Iraq’s Ministry of Transport announced the temporary suspension of flights at Baghdad International Airport, citing an emergency technical fault rather than any security threat. The decision was made after the issue was detected, prompting immediate precautionary measures and the start of repair work.

Following the closure, speculation spread on social media, leading authorities to clarify that the suspension was entirely technical. Ministry spokesperson Metham Al-Safi told the state news agency that maintenance and testing were underway and that the airport would reopen within a few hours once the final checks were completed.

Al-Safi dismissed claims of internal or foreign security risks as baseless and urged media outlets to verify information through official sources.

Leaders of Iraq’s Coordination Framework (CF), the largest Shia political bloc, remain committed to nominating former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership despite a warning from US President Donald Trump that Washington would cut off aid if he returned to power. Trump and the US administration view al-Maliki as aligned with Iran’s influence network in Iraq and fear his reinstatement would undermine efforts to curb Tehran’s reach. The CF reiterated that choosing a prime minister is an Iraqi constitutional matter free from foreign interference.

The CF’s internal divisions have deepened, with some factions, including the Badr Organization and the Islamic Supreme Council, backing al-Maliki, while others such as Ammar al-Hakim and Haider al-Abadi caution against economic repercussions from defying the US. Kurdish and Sunni parties also remain split, delaying the presidential election required before a new government can form. The CF is attempting to mediate between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to break the deadlock.

The standoff coincides with a looming US decision on renewing legal protections for Iraq’s oil revenues held in New York. A refusal to renew could freeze Iraqi assets, threatening the country’s economy and adding pressure on Baghdad’s political negotiations.

Iraq’s Shia political alliance, the Coordination Framework, reaffirmed on Saturday its support for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to lead the next government. The announcement came as US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would cease cooperation with Iraq if al-Maliki returned to power. The coalition, which holds a parliamentary majority, nominated al-Maliki following the recent elections.

In a statement, the Coordination Framework emphasized that the selection of Iraq’s prime minister is a constitutional matter that should proceed without foreign interference. It added that the alliance seeks balanced relations with international partners based on mutual respect. Al-Maliki previously served as Iraq’s first elected prime minister after the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.

Trump’s warning was described as one of the strongest examples of US efforts to curb the influence of Iran-backed groups in Iraq. The country continues to navigate a delicate balance between its two key allies, Washington and Tehran.

Iraq’s dominant Shia coalition, known as the Coordination Framework, has endorsed former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki as its candidate for the country’s next prime minister. The announcement was made in a statement on Saturday, according to AFP reports from Baghdad. The coalition, which maintains close ties with Iran, said the decision was unanimous and that al-Maliki was chosen as the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc due to its majority position.

The statement highlighted al-Maliki’s extensive political experience, administrative skills, and leadership capacity. Aged 75, al-Maliki previously served two consecutive terms as Iraq’s prime minister from 2006 to 2014, following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that ended Saddam Hussein’s rule. Under Iraq’s political convention, the prime minister is typically selected from the Shia community, while the parliamentary speaker and president come from the Sunni and Kurdish communities respectively.

Following last November’s general election, the Coordination Framework was formed by al-Maliki’s party and other Shia groups. With a new parliamentary speaker already chosen, the next session will elect a president, who is expected to appoint al-Maliki to replace current prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

The United States has started transferring thousands of ISIS detainees from northeast Syria to Iraq, according to a statement released Wednesday by the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The process began with the relocation of 150 detainees from a detention facility in Syria’s Hasakah province to Iraq. CENTCOM indicated that up to 7,000 ISIS (Daesh) prisoners could eventually be moved under this initiative.

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that the United States is working closely with Iraq and other regional partners, praising their role in ensuring the defeat of Daesh. The statement emphasized coordination and cooperation among allied forces in managing the detainee transfer and maintaining regional security.

US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack added that Washington’s current priority in Syria is to promote national unity and stability, clarifying that the United States does not support separatism in the region.

The United States has withdrawn its forces from the strategically important Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq, transferring full control to the Iraqi army. Iraq’s Ministry of Defense confirmed on Saturday that the withdrawal of foreign troops stationed at the base has been completed and Iraqi forces have formally assumed responsibility. An Iraqi army colonel also verified the departure, noting that a small number of US troops remain due to logistical issues, though no further details were disclosed for security reasons.

The withdrawal follows a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad to gradually reduce the presence of the US-led coalition in Iraq. The deal outlines a phased drawdown and aims to strengthen future bilateral security cooperation between the two countries. Ain al-Asad had long served as a key military hub for US and allied forces and was frequently targeted by Iran-backed groups during periods of regional tension.

The exact start date of the withdrawal process remains unclear, though earlier plans projected completion by the end of 2026.

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.