Iraq

The U.S. State Department approved a potential $800 million Foreign Military Sale of Bell 412 and Bell 407M helicopters, along with GAU-19 machine gun launchers, M260 rocket launchers, sensors, and training to Iraq. The sale aims to enhance Iraq’s rotary-wing transport, reconnaissance, and air-to-surface targeting capabilities, replacing Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters. Bell-Textron of Fort Worth, Texas, is the principal contractor. The approval is not a final contract, and quantities may change.

6 reports · 6 sources · Updated Sep 1, 06:14 PM UTC

On July 29, 2026, the United States and Saudi Arabia conducted joint airstrikes against Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq, killing at least 20 and wounding 32 across seven provinces. The strikes, coordinated with US Central Command, retaliated against drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities and US forces. Iran’s IRGC responded by attacking Jordan. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi condemned the violation of sovereignty, canceled a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and faces pressure to disarm militias, risking broader regional conflict.

17 reports · 7 sources · Updated Aug 8, 01:42 AM UTC

The Hindu's Morning Digest for July 30, 2026, covers multiple major stories. Iran resumed missile attacks on American forces in West Asia after a brief pause, while the U.S. and Saudi Arabia struck Tehran-backed militias in Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters including six Iranian advisers. In India, the Opposition INDIA bloc plans to pursue the Ram Temple donation embezzlement case in Parliament, with Samajwadi Party staging a protest. The Supreme Court will hear a Muslim side plea regarding an alternative namaz site near the Bhojshala complex. A man was convicted on federal terrorism charges for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. Legal experts note that the Centre's assurance cannot override statutory processes for withdrawing FIRs against student protesters. Madhya Pradesh raised the moong procurement cap to 60% amid farmer protests. Additionally, the livestream audio was muted in the Chief Justice of India's court during oral mention.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 01:14 AM UTC

Global oil prices surged past $105 per barrel after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s peace proposal, labeling it unacceptable. The diplomatic breakdown has intensified fears of prolonged conflict and supply disruptions, particularly with the Strait of Hormuz largely closed. Saudi Aramco reported significant weekly oil losses due to the blockade. While equity markets remained mixed, energy volatility heightened concerns over global economic stability. The situation underscores the fragility of Middle East security, with analysts warning of further price hikes if the ceasefire completely collapses and shipping routes remain obstructed.

346 reports · 45 sources · Updated Jul 29, 07:05 PM UTC

The 1973 Iraq-Turkey Crude Oil Pipeline Agreement expired on July 27, 2026, marking the end of a 50-year framework. Turkish President Erdogan and Iraqi PM al-Zaidi announced plans for a comprehensive energy cooperation deal. The key development is TPAO's agreement to take a 15% equity stake in BP Energy Company of Kirkuk Limited, a vehicle for redeveloping major northern Iraqi oil fields (Baba, Avanah, Bai Hassan, Jambur, Khabbaz). This gives Turkey a bookable seat alongside BP (43%) and ConocoPhillips (42%) under Iraqi title. The article cautions that the political claim of Iraq supplying 1 million barrels per day to Turkey should be treated skeptically until actual loadings at Ceyhan confirm the volume, distinguishing between political offers, corporate targets, and deliverable capacity.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 05:10 PM UTC

Yemen’s Houthi rebels escalated the Middle East conflict by threatening shipping companies and striking Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, forcing reroutes and pushing Brent crude above $98 per barrel. Saudi Aramco shipped record volumes from Yanbu port to preempt disruptions. Two tankers reversed course to avoid Houthi drones and missiles. The attacks, linked to the Israel-Hamas war, threaten global energy supply through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with oil prices rising nearly 20% in two weeks.

30 reports · 9 sources · Updated Jul 31, 06:59 PM UTC

BP and ConocoPhillips announced a $25 billion partnership to redevelop major oilfields in Iraq’s Kirkuk region, with ConocoPhillips acquiring a 42% stake in BP’s local subsidiary. The deal, signed during the U.S.-Iraq Business Summit in Washington, aims to boost Iraq’s oil production, diversify export routes away from the Strait of Hormuz, and counter Iranian and Chinese influence in the region. The investment includes over $60 billion in broader U.S.-Iraq agreements.

