Iraq

Iran temporarily closes Strait of Hormuz due to 'security precautions,' shipping safety

According to Fars, the IRGC Navy commander declared that, "The weapon that reaches the battlefield on the day of war is different from what is displayed in exercises."

 A boat approaches the St Kitt's and Nevis-flagged container ship Marsa Victory while crusing in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Khasab in Oman's northern Musandam peninsula on June 25, 2025.
A woman and child walk in the the al-Hol camp in Syria's northeastern Al-Hasakah Governorate on July 28, 2024, as Syrian families of suspected Islamic State fighters prepare to return to their homes in the countryside of Deir Ezzor.

Thirty-four Australians released from a camp holding families of suspected ISIS terrorists in Syria

 Women and children seen inside al-Hol camp, amongst them some 6,200 women and children from around 40 nationalities, and including relatives of suspected Islamic State jihadists in the desert region of Hasakah province on January 25, 2026 in Al Hasakah, Syria.

Moving suspected ISIS prisoners to Iraq shows Washington doesn’t fully trust Damascus, expert says

Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, gives a joint press conference with France's Foreign Minister in Arbil, the regional capital, on February 5, 2026.

Iraq's Kurds emerge as Middle East's key diplomatic players at Munich Security Council - analysis


Kurdish PM Barzani meets with Egypt's Sisi to discuss Middle East stability, trade deals

Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo. Both the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Egypt play important roles in the region.

 Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani meets with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (not in picture) during the Munich Security conference in Munich , southern Germany February 14, 2020.

Secret Iranian underground base supposedly revealed in new footage from Syria

For years, the base was the subject of interest because it had an entrance to a large underground tunnel and was likely being used by the IRGC to transfer weapons via Syria to Hezbollah.

Footage from the supposed underground base used by pro-Iran militias, December 20, 2025

United Nations General Assembly elects former Iraqi President to lead UN refugee agency

Salih will begin a five-year term on January 1, 2026.

President of Iraq, Barham Salih, speaks during the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, US September 23, 2021.

Kurds mark Kurdistan flag day with calls for unity, freedom

Kurdish communities across the globe honored their national symbol on Wednesday, reflecting on decades of struggle, pride, and the ongoing fight for autonomy.

Flag of Kurdistan.

'Now a normal country': UN set to end Iraq mission UNAMI after two decades

The UN will close its assistance mission in Iraq after more than two decades, ending a presence launched following the 2003 US invasion, as Baghdad says it is now self-reliant.

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of UNAMI, Dr. Mohamed Al Hassan monitors officials working at a polling station inside Al-Rasheed Hotel during the parliamentary election in Baghdad, Iraq, November 11, 2025.

Iran-backed militias reassert power in Iraq, proving the Islamic axis is still standing

BEHIND THE LINES: Despite setbacks, Iraq’s Iranian-backed militias continue to thrive politically, posing a lasting threat to Israel’s security.

Supporters of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition Party celebrate, after election results were announced in Baghdad last month. A week later, Sudani announced that his faction would join with the Coordination Framework, a political bloc with ties t

Iraq must free itself from Iran or risk losing US aid, Congressman Joe Wilson warns

The Congressman shared, “Iraq has an opportunity to thrive if it changes its behaviour. Congress is ready to back up President Trump with new provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act."

US Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) speaks during a news conference hosted by members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus at the Capitol on February 24, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Iran 'paid heavy price' for supporting proxies, Palestinians, ex-FM Zarif says at Doha Forum

Zarif argued that Jerusalem misread Iran’s staying power when the fighting resumed earlier this year. “The Israelis launched this aggression based on mistaken assumptions,” he said.

 Mohammad Javad Zarif, the former Iranian Foreign Minister, gives a speech during an election rally in support of  Iranian presidential election candidate Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, Iran, on June 24, 2024.

Drones hit Iraq's Khor Mor gas field, Baghdad deploys air defense in Kurdish region

This reflects a longstanding paradox in Iraq, a country with vast oil reserves that should be able to cover its electricity needs.

A fire blazes at Khor Mor Oil and Gas field following a drone strike, November 26, 2025.

Controversy and confusion in Iraq over attempt to freeze assets of Hezbollah, Houthis - analysis

A list reporting that Iraq had approved the freezing of Hezbollah and Houthi funds was reportedly mistakenly published before revision.

 Hezbollah flags flutter as protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, rally to show support to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon's Hezbollah, in Sanaa, Yemen September 27, 2024.