Iraq’s iconic Tigris River, once the lifeline of Mesopotamian civilization, is now drying up due to severe pollution, upstream dam construction, and climate change. Stretching nearly 2,000 kilometers, the river’s flow has drastically declined, endangering the livelihoods of about 18 million people who rely on it for irrigation, drinking water, and power generation. Environmental groups warn that without urgent intervention, the river could face near extinction.

Experts attribute the crisis to multiple factors: untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff have severely degraded water quality, while Turkey and Iran’s dams have reduced water flow into Iraq by over 30%. Local activists, such as Humat Dijlah’s founder Salman Khairallah, emphasize that the river’s decline is both an ecological and spiritual loss. In response, Baghdad and Ankara signed a recent “oil-for-water” deal to fund water management and pollution control projects.

If current trends persist, Iraq could face its worst drought in a century by 2035, with water demand far exceeding supply, posing grave risks to regional stability and heritage preservation.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s alliance is leading in the country’s parliamentary election, according to the election commission. Preliminary results show the bloc securing about 1.317 million votes, placing it ahead of rivals. The vote, held on Tuesday, recorded a turnout of 56.11 percent. Sudani, seeking a second term, hopes to consolidate his position through this election. However, many young Iraqis remain disillusioned, viewing the process as dominated by established parties dividing the nation’s oil wealth. With no single party able to form a government alone in Iraq’s 329-seat legislature, coalition negotiations are expected to be complex and prolonged, potentially delaying the formation of a new government for months.

Iraq’s most prominent Shia religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has voiced grave concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In a statement, he said, “In nearly two years of relentless killing and destruction, hundreds of thousands have been killed or wounded. Cities and residential areas have been devastated.”

Al-Sistani warned that famine in Gaza has reached critical levels, stating, “No age group or social class is being spared from the effects of hunger and deprivation.” He emphasized that the brutality of Israeli occupation forces in displacing Palestinians is not new, but part of a continued pattern of aggression.

He also underscored the importance of international involvement in ending the crisis. “It is the moral and religious duty of the global community, particularly Arab and Muslim nations, to ensure that this humanitarian disaster does not continue,” the cleric said.

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani praised Iran’s recent success against Israel in the latest conflict, calling it a historic victory despite strong U.S. and international support for Israel. He highlighted how Iranian citizens remained resilient, mocking the Israeli regime during air raids. Emphasizing the strong ties between Iran and Iraq, Mashhadani reaffirmed Iraq’s support for Iran against any aggression and honored Iran’s role in liberating Iraq from ISIS. He also stressed the need for greater cooperation among Islamic nations.

At least 50 people were killed in a massive fire at a five-story shopping mall in Al-Kut city, eastern Iraq, according to the state-run INA news agency. Wasit Governor Mohammed Al-Miyahi said the cause of the blaze remains unknown but promised an investigation report within 48 hours. Firefighters are still working to control the flames, and the mall owner is facing legal action.

Two Katyusha rockets struck the military section of Iraq's Kirkuk Airport on the night of June 30, injuring two security personnel. The targeted area hosts bases for the Iraqi army, federal police, and the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi). Another rocket hit a residential building in the city, causing property damage. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Air traffic operations at the airport remain unaffected.

Several military bases in Iraq, including Imam Ali, Balad, and Taji, have come under attack amid the Iran-Israel conflict. There have also been reports of drone strikes near Baghdad International Airport. Al Jazeera reported these developments, although the perpetrators remain unidentified. Iranian media outlet Tasnim reported hearing two large explosions inside Balad base, which was once the second-largest U.S. military installation in Iraq.

Iraq has accused Israel of violating its airspace with 50 warplanes, entering from the Syria-Jordan border and flying over Basra, Najaf, and Karbala. The incident was reported by Iraq’s UN representative just before a Security Council meeting. Iraq condemned the breach as a violation of international law and UN resolutions, warning that such actions threaten sacred sites and could provoke strong public reactions. The tensions come amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and retaliatory strikes by Tehran.

As Iran closes its airspace following escalating hostilities with Israel, flights to neighboring Iraq are also being canceled one after another. Qatar Airport’s flight information boards show numerous cancellations of flights to both Iran and Iraq.

For security reasons, several airlines are avoiding Iraqi airspace altogether. The development follows threats from Iran-backed militias in Iraq, who warned that if Iran faces attacks from the U.S. or Israel, American bases in Iraq will become “legitimate targets.” The Iraqi government is reportedly engaging in talks with these groups to prevent further escalation.