8 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 29, 09:02 AM UTC

The FTSE 100 is expected to fall on Wednesday after the US and Saudi Arabia launched joint retaliatory strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, ending a brief pause in conflict. The US claimed its forces were targeted by an attempted surprise attack by Iran. The UK blue-chip index had gained 0.8% on Tuesday as oil prices fell during the pause. Brent crude dropped 4.8% to $84.09 per barrel, reaching a two-week low. In the US, the Nasdaq continued its tech stock rout, which had earlier impacted South Korea's Kospi and Japan's Nikkei. Analysts noted that the FTSE's lack of big tech constituents proved advantageous. Wednesday is busy with trading updates from companies including Rathbones, Greggs, Standard Chartered, and Reckitt.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 05:30 AM UTC

The article recounts a 2006 Panetta Institute lecture series event moderated by Leon Panetta, featuring former Senators Jack Danforth and Tom Daschle discussing national security and freedom. The author, a Naval Postgraduate School faculty member, attended an afternoon session at the school. During the Q&A, the author asked the audience to imagine being stopped daily by foreign soldiers at checkpoints, prompting reflection on how U.S. military presence is perceived abroad. A young Army officer responded, urging serious consideration of this perspective. The panel fell silent, and Panetta ended the session abruptly without further questions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 12:00 AM UTC

On July 27-28, 2026, Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Iraqi militias launched coordinated drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh. The strikes were retaliation for Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeida. Saudi forces intercepted most projectiles, with no immediate casualties reported. The escalation threatens a 2022 truce and widens the US-Iran conflict, drawing in Jordan and Israel, which also intercepted drones.

7 reports · 5 sources · Updated Aug 7, 06:38 AM UTC

The Trump administration faces accusations of concealing U.S. military casualties from the Iran war, including three Iranian strikes in Jordan that wounded dozens. The Pentagon reduced the official death toll from 18 to 14, removing four post-ceasefire deaths, citing "temporary data disruptions." Critics allege political motives to hide the war's unpopularity. Total U.S. fatalities stand at 17 with over 400 wounded since the war began on February 28. The Pentagon denies the allegations as "baseless."

29 reports · 12 sources · Updated Jul 27, 04:53 PM UTC

On Thursday, only one oil tanker transited the Strait of Hormuz, the lowest daily count since May 7, as escalating war risks pushed crude oil prices above $100 per barrel. According to Kpler vessel-tracking data cited by Reuters, three tankers crossed on Wednesday, but traffic collapsed to just one on Thursday. The supertanker New Giant, carrying approximately 2 million barrels of Iraqi Basrah crude, exited the strait en route to China's Rizhao port. No inbound tankers entered the Persian Gulf on Thursday. Meanwhile, traffic at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remained relatively high despite ongoing Houthi attacks, though some vessels diverted north toward the Suez Canal to avoid threats. Saudi Aramco has begun offering crude loadings at Egypt's Sidi Kerir port on the Mediterranean. ING analysts warned that further escalation in the Persian Gulf and widening conflict could put significant oil supply at risk, citing Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers and renewed US threats against Iran.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 12:30 PM UTC

On Thursday, only one oil tanker transited the Strait of Hormuz, the lowest daily count since May 7, as escalating war risks pushed crude oil prices above $100 per barrel. According to Kpler vessel-tracking data cited by Reuters, three tankers crossed on Wednesday, but that number collapsed to one on Thursday. The supertanker New Giant, carrying approximately 2 million barrels of Iraqi Basrah crude, exited the strait en route to China's Rizhao port. No inbound transits into the Persian Gulf were recorded. Meanwhile, traffic at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remained relatively high despite ongoing Houthi attacks, though some tankers diverted north toward the Suez Canal to avoid threats. Saudi Aramco has begun offering crude loadings at Egypt's Sidi Kerir port on the Mediterranean. ING commodity analysts warned that further escalation in the Persian Gulf and widening conflict put significant oil supply at risk, citing Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers and renewed US threats against Iran.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 12:30 PM UTC

