipping in the strategic corridor, disrupting maritime traffic. Washington later imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.

Shafaq News- Beirut

Israeli airstrikes targeting several areas in southern Lebanon have killed seven people, while dozens were injured, Lebanese local and media sources reported on Thursday.

In the town of Zebdine, an Israeli strike hit a graveyard, killing seven people. Additional raids targeted multiple towns, including Jibshit, Arnoun, Harouf, Hanawiyah, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Bastiyat, Kfarjouz, Al-Shihabiya, Al-Bazourieh, and Burj Al-Shamali.

The Israeli army warned residents in several villages to evacuate, triggering a new wave of displacement toward the city of Siada, the capital, Beirut, and the surrounding suburbs. 

#عاجل ‼️ انذار عاجل إلى سكان القرى التالية: جبشيت, حبوش, حاروف, كفر جوز, نبطية الفوقا, عبا, عدشيت الشقيف, عرب صاليم, تول, حومين الفوقا, المجادل, ارزون, دونين, الحميري, معروب🔴الغارات مستمرة🔴حرصًا على سلامتكم عليكم إخلاء منازلكم فوراً والابتعاد عن القرى لمسافة لا تقل عن 1000… https://t.co/Ysyrsih3YH

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) April 30, 2026

In response, Hezbollah said it carried out five operations using attack drones, targeting a recently established Israeli position in Lebanese territory, as well as three Merkava tanks in the town of Bint Jbeil and the village of Al-Qantara. The group also announced it had downed an Israeli Hermes 450 drone over Nabatieh and struck a 155 mm self-propelled artillery system near the Shumeira settlement in western Galilee, wounding 12 Israeli soldiers.

Lebanon's Health Ministry put the cumulative death toll from Israeli strikes since March 2 at least 2,586 killed and 8020 wounded, as of April 30.

Shafaq News – Baghdad

Iraq’s nomination of Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi is being presented by political actors as a potential shift from the post-2003 governing model, while others point to the continuation of the same consensus-based system that has shaped successive governments.

Since 2003, executive authority has passed through successive leaders under varying internal and external conditions, from Iyad Allawi’s interim government to Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Nouri al-Maliki’s two terms, Haider al-Abadi during the war against ISIS, Adel Abdul Mahdi, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, and most recently Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

This trajectory reflects a pattern in which governments are formed through political settlements aimed at managing crises rather than advancing long-term reform agendas. Within this context, Fahd al-Jubouri, a senior figure in al-Hikma (Wisdom) Movement led by Ammar al-Hakim, described the nomination as a departure from the established framework, stating it “falls outside the political system that has governed since 2003” and could mark “the beginning of a new phase in governance.”

At the same time, the broader context of the nomination and the forces backing it point to the persistence of the same consensus mechanisms, indicating that any change will depend on implementation rather than political framing.

Support for al-Zaidi has also come from other political actors. Ali al-Ahmad of the Taqaddum party, led by Mohammed al-Halbousi, confirmed backing for the Coordination Framework’s choice after “a prolonged period of negotiations.” He described the candidate as non-sectarian and capable of managing the next phase, while outlining priorities including political balance, resolving displacement, facilitating the return of residents to areas such as Jurf al-Sakhar -due to a combination of displacement, armed factions' control, and unresolved governance disputes- and maintaining balanced relations with neighboring states.

Read more: Who is Ali Al-Zaidi? The businessman tapped for Iraq's premiership

Al-Ahmad emphasized that the agreement reflects both political consensus and expectations tied to the government’s performance, effectively setting conditions for the next administration.

Armed factions also remain influential in shaping the political environment. Kazem al-Fartousi, spokesperson for Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, stated that “the premiership in Iraq is a constitutional entitlement representing the Shiite component,” linking the selection process to the Shiite Coordination Framework’s role, which holds about 162 of parliament’s 329 seats, as a representative of voters.

He added that factions expect “real investment in the political process” and that the government program must prioritize “achieving full Iraqi sovereignty.”

These positions reflect the role of armed groups within the governing structure, where their expectations intersect with political decision-making and shape the operating environment for the prime minister-designate.

Economic conditions remain a central challenge as Iraq continues to rely heavily on oil revenues, with limited diversification, rising unemployment, and persistent administrative and financial corruption. Al-Jubouri described these pressures as “existing and cannot be denied,” underscoring the constraints facing any incoming government.

These conditions point to the need for structural reforms, including economic reorganization, activation of productive sectors, and stronger oversight of public resources, although such measures often face resistance from entrenched interests.

Relations between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region remain another key issue. Former Kurdistan parliament member Abdul Salam Barwari stated that tensions are “not the result of personal disputes” but stem from differing visions of the state.

Barwari indicated that the Kurdistan Region adheres to the constitution on which the Iraqi state was established, while arguing that some actors in Baghdad continue to favor a centralized model, contributing to ongoing misunderstandings.

Read more: Ali al-Zaidi named Iraq's prime minister: Easy nomination, harder road ahead

Shafaq News- Erbil

Erbil province, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, plans to expand into regional pistachio production by incorporating the crop into the Kurdish government’s Green Belt project.

The province said the project, which spans eight phases, has completed its first stage with the planting of more than 500,000 olive trees, including varieties designated for both table use and oil production. It described the second phase as a “qualitative shift,” with plans to plant olive and pistachio trees side by side, aiming to position Erbil among regional pistachio producers.

