U.S. Refuelling Aircraft Lost in Western Iraq
By John Lee. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed the loss of a U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft during operations over Iraq. According to a statement issued on 12th March 2026, the incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury and involved two aircraft. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, […]
Iraq Condemns Attacks on Oil Tankers in Territorial Waters
By John Lee. Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) has expressed strong concern following attacks on two oil tankers operating within Iraqi territorial waters. According to SOMO, the tanker SAFESEA VISHNU, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands and chartered by an Iraqi contracting company, and the tanker ZEFYROS, flying the Maltese flag and carrying condensate […]
Iraqi Cabinet Approves Procurement of Anti-Drone Defences
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Interior has been authorised to contract with the Military Industrialization Authority (MIA) to purchase a system designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to the Prime Minister's Office, the Council of Ministers approved granting the ministry the authority to conclude the contract as part of efforts to strengthen Iraq's […]
Regional Confrontation "Chokes Iraq's Energy Lifelines"
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Deep Dive: Mounting regional confrontation chokes Iraq's energy lifelines Iraq is in crisis as a nationwide oil and gas production shutdown has put the future of the country's economy in flux. This comes […]
Cabinet Approves Terms with Chevron for West Qurna 2
By John Lee. Chevron has received approval from Iraq's Council of Ministers for the final terms and conditions of a framework agreement with the Ministry of Oil concerning the management and operation of the West Qurna 2 oil field. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the agreement is between the Ministry of Oil, represented by […]
Report: Iraq's 2026 Customs Reset
From Kapita Research. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's 2026 Customs Reset Iraq's main ports have been partially paralyzed since the start of 2026. The cause is not a physical blockade but the activation of a new digital customs system […]
Baghdad Brick Factory Expands Output for Housing Projects
By John Lee. The State Company for Construction Industries, part of Iraq's Ministry of Industry and Minerals, has announced the launch of production at the Baghdad Brick Plant following a comprehensive rehabilitation and modernisation programme carried out with private-sector participation. The plant's Turkish-origin production line has been upgraded with modern industrial technologies and converted to a […]
Iraq Extends Deadline for Samarra Infrastructure Project Guarantee
By John Lee. Gocay Insaat of Turkey has been granted an additional extension to enable it to issue the required bank guarantee for the infrastructure project in Samarra. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the Cabinet approved the extension to allow the company to complete the procedures for obtaining the guarantee from the relevant banks […]
Dark Clouds over Iraq after Killing of Prominent Feminist
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Dark clouds over Iraqi civil society after killing of prominent feminist The killing in Baghdad of prominent feminist activist Yanar Mohammed has ignited outrage in Iraq and abroad... Mohammed's apparent assassination has also […]
Iraqi Airspace to Remain Closed Until Friday Noon
By John Lee. Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) has extended the closure of Iraqi airspace to all arriving, departing and transit aircraft until 12:00 noon on Friday. The authority said the decision was taken as a temporary and precautionary measure, based on an ongoing assessment of the security situation and in light of regional developments […]
Private Sector Council Reviews Economic Stability Measures
By John Lee. Iraq's Private Sector Development Council has held its second session to discuss current economic developments and measures to support economic and financial stability. The meeting was attended by representatives from several government institutions, including the Ministry of Planning, with Dr Sabah Jundi Mansour, Director of the Economic and Financial Policies Department, representing the […]
Iraq Opens Embassy in Ashgabat
By John Lee. The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq has officially begun operating in Ashgabat, marking a new step in strengthening diplomatic relations between Iraq and Turkmenistan. The development was discussed during a meeting on 9th March 2026 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan between Deputy Foreign Minister Serdar Muhammetdurdyyev and Jassim […]