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📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) The Hague – Strong demand for AI systems pushed up sales forecasts and drove a gain in second-quarter profits Wednesday at Dutch tech giant ASML, which manufactures chip-making machines to power the tech industry. ASML is a critical cog in the global economy and a key bellwether for the tech sector, as everything from smartphones to missiles rely on the semiconductors crafted with its tools. Investors were watching the results especially closely after several sharp sell-offs in the tech sector over fears the AI bubble might be approaching its bursting point. But the firm’s chief executive officer Christophe Fouquet said AI was still pushing his business forward. \”Ongoing AI-related investments and continued progress in AI technologies are driving demand for advanced Logic and Memory chips, further strengthening the semiconductor industry’s growth outlook,\” said Fouquet in a statement. \”Our order intake remained extremely strong in the first half of the year,\” added the CEO. The firm, Europe’s biggest by market capitalisation, said it now expected to make between 43 and 45 billion euros ($49-51 billion) in total net sales this year. This was an increase from the range of 36-40 billion that ASML had previously forecast and was due to \”a continuous, very strong demand from our customers,\” said Fouquet. Net profits were also better than expected for the second quarter, coming in at 2.9 billion euros compared to the 2.3 billion euros the firm made in the same period last year. \”All in all, I would say a very strong quarter. Both from a market dynamic perspective and from an execution perspective,\” said chief financial officer Roger Dassen. Stock market players agreed, pushing the stock up by nearly eight percent at the opening bell of the Amsterdam trading session. Boosted by ASML, the AEX index soared above 1,100 points for the first time. – ‘Technological terrorism’ – ASML said it expects net sales of between 11 and 12 billion euros for the third quarter of the year. Its second-quarter net sales came in at a better-than-forecast 9.3 billion euros, compared with 7.7 billion euros in the same three months of last year. Based on the strong momentum, Fouquet said the firm planned to increase capacity by 30 percent for two of its key chipmaking machines, with another 30-percent boost possible in 2028. The company has been caught in the crossfire of a tech spat between the United States and China and has previously warned its Chinese sales would \”decline significantly\” this year. Dassen said ASML expected China to represent around 20 percent of its sales for 2026. \”You could say that the Chinese market is moving in sync with the overall behaviour that we see globally,\” said Dassen. Washington is leading efforts to curb high-tech exports to China over fears they could be used to bolster the country’s military. Beijing has reacted furiously to the measures, describing them as \”technological terrorism\”. Last month, ASML denied reports of US concerns that one of its advanced chipmaking machines was in China, potentially violating the restrictions. In January, ASML announced a shake-up in its organisation that was expected to result in the loss of around 1,700 jobs in the Netherlands and United States, mainly from leadership roles. The firm employs roughly 44,000 staff worldwide. The post AI demand powers forecast hike, profit gains at tech giant ASML appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Oil Minister Basim Khudair and representatives from Chevron discussed on Tuesday potential cooperation to support the ministry’s plans to increase oil production and develop infrastructure. The meeting is part of an official visit to Washington by an Iraqi team led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to meet with American officials to strengthen bilateral relations. According to a statement released by the Oil Ministry, Khudair discussed with Chevron’s head of corporate business development, Jake Spiering, prospects for collaboration between the Oil Ministry and the US-based firm, as well as strategies to expand partnerships in developing Iraq’s oil and gas sectors. Khudair underscored the ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with renowned foreign firms to accomplish mutual objectives and carry out key projects for Iraq’s oil and gas industry. Chevron representatives emphasized their interest in deepening cooperation with Iraq and exploring potential investment prospects in the oil and gas industries, indicating the company’s intent to broaden its presence in the Iraqi market. In early July, the Iraqi cabinet authorized the state-owned Basra Oil Company (BOC) to sign a preliminary agreement and non-disclosure agreement with a consortium of US-based Capital TI and Chevron, as well as Qatar’s UCC, to construct strategic oil pipelines. The consortium will carry out technical and financial feasibility studies to compare routes, including Basra-Haditha-Kirkuk-Ceyhan and Basra-Haditha-Baniyas, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The Iraqi Oil Ministry signed in February two agreements with Chevron to manage and develop major hydrocarbon resources in the country. Under the first agreement, Chevron acquired Russia-based Lukoil’s share in Iraq’s West Qurna-2 oil field, one of the biggest oil