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."

|ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
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

Hukmiya Mohamed, a co-director of Roj camp, told Reuters that the 34 Australians had been released to their families, who had come to Syria for the release.

|ByREUTERS
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

Professor Eytan Gilboa warned that Tehran may pressure Iraq to allow the country to become a ground to challenge the Sharaa regime.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
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

The KRG has helped smooth the transition in eastern Syria by working with Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, also hosting US forces and other anti-ISIS coalition forces.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Iran's IRGC smuggled over $1 billion to Hezbollah through Dubai since January, US says - WSJ

In addition to Dubai, the US is reportedly worried that funds are being smuggled to Hezbollah through Turkey and Iraq.

NOVEMBER 28, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Mourners wave Hezbollah flags during the funeral of top Hezbollah chief Haytham Ali Tabatabai and other members killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs on November 24, 2025.

Drone attack suspends operations at major Iraq gas field, power cuts occur across Kurdish region

A drone attack on the Khor Mor gas field in Iraq causes major power outages in northern regions, damaging key infrastructure and halting gas supplies to power stations.

NOVEMBER 27, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A fire blazes at Khor Mor Oil and Gas field following a drone strike, November 26, 2025.

New Iraqi lawmaker ousted after creating fake PMF brigade, violating election laws

Muhannad al-Khazraji, the recently elected member of parliament, had run under the banner of the Badr Organization, which is a large pro-Iranian group in Iraq.

NOVEMBER 26, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Muhannad al-Khazraji, the recently elected member of parliament, had run under the banner of the Badr Organization, which is a large pro-Iranian group in Iraq.

Turkey advances PKK peace process with historic Ocalan meeting - analysis

Turkish lawmakers are set to visit jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan as part of efforts to formalize peace talks, following signs of de-escalation and coordinated parliamentary backing.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A demonstrator holds a picture of jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan during a rally in Diyarbakir, Turkey, February 27, 2025.

Iran losing control over Houthis as proxy has 'gone rogue,' officials say

Tensions between Tehran and the Houthis reportedly escalated in April, after Iran failed to respond during heavy US strikes.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Houthi protesters hold weapons during a demonstration in Sanaa, Yemen, May 30, 2025

Gas field in Kurdistan region of northern Iraq on alert after drone threat

Drone threats put the Khor Mor gas field in northern Iraq on alert, as sirens blared overnight, with reports pointing to Iranian-backed militias.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A drone is pictured during a large-scale drone combat exercise of Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in Semnan, Iran January 4, 2021. Picture taken January 4, 2021

Iraq pushes for Syrian border wall, threatening Iran's regional influence - analysis

Iranian-backed militias used to infiltrate into Syria via the unguarded border - as such, any wall would actually hurt Iran’s project to control the Middle East.

NOVEMBER 23, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
An Iraqi army post stands along a section of the 600-kilometer Iraqi border with Syria, on December 26, 2024

Israel must deepen its alliance with Kurds as Syria fractures - opinion

As long as Turkey and Qatar continue interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, the threat against minorities, including the Kurds, the Druze, and the Alawites, will continue.

NOVEMBER 21, 2025BySUZAN QUITAZ
Commander-in-chief of the SDF, General Mazloum Abdi, in his military uniform.

IDF reveals connection between Hamas, ousted Assad regime in letters, documents

The letters include correspondence between senior Hamas officials, including Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, and Mohammad Saeed Izadi.

NOVEMBER 21, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Killed Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, leader Yahya Sinwar against backdrop of ousted Syrian president Bashar Assad (illustration).

Trump, Vance not invited to Dick Cheney's Washington funeral

Trump and Vance were not invited to Dick Cheney’s funeral as US leaders gathered to honor the former vice president and outspoken Trump critic.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025ByREUTERS
Late former US Vice President Dick Cheney's grandchildren attend a funeral service for him, at Washington National Cathedral, in Washington, DC, US, November 20, 2025.