Shafaq News- Washington

US forces have helped Gulf partners export more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz since summer, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday, as its commander, Adm. Brad Cooper, visited the strategic waterway.

CENTCOM said more than 3,000 commercial vessels had crossed the strait with US military support over the past six months. Cooper surveyed ongoing operations aboard a US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter and met service members involved in clearing naval mines. He reaffirmed Washington's commitment to freedom of navigation and cooperation with Gulf partners and the shipping industry.

https://t.co/nkXeQtMfrY

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 25, 2026

The command said US forces had cleared international shipping lanes of naval mines laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Cooper said the main transit routes remained free of Iranian mines and that US forces were working with government agencies, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and shipping companies to maintain commercial traffic.

More than 95% of vessels navigating the strait in recent months passed through safely despite what it called unwarranted IRGC aggression, according to CENTCOM.

The visit coincided with US President Donald Trump's announcement on Sunday that Washington would not attack Iran that day. In remarks to Fox News, Trump raised the possibility of reaching an agreement with Tehran or taking further military action. He also said Washington knew exactly what was happening at Iran's Pickaxe Mountain site near the Natanz nuclear facility.

Reuters has described Pickaxe Mountain as a heavily fortified site containing deeply buried tunnel complexes. Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike the site, while Iran maintains that no nuclear activity is taking place there, and later said he had received two differing intelligence assessments on Iran but that Washington was making progress in its dealings with Tehran.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

A renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz could slash Iraq's oil revenues by up to 80%, threatening government salaries, public services and the dinar, development and investment adviser Mohammed Al-Najjar warned, as economic experts called for reducing the country's dependence on oil.

Oil Prices and Hormuz Risks

Al-Najjar told Shafaq News that a prolonged conflict involving Iran could keep crude prices above $100 per barrel, potentially reaching $130. Higher prices would drive up fuel, food and travel costs without necessarily benefiting Iraq if exports, trade and investment remained disrupted.

A settlement, meanwhile, could bring oil prices down to around $74 per barrel and support a recovery in global growth in 2027. However, Al-Najjar warned that lower prices would also reduce Baghdad's revenue, estimating that Iraq needs oil at approximately $86 per barrel to balance its budget.

Declining oil revenue could strain government salaries and public services, while investor uncertainty could limit hiring, he said. Rising food and medicine prices would further burden households, particularly if regional disruptions affected Iranian gas supplies used to generate electricity in Iraq.

Finance Ministry figures showed that Iraq recorded a budget deficit of approximately $20.02 billion during the first eight months of 2026. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected a 16% economic contraction this year, followed by 19% growth in 2027.

Read more: Classroom to street corner: Degree holders stranded in Iraq's job drought

Global Pressures and Economic Reforms

Iraqi economist Ahmed Abdul Rabbo warned that geopolitical tensions could slow global growth and increase energy, transportation and trade costs.

Arab economies face challenges involving inflation, investment and fiscal stability, he told Shafaq News, while Iraq must also contend with volatile oil revenues, high operating expenditure and risks to exports and the exchange rate.

Abdul Rabbo called for diversifying government revenue, strengthening the banking sector, expanding domestic production and building financial reserves to absorb external shocks.

Egyptian banking expert Tarek Ismail identified supply-chain disruptions and market uncertainty as major threats to the global economy, raising trade costs and complicating investment decisions and long-term planning.

Read more: Iran’s undersea cable threat raises risks for Iraq

However, Ismail argued that prolonged conflicts did not necessarily justify a pessimistic economic outlook, as much depended on how governments responded.

He warned that countries signing oil contracts at elevated prices in anticipation of further escalation could face costly commitments if tensions eased and prices subsequently fell.

For Iraq, Ismail called for a long-term shift away from dependence on public spending and oil revenues toward a more diversified, productive economy.

His proposals included attracting private and foreign investment, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, developing artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, and expanding technical education to meet future labor market needs.

He also advocated stronger economic integration among Arab countries and greater regional investment to generate employment, particularly for young people.

Al-Najjar, meanwhile, urged Baghdad to invest any temporary increase in oil revenue in sustainable projects, including alternative export routes, tighter spending controls, improved investment conditions, and measures to reduce security risks affecting economic activity.