resources in both the country and the world. Chevron and Iraq’s Dhi Qar Oil Company and North Oil Company (NOC) have inked a second deal to develop the Nasiriyah oil field, four exploration blocks in the southern Iraqi province of Dhi Qar, and the Balad oil field in Salah al-Din province. The goal of the negotiations between Chevron and the Iraqi Oil Ministry is to improve the conditions of the contract, specifically with regard to profit margins, revenue-sharing arrangements, capital spending caps, and increased operational flexibility. Chevron reiterated its commitment to expanding long-term partnerships with the Iraqi government to effectively develop oilfields in the country. The post Iraq seeks active cooperation with Chevron to raise oil output appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – A US State Department official revealed on Tuesday that Washington backs Iraq and Syria’s efforts to reactivate a crude pipeline, potentially reducing Iran’s capacity to restrict oil shipments via the Strait of Hormuz. US companies are anticipated to participate in the construction of the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, which was damaged when the United States invaded Iraq in 2003. The US Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq, Tom Barrack, met with Iraqi, Syrian, and Chevron representatives to discuss the restoration of the pipeline connecting Iraq and the Mediterranean coast of Syria. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump received Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House and promised major oil deals in the coming two weeks. The Iraqi Ambassador to the United States, Nizar al-Khairallah, said in June that the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline’s capacity might be extended to one million barrels per day, highlighting the ambition to broaden the collaboration to include gas and electricity. Al-Khairallah viewed the proposal as a genuine opportunity arising from the present maritime difficulties facing ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that steps have already been taken to revive the ancient 800-kilometer Kirkuk-Baniyas oil pipeline, which was built in 1952 and had previously been destroyed because of instability. A specialized team traveled to Damascus in 2025 to discuss the technical and financial details of the pipeline’s rehabilitation, according to al-Khairallah. He added that the expected cost of the project has reached $8 billion. The restoration of the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline is anticipated to boost energy ties between the two countries and attract foreign investment. Both Damascus and Baghdad are working to restore the pipeline, which would give Iraq direct access to European markets via the Mediterranean. The post US supports initiative to revive Iraq-Syria oil pipeline appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Beijing – China’s economy grew at its weakest pace in more than three years during the second quarter, data showed Wednesday, missing expectations even as strong exports driven by the global AI boom helped offset trade disruptions caused by the Middle East war. The 4.3 percent year-on-year expansion reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for April-June, was short of the 4.5 percent forecast in an AFP survey of economists and the slowest growth since the fourth quarter of 2022. It was also short of the 4.5-5.0 percent annual rate targeted by Beijing, which is the lowest in decades. A years-long crisis in the property sector and a persistent slump in domestic spending have left leaders reliant on exports to meet growth targets. However, the US-Israeli war on Iran has threatened that as it chokes shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a vital transit route through which a fifth of global oil and natural gas normally passes. \”In the first half of the year, the national economy operated within a reasonable range,\” the NBS said in a statement. \”There are many unstable and uncertain external factors, and the domestic contradiction of strong supply and weak demand is prominent. The foundation for the economy to improve still needs to be consolidated,\” it added. The NBS data also showed retail sales grew 1.0 year-on-year in June, beating a Bloomberg forecast of a 0.1 percent drop. And industrial production rose 5.3 percent last month, topping a Bloomberg estimate of 4.6 percent. But in a gloomy sign, fixed-asset investment slid 5.7 percent on-year in the first half. – AI-driven export boom – Domestic demand dampened by low income expectations remains China’s \”weakest link\”, Yue Su of The Economist Intelligence Unit told AFP. \”We therefore expect policymakers to place greater emphasis on boosting consumption in the second half of the year and into early 2027\” through fiscal stimulus packages, increased minimum wages or directing wage growth towards frontline workers, she said. But analyst Zhang Zhiwei said the government was unlikely to change its policy stance in the coming months as a result of the latest figures. \”We need to keep in mind that the first-quarter GDP growth was strong at five percent. This means the government is still on track to deliver growth in line with the official (annual) target they set at 4.5-5 percent,\” Zhang wrote in a note. \”The export boom just continues to beat expectations, and it will likely remain strong