“The project will not only enhance the capital’s appearance but also serve as an environmental buffer and a key economic resource for the Region.”

The Green Belt project, launched in Iraq in 2015, is a long-term environmental initiative aimed at restoring vegetation around major cities to combat desertification and improve local climate conditions.

Read more: Iraq’s Green Belt: The race to forestall desertification

Shafaq News- Al-Sulaymaniyah

The calls to rerun the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections lack political logic, a senior official from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Salar Mahmoud, said on Thursday, describing them as “unrealistic.”

In a press conference, Mahmoud questioned whether the Region’s election commission is capable of organizing a new vote in line with the required standards, stressing that the current priorities should focus on securing the Kurdistan Region’s rights within Iraq’s government, ensuring its share of the national budget, and keeping the Region insulated from broader political disputes.

Mahmoud also rejected suggestions of a move toward dual administrations in the Region, adding that such ideas do not serve public interests. He called instead for cooperation to form a strong new government capable of overcoming divisions and improving services.

“The Region continues to face multiple challenges,” he argued, noting that conditions before and after the parliamentary elections have not significantly changed. “There is a need for serious solutions.”

Earlier this week, the Pay Foundation warned of attempts to reopen the issue of dissolving the Kurdistan parliament two years after its formation, allegedly to grant its members pension benefits despite the body not having held a single session.

Read more: Opinion: KDP, PUK, and the fracturing of Kurdish political partnership in Iraq

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s National Security Service announced on Thursday the arrest of 18 suspects on terrorism charges across several areas during its April 2026 operations.

Last week, Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS) said it arrested four ISIS suspects in operations across Iraq.

Nine years after Iraq declared victory over ISIS in 2017, the group no longer controls territory but continues to operate as a decentralized insurgency, relying on small mobile cells across provinces such as Diyala, Kirkuk, Nineveh, Saladin, and Al-Anbar.

Read more: On ISIS defeat anniversary, Iraq confronts a reawakening insurgency

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollar closed Thursday’s trading lower in Iraq, hovering around 154,000 dinars per 100 dollars.

According to Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 153,750 dinars per 100 dollars, down from the morning session’s 153,900 dinars.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shops sold the dollar at 154,250 dinars and bought it at 153,250 dinars, while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 153,700 dinars and buying prices at 153,600 dinars.

Shafaq News- Basrah

Iraq’s Basrah crude jumped nearly 12% on Thursday, even as global oil markets declined.

Basrah Heavy crude climbed by $14.44 to $135.33 per barrel, while Basrah Medium crude rose by $14.44 to settle at $137.43 per barrel.

Brent crude futures fell $2.05, or 1.7%, to $115.98 a barrel as of 1016 GMT.

Shafaq News- Tehran

The US naval vessels could face the same fate as American military bases in the region, Seyed Majid Mousavi, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, stated on Thursday, warning that Iranian response to “enemy actions” will be long and painful strikes.

In remarks carried by Iranian media, Mousavi revealed that Iranian forces had recently demonstrated their ability to target US bases and could do the same with American ships.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, announced a “new management” plan for the Strait of Hormuz, pledging to bring “calm and economic benefits” to the region while reaffirming Tehran’s commitment to securing the Gulf.

Shafaq News- Erbil

The American military base at Erbil International Airport has redeployed an Aerostat surveillance balloon to monitor airspace and detect potential threats, a security source told Shafaq News on Thursday.

The balloon is designed to identify aerial objects and armed drones at distances of several kilometers.

The Erbil base and other American installations across Iraq have been targeted repeatedly by drone and rocket strikes since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran. The attacks have been primarily claimed by Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq.

Shafaq News- Al-Anbar

Iraqi border forces thwarted an attempt to smuggle more than 33 kilograms of narcotics using a balloon along the international border in western Al-Anbar province, the Border Forces revealed on Thursday.

In a statement, the forces said the smuggled balloon was carrying a total of over 195,000 drug pills.

Earlier in January, Iraqi border forces also foiled two attempts to smuggle narcotics into the country using airborne balloons along the western border of Al-Anbar.

Smugglers recently turned to airborne balloons to move drugs across Iraq’s borders, particularly along Syrian and Jordanian routes, to evade direct contact with border patrols, Brig. Gen. Akram Al-Rashid, director of Al-Anbar’s Anti-Narcotics Directorate, told Shafaq News in November 2025. 

Read more: The Smuggler's Almanac: Iraq's war against narco-innovation

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, announced on Thursday a “new management” plan for the Strait of Hormuz, pledging to bring “calm and economic benefits” to the region while reaffirming Tehran’s commitment to securing the Gulf.

In a statement, Khamenei described the deployment of US forces in Gulf states as a key driver of tensions.

He said Iran shares a common destiny with its neighbors and will work to secure the Gulf and end “violations in the waterway,” adding that the new management of the Strait of Hormuz would bring calm, progress, and economic benefits to Gulf states while pointing to a future without a US presence.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) noted in a statement marking National Persian Gulf Day that Gulf security can only be achieved through regional cooperation among littoral states without foreign forces, describing the Gulf as a vital artery for the region’s economy, energy, and communications, and calling for stability and sustainable security through collective regional participation.

On April 28, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called for the immediate restoration of maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to pre-February 28 conditions, and rejected any measures that could disrupt shipping, including the imposition of transit fees on passing vessels.

Iran began collecting transit fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz last week, according to lawmaker Ali Reza Salimi, with the Central Bank confirming it received the payments in cash.