Read more: Can Iraq’s economy weather a wider regional shock? Experts differ

Shafaq News- Baghdad

All demonstrators have left Baghdad's Tahrir Square following the conclusion of Sunday's protests marking the anniversary of Iraq's October (Tishreen) 2019 uprising, a security source told Shafaq News.

The source said the demonstration had ended completely, with no security incidents reported.

Protests took place in Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces on Sunday to commemorate the 2019 protest movement, with demonstrators calling for solutions to economic problems and urging Iraq to stay out of regional power rivalries.

Read more: Iraq’s protests after Tishreen: A system that learned how to contain the street

Shafaq News- Damascus

Syrian authorities closed two displacement camps in Manbij, eastern Aleppo province, on Sunday as 108 families began returning to their hometowns in Aleppo and Idlib, according to the Syrian Civil Defense.

The closures involved the Al-Rasm Al-Qadeem and Al-Rasm Al-Jadeed camps, as part of government efforts to facilitate the return of displaced families.

In a statement carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the Civil Defense said the convoy was organized under the supervision of the national committee overseeing the “Syria Without Camps” initiative, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

Civil Defense teams escorted the convoy, secured the route and provided medical assistance to the families during their journey home.

Earlier on Sunday, a separate convoy of 220 families departed displacement camps in northern Idlib for their hometowns and villages in Idlib, Hama, Homs, Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Latakia, Damascus and Rural Damascus (Rif Dimashq).

Meanwhile, northeastern Syria has seen successive convoys returning displaced families from camps in Hasakah to Ras al-Ain and its surrounding countryside, alongside efforts to clear villages of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

Last Wednesday, around 600 families displaced from Ras al-Ain, also known as Serekaniye, returned from the Nowruz camp in Derik to their areas of origin in the sixth organized return convoy.

A fifth convoy, comprising 385 families, had departed on October 13 for areas around Ras al-Ain, Tal Tamr and Zarkan.

Thousands of families were displaced from Ras al-Ain and its surrounding areas following a Turkish military operation involving allied Syrian factions in October 2019. Many subsequently sought refuge in camps and shelters across northeastern Syria.

Shafaq News- Duhok

Iraq's government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) agreed on Sunday to set timelines for resolving outstanding energy and oil export disputes, according to a statement from the office of Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs Mohsen Al-Mandalawi.

The agreement followed talks in Duhok province between a federal delegation led by Al-Mandalawi and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, attended by Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Al-Abadi, Electricity Minister Ali Saadi Wahib, and other officials. The discussions covered oil production, exports, marketing arrangements, revenue management, and electricity cooperation, as well as managing oil resources under constitutional and legal frameworks.

Al-Mandalawi called for continued coordination between Baghdad and Erbil on energy and oil issues, including production and investment plans aimed at meeting domestic needs and increasing public revenues, his office said.

The two sides also agreed to establish clear schedules for addressing unresolved issues and monitoring their implementation. The statement did not specify deadlines or announce a final settlement.

The talks follow a March 2026 agreement between Baghdad and Erbil to export crude from Kirkuk and Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) fields through the Region's pipeline to Turkiye's Ceyhan port, with proceeds transferred to the federal treasury.

Read more: KRG, Baghdad reach deal to restart oil exports via Ceyhan on March 18

Shafaq News- Baghdad

The Communications and Media Commission (CMC) extended a media appearance ban on journalist Emad Bajlan, barred political analyst Wissam Aziz for nine months, and fined Al-Nahrain TV channel five million dinars, CMC said on Sunday.

The commission extended journalist Emad Bajlan's media appearance ban by another 90 days, until February 28, 2027, following an earlier restriction imposed on August 8. It cited an October 24 post on his X account containing offensive language and accusations damaging to individuals' reputations, warning media outlets of legal consequences if they host him.

Political analyst Wissam Aziz received a nine-month ban from appearing on local and foreign media operating in Iraq over remarks made during the October 22 episode of Al-Nahrain TV's Al-Qarar Lakum (The Decision Is Yours). The CMC said he made offensive remarks about Iraq's foreign relations.

Al-Nahrain TV also received a warning and a five-million-dinar fine over the same episode for violating broadcasting rules.