in the short term,\” he added. The closely watched figures followed data Tuesday that showed exports surged a forecast-topping 27.0 percent year-on-year in June as the global AI boom helped fuel demand for chips and computing equipment. China’s semiconductor exports more than doubled in value in June year-on-year, while data-processing equipment shipments rose 53.1 percent from a year earlier. But that expansion was \”entirely a price story caused by the ongoing shortage of memory chips\”, Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said Tuesday, noting that the volume of semiconductor exports actually fell year-on-year in June. Tensions with the United States and European Union remain a source of friction. China remains locked in a simmering trade feud with the EU, with which it recorded a trade surplus of $32.9 billion in June. And while ties between Washington and Beijing have stabilised since US President Donald Trump visited Beijing in May, a trade imbalance and rivalry over chip production persist. The post China’s economic growth hits slowest pace in more than three years appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America (WGA) filed a lawsuit Tuesday to block Paramount Skydance’s proposed takeover of Hollywood studio Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the $110 billion acquisition would violate federal antitrust law and harm writers.  This latest hurdle comes a day after California and 11 other states launched separate suits to block the merger.  With Tuesday’s lawsuit, one of Hollywood’s powerful labor unions hopes to undo the US Department of Justice’s approval.  Many fear the merger will result in massive job cuts in an industry that has been under siege from consolidations and layoffs. \”The proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger threatens the economic and creative health of the American entertainment industry,\” the WGA complaint said, adding the merger \”would eliminate competition for buying film and television writing, resulting in suppressed compensation, worse deal terms, and reduced programming volume and diversity.\” The owners of Paramount Skydance, the Ellison family, are close to US President Donald Trump and the deal would give them control of CBS News and CNN, along with film studios Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., and streaming platforms Paramount+ and HBO Max. \”With fewer competitors, the merged Paramount-Warner Bros. entity would have both the incentive and the ability to lower costs by suppressing writers’ wages and reducing output. Writers will be paid less and have fewer employment opportunities,\” the Writers Guild said in its complaint.  Paramount engaged in a bidding war against Netflix to land Warner Bros., and argues the deal will create a strong rival to Netflix, Amazon and Apple.  To win support, the conglomerate has pledged to release at least 30 films a year that will remain in theaters for a minimum of 45 days. The US legal proceedings are being watched in the United Kingdom and European Union, where regulators have yet to approve the deal. The post Writers union sues to block US Paramount deal appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Atlanta – England will face Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, renewing a bitter rivalry in the tournament that stretches back to the early 1960s. 1962 – First round in Rancagua, Chile England won 3-1 in a match that had none of the controversy of subsequent meetings between the two sides. They went on to reach the quarter-finals while Argentina exited in the first round. 1966 – Quarter-final at Wembley, England A bad-tempered affair marred by some vicious challenges by Argentina, who had captain Antonio Rattin sent off for dissent. Rattin took almost 10 minutes to leave the pitch. The South Americans defended in numbers and made it difficult for England before Geoff Hurst scored in a 1-0 win. England boss Alf Ramsey was so incensed by Argentina’s tactics that he branded the visiting team \”animals\”, barring his players from swapping shirts with their opponents. Rattin died on Saturday at the age of 89, on the day England and Argentina qualified for the semi-finals of the 2026 tournament.  1986 – Quarter-final in Mexico City The match at the Estadio Azteca is remembered for Diego Maradona’s infamous \”Hand of God\” goal. Maradona punched the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton to give the South Americans a 1-0 lead. But there was no controversy about Maradona’s second goal — arguably the greatest in World Cup history. He collected the ball near the halfway line and skipped past several desperate England tackles before tucking the ball past Shilton. Gary Lineker pulled a goal back but Argentina held on for a 2-1 victory and went on to win the tournament for a second time. 1998 – Second round in St Etienne, France Michael Owen scored a wonder goal and David Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone in a dramatic encounter. Simeone would admit years later he had done everything in his power to provoke Beckham. Despite being reduced to 10 men early in the second half, England managed to hold on and might have snatched a sensational victory if Sol Campbell’s late header had not been disallowed.  