# Iraq
Latest news and articles about Iraq
Total: 21 articles found
Oil for Risk: Baghdad’s Desperate Gambit to Breach the Hormuz Blockade
Iraq is offering a massive $33.40 per barrel discount on its crude oil to incentivize buyers to transit the dangerous Strait of Hormuz. Following a 70% drop in export volumes due to US-Israel-Iran military tensions, Baghdad is also diversifying its export strategy through pipelines in Turkey and truck convoys through Syria.
Tehran’s Shadow: Quds Force Commander Reasserts Influence in Baghdad’s Political Shuffling
IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani’s strategic visit to Baghdad highlights Iran’s direct role in overseeing Iraq's government formation. By framing the process as an issue of sovereignty and labeling the US and Israel as criminals, Tehran seeks to consolidate its influence while pushing for the removal of Western presence.
Tehran’s Shadow Over Baghdad: IRGC Commander Asserts Influence Amid Iraqi Power Struggle
IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani confirmed a strategic visit to Baghdad to oversee Iraqi government formation and warn against U.S. and Israeli interference. The move highlights Tehran's determination to maintain Iraq as a primary sphere of influence while framing Western presence as a violation of sovereignty.
Iraq’s Seven-Day Hope: Can Baghdad Really Survive the Hormuz Blockade?
Iraq claims it can restore pre-war oil export levels within a week if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, despite production having fallen by 80% in its southern fields. While Iran suggests Iraq is exempt from maritime blockades, Baghdad is struggling with a lack of infrastructure redundancy and frequent drone attacks on its facilities.
Strengthening the Shia Axis: Khamenei Applauds Iraqi Solidarity Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has formally thanked Iraqi religious leaders and citizens for their support during recent periods of aggression. The message aims to solidify the strategic and religious alliance between Tehran and Baghdad amid ongoing regional instability.
Strike on Iraqi Military Logistics in Anbar Signals Deepening Security Fractures
A precision airstrike on Iraq's Habbaniyah base killed seven soldiers and wounded thirteen, targeting essential medical and engineering facilities in Anbar province. The attack highlights the persistent vulnerability of Iraqi state infrastructure and poses a significant challenge to the Ministry of Defense's ability to secure its western territories.
U.S. Forces Take Increasing Toll in Middle East: CENTCOM Confirms 200+ Troops Injured Across Seven Countries
CENTCOM says more than 200 U.S. service members have been injured across seven Middle Eastern countries amid recent U.S. and Israeli operations targeting Iran, with many cases exhibiting traumatic brain injury and ten reported as seriously wounded. The spread of casualties highlights the vulnerability of dispersed U.S. forces, strains medical and political resources, and raises pressure on policymakers to curb further escalation.
Europe Pulls Back and Repositions in Iraq as Iran Conflict Threatens Regional Bases
Spain and Italy have moved troops in Iraq after a series of drone attacks and expanding US–Israeli strikes on Iran raised risks to Western bases. The incidents, which include a French fatality, have prompted European redeployments and increased naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean as capitals weigh force protection against mission commitments.
Drone Crashes and Ignites Inside U.S. Embassy Compound in Iraq, Chinese Reporter On Scene
A Chinese journalist reported that a drone crashed into the U.S. embassy compound in Iraq and ignited, triggering emergency response. With no confirmed casualty or claim of responsibility, the incident underlines growing security challenges posed by small drones and the political difficulty of attribution and response in Iraq’s fragmented security landscape.
U.S. KC-135 Tanker Crashes in Western Iraq; CENTCOM Rules Out Combat or Friendly Fire
A U.S. KC-135 aerial refuelling tanker crashed in western Iraq on 12 March; CENTCOM said the loss was not caused by enemy fire or friendly fire and that rescue efforts continue. The incident complicates U.S. air operations in a tense region and will require a technical investigation to rule out mechanical failure, human error or mishap during refuelling.
From Baghdad Bomb Shelters to China’s Spring Gala: An Iraqi Correspondent Becomes a Symbol of Cross‑Cultural Bonding
An Iraqi-born man who fled war as a child has spent the past 15 years in China, becoming a Mandarin‑speaking correspondent and a featured announcer on China’s Spring Festival Gala. His public profile — and forthcoming marriage to a woman from Xinjiang — is being presented as a symbol of cross‑cultural connection and China’s appeal to foreign residents.
Tanker Attacks off Iraq Deepen Strait of Hormuz Crisis as Oil Prices Spike and Washington Taps Reserves
Two foreign tankers were attacked off Iraq’s Umm Qasr port, killing one crew member and aggravating an already acute maritime crisis around the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes have driven oil and fuel prices higher, prompted a large coordinated release of strategic reserves and exposed the limited tools available to secure vital shipping lanes absent de-escalation.