Politician Ayad Al-Janabi received a warning over remarks made during the October 20 broadcast of Wahed Siyasi (One Politician) on Al-Dawla TV, with the regulator calling for compliance with professional broadcasting standards.

Reporters Without Borders ranked Iraq 162nd among 180 countries in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, down seven places from 2025. The Journalists' Rights Defense Association recorded 182 violations in 2025, including 53 cases of interference with reporting and 24 equipment seizures. Separately, Al-Nakhil documented 59 incidents involving media workers in the first half of 2026.

Read more: Silenced voices: The treacherous reality for journalists in Iraq

Shafaq News- Middle East/ Washington/ Tehran

Israel has intelligence suggesting that Iran and its allied forces may launch attacks to disrupt Israel’s parliamentary election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, warning that any attack would trigger a disproportionate military response.

Speaking at an Arrow anti-ballistic missile battery two days before the October 27 election, Netanyahu said the Israeli military was prepared for both offensive and defensive operations.

“Don’t test us. You will suffer disproportionate blows,” Netanyahu added. “We are much stronger than you think.”

US President Donald Trump said there would be no strike on Iran that night, hours after suggesting that Washington “may do another little Epic Fury,” referring to the war against Iran that began on February 28.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump issued an ultimatum to Tehran, questioning whether it would honor any potential commitments while arguing that either outcome would amount to an American victory.

“Do I make a deal with them, or do I finish them off? That’s the only question,” Trump said, framing the choice as one between diplomacy and an escalation of military operations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, said a possible resumption of war with Israel and the United States would not change Tehran’s current policies.

“Recently, there has been talk of a new war, but I am already thinking about the post-war period,” Araghchi told a televised event in Tehran.

“They have already done so twice and have seen the results. If they want to try again, they know they will achieve no different outcome from those of the past.”

The latest threats come amid months of unsuccessful efforts to reach a lasting settlement, with the war approaching its ninth month. Previous proposals have focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, easing restrictions on Iranian shipping and ending hostilities, while Washington has pushed to include limits on Iran’s nuclear program in a broader agreement.

Read more: US, Iran clash over Hormuz security and negotiations

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Deteriorating highways, overloaded trucks and limited railway connections are hampering freight transport in Iraq, even as the government pursues major infrastructure projects aimed at turning the country into a regional trade corridor.

Former Transport Minister Salam Al-Maliki told Shafaq News that deteriorating highways, inadequate maintenance, overloaded trucks and weak enforcement continued to undermine road safety and freight efficiency. He also cited poor lighting, inadequate road signs and cumbersome border procedures as obstacles to safer and faster freight movement.

Al-Maliki called for wider road rehabilitation, stricter weight controls and greater private-sector investment in transport infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Construction Ministry spokesperson Nabil Al-Saffar told Shafaq News that Iraq was implementing more than 80 road infrastructure projects, including roads linking economic centers, industrial zones and border crossings, alongside bridges, intersections, repairs to damaged sections and measures to reduce congestion.

He also cited work on 60 truck weigh stations equipped with electronic monitoring systems at provincial entrances, quarry access points and roads leading to border crossings. The stations are intended to control overloaded vehicles, reduce road damage and improve safety.

Despite these challenges, nearly 10,000 truck journeys have been completed through Iraq under the international TIR* transit system, Transport Ministry spokesperson Hussein Ahmed told Shafaq News.

Ahmed attributed the increase in freight movement to improved security, upgraded border facilities and digital procedures. However, he said Iraq still lacked a fully integrated railway network linking it to neighboring countries, while some domestic lines required further development.

Truck transfer yards at the Trebil, Ibrahim Khalil and Shalamcheh border crossings have been completed, with plans to develop additional facilities at Zurbatiyah and other crossings, Ahmed said.

The ministry is also developing digital truck monitoring systems and coordinating with security and border authorities to improve transport efficiency and road safety. According to Al-Saffar, further transfer facilities are planned at Baghdad's entrances and selected border crossings, alongside efforts to streamline customs and border procedures.

The Transport Ministry is also prioritizing the Development Road project, which aims to connect southern Iraq with Turkiye through a railway and a dedicated freight highway.

