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Iraq

July 31, 2026

Baghdad 7:52 am

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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at a Council of Ministers meeting in Baghdad, July 25, 2026.

Zaidi cancels Riyadh trip after US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq

The move comes after Riyadh joined Washington in targeting Iraqi militias, dealing a setback to Baghdad's efforts to strengthen ties with Gulf Arab states.

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.

Latest News

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

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.

Analysis

Zaidi’s test in Tehran

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

Week in Review

By Week in Review

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

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

Mourners carry the coffin of an Iraqi demonstrator, who was killed during ongoing anti-government protests in Basra, Iraq May 11, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer - RC2DMG92E3JK

After promising accountability, Iraq arrests suspect in protester's death

The spokesman for the Defense Ministry said the suspect killed an anti-government protester in Baghdad.

The shadow of an Iraqi demonstrator is seen on an Iraqi flag during ongoing anti-government protests in Kerbala, Iraq January 10, 2020. REUTERS/Abdullah Dhiaa al-Deen TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC22DE96XHT0

US-Iraq strategic talks launched with increasing national, regional support

Iraq has begun a strategic dialogue with the United States that promises to shape various aspects of the two countries' relationship.

An Iraqi soldier wears a protective face mask and gloves, following the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as he stands guard during the hand over of Qayyarah Airfield West from US-led coalition forces to Iraqi Security Forces, in the south of Mosul, Iraq March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RC2SRF9WTZ1K

Rocket hits Baghdad as US-Iraq dialogue set to launch

In order to reorganize the relationship between the two countries in various aspects, Iraq and the United States are negotiating over a new strategic agreement.

A view of Shatt al-Arab river from Al-Tanouma district, east of Basra, Iraq September 21, 2018. Basra residents say salt seeping into the water supply had made it undrinkable and sent hundreds of people to a hospital. Picture taken September 21, 2018. REUTERS/Essam al-Sudani - RC1C273EB650

Basra, the richest city in Iraq with little water to drink

Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources is preparing a plan to solve the water crisis in Basra, which has been one of the most prominent issues successive governments have failed to address.

A U.S. Air Force C-130 transport plane fly during the Clear Sky 2018 multinational military drills at Starokostiantyniv Air Base in Khmelnytskyi Region, Ukraine October 12, 2018. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich - RC1E8FF15980

Four injured in US military transport plane crash at Iraq’s Camp Taji

An Air Force C-130 Hercules struck a wall, damaging the aircraft and causing a fire onboard.

A man wears a protective face shield and a mask at a store during a curfew imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Baghdad, Iraq June 7, 2020. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily - RC274H9RVUGM

Iraq sees slight drop in new COVID-19 cases after days with more than 1,000

The spread of the virus continues at an alarming rate in Iraq, particularly in Baghdad and Sulaimaniyah.

Iraqi Sunnis seek answers for those displaced in time of fighting Islamic State

Sunni politicians are putting pressure on the Kadhimi government to determine the fate of Sunnis displaced during the fight against the Islamic State.

A view of Baghdad international Airport, after Iraq has suspended flights at its domestic airports as the coronavirus spreads, in Baghdad, Iraq March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RC2PLF9MJ8L2

Rocket lands near Baghdad International Airport, no casualties

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack Monday.

Iraq still committed to energy ties with Saudi Arabia, Gulf states despite Iran electricity deal

Iraq has signed an agreement with Iran to continue importing gas and electricity for two years.

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The killing of George Floyd sparks controversy over African-Iraqi rights

Ongoing protests in the United States over the killing of George Floyd have raised awareness among Iraqis about African-Iraqi rights in the country.

Turkey to reopen border crossings with Iran, Iraq

By opening two border crossings with Iran and Iraq, Turkey is seeking to boost the economy, and many businesses resume operations in the country this week.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi meets with senior Iraqi officers during his visit in Kirkuk, Iraq June 2, 2020. Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC251H9N531M

Iraqi forces team up for anti-IS operation in Kirkuk

A large joint operation to root out Islamic State sleeper cells began in Kirkuk in a show of strength and unity after a rash of attacks in the area in recent weeks.