The Pentagon reduced its official death toll for the Iran war from 18 to 14, removing four service members killed in late July 2026. According to military officials cited by The New York Times, the four deaths—three in Jordan and one in northern Iraq—were excluded because they occurred after President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire in April. The Pentagon's acting press secretary attributed the change to 'temporary data disruptions' on the casualty website. The revision comes amid scrutiny of the Trump administration's handling of casualty data, with Rep. Adam Smith criticizing a lack of transparency. Trump himself used the higher figure of 18 at a public event on the same day, referencing the four service members he honored at Dover Air Force Base.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 06:09 AM UTC

OPEC+ is expected to approve another 188,000 barrels per day production target increase for September when eight key producers meet on August 2, continuing a months-long campaign to unwind voluntary supply cuts. However, actual production has been declining due to disruptions: the Iran war affected Gulf exports, Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping threaten Saudi Arabia's alternative export route, Iraq faces export bottlenecks, Kazakhstan cut production after drone attacks on a Black Sea terminal, and Russia deals with refinery disruptions from Ukrainian drone strikes. Brent crude topped $100/barrel amid these concerns. The increase would complete the rollback of the 1.65 million bpd voluntary cut adopted in 2023, with seven producers restoring roughly 1.15 million bpd of quotas since April. Higher quotas signal OPEC+ intends to replace lost barrels when export routes allow.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 10:00 PM UTC

Houthi terrorists struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, pushing oil prices to $99 per barrel and threatening a second global shipping choke point beyond the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump escalated rhetoric, threatening to bomb Iranian bridges or power plants for any attack on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, though analysts note the Houthi attack occurred in a different location. Trump also indicated U.S. forces may soon strike Iran's underground nuclear site, Pickaxe Mountain. Meanwhile, polling shows declining support for the Iran war among Trump's MAGA base, with only a third now viewing it as worth the economic cost. The article also covers New York City ballot proposals to expedite infrastructure projects and a Supreme Court case on religious assembly zoning restrictions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 01:30 PM UTC

On July 18, 2026, Iran launched ballistic missile and drone strikes against U.S. and partner forces in Jordan, killing two American service members and leaving one missing. Four troops were medically evacuated and later discharged; others with minor injuries returned to duty. This marks the first U.S. military fatalities in the Middle East since March, following a collapsed ceasefire. The Pentagon confirmed the attack, and the Trump administration is expected to respond strongly.

103 reports · 17 sources · Updated Jul 23, 10:37 AM UTC

US President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have shifted their rhetoric on the Iran war following the deaths of four American soldiers in Jordan and Iraq, bringing the total US military fatalities to 18. In a Senate hearing, Hegseth requested an additional $88 billion for the conflict and conceded that Iran's military capabilities have not been eliminated, contradicting earlier claims of 'overwhelming victory.' Trump admitted Iran was able to 'let something slip through' in Jordan and acknowledged uncertainty about the status of Iran's nuclear program. Hegseth indicated the war could be an 'ongoing struggle' with no clear end date. The conservative Fox News channel, previously supportive of the war, has begun questioning the administration's narrative after the latest casualties.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 03:12 AM UTC

The Trump administration is reportedly considering military strikes against JNIM, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group in Mali, according to U.S. officials speaking to The Washington Post. This would mark the eighth country targeted by U.S. military action during Trump's second term, following Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, and Venezuela. The administration has also conducted 66 strikes against small watercraft in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing at least 221 people in a drug interdiction effort. National Security Council senior director Sebastian Gorka is a leading advocate for the Mali operation. However, regional experts like Wassim Nasr of the Soufan Center argue that military force has failed in the Sahel, noting that French and Russian interventions have worsened the situation. Nasr recommends conflict resolution through negotiations between Mali's government and JNIM instead.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 06:31 PM UTC