The match went to penalties and David Batty’s miss confirmed England’s exit. 2002 – Group stage in Sapporo, Japan Beckham got a measure of revenge for his red card four years earlier when he scored a 44th-minute penalty that settled a tense affair 1-0 in England’s favour. The defeat deepened problems for an Argentina side featuring Simeone, Juan Sebastian Veron and Gabriel Batistuta, who crashed out in the group phase. England would go on to exit at the hands of Brazil in the quarter-finals. The post England v Argentina: World Cup battles appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Washington – Shares in IBM plunged 24 percent on Tuesday after the US tech giant released disappointing preliminary second-quarter results, blaming a shift in spending by customers due to expected higher prices for memory chips and other AI-related infrastructure. \”We did not adapt and move quickly enough,\” IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said in a letter to investors. The company said revenue for the three months ending in June came in at $17.2 billion, up just one percent. A global rush by tech companies to build out artificial intelligence infrastructure has sent demand for servers, memory chips and storage soaring, driving up prices and creating supply shortages across the industry. IBM said that toward the end of June, many of its big corporate customers rushed to buy up hardware to get ahead of expected price increases. That shopping spree pulled spending away from IBM’s higher-margin mainframe computers, the powerful machines used by banks and large corporations to process millions of transactions, and related software. IBM’s infrastructure business — which includes its flagship mainframe line — saw revenue fall seven percent. Software revenue grew five percent but still came in below expectations. Cybersecurity concerns across the tech industry also distracted clients during the quarter, IBM said, and a number of large deals failed to close on time. Those concerns were brought on by the release of Anthropic’s Mythos AI model, which has raised alarm bells for its capabilities to find weaknesses in computer networks that can be taken advantage of by hackers. In response, companies have worked to build up their cyber defenses instead of previously planned spending, analysts said. The tailspin by IBM will increase talk of the consequences of the AI revolution on traditional software companies — known as Software as a Service, or SaaS firms — of which IBM is an important member alongside companies like Salesforce, Adobe and Intuit. Shares in those companies were trading lower on Tuesday after the IBM warning. Earlier this year, Wall Street went into a brief frenzy, dubbed the SaaS-pocalypse, after analysts predicted that the sector was doomed due to the ability of AI models to provide everyday users the same capabilities. On the positive side, IBM’s Red Hat unit, which sells open-source software, posted 11 percent revenue growth. The company’s server and storage business outside of mainframes surged 37 percent as clients snapped up that equipment. IBM also announced Lightwell, a $5 billion initiative to fix vulnerabilities in open-source software, with backing from major banks including Bank of America, JPMorganChase and Goldman Sachs. The post IBM shares plunge as AI spending boom disrupts business appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Washington (IraqiNews.com) – According to US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi’s White House meeting with President Donald Trump marks a watershed moment in Baghdad-Washington relations, with both sides shifting their focus to investment, trade, and economic growth. Following the meeting, Barrack said on X that economic potential, rather than just security collaboration, will determine the future of the bilateral relationship. He said that Iraq is ideally positioned in the Middle East to act as a regional center, linking the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Central Asia, the Balkans, and the Caucasus via new trade routes, transportation corridors, and energy infrastructure. Barrack noted that more investment in Iraq will not only enhance the country’s economy but would also help to maintain regional stability while generating new possibilities for American enterprises. His words matched the themes discussed during Trump’s meeting with Al-Zaidi, in which both leaders prioritized increasing US investment in Iraq’s oil, gas, power, and infrastructure sectors as the foundation of a larger strategic alliance. The remarks are also consistent with Baghdad’s broader economic vision, which seeks to position Iraq as a regional gateway connecting the Gulf to Turkey and Europe via major infrastructure projects such as the Development Road, while attracting more international investment to diversify the economy and accelerate reconstruction. The post Barrack highlights Iraq’s role linking GCC, Turkey, Syria appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Washington (IraqiNews.com) — Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Falih Al-Zaidi paid a high-profile visit to the Pentagon on Friday, meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to deepen bilateral security and strategic collaboration. Hegseth greeted Al-Zaidi with an official honor cordon at the Pentagon before the two leaders discussed military cooperation and wider security challenges between Iraq and the United States. The Pentagon meeting came after Al-Zaidi met with US President Donald Trump