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Iraq

July 29, 2026

Baghdad 11:12 am

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets Iraq Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi upon his arrival in Ankara, July 28, 2026.

Explainer

Erdogan hosts Zaidi, touts ‘historic step’ in Turkey-Iraq energy ties

The Turkish president outlined Ankara’s priorities with the new Iraqi government during the Iraqi leader’s first visit to Turkey: security, energy cooperation and the Development Road.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (not pictured) at the Pentagon on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia.

Zaidi to meet Erdogan as Turkey-Iraq ties take off, Kurds feel sidelined

The Iraqi prime minister's visits to Ankara and Riyadh underscore Baghdad's push to deepen regional ties as Turkey seeks closer cooperation on energy and security.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is welcomed to the Saadabad Palace in Tehran by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, July 23, 2026.

Analysis

Zaidi’s test in Tehran

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Latest News

Iraq deepens Iran ties days after US investment push

Iranian Presidential Office / AFP via Getty Images

International oil firms halt production in Iraq’s Kurdistan amid US-Iran escalation

Iraq

Analysis

What Zaidi's Washington visit means for US investment in Iraq

US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Prime Minister of Iraq Ali al-Zaidi during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, July 14, 2026.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Chevron, ConocoPhillips advance Iraq's Hormuz alternatives

Hussein FALEH / AFP via Getty Images

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Winthrop Rodgers

In Sulaymaniyah, reporting on Kurdish issues

A supporter of the Iran-backed Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitary forces stands holding a picture showing the faces of (L to R) slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis during a demonstration outside the entrance to the Iraqi capital Baghdad's highly-fortified Green Zone on Nov. 7, 2020, demanding the departure of remaining US forces from Iraq.

Coalition hits back at Iran-backed groups

A sharp uptick in drone and rocket attacks allegedly by Iran-backed groups have targeted bases housing US-led coalition forces in both Syria and Iraq as part of a push to force all US troops to leave the region.

Members of the Iraqi federal police force stand guard at a checkpoint in Baghdad, on January 29, 2021.

Babil massacre increases demand to reform Iraqi security forces

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi refers to the "heartbreaking massacre" and reinforces his commitment to security reform after 20 family members are killed based on specious charges.

SAFIN HAMED/AFP via Getty Images

Iraq records first omicron cases

Five cases were confirmed in Dohuk province and an unknown number of infections were recorded among foreign diplomats in Baghdad.

Protesters hold pictures of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, during a demonstration outside the US consulate in Istanbul, on Jan. 5, 2020, two days after top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed by a US drone strike.

Attacks on US in Iraq meant to send ‘harsh’ message — without spilling blood

On the anniversary of the death of former IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani and with the resumption of the nuclear talks in Vienna, Iran stakes out a hard line.

Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr celebrate in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Oct. 11, 2021.

The Takeaway: Iraq’s elections: What comes next?

Updates from our correspondents in Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Egypt and New York; Multimedia reporting on Kurds, Tel Aviv, Egypt and Sharjah!

Iraq rockets

US troops in Syria, Iraq targeted with renewed rocket and drone attacks

Iran-backed militias are not buying the Pentagon's attempt to rebrand the coalition's defeat-ISIS mission.

Shalemcheh

Iran, Iraq draw up plans for railway connection from Basra to Shalamcheh

Iran and Iraq transportation ministries signed a document setting a roadmap for implementation of Basra-Shalamcheh railway connection, which should boost economic activity for both countries.

John Moore/Getty Images

US coalition in Iraq halts second drone attack in two days

Coalition forces in Syria also hit back in response to rocket fire near al-Omar oilfield.

Iran border

Iran’s support for Taliban pays off, but border remains problematic

Exports from Iran to Afghanistan are increasing as border clashes and the smuggling of both people and drugs fosters instability.

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Drones shot down in Baghdad on Soleimani death anniversary

The thwarted attack came on the second anniversary of the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

NATO Mission Iraq Commander Lt. Gen. Michael Lollesgaard (3rd-R behind) and Commander of the US-led international coalition against the Islamic State Maj. Gen. John W. Brennan (4th-R behind) attend a meeting of Iraqi and coalition commanders at the Joint Operations Center, Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 9, 2021.

Combat mission of international coalition in Iraq has ended

The Iraqi government has announcement the end of the international forces’ mission in the country, renewing controversy over the concept of resistance and the legitimacy of its weapons in a law-abiding democratic state.

An Orthodox Jewish man casts his vote as Israelis head to the polls on March 23, 2021 in Bnei Brak, Israel.

Middle East elections had consequences in 2021

Elections in Israel, Iran and Iraq shook up status quo; Syria’s presidential contest a blow to the UN process; Libya and Palestine took a pass on elections, with consequences as well.