President Trump is traveling to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday to attend the dignified transfer of U.S. troops killed in action over the weekend in Jordan and Iraq. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to accompany him. Following the solemn ceremony, Trump will head to Marietta, Georgia, to deliver remarks on the economy. Meanwhile, the House has passed a measure to extend government funding into December, averting a shutdown. The article also notes that a 25 percent tariff on most imports from certain countries remains in effect, though further details are cut off. The events highlight a day blending national mourning with political and economic activity.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 01:01 PM UTC

India's largest state-owned refiners, Indian Oil Corp. and Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals, have suspended crude loadings from Iraq due to escalating attacks on commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Indian Oil abandoned plans to load the VLCC Lila Jamnagar, deeming the risk of transiting the chokepoint with a 2-million-barrel cargo unacceptable. The Indian shipping ministry has also banned Indian seafarers from vessels transiting Hormuz. This disruption accelerates India's shift to alternative suppliers: Russian crude imports are near record highs at 2.45 million barrels per day, while UAE and Saudi supplies remain resilient due to pipeline bypasses. Iraq, lacking such alternatives, faces stranded supply. The crisis has pushed Brent crude above $90 per barrel, compounding risks from Houthi naval blockades in the Red Sea. India, which imports over 85% of its oil, is not yet short of crude but faces a strategic realignment away from Middle Eastern dependence.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 06:30 PM UTC

The article reports that the Trump administration is intensifying efforts to pull Iraq away from Chinese and Russian influence, focusing on replacing China's deep-rooted energy and infrastructure deals with U.S. agreements. It details how China secured foundational cooperation with Iraq during the U.S.'s weakest period post-2003, including the 2019 'Oil for Reconstruction and Investment' agreement and the expanded 2021 'Iraq-China Framework Agreement'. These deals gave Chinese firms substantial oil discounts, rights to station security forces, and permission to build roads, airports, and ports across Iraq. The recent White House meeting between Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi and President Trump is highlighted as a key step in formulating a new U.S.-Iraq cooperation framework aimed at diminishing Beijing and Moscow's role in Baghdad's foreign relations.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 06:00 PM UTC

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has cancelled the lifting of 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil from the Basrah Oil Terminal due to increased risks and attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to three sources. The state-run refiner was preparing to load the crude onto the very large crude carrier Lila Jamnagar around July 23, 2026. Another state refiner, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL), also cancelled plans to lift oil from Iraq using the tanker Desh Gaurav. India has advised shipowners and seafarers not to travel through the Strait of Hormuz following the resumption of fighting in the region after a fragile truce between Washington and Tehran collapsed in early July. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for about a fifth of global energy supplies, has seen renewed disruptions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 05:16 PM UTC

Halliburton reported Q2 2026 revenue of $5.7 billion and adjusted operating margin of 12%, beating sequential growth expectations. International revenue reached $3.4 billion, the highest second-quarter level in over a decade, driven by strong demand in Iraq, the North Sea, Algeria, and Argentina, despite ongoing Middle East disruptions. North America revenue was $2.3 billion, flat year-over-year but up sequentially. CEO Jeff Miller highlighted energy security and inventory rebuilding as long-term drivers. CFO Eric Carre reported adjusted EPS of $0.55, operating cash flow of $824 million, and $200 million in stock buybacks. Management expects margin improvement in Q3 despite some revenue pressure from lower drilling and chemical activity, supported by technology adoption and pricing improvements.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 03:07 PM UTC

