Iraq Rejects Regional Escalation As Iran Begins Strikes On US Bases
2026-02-28 Shafaq News- Baghdad Iraq rejects further military escalation in the region, Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein said on Saturday during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, as military operations intensified between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
According to a statement, Araghchi confirmed that Tehran would continue to defend itself, and the response would focus on US military installations in the region, describing the move as self-defense and that the strikes would not target the countries hosting those bases.
Hussein reaffirmed Iraq’s opposition to widening the conflict, saying armed confrontation cannot resolve ongoing crises. He called on all sides to prioritize dialogue and de-escalation to safeguard regional security and stability.
Earlier on Saturday, Iran launched what it called “True Promise 4,” targeting US military sites and firing projectiles toward Israel in response to a joint Israeli-American attack.
Regional media reported that Al-Juffair Base in Bahrain and Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates were among the targets. Explosions were also reported in Kuwait and Qatar, where warning sirens were activated.
Read more: Zero-sum game: Can the Iran-Israel conflict push Iraq toward frontline?
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraq-rejects-regional-escalation-as-Iran-begins-strikes-on-US-bases
US Envoy Holds Talks With PM Al-Sudani As Deadline Pressures Iraq’s Government Formation
2026-02-27 Shafaq News- Baghdad Caretaker Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met Friday with US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack to discuss bilateral ties, regional tensions, and efforts to shield Iraq from wider instability.
According to a statement from Al-Sudani’s office, Barrack conveyed President Donald Trump’s view of current regional developments and underscored Iraq’s role in promoting stability and economic growth.
Al-Sudani said Iraqi leaders are prioritizing national interests and safeguarding strategic gains, stressing that Iraq’s sovereignty and stability are essential not only domestically but for regional balance.
The meeting reviewed ways to address regional disputes through dialogue and diplomatic channels, with both sides emphasizing economic development as a path to reducing tensions.
Barrack’s visit followed talks with State of Law Coalition leader Nouri Al-Maliki, during which issues related to Iraq’s political process and regional security were discussed. Barrack highlighted Iraq’s role in counterterrorism and conflict de-escalation, according to a statement from Al-Maliki’s office.
The diplomatic activity comes as political blocs elected in late 2025 seek to resolve delayed constitutional steps, including selecting a president and naming a prime minister. Washington earlier set a deadline for the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework to reconsider Al-Maliki’s nomination for premier, a move that has deepened divisions within the alliance.
Read more: Iraq’s next Prime Minister held hostage by US-Iran standoff
US To Act Hard If Iraqi Factions Target Its Interests
2026-02-27 Shafaq News- Washington Washington treats threats from some Iraqi armed factions seriously, pledging to respond firmly to any threat against US interests or the Kurdistan Region, a US politician said on Friday.
Malik Francis, a member of the US Republican Party, told Shafaq News that previous incidents have shown some of these factions are capable of carrying out rocket or drone attacks, noting that US authorities respond to such actions by increasing protective measures, strengthening coordination with the Iraqi government, and reserving the right to respond if necessary. At the same time, he added, the US administration recognizes that some of the warnings are part of political messaging linked to regional tensions.
Regarding the impact of US-Iran tensions on Iraq, Francis stated that “continued escalation carries serious risks” as any targeting of foreign interests, particularly in the Kurdistan Region, which he described as a more stable and investment-attractive environment, could undermine investor confidence, directly affecting Iraq’s economy and financial stability.
“Continued attacks place the Iraqi government in a difficult position between its sovereign obligations to protect foreign missions and internal pressures from certain armed groups, and if Baghdad fails to enforce the state’s monopoly over weapons, it could weaken state authority and further destabilize the political environment.”
In a statement, Kataib Hezbollah said that the United States would face “massive losses” if it launched a military strike against Iran and called on its fighters to prepare for what it described as a “long war of attrition.” The group also cautioned the Kurdistan Regional Government against what it termed “collaboration with hostile foreign powers.”
Additionally, the Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee, an umbrella grouping of several armed factions, threatened to target US interests and bases in Iraq and nearby countries.