Ahmed said the project could eventually link to transport networks in neighboring countries, while the ministry expects it to divert freight traffic away from congested cities and improve integration between road and rail transport.

Al-Maliki said connecting the Grand Faw Port to the Turkish border could expand Iraq's role in international trade, increase non-oil revenue, create jobs and attract investment in transport and logistics.

Ahmed added that the ministry was pursuing financing arrangements, including World Bank loans and other agreements, to upgrade the domestic railway network and eventually connect it to the Development Road.

The World Bank approved $900 million for strategic road improvements in June 2026, following a $930 million railway modernization package in June 2025.

The railway project covers 1,047 kilometers between Umm Qasr Port and Mosul, while the road program targets connections to Turkiye, Jordan and Syria. Both investments aim to improve freight movement and strengthen Iraq's regional trade links.

*The TIR system (Transports Internationaux Routiers) is a United Nations-backed customs transit framework that allows goods to cross international borders under a single customs guarantee, reducing paperwork and inspection delays. Iraq joined the system in cooperation with the International Road Transport Union (IRU) to facilitate cross-border freight movement.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq's Parliament approved a bill on Sunday allowing eligible public employees to take up to 10 years of leave, before adjourning its session until Tuesday.

Under the legislation, ministers, heads of independent government bodies, governors, or their authorized representatives can grant permanent employees with at least two years of service an initial five-year leave, renewable once.

Parliament's Legal Committee member Ibtisam Al-Hilali told Shafaq News that employees would receive their full basic salary during the first five years and half their basic salary during the next five. The bill also allows employees to request six months of unpaid leave.

The leave period would count toward pensionable service, provided employees pay the required pension contributions. However, academic qualifications obtained during leave would not count for the purposes of the law.

During the same session, Parliament also voted to extend its legislative term by 30 days, from November 1 to December 1.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi pledged on Sunday to address protesters' demands as demonstrations in Baghdad and other provinces marked the anniversary of the October 2019 Tishreen protest movement.

Al-Zaidi vowed to serve the Iraqi people and keep the government open to “constructive dialogue in the national interest.”

The Tishreen protests began on October 1, 2019, in Baghdad and southern Iraq, driven by public anger over corruption, unemployment, and poor public services. Demonstrations resumed on October 25 after a brief pause. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, reported that at least 541 protesters were killed and more than 20,000 wounded during the unrest.

Read more: Iraq’s protests after Tishreen: A system that learned how to contain the street

Shafaq News- Ilam

Truck traffic at Iran's Mehran border crossing with Iraq has increased as restrictions at neighboring crossings push more commercial vehicles toward the route, Ilam Customs Director General told Iranian Mehr News Agency.

Sohrab Kamari said customs authorities were working to handle the additional traffic by accelerating clearance procedures and facilitating exports to Iraq.

Earlier this week, Iraq closed the Al-Sheeb border crossing with Iran until further notice, without providing further details. Tehran criticized the move, accusing Baghdad of failing to give advance notice as required under a bilateral agreement.

Kamari told Iran's official news agency IRNA on September 24 that exports through Mehran reached $453 million over the past six months, totaling more than 1 million metric tons of goods, mainly destined for Iraq. The crossing connects Iran's Ilam province with Zurbatiyah in Iraq's Wasit province.

Read more: US pressure tightens the noose on Iran’s trade

Shafaq News- Hormuz/ Bab Al-Mandab

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted following the US-Israeli war on Iran, while traffic through the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait has stayed closer to historical levels, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Sunday.

A total of 101 vessels transited Hormuz between October 22 and 24, compared with an average of about 138 vessels per day in 2025. Bab Al-Mandeb, meanwhile, recorded 58 vessel crossings over the same 72-hour period, against a historical average of around 61 vessels per day in 2023.

According to UKMTO, the two waterways face different restrictions. Hormuz, which normally carries around 20% of global oil supplies, remains a focal point of tensions between Washington and Tehran amid a US blockade and disputes over the conditions for reopening the waterway.

