Iraq

Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi's visit to US, meeting with Trump strengthens US-Iraq ties - analysis

It appears that Trump likes Iraq’s new leader. Zaidi is a former businessperson, like Trump. As such, Zaidi tried to present a new face of Iraq to the White House.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi as they participate in a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 14, 2026.
Hezbollah members parade during a rally marking al-Quds Day, (Jerusalem Day) in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon April 5, 2024.

Hezbollah-tied individual arrested on suspicion of spying for Israel in Lebanon

The individual was accused of providing intelligence to Israel that ultimately allowed the Jewish state to kill four top-tier security leaders in the terror group.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Performing checks at Turkey’s Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, run by state owned Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS). Crude oil flows through the Kirkuk Ceyhan pipeline, linking Iraq to Turkey; Illustrative.

US supporting efforts to revive Iraq-Syria crude oil pipeline, US official says

Bloomberg reported that Chevron could play a role in rebuilding the pipeline, though the company declined to comment.

|ByREUTERS
Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a parliamentary session to vote in a new government headed by Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister, at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, May 14, 2026.

Iraq's PM arrives in Washington as US presses Baghdad on Iran-backed militias - analysis

Iraq is already a kind of frontline between the US and Iran. After the US and Israel began strikes on Iran on February 28, the Iranians operationalized militias in Iraq.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Katz defines conditions for end of war as Mossad Chief vows Iran regime change efforts to continue

IDF reservist killed, 10 wounded in Lebanon clashes • Israel, Lebanon set for talks • Mossad chief vows Iran regime change efforts to continue

APRIL 14, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lays a wreath during a Holocaust memorial ceremony at Yad Vashem, April 14, 2026

Archbishop Emil Nona appointed patriarch of Chaldean Catholic Church

Archbishop Emil Nona was born in the Iraqi town of Alqosh in 1967 and was appointed Archbishop of Mosul in 2009 at the age of 42.

APRIL 13, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A priest leads the the Easter Vigil at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chaldean Catholic Church in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, on April 4, 2026.

One wounded following rocket barrage from Hezbollah, Trump's blockade on Hormuz goes into effect

European countries raise concerns over naval blockade • Trump: ‘I don’t care’ if Iran comes back to negotiations • Erdogan threatens military action against Israel

APRIL 13, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
US Navy and US Marine Corps aircraft attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are arrayed on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran from an undisclosed location March 10, 2026.

Clay cylinders found in Iraq bear writings of Babylonian king who besieged Jerusalem, study reveals

The translation appears to align with a description of Nebuchadnezzar from the Book of Daniel, which depicts him walking on his palace roof in Babylon while boasting of his construction projects.

APRIL 12, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
3D scan of cylinder found in ancient city of Kish, Iraq, bearing inscriptions believed to have belonged to Nebuchadnezzar II, April 11, 2026.

PMO appoints new Mossad chief, Trump orders Hormuz blockade after US-Iran talks fail

Vance: No deal reached after talks with Iran • CENTCOM clears underwater mines in Hormuz • Netanyahu says Israel's war with Iran 'not over yet'

APRIL 12, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Mossad Director Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman attends a ceremony marking the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle of the 7th Armored Brigade at the National Library in Jerusalem, on December 14, 2025.

Iraqi parliament appoints Kurdish Nizar Amedi as new president

The decision to elect Nizar Amedi could have ramifications for Iraq, given that Amedi is Kurdish and was supported by the Kurdish PUK party, which is considered friendly to Iran.

APRIL 11, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iraq’s newly elected president Nizar Amedi attends a parliamentary session in Baghdad, Iraq, April 11, 2026.

Iraq’s militia state: Shelly Kittleson’s kidnapping exposes who runs Baghdad

BEHIND THE LINES: Since October 2023, forces associated with the PMF – that is, affiliated with the government of Iraq – engaged in ongoing attacks against US personnel and positions.

APRIL 11, 2026ByJONATHAN SPYER
US JOURNALIST Shelly Kittleson is pictured in Baghdad on March 31, shortly before she was abducted. Her disappearance has focused attention on the threat posed by Iran-backed militias and the deteriorating security environment in postwar Iraq.

Vance: No deal reached after talks with Iran, Netanyahu says Iran campaign 'not over yet'

John Kerry: Netanyahu presented Iran attack plan to former presidents • Iran warns military vessels against transiting Strait of Hormuz • CENTCOM clears underwater mines in Hormuz

APRIL 11, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Detail view of US Vice President JD Vance motorcade is seen at the Serena Hotel shortly after his arrival on April 11, 2026 at Islamabad, Pakistan.

US summons Iraqi ambassador over drone strike on diplomatic facility in Baghdad

Separately, Kuwait condemned what it described as drone attacks by Iran and its proxies targeting vital facilities in the country, calling the strikes a violation of its sovereignty.

APRIL 10, 2026ByREUTERS
Smoke rises after an explosion at the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, following a rocket and drone attack, according to security sources, March 17, 2026.

IDF destroys launcher fired from inside school, Israel excludes France from talks with Lebanon

IDF reservist severely wounded, another soldier lightly injured by shrapnel • Israel expels Spain from US's CMCC in Kiryat Gat over 'blatant anti-Israel bias'

APRIL 10, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon, April 10, 2026.