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/US-to-act-hard-if-Iraqi-factions-target-its-interests
Iran Briefs Iraq On Progress In US Nuclear Negotiations
2026-02-27 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Tehran Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday updated his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein during a telephone call on the latest stage of negotiations between Iran and the US regarding its nuclear program.
According to separate statements from the two countries’ foreign ministries, both sides reviewed recent regional and international developments during the conversation. They also discussed the need for continued coordination among regional countries to safeguard stability.
Earlier today, Araghchi also briefed Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on the progress of US-Iran discussions, warning against “excessive demands” by the United States, one day after the two sides concluded a third round of talks in Geneva.
The latest round of indirect Iran-US nuclear talks concluded on February 26, with both sides agreeing to continue consultations on Monday in Vienna. Araghchi presented proposals linking sanctions relief to nuclear commitments while reiterating Tehran’s position on maintaining uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes. The US delegation called for stricter limits on enrichment levels and additional guarantees regarding the nature of Iran’s nuclear program.
Read more: US-Iran talks begin under shadow of ‘indefinite’ deal and escalation risks
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iran-briefs-Iraq-on-progress-in-US-nuclear-negotiations
Khor Mor Gas Field Suspends Operations
2026-02-28 Shafaq News- Al-Sulaymaniyah Operations at the Khor Mor gas field in Al-Sulaymaniyah of Iraqi Kurdistan were halted on Saturday as a precautionary measure, due to the Iran-US-Israeli military escalation, a source at the company told Reuters. Operated by the UAE-based Dana Gas Khor Mor, the field is one of the most significant gas fields, which supplies fuel to power plants across the Kurdistan Region. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Khor-Mor-gas-field-suspends-operations
Gold Prices Surge In Baghdad And Erbil Markets
2026-02-28 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil On Saturday, gold prices jumped sharply in Baghdad and Erbil markets, rising well above 1.15 million IQD per mithqal, according to a survey by Shafaq News Agency.
Gold prices on Baghdad’s Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 1.150 million IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties, with a buying price of 1.146 million IQD, compared with 1.120 million IQD on Thursday.
The selling price for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 1.120 million IQD, while the buying price reached 1.116 million IQD.
In jewelry stores, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 1.150 million and 1.160 million IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 1.120 million and 1.130 million IQD.
In Erbil, 22-carat gold was sold at 1.213 million IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1.158 million IQD, and 18-carat gold at 992,000 IQD. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Gold-prices-surge-in-Baghdad-and-Erbil-markets-9
USD/IQD Exchange Rates Surge In Baghdad And Erbil
2026-02-28 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil The US dollar opened Saturday’s trading sharply higher in Iraq, hovering around 156,000 dinars per 100 dollars.
According to a Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad’s Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 156,000 dinars per 100 dollars, up from Thursday’s 153,800 dinars.
In the Iraqi capital, exchange shops sold the dollar at 156,500 dinars and bought it at 155,500 dinars.
In Erbil, selling prices stood at 155,500 dinars per 100 dollars, while buying prices reached 154,500 dinars.
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/USD-IQD-exchange-rates-surge-in-Baghdad-and-Erbil-7
Basrah Crude Ends Week Lower
2026-02-28 Shafaq News- Baghdad Basrah Heavy and Basrah Medium crude grades closed the week in negative territory despite gains in the final trading session.
Basrah Heavy rose 64 cents on Friday to settle at $67.47 per barrel, but recorded a weekly loss of 67 cents, or 0.98%.
Basrah Medium gained 34 cents in the last session to reach $70.39 per barrel, posting a weekly decline of 97 cents, equivalent to 1.38%.
Globally, oil prices fell on Friday after the United States and Iran extended talks over Tehran’s nuclear program, easing concerns about potential hostilities that could disrupt supplies.
For the week, Brent crude was on track to decline 1.8%, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was set to fall around 2.2%, trimming part of the gains recorded in the previous week.
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Basrah-crude-ends-week-lower