Update 108 JMIC Advisory Note 25 October Released on behalf of the Joint Maritime Information Centre Click here to view the full advisory ⤵️ https://t.co/QqMcOUjW1V #MaritimeSecurity #MarSec https://t.co/kgHi1uimtP

— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) October 25, 2026

Earlier today, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said shipping routes and arrangements for managing the maritime gateway would not return to their prewar form. Washington, meanwhile, has asserted the Strait is under its control, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) reporting this month that American forces had redirected 138 commercial vessels.

Bab Al-Mandeb, at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, handles about 15% of global maritime trade. Yemen's Houthis (Ansarallah) have not imposed a blanket closure of the crossing. The group has restricted Israeli-linked shipping as part of its campaign in support of Gaza and recently targeted Saudi vessels in retaliation for a blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia on Yemen.

Shafaq News- Riyadh

Two people were injured and three residential buildings and seven vehicles were damaged by debris from two intercepted Houthi (Ansarallah) ballistic missiles in southern Saudi Arabia on Sunday, the kingdom's Civil Defense said.

The missiles were intercepted over Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah, according to Saudi Civil Defense.

Earlier on Sunday, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen announced the interception and destruction of 12 missiles and two drones launched by the Houthis toward Saudi Arabia, including a ballistic missile targeting the capital, Riyadh.

The missiles included 11 ballistic missiles, 10 of which were launched toward southern Saudi Arabia and one toward Riyadh, as well as a cruise missile targeting Khamis Mushait in the southwestern Asir region.

التحالف: اعتراض وتدمير 10 صواريخ باليستية أطلقتها الميليشيا الحوثية الإرهابية باتجاه المنطقة الجنوبية. https://t.co/JPsQODwbSw

— المتحدث الرسمي باسم قوات التحالف (@CJFCSpox) October 25, 2026

The coalition also said it intercepted and destroyed two drones over the Riyadh region.

The interceptions followed Saturday's announcement by Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree that the group had carried out seven missile and drone operations against Saudi airports, oil facilities and a military base.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq is prioritizing the reopening of the Iraq Museum and plans to open three more museums in Nineveh, Diyala, and Al-Diwaniyah, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ali Al-Dakhili said on Sunday.

During a visit to the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, Al-Dakhili noted that the ministry is seeking a new building for the Iraq Museum to better showcase the country’s historical and cultural heritage.

The ministry is also preparing to open a museum inside the presidential palace in Babil province. The facility will display archaeological and heritage artifacts from the province, "reflecting its place in the history of human civilization."

Directing officials to strengthen protection at archaeological sites and return a winged bull statue from Nineveh province ahead of its return to public display, he said the ministry is working to secure contracts for archaeological site guards and recruit people receiving social welfare benefits who have been selected for the positions. "The measures aim to improve site security and curb encroachments and other threats to Iraq’s archaeological heritage," he added.

Iraq’s antiquities have long been vulnerable to looting and smuggling, particularly during periods of conflict, including the 2003 US-led invasion and the rise of ISIS. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities reported that Iraq recovered more than 40,000 artifacts in 2024 and 2025 through seizures inside the country and repatriation efforts abroad. Last July, authorities seized 685 authentic silver coins dating to the 12th and 13th centuries and arrested three suspects accused of attempting to sell them illegally in Al-Sulaymaniyah.

Read more: Iraq's archaeological sites face neglect despite potential to boost economy, experts say

Shafaq News- Baghdad

A broad agreement on Iraq's draft 2027 federal budget remains out of reach, with the Kurdistan Region's (KRI) allocation among the disputed issues, a parliamentary Finance Committee member told Shafaq News on Sunday.

MP Ekhlas Al-Dulaimi estimated Erbil's share at 12.8 trillion dinars ($8.48 billion) out of the proposed 217 trillion dinars ($143.71 billion) budget —about 6%, rather than 12.67%.

No date has been set for its submission, pending a political agreement and government approval.

The draft was presented at Saturday's State Administration Coalition meeting, but Baghdad and Erbil remain at odds over the KRI's allocation, with further amendments needed before an agreement can be reached, Al-Dulaimi said.

Earlier this month, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) urged Baghdad to base its budget allocation on the KRI's 14.14% share of Iraq's population, according to its interpretation of the 2024 census, rather than the 12.67% set under the current federal budget framework.