at the White House, where they discussed boosting economic ties, luring American investment, and deepening the two nations’ long-term strategic alliance. While economic growth has dominated the prime minister’s visit, conversations with US military officials are expected to focus on Iraq’s changing security situation following the end of the US-led coalition’s combat campaign against ISIS. The negotiations come as Al-Zaidi’s administration seeks to enhance state authority by ensuring that all weapons remain under government control, while also working to modernize Iraq’s security institutions and bolster national sovereignty. Washington has consistently urged Baghdad to restrict the impact of Iran-backed armed groups and strengthen security under the Iraqi state, making military cooperation a critical component of the strategic alliance, alongside burgeoning economic and energy ties. Al-Zaidi’s tour to Washington has included investment, financial, and security diplomacy, highlighting Iraq’s aim to increase collaboration with the US while also pushing economic reforms and building national institutions. The post Iraqi PM holds Pentagon talks with US Defense Secretary appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Washington — US President Donald Trump praised new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi as a “champion” in a meeting at the White House on Tuesday, even as Washington presses Baghdad to curb Iranian influence. Trump hinted at making major oil deals with Iraq as he hosted Al-Zaidi, a businessman who came to power this year with US blessing after Trump vetoed another candidate. “We have a fantastic champion, a new champion,” Trump said as he welcomed the Iraqi premier to the Oval Office. “He’s been a great fighter and a great fan of America.” Trump said he had even decided to hold an unscheduled lunch with Al-Zaidi because of their “tremendous chemistry.” The Iraqi’s visit comes against the backdrop of renewed military escalation between the United States and Iran. Washington and Tehran are Iraq’s main allies but have long fought a proxy war over the country. Al-Zaidi has vowed to boost Iraq’s fragile economy and disarm pro-Iran armed groups that have targeted US facilities. He said he would not accept any armed groups outside state control once US forces leave Iraq on September 30, when the US-led coalition’s mission ends. “On September 30th, American forces will leave, and American companies will enter,” Al-Zaidi said. “After 30 September, we will not allow any entity to bear arms outside the state.” Al-Zaidi arrived in Washington on Monday for his first international visit since assuming office — a week-long trip during which he will also meet US officials and representatives of oil companies. Trump hinted at likely oil deals with Iraq — a long-time obsession for a leader who earlier this year asserted control over Venezuela’s vast reserves after toppling its leader, Nicolas Maduro. “We’re going to be doing a lot of deals,” Trump said. “We’re going to create a lot of jobs for both countries, and we’re going to be taking out a lot of oil.” – Delicate balance – Al-Zaidi will, however, have to continue Iraq’s delicate balance between Washington and Tehran. A senior Iraqi politician told AFP on condition of anonymity that even if the current government adopts a more US-friendly path, prioritising the economy, “it doesn’t mean that Iraq is turning against Iran.” Last week, Iraq’s holy cities hosted a massive funeral procession for Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike on Tehran as the war began in late February. While some armed groups said they will cooperate with Al-Zaidi, others remain firm in their refusal to disarm. Iraq’s pro-Iran armed groups have seen their political and financial clout increase over the years, and have long called for the withdrawal of American troops deployed as part of the anti-jihadist coalition. During the Middle East war, they intervened in support of Tehran, targeting US facilities in Iraq more than 600 times. Oil-rich Iraq has been trying to move past decades of war and unrest, but it still suffers from poor infrastructure, failing public services, mismanagement and endemic corruption. Trump, a long-term opponent of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, said that Washington had “attacked the wrong country”, implying that it should have invaded Iran instead. In recent months, Iraq has signed several deals with US companies in the oil and gas sector. In the United States, Al-Zaidi is expected to sign more agreements, including one to establish a fund into which Iraq will deposit half a million barrels of oil per day in exchange for help to boost the country’s electricity supply. Like other oil producers, Iraq, a founding member of OPEC, was greatly affected by the Middle East war. It is hugely dependent on oil exports, which make up about 90 per cent of its budget revenues, and the vast majority of its crude travels via the disputed Strait of Hormuz. The post Trump woos Iraq away from Tehran appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Washington (IraqiNews.com) — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi and US President Donald Trump agreed during discussions at the White House to boost economic cooperation, enhance strategic connections, and promote more American investment, ushering in a new era in Baghdad-Washington