Tag Archives | United States

Iraq Participates in Annual IMF / World Bank Meetings in DC

By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Finance, Taif Sami Mohammed, along with the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) and their accompanying delegation, participated in the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), held in Washington from 13th to 18th October 2025. The meetings focused on […]

The Importance of ExxonMobil's Return to Iraq

By John Lee. If anyone doubts the importance of last week's agreement for US oil major ExxonMobil to return to Iraq, may we suggest reading the following article from Simon Watkins in OilPrice: What ExxonMobil's Comeback in Iraq Really Means. The author describes it as "perhaps the most significant of the recent deals between firms […]

Iraq Receives Second Batch of Bell Helicopters

By John Lee. The second batch of US-made Bell 505 helicopters arrived at Martyr Brigadier General Mohammed Alaa Air Base this week. The delivery eight helicopter follows directives from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to enhance and modernise the capabilities of Iraq's military forces across all branches. According to a Ministry of Defense statement, […]

KBR supporting Digital Transformation in Iraq

By John Lee. The Ministry of Trade has held a joint meeting between the Department of Foreign Economic Relations and the economic team from US-based KBR to discuss areas of cooperation supporting Iraq's trade policies and digital transformation efforts. According to a ministry statement, Director General of the Department, Riyadh Al-Hashemi, highlighted the importance of […]

Iraq Calls US Sanctions 'Regrettable,' Forms Cmte to Review Measures

By John Lee. An Iraqi government spokesman has said Iraq views recent US sanctions against Iraqi enities, including the Muhandis General Company [Sharakat al-Muhandis al-Amma], as "deeply regrettable," describing it as a unilateral action that contradicts the spirit of friendship and mutual respect between the two countries. Basim Alawadi added that the Prime Minister has […]

PM Launches $500m Pharma City Project in Baghdad

By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has laid the foundation stone for the Medical Health City project in southern Baghdad, covering an area of 120,000 m². The launch ceremony was attended by the Minister of Health and representatives of international pharmaceutical companies. The project includes five pharmaceutical factories with a total investment […]

US Sanctions Iraq's Giant Muhandis Conglomerate

By John Lee. The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed new sanctions targeting individuals and companies accused of helping the Iranian regime evade US sanctions, smuggle weapons, and engage in corruption through networks operating in Iraq. According to a statement from OFAC, the designations target Iraq-based financial and […]

Renewed KRI Oil Flows Could Benefit US-Iraq-Turkey Relations

By Noam Raydan and Soner Cagaptay, for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. How Renewed Oil Flows from the ITP Could Benefit U.S.-Iraq-Turkey Relations The potential economic and strategic benefits of reopening the northern Iraqi […]

US Firm in Talks to Import LNG via to Iraq by 2026

By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Electricity, Eng. Ziyad Ali Fadel, met with a senior delegation from U.S.-based Excelerate Energy to discuss plans for importing and processing liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a floating platform at Khor al-Zubair in preparation for summer 2026. The Government of Iraq issued an Award Letter to Texas-based company last […]

ExxonMobil signs Agreement to Develop Iraqi Oil Sector

By John Lee. US energy major ExxonMobil has signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with Iraq's Ministry of Oil. A statement today (Wednesday) from the Prime Minister's Office gave few details, but the agreement is thought to involve the Iraq's giant Majnoon field. During a meeting with ExxonMobil Vice President Peter Larden and the accompanying […]

Beyond Tariffs: Building a Mutually Beneficial Relationship between US and Iraq

By Ahmed Tabaqchali, for the Al-Bayan Center for Planning and Studies. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Beyond Tariffs: Building a Mutually Beneficial Relationship between the United States and Iraq The Trump administration imposed a 30 per cent tariff on Iraqi exports […]

US Announces Transition of Military Mission in Iraq

By John Lee. The United States has confirmed plans to reduce its military mission in Iraq, marking a new phase in the bilateral security relationship. Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell on Iraq transition: In accordance with the President's guidance and in alignment with the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission and the joint statement issued […]