Read more: Erbil-Baghdad disputes: A cycle of missed opportunities and deep-seated divides

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq's parliament has formed a committee to investigate the closure of the Al-Sheeb border crossing with Iran in Maysan province, as local lawmakers warned of economic disruption and growing protests.

Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee member Saqr Al-Mohammadawi told Shafaq News on Sunday that several lawmakers had objected to the closure.

He said the parliamentary leadership had formed a committee comprising lawmakers from Maysan and members of the parliamentary committee responsible for border crossings to examine the reasons behind the decision.

The committee is expected to submit its findings within 72 hours, he added.

Meanwhile, Maysan lawmakers called on Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi to reopen the crossing as soon as possible, warning that the closure was affecting livelihoods and economic conditions in the province and beyond.

Speaking at a press conference, Maysan lawmaker Mohammed Al-Fartousi described the crossing as an economic lifeline for the province, saying its closure had contributed to rising food prices and prevented some patients from traveling for medical treatment. Maysan lawmakers had not been informed of the decision in advance, he added.

Al-Fartousi also warned that protests were growing more intense, with demonstrators blocking a road leading to oil companies, and that the economic consequences could extend beyond Maysan.

Earlier on Sunday, Maysan Provincial Council Chairman Mustafa Duaier urged the federal government to reopen the crossing, warning that the province would otherwise announce civil disobedience, block roads, and cut itself off from the rest of Iraq.

Iraq's federal government ordered the Al-Sheeb border crossing to be closed on October 20 until further notice.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollar fell against the Iraqi dinar in Baghdad and Erbil on Sunday, hovering around 1,678 dinars per dollar as currency markets closed.

According to a Shafaq News market survey, the dollar fell to 167,750 dinars per 100 dollars at Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya central exchanges, down from 168,550 dinars earlier in the day.

At currency exchange shops in Baghdad, the selling rate dropped to 168,250 dinars per 100 dollars, while the buying rate stood at 167,250 dinars.

In Erbil, the dollar also declined, with exchange shops selling at 167,650 dinars per 100 dollars and buying at 167,550 dinars.

Shafaq News- Najaf

Dozens of residents demonstrated in Najaf on Sunday to commemorate Iraq's October (Tishreen) 2019 protest movement.

The demonstrators gathered at the October 20 Overpasses Park, waving Iraqi flags and carrying photographs of protesters killed during the 2019 demonstrations. They also held banners and chanted slogans declaring that the protest movement “will never die.”

Ahmed Al-Najafi told Shafaq News that the gathering aimed to commemorate the October uprising, which he said remained an important symbol of resistance against corrupt political parties and a tribute to those who lost their lives for Iraq. “The revolution will never die, especially amid the many crises Iraq faces, including the rising dollar exchange rate against the Iraqi dinar, higher food prices, and the demands that originally brought protesters into the streets,” he added.

Meanwhile, around 1,000 demonstrators gathered in Baghdad on Sunday morning to mark the anniversary of the 2019 protests amid heightened security.

Read more: Iraq’s protests after Tishreen: A system that learned how to contain the street

Shafaq News- Maysan

Civil disobedience and road closures could follow unless Iraq reopens Al-Sheeb border crossing with Iran within three days, Maysan Provincial Council chief Mustafa Duair warned on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference at the crossing, Duair said failure to meet the deadline would prompt further action.

Iraq ordered Al-Sheeb closed on Tuesday until further notice, citing unspecified technical issues. Tehran criticized the move, accusing Baghdad of failing to provide advance notice as required under a bilateral agreement.

On Saturday, Iran’s embassy in Iraq also rejected claims by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s adviser Abdul Amir Taiban that the crossing had been closed over drug trafficking and counterfeit currency as “false allegations”.

Shafaq News- Washington/ Baghdad

Iraq recently sold 10 million barrels of oil at discounts of $25 to $28 per barrel through its southern ports, Iraqi sources told the Washington-based energy platform Al-Taqa on Sunday.

Indian companies purchased most of the shipments, which were loaded several days earlier, sources said.

Other sources confirmed that “Iraq had not sold any oil above $100 per barrel since the war involving Iran began, despite global prices reaching around $117 in Friday's trading session.”

