Tishwash: The US chargé d’affaires confirms to the Prime Minister’s security advisor: We will celebrate together on September 30th, Iraqi Sovereignty Day
Iraq and the United States discussed today the issues of security, sovereignty, and political developments in Iraq and the region, in addition to bilateral relations, during a meeting with the US Chargé d’Affaires to Iraq, Steven Fagin.
The Iraqi side, in a statement received by Iraq Observer, stressed the priority of preserving the country’s security and sovereignty, consolidating state authority and the rule of law, and restricting weapons to the state, as well as continuing to combat terrorism and corruption and supporting state institutions in a way that preserves stability and the higher interests of Iraq.
The Iraqi side stressed Baghdad’s keenness to establish balanced relations with the United States based on mutual respect and common interests, and to enhance cooperation in the security, economic and diplomatic fields.
For his part, the US Chargé d’Affaires affirmed his country’s support for Iraq’s security and stability, building a strong economy, and continuing to develop bilateral relations between the two countries.
Fagen noted that Iraq and the United States will celebrate on September 30 the completion of the withdrawal of the remaining international coalition forces, considering that this strengthens Iraq’s sovereignty and opens a new phase of cooperation between the two countries. link
Tishwash: The four Iraqi presidencies emphasize expanding international relations in various fields.
The four Iraqi presidencies affirmed on Monday evening the expansion of international relations in the economic and cultural fields, and the necessity of completing the cabinet to provide services to citizens, while discussing the exemption of Najaf International Airport from the ban on Iranian flights.
A statement from the Presidency of the Republic, received by Shafaq News Agency, stated that President Nizar Amidi hosted Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, Speaker of Parliament Hebat al-Halbousi, and Chief Justice Faiq Zaidan at Baghdad Palace to discuss developments in the general situation in the country, as well as developments in the region.
During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the importance of consolidating security and political and social stability in the country, and continuing to work to meet the needs of citizens, in a way that contributes to improving living and service conditions, and enhances confidence in state institutions.
The Prime Minister gave a summary of his participation in the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly in its eighty-first session, which was held in New York, and what it included in terms of meetings with a number of heads of state and government, officials and representatives of international organizations, as well as discussing prospects for strengthening Iraq’s international relations in a way that serves its common interests with various countries.
The meeting discussed preparations for the celebration of Sovereignty Day, as a national occasion that affirms the completion of the path of Iraqi sovereignty and the consolidation of the presence of the state and its institutions, while emphasizing that the next stage will witness the transfer of relations with the international community to broader horizons of economic, trade and cultural cooperation, in a way that strengthens international partnerships and serves national issues.
The meeting also emphasized support for the Iraqi government’s demand to exempt Najaf Airport from the US Treasury Department’s procedures regarding Iranian airlines’ flights to airports in the region.
The participants also stressed the importance of completing the cabinet, which would enhance government work, raise the level of performance in state institutions, and enable the government to implement its program according to its priorities and respond more effectively to the needs of citizens and the challenges of the next stage.
It was emphasized that the decision of peace and war should be in the hands of the state, and that weapons should be within the framework of constitutional and legal institutions, while addressing the issue of the presence of weapons outside the authority of the state in accordance with constitutional and legal frameworks, and in line with timetables set by the government, in a way that enhances the sovereignty of the state, preserves the security and stability of the country, and ensures the unity of national decision in the face of challenges and dangers.
On the legislative front, the participants stressed the importance of strengthening the work of the House of Representatives and expediting the completion and enactment of priority laws, especially those that affect the lives and needs of citizens, as well as activating the oversight role of the House of Representatives in a way that contributes to improving the performance of state institutions and consolidates the principles of responsibility and accountability.
Support was also emphasized for the government’s measures and the judiciary’s efforts in combating administrative corruption and holding accountable all those who violate the law.
The meeting discussed the economic situation in light of the tensions in the region and their repercussions on the country, and the challenges that the national economy may face, while emphasizing the need to take measures and steps to confront these challenges and enhance the ability of the national economy to deal with regional and international changes.
Regarding developments in the region, the presidencies reiterated Iraq’s firm position calling for an end to tensions and the defusing of crises, and for prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy and adopting peaceful means to resolve disputes between the various parties, in a way that contributes to achieving security and stability in the region, and spares its peoples further repercussions and crises link
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Tishwash: Trump met with al-Zaidi alone… Government spokesman reveals details of the New York meeting
Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said on Monday (September 28, 2026) that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York addressed indicators of stability in Iraq, attracting investments, and the presence of American companies in the oil and energy sectors, noting that al-Zaidi presented during the meeting what he described as the government’s steps to strengthen the authority of the state and the law.