Halliburton reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of $0.55 per share, slightly above the $0.54 consensus, and revenue of $5.7 billion, exceeding expectations of $5.5 billion and up 4% year-over-year. Despite the earnings beat, shares fell 3.1% in pre-market trading. The Completion and Production segment generated $3.2 billion in revenue, up 6% sequentially, while Drilling and Evaluation revenue rose 5% to $2.5 billion. North America revenue grew 7% to $2.3 billion, and international revenue increased 5% to $3.4 billion, led by a 19% jump in Europe/Africa. However, Middle East and Asia revenue declined 2% to $1.3 billion due to lower activity in Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar amid geopolitical tensions. CEO Jeff Miller expressed confidence in the company's global outlook and technology-driven growth.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 01:36 PM UTC

On July 18, 2026, U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, was killed during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone at Erbil Air Base, Iraq. A second service member was wounded. Swinton, an Air Defense Early Warning System Operator, will be posthumously promoted and awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge. The incident is under investigation. Separately, two other U.S. soldiers were killed in a separate Iranian attack in Jordan.

22 reports · 8 sources · Updated Jul 21, 01:30 PM UTC

ConocoPhillips (COP) is set to report Q2 2026 earnings on August 6 before market open. Analysts expect diluted EPS of $2.96, a 108.5% increase from $1.42 a year ago. The company has beaten or met estimates in three of the last four quarters. For fiscal 2026, full-year EPS is projected at $9.20, up 49.4% from fiscal 2025, but a decline of 11.5% is expected in fiscal 2027. COP stock has risen 26.2% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 but lagging the energy sector ETF XLE. Recent gains were driven by geopolitical tensions: US strikes against Iran and Iraqi retaliation against US bases have pushed WTI crude prices up 4% on July 17. Analysts are moderately bullish, with 15 'Strong Buy' ratings, 4 'Moderate Buy', and 7 'Hold'. The average price target is $139.58, implying 20.7% upside.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 10:53 AM UTC

Halliburton has secured a contract from Basra Oil Company (BOC) to provide integrated field management services (IFMS) for the Bin Umar and Sindbad oil and gas fields in southern Iraq. The agreement includes field development planning, production optimization, digital solutions, and engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) services. Halliburton will deploy its Landmark portfolio to create a digital framework linking subsurface data, well delivery, production operations, and business planning. Production at Bin Umar could reach 150,000 barrels of oil per day and 300 million standard cubic feet per day of associated gas within the first five years. The project aims to boost oil output and capture associated gas for domestic use, supporting Iraq's energy security goals and reducing reliance on imported gas. BOC retains ownership and operational control, while Halliburton will engage local talent to support workforce training and national value objectives.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 10:19 AM UTC

Halliburton has secured a contract from Basra Oil Company (BOC) to provide integrated field management services (IFMS) for the Bin Umar and Sindbad oil and gas fields in southern Iraq. The agreement includes field development planning, production optimization, digital solutions, and engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) services. Halliburton will deploy its Landmark portfolio to create a digital framework linking subsurface data, well delivery, and operations. Production at Bin Umar is projected to reach 150,000 barrels of oil per day and 300 million standard cubic feet per day of associated gas within the first five years. The project aims to boost oil output and capture associated gas for domestic use, supporting Iraq's energy security goals and reducing gas import dependence. Halliburton will engage local talent to support Iraqi workforce training. BOC retains full ownership and operational control. The contract follows Halliburton's recent lump sum turnkey awards from Aramco in Saudi Arabia.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 10:19 AM UTC

A 19-year-old Iraqi repeat offender, Ahmad J., known as the 'Prison Casanova' for having sexual relationships with prison staff, has successfully sued to regain his refugee status. The Schleswig-Holstein Administrative Court overturned a decision by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf) to revoke his status after he was sentenced to three years in youth detention for dangerous bodily harm and aggravated extortion. Despite a criminal prognosis report estimating a 78% risk of reoffending, the court cited a separate report showing improved impulse control and found no concrete risk to the public. Former prosecutor Ralph Knispel criticized the decision, arguing the court failed to exercise discretion properly. Ahmad J. also faces bribery charges in Braunschweig. The case previously made national headlines in 2024 when his relationships with a psychologist and a department head at the Schleswig Youth Detention Center were revealed.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 10:02 AM UTC