A source at Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) told Al-Taqa that the company had recently been unable to sell crude for more than $85 per barrel, although it sold some light crude shipments for around $90 a month earlier.

Separately, economic research group Eco Iraq said the country's crude oil exports totaled $37.39 billion from 533.46 million barrels shipped during the first nine months of 2026.

Shafaq News- Nicosia 

Ten medals, including four silver and six bronze, marked the Iraqi national Football Tennis team's campaign at the World Championships in Cyprus, where 32 countries competed across multiple events.

The four silver medals came in the men's mixed, youth mixed, men's doubles and men's trios events, according to the National Olympic Committee.

The team also secured bronze medals in six categories: boys' doubles, boys' trios, women's singles, women's doubles, women's trios and men's singles.

Safaa Sahib, head of the Iraqi Football Tennis Federation, praised the performances of the national team's male and female players, crediting their preparation and determination for the results.

Shafaq News- Al-Muthanna

Security forces discovered drone wreckage in southern Iraq’s Al-Muthanna province on Sunday, prompting the dispatch of an explosives disposal team to the site, a security source told Shafaq News.

The wreckage was located in the Shabram area of Al-Salman district.

The drone’s origin and further details remain unknown.

Shafaq News- Basra

Iraq's cargo ship Basra arrived at Umm Qasr Port on Sunday carrying containers from the UAE, marking the resumption of the Iraqi Line's commercial shipping service after decades, the Ministry of Transport said.

Ahmed Jassim, director general of the State Company for Maritime Transport, said the vessel arrived from Jebel Ali Port in the UAE. The restored service will increase cargo traffic between Iraqi and Emirati ports, offer traders and importers more shipping options, and facilitate imports and exports.

The UAE accounted for 8.1% of Iraq's non-oil goods imports in 2025, ranking third after China and Iran, according to Iraq's General Authority for Statistics and Geographic Information Systems.

Shafaq News- Dhi Qar

A court in Iraq's Dhi Qar province sentenced three provincial government employees to prison for bribery, a security source told Shafaq News on Sunday.

The employees were arrested while accepting a 10-million-dinar bribe in exchange for releasing payments owed to a contractor. Their prison sentences ranged from six to eight years, with project accounts official Hazem Al-Saeedi receiving the longest term.

Read more: Iraq's Dawn Crackdown moves from raids to rulings

Shafaq News- Erbil

Public hospitals in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) performed 258,488 surgeries in 2025, saving residents more than 182 billion Iraqi dinars ($119.7M) in potential private healthcare costs while providing free treatment to thousands of patients with chronic and serious illnesses.

A report released Sunday by the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Media and Information and Ministry of Health showed that the procedures included 217,238 general surgeries and 41,250 emergency operations.

Emergency operations were free, while patients paid 7,000 dinars ($4.61) for general surgeries. The KRG estimated that the same procedures would have cost more than 182 billion dinars ($119.7M) at private hospitals, including 161.4 billion dinars ($106.2M) for general surgeries and 20.6 billion dinars ($13.6M) for emergency operations.

Hospitals across Kurdistan Region also performed 1,108 kidney transplants and 24 bone marrow transplants, and provided 138,306 free dialysis sessions, the report showed.

They carried out 32,790 cardiac catheterization and balloon angioplasty procedures, provided 28,572 radiotherapy sessions for cancer patients, and performed 536 joint replacement operations.

Preventive services included 512,264 free screening tests for diabetes and high blood pressure, 122,705 medical examinations for people planning to marry, and 47,176 mammograms to help detect breast cancer early.

The KRG also covered the costs of cancer diagnosis and treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. According to the report, treatment for some cases can cost between $180,000 and $200,000. More than 23,000 patients with thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, receive free treatment.

Spending on medicines reached 325 billion dinars ($213.8M) in 2025. The Iraqi federal government contributed 222 billion dinars ($146.1M), while the KRG covered the remaining 103 billion dinars ($67.8M).

Total healthcare spending in the Kurdistan Region reached 773.4 billion dinars ($508.8M) last year, while revenues totaled 112.9 billion dinars ($74.3M). Government funding covered about 85% of total expenditures, the report concluded.