Tishwash: Washington warns attacks by “Iran-aligned militias” threaten Iraq’s stability
The US State Department on Wednesday condemned attacks by “Iran and Iran-aligned militias” targeting American interests in Iraq, warning that continued assaults could threaten the country’s stability and risk drawing it into “a broader regional conflict.”
A State Department spokesperson told Shafaq News that such incidents have repeatedly targeted “U.S. diplomatic personnel and facilities, civilian targets, and energy infrastructure in Iraq.”
The spokesperson also referred to recent remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who urged Iraqi authorities to “take all possible measures to safeguard U.S. diplomatic personnel and facilities and ensure militia groups cannot use Iraqi territory to threaten the United States or the region,” noting, “Doing so is in Iraq’s interest.” link
Tishwash: The dollar is manipulating the Shammar dishdashas, but Rabia will not compromise on her Eid elegance.
The dollar is above 1500 dinars, and vendors are talking about prices that are double, even in the most remote cities of Iraq.
With the arrival of Eid al-Fitr and people heading to the markets to shop, residents of Al-Awainat village, which belongs to the Rabi’a district in Nineveh, compare prices last year with current prices. Sellers say that a clear increase can be observed, reaching double the price for some goods. Rifa’i Shatti, the owner of a children’s clothing store, told 964 Network that children’s dresses were sold last year for prices close to 10,000 dinars, while this year they have reached 30,000 dinars.
In their simple analysis and reading of the market, the locals attribute this rise to the large increase in the dollar exchange rate, which exceeded the threshold of 155,000 dinars per hundred dollars, in addition to the new customs tariff system “ASYCUDA”, which ended the estimated customs duties on containers and turned them into specific customs duties for each imported item.
Sales at Hadhil Abdul Karim’s wholesale food store were unaffected, because buying sweets is an indispensable part of the holiday traditions, no matter how high the prices rise.
Fadel Halil, a citizen from Al-Awainat village, told 964 Network that the used dishdasha (bare) he used to buy for Eid was much more expensive than last year, demanding fairness from shop owners and merchants. Anwar Tharwi, the owner of a men’s (new) clothing shop, indicated that the price increase was also evident in his products. link
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Tishwash: Washington grants temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil sales
The United States has granted a temporary 30-day sanctions waiver for the sale of Iranian oil at sea, in a move aimed at easing pressure on global energy supplies amid escalating military tensions in the region.
Reuters quoted US Treasury Secretary Scott Bisent as saying that the Trump administration had issued a general license allowing the sale of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products loaded onto ships, effective from March 20 to April 19.
Bisent explained that this step comes as part of efforts to increase supply in global markets, noting that opening this supply temporarily could add about 140 million barrels of oil, which would contribute to easing pressure on markets and stabilizing prices.
This is the third such exemption in about two weeks, indicating a phased US approach to dealing with the repercussions of disrupted energy supplies, in parallel with the continuation of sanctions imposed on Tehran.
These measures come at a time when global energy markets are facing increasing challenges as a result of geopolitical tensions, prompting a number of countries to take exceptional measures to ensure stable supplies and avoid sharp price fluctuations. link