relations. According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, the discussions focused on increasing US company participation in Iraq’s development projects, particularly in the energy sector, as well as reviewing security and intelligence cooperation and regional efforts to promote stability. According to Al-Zaidi, Iraq wants to shift its relationship with the United States away from military cooperation and toward investment, commerce, and long-term economic engagement. He said that now that the US-led coalition’s military campaign against ISIS has completed, there should be a greater focus on commercial connections and private-sector engagement. The Prime Minister described the partnership as linking one of the world’s oldest civilizations with one of its leading economic powers, stating that Iraq sees the United States as a strategic partner capable of assisting the country’s economic modernization, technological advancement, and long-term growth. He also said that the advantages of increased US-Iraq collaboration will be shared across the country, including the Kurdistan Region, Basra, Anbar, and all other governorates, confirming his administration’s commitment to balanced national growth and unity. Trump, for his part, emphasized the United States’ support for Iraq’s efforts to improve stability, develop economic reforms, and increase bilateral collaboration, while highlighting the country’s vital significance in global oil markets. The conference ended with both parties confirming their commitment to developing a larger strategic cooperation focused on investment, economic development, and shared regional interests, reflecting Baghdad’s efforts to attract foreign finance and expedite its reform program. The post Iraq and United States deepen economic partnership appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Washington (IraqiNews.com) — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi said that Iraq has no intentions to exit OPEC, but claimed that the nation deserves a bigger production share given the massive financial cost incurred in the war against ISIS. During his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Al-Zaidi said that Iraq is committed to OPEC while requesting a fair allocation that represents the country’s contributions. “We are not considering withdrawing from OPEC, but Iraq deserves a fair share because of the huge amounts of money spent fighting ISIS,” Al-Zaidi said, adding that the cost exceeded $400 billion. Meanwhile, Trump emphasized increased American involvement in Iraq’s energy sector, claiming that US oil corporations are extending their presence in the nation. “The oil companies are entering Iraq at levels we’ve never seen before,” Trump said, attributing the increase to what he described as declining Iranian influence in Iraq. The statements emphasized the increased economic emphasis of US-Iraq ties under Al-Zaidi’s leadership, with energy investment emerging as a key pillar of collaboration alongside banking reform and infrastructure development. The summit takes place as Iraq strives to increase foreign investment in its oil and gas industry while balancing its OPEC obligations and pursuing larger economic reforms aimed at diversifying the country’s economy. The post Iraqi PM seeks larger OPEC share as Trump backs US energy investment appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Washington (IraqiNews.com) — During his visit to the White House, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi emphasized the significance of national unity, defining Iraq’s Kurdistan Region as an integral part of Iraq and promising equitable governance across the country. When asked about ties with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Al-Zaidi said that there were no differences between Iraq’s regions. “Kurdistan is such an important part of Iraq. It is no different than Basra,” he said. The Prime Minister likened Iraq to a single body, saying every province and region is equally important. “Each part of Iraq is part of my own body. I would never distinguish between any organ, and I cannot cut off any organ from my own body,” Al-Zaidi said. His remarks come as the new Iraqi government seeks to strengthen cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil after years of political and financial disputes over issues including oil exports, revenue sharing, and budget transfers. Since taking office, Al-Zaidi has repeatedly emphasized dialogue and partnership with the Kurdistan Region as part of his broader agenda to reinforce national unity. During the meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump also praised his relationship with Al-Zaidi, saying the two leaders had “tremendous chemistry” and describing the Iraqi Prime Minister as “a great fan of America” who has “done so much” to improve relations between Baghdad and Washington. The remarks echoed the upbeat tone of Al-Zaidi’s first White House meeting with Trump, during which both leaders emphasized stronger collaboration on economic growth, investment, security, and Iraq’s long-term stability. The post Iraqi PM pledges unity across all of Iraq appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Washington (IraqiNews.com) – During their meeting at the White House, US President Donald Trump stated that the US no longer believes it is necessary to maintain troops in