Iraqi authorities took custody of eight suspects arrested in Erbil on corruption-related charges, including three lawmakers, for transfer to Baghdad to face legal proceedings. A team from Iraq's Federal Commission of Integrity, accompanied by investigators from its Kirkuk office, received the suspects from Kurdistan Region security authorities at the Sherawa checkpoint between Erbil and Kirkuk.

A Kirkuk security source identified the lawmakers as Ziad al-Janabi, Mohammed al-Mayyahi, and Ashwaq al-Jubouri, saying the remaining five detainees were members of their security details. A separate security source in Kurdistan, however, said the other five detainees were senior government officials.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has met with Fuad Hussein, his Iraqi counterpart, in the Iraqi capital. The two ministers are currently giving a press conference in Baghdad.

“The war is still ongoing in the region in another form, and there are military skirmishes on the edges of the Strait of Hormuz,” Hussein said.

“Ending the war in the region is a priority for all of us. The security of the region must be the responsibility of its people. The region can protect itself in several ways, and we call for holding a meeting for the Gulf states, Iraq, and Iran.”

Iraq’s foreign minister stressed in the meeting with Araghchi the importance of opening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the naval block

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on Monday accused the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) of obstructing the formation of the Kurdistan Region's tenth cabinet and delaying the activation of parliament. In a statement, KDP spokesperson Mahmoud Mohammed said the PUK had prolonged political negotiations following the sixth parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region by delaying the election of the parliament's leadership and preventing progress toward forming a new government.

“The KDP had intensified contacts and negotiations since the elections in an effort to activate parliament and complete the cabinet formation process,” he noted, accusing the PUK of failing to accept the election results and creating obstacles that have hindered constitutional procedures.

Iraq’s Oil Ministry is working to restore production to the level within two months, following the sharp decline caused by the US-Israel war on Iran. Iraqi oil production fell by approximately 60 percent due to the war, dropping to 1.3 million barrels per day from 3.3 million barrels before the war began.

“It is possible that we will return within one to two months to the previous production levels, which exceed three million barrels per day from the southern fields,” said Farhoud.

Iraq is among the world’s largest oil producers and exporters, with proven reserves estimated at 145 billion barrels, according to official figures.

Turkiye is steadily rebuilding ties with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), marking a significant shift in its long-standing approach to Iraqi Kurdish politics.

Amwaj media outlet reported on Thursday that Turkish Ambassador Anil Bora Inan met PUK leader Bafel Talabani, and Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani earlier this month after years of strained relations, during which Ankara favored engagement with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and accused the PUK of “acting as the PKK’s primary Iraqi backer.” The PUK later emerged as a facilitator in the PKK disarmament process, helping open a new channel for engagement with Turkiye.

Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) launched on Sunday a raid-and-search operation against ISIS in the Yarghun area of Taza Kharmatu, south of Kirkuk province.

The operation was initiated at dawn based on intelligence indicating the presence of ISIS elements in Yarghun, a locality within the Bashir sub-district of Taza Khurmatu, situated roughly 55 kilometers south of Kirkuk city. The raiding force came under fire shortly after entering the area, sparking a sustained exchange of gunfire that continued as of the time of reporting, with army aviation providing aerial cover and a heavy security presence on the ground.

Kataib Hezbollah, one of Iraq's most powerful Iran-aligned armed factions, warned Sunday that it would strike American military installations across the region if the United States intervenes directly in the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

The warning came hours after Iran launched four successive waves of ballistic missiles at Israel, driving Israelis in northern and central Israel into shelters. Tehran said the strikes were in retaliation for Israeli bombardment of Beirut's southern suburbs.

"If America intervenes in this confrontation, we will target its bases and interests," the group said in a brief statement issued from Baghdad.

Prime ⁠Minister ⁠Ali al-Zaidi has ordered the resumption of operations ⁠by oil companies in the country’s ⁠Kurdish region. Some energy companies operating in Iraq’s Kurdish region shut oil and gas production at ⁠their fields because ⁠of repeated drone attacks on oilfields and energy infrastructure.

Kurdish region ⁠production shutdowns have ⁠added to the ⁠Middle East supply disruptions after the closure of the ‌Strait of Hormuz by Iran and the subsequent blockade of Iran by the US.

Global shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) stated that one of its vessels came under fire twice while departing Iraq’s Umm Qasr Port in Basra, describing the incident as an “unjustified” attack on a neutral commercial carrier.

The Panama-flagged MSC Sariska V was struck once while a harbor pilot remained onboard and a second time in the crew accommodation area, according to the company. No injuries were reported among the crew.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had confirmed targeting the vessel as a response to a previous “US assault on an Iranian vessel in the Gulf of Oman.” MSC, however, stressed that it has no affiliation with either the United States or Israel.