Al-Aboudi explained, in a conversation with journalist Hossam Al-Hajj, via Dijlah TV, which was followed by 964 Network , that Al-Zidi is working on translating the government program into an executive program through “bridging the relationship with the world” and restoring confidence in Iraq, noting that the government aims to reach a production of 10 million barrels of oil per day by 2030, considering that these figures can attract international economic partners.
Regarding the meeting between Al-Zaidi and Trump in New York, Al-Aboudi said that the meeting took place individually after Al-Zaidi participated in a group reception held by the US President for the heads of state and government participating in the United Nations meetings, explaining that “choosing Al-Zaidi, along with other heads of state, to meet Trump individually indicates the existence of interest.”
He added that during the meeting, Al-Zaydi reviewed “the indicators of strength and the files in which the government has achieved progress,” including combating corruption, restricting weapons to the state, strengthening the rule of law, as well as economic and investment files.
Regarding the possibility of discussing the details of the September 30th date during the meeting, Al-Aboudi said that the file is “Iraqi in all its dimensions,” and that what Al-Zidi presented focused on restoring the state’s health and its ability to manage internal stability in accordance with the constitution and the law.
He noted that the meeting also addressed the investment environment and the presence of American companies in Iraq, particularly in the oil and petroleum industry sector, as these are among the issues in which the government seeks to expand cooperation.
Al-Aboudi explained that Iraq has made a decision to implement the Banias pipeline project, and there is a consortium of important international companies that will implement the project. The contracts between the Ministry of Oil and these companies are being finalized. He clarified that once the technical aspects and details are completed, things will be implemented on the ground, and the two countries will participate in implementing this project. link
Tishwash: Hidden figures and loans under scrutiny… What’s going on inside government banks?
An informed source said that the review of loans and advances granted through a number of government banks has entered a more in-depth auditing phase, which includes matching the amounts of financial facilities with guarantees, repayment records and beneficiaries, amid a broader review of liquidity and credit conditions within the government banking sector.
The source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, added that the audit is not limited to regular loans, but also includes financial facilities and approvals dating back to previous years, some of which are for large sums, with the aim of verifying the integrity of the procedures for granting them, the adequacy of the guarantees, the fate of the funds, and the extent of their recovery according to the specified conditions.
The Independent was unable to determine the total amounts under investigation or prove the existence of fictitious loans, and no official results have yet been issued holding specific individuals or entities legally responsible.
The source’s information comes at a time when government banks are undergoing simultaneous regulatory reviews that include contracts concluded in previous years, mechanisms for granting loans and advances to companies and investors, in addition to exceptional approvals, guarantees, and the status of repayment.
The review process also extended to liquidity levels in a number of government banks and the financing of investment projects, with a thorough audit of large financial facilities, particularly in Al-Rafidain and Al-Rasheed banks.
A source told Al-Mustaqilla that part of the current work focuses on files whose accounts have not been closed permanently, and others whose guarantees are being examined and their amounts are being matched to determine whether they have been paid in full or are still owed by the beneficiaries.
The audits coincided with liquidity pressures that prompted some government banks to reduce or stop granting loans and advances during the past period, which was reflected in the financing of investment and housing projects.
The reviews also expanded to include amounts related to electronic lending, including insurance premiums, the mechanisms for collecting them, the entities to which they are transferred, and how they are managed and disbursed.
These developments come in parallel with a government initiative to restructure the banking sector, enhance governance, and improve credit management efficiency, as well as implement a national lending strategy aimed at improving access to finance and supporting economic activity.
The source said the next phase will focus on determining the nature of any discrepancies that appear during the reconciliation, and whether they are due to normal payment defaults, weak guarantees, exceptional approvals, or violations that warrant referring the files to the investigative authorities.
The ongoing audits, in themselves, do not prove corruption or waste of public funds, but the simultaneous review of large loans, guarantees and exceptional approvals with the audit of liquidity conditions gives the file special importance for government banks and public funds.
According to the source, the final picture will become clear after the matching of loan, repayment and guarantee records is completed, and the amounts that are still outstanding and the reasons for not settling them are determined. link