Iraq, while Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to bringing all weapons under state control. In the Oval Office, Trump praised Iraq’s progress and stated that the relationship between Washington and Baghdad has entered a new phase. “We don’t need the military there. We were there to protect them, but we don’t believe that will be necessary any longer,” Trump stated. The US president also argued that Iraq’s regional environment had changed significantly as a result of recent developments involving Iran, saying, “Iran was a major burden on Iraq. “They won’t have that problem anymore,” Trump said. When asked about the 2020 U.S. strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Prime Minister Al-Zaidi expressed his focus on Iraq’s future rather than past conflicts. “I was not practicing politics and do not care about the past, and we look to the future,” Al-Zaidi said. Al-Zaidi also confirmed that weapons held by armed groups will be turned over to the state by September, reinforcing his government’s pledge to keep all arms under the sole control of state institutions. The commitment is one of the most direct public signals yet from Al-Zaidi’s administration that it intends to address the long-standing issue of Iran-linked militias operating outside of full government control—one of Washington’s top priorities in its relationship with Baghdad. The meeting reflected a larger shift in US-Iraq relations, with both leaders emphasizing economic cooperation, investment, and institutional reform while downplaying the American military mission in Iraq. The post Trump says US troops no longer needed, Iraqi PM vows militia disarmament appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Washington (IraqiNews.com) – During their White House meeting, US President Donald Trump expressed strong public support for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi, characterizing the new premier as the proper man to oversee Iraq and marking a transition in ties from security to economic cooperation. In the Oval Office, Trump complimented Al-Zaidi’s ascent to prominence and showed confidence in his leadership. “We have a tremendous chemistry together,” Trump said. “He won an election that a lot of people didn’t anticipate. It was very important to me to have somebody get in there that can do the job and do it well.” Trump also emphasized the expanding economic links between the two nations, citing increased investment by American energy firms in Iraq. “The oil companies are all going in now and they’re doing partnerships with Iraq, and they’re getting along very well,” he said. The US president said that the bilateral relationship is moving beyond its long-standing military emphasis, implying that Washington regards Iraq as an increasingly important economic and geopolitical partner. “The relationship is a whole big relationship where we don’t need the military there,” Trump said. “We’re there to protect them if need be, but we don’t think that’s going to be necessary.” Trump also said that Iraq’s regional climate has altered dramatically as a result of recent events concerning Iran. “Iran was a big burden on Iraq, but they’re not going to have that problem anymore,” he said. Reflecting on the 2003 invasion, Trump repeated his longstanding opposition to the war. “Even as a civilian, I used to say, ‘Don’t go into Iraq.'” “Don’t attack Iraq. They attacked the wrong country and caused a lot of damage,” he added. The statements completed what was largely seen as an extremely favorable first White House meeting between Trump and Al-Zaidi, in which both leaders emphasized further economic cooperation, energy investment, and a long-term strategic alliance. The visit is intended to pave the way for further US private-sector investment in Iraq, as Baghdad continues to pursue economic reforms, anti-corruption measures, and attempts to rebuild state institutions. The post Trump praises Iraqi PM and signals new era in US-Iraq relations appeared first on Iraqi News.

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – US President Donald Trump welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to the White House on Tuesday. Al-Zaidi’s official visit to Washington is his first foreign trip since taking office in May 2026. The two leaders met in preparation for serious discussions aimed at transforming bilateral relations from crisis management to strategic economic collaboration. The discussions are anticipated to focus on agreements in energy and trade sectors, as Iraq is seeking US investment and alternative oil export channels to minimize its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. According to the spokesperson of the Iraqi government, Haider al-Aboudi, Iraq is expected to sign memoranda of understanding with US corporations to boost oil production capacity. The anticipated oil and gas deals aim to establish alternate export outlets to mitigate interruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, according to al-Aboudi. Al-Aboudi added that al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington will also address approaches to enhance the capabilities of Iraq’s military forces. Al-Zaidi said in late June that Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia will be his top three regional destinations following his mid-July visit to Washington. The post US President welcomes Iraqi PM to the White House appeared first on Iraqi News.