Earlier today, Iraq’s Higher Maritime Commission placed its personnel and supporting agencies on alert to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident inside Iraqi territorial waters. A security source told Shafaq News that the strike prompted the evacuation of 20 sailors to the Search and Rescue Center at Al-Faw Port, with no casualties reported.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the two dominant political forces in the Kurdistan Region, are moving toward resolving their prolonged political crisis, resuming bilateral dialogue, and reactivating the regional parliament. The two parties, while politically distinct with differing visions and mechanisms, share substantial common ground. Efforts are underway to arrange a meeting between the two sides in the near future, such talks would strengthen mutual understanding and coordination.

Iraqi security officials say a drone attack caused an explosion on a cargo ship about 40 nautical miles (74km) southeast of Umm Qasr, the port city in southern Iraq. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported the ship was hit by an unknown projectile in the Arabian Gulf.

The explosion caused a fire that was eventually brought under control. No casualties were reported.

Iranian missiles target Kurdish opposition base near Erbil

On 18 May, the first transit convoy transporting goods from Turkey to Iraq through Syria took place, bypassing the Kurdistan Region. This marks the first operation of its kind in more than 15 years. The trucks carrying Turkish goods entered Syria via the Tal Abyad crossing, which reopened last week, before proceeding toward Rabia in Iraq’s Mosul province, another crossing that was recently reopened. The development appears to be part of a broader Turkey–Syria–Iraq connectivity corridor, which could also incorporate the Nusaybin–Qamishli route once that crossing reopens in the coming months.

For the Kurdistan Region, this represents a major setback. Its geostrategic importance has already diminished in recent years, particularly after Iraq implemented a new border system that reportedly reduced Turkey–Iraq trade traffic through the KRG-controlled Ibrahim Khalil crossing by approximately 70%.

On 19 May, the Ministry of Communications stated that internet coverage across Iraq would be suspended between 06:00 and 07:30 on each day of the upcoming final exams, scheduled for 9th Class of Middle School on:

• 20, 24 May

• 2, 4,7, 8, 9, 11, 14 June.

Additionally, internet services will be blocked for 12th Class (Final Highschool Class) exams:

• 13, 15, 18, 21, 24,28 June

• 1, 4 July.

Click Here for Interactive Incident map of Iraq

• 29 Jun: KRG transfers eight corruption suspects to Baghdad

• 28 Jun: Iranian, Iraqi ministers hold press conference in Baghdad

• 23 Jun: KDP criticizes PUK of “delaying” Kurdistan government formation

• 20 Jun: Iraq seeks three million barrels of daily oil production after fall due to war in Iran

• 19 Jun: Turkiye-PUK relations improve after years of tensions

• 14 Jun: CTS raids ISIS in southern Kirkuk

• 08 Jun: Kataib Hezbollah to attack US bases if Washington joins conflict

• 03 Jun: Iraq PM orders resumption of operations by oil companies in Kurdish region

• 02 Jun: Attacked MSC vessel “Sariska” has no affiliation with US or Israel

• 01 Jun: Iraqi Kurdistan's PUK and KDP move to end political deadlock

• 01 Jun: Explosion and fire reported on cargo vessel by Iraqi officials

• 01 June: Iranian missiles target Kurdish opposition base near Erbil

• 31 May: Iraqi PM meets US envoy amid armed factions debate

• 30 May: Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah supports state-led arms process but keeps weapons

• 28 May: Al-Sadr sets one-week deadline for Saraya Al-Salam to join Iraqi state institutions

• 28 May: Ansar Allah al-Awfiya Leader Assassinated - Maysan

• 27 May: IS Chemical Weapons Engineer, Naji Attiya Khalifa killed in Kirkuk Province

• 20 May: Turkey - Syria - Iraq Trade Corridor bypasses Kurdistan

• 19 May: Kata'ib Hezbollah Response to Al-Saadi Arrest -- Kidnapping Threat Issued

• 19 May: Iraq arrests 200+ suspects in largest regional cyber crackdown

• 15 May: Three drones strike PDKI camp north of Erbil

• Disarmament dispute shadows Al-Zaidi cabinet vote as blocs unveil nominees

• Iraq unveils new “SARA 1” multi-role drone system

• PMF initiates operation “Imposing Sovereignty” across Iraqi deserts

• Iraq to activate Kirkuk-Nineveh pipeline within month

• Turkiye pushes deeper economic role in Iraq’s Kirkuk

• Iraqi farmers return to Baghdad streets over unpaid compensation

• Iraq dollar rates rise across Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra

• Iraq Announces New Oil Discovery at Al-Qarnain Block

• Iraq to hold confidence vote session either Monday or Tuesday: Parliament official

• Iraq’s oil exports to US fall over the week

• Kurdish group’s camp hit by drones in northern Iraq

• Iraq's oil lifeline is blocked: Here is why the crisis runs deeper than Hormuz

• US SECDEF Holds Phone Call with Iraq’s Prime Minister Designate