US mulls travel ban for dozens of countries, Iraq exempt

“Iraq's exemption from US visa restrictions underscores the strength of bilateral relations and the importance of joint cooperation in the security, economic, diplomatic, and immigration fields,” Farhad Alaaldin, a political advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani told state media on Sunday.

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IRGC threatens ‘decisive’ response against any US attack after Trump warning 

"Iran will not wage war, but if anyone threatens, it will give appropriate, decisive, and conclusive responses,” commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Hossein Salami said in a televised speech on Sunday. 

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Iran to receive Trump letter from ‘an Arab country’: foreign minister

Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the letter has not reached them yet, revealing that “an envoy from an Arab country is set to deliver it soon in Tehran.”

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Iranian FM condemns US decision to rescind Iraq sanctions waiver

“It is extremely deplorable that the US administration has decided to target the innocent people of Iraq by attempting to deprive them of access to basic services such as electricity, especially ahead of the coming hot months of the year,” Araghchi wrote on X late Monday. 

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US urges Baghdad to ‘pay arrears’ owed to US oil companies working in Kurdistan Region

“The National Security Advisor urged the Iraqi government to work with the Kurdistan Regional Government to address remaining contract disputes and pay arrears owed to U.S. energy companies,” Waltz wrote in a post on X

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Iraq’s power brokers stumble in the shadow of US sanctions

Iraq’s political system stands at a crossroads: it must either sacrifice its current relationship with Iran to evade US sanctions or risk a popular uprising that could destabilize it. Strengthening ties with neighboring states and forging new partnerships may be the only way to reduce reliance on Iran and shield Iraq from sanctions without triggering internal collapse.

Alfadhel Ahmad

Opinion

EXCLUSIVE: Iraqi transition away from Iranian energy provides opportunity for US companies: State Department

“Iran is an unreliable energy supplier.  It is unable to meet its own domestic demand, let alone export," a US State Department spokesperson told The New Region.

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Iran slams new US sanctions as ‘clear sign of hostility’ 

The sanctions are a "clear sign of the hostility of American policymakers towards the welfare, development, and happiness of the great people of Iran", said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.

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US urges Iraq to ‘quickly’ resume Kurdish oil exports, end Iran's 'malign' influence

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the need for “quickly” reopening the Iraq-Turkey pipeline to resume the Kurdistan Region's oil exports while discussing “reducing” Iran’s influence in Iraq in a phone call on Tuesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

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