AGP Executive Report

Border Security: Kuwait says “hostile drones” hit the Al-Abdali crossing with Iraq, causing material damage but no casualties, as Iraq’s side reported a temporary closure. US-Iran Tensions: Iran’s army says it will keep retaliatory strikes going while US attacks continue, amid reports of a US strike on the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iran and Iraq that killed two and injured 11. Regional Escalation: Yemen’s Houthis claimed attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, raising fears of a new shipping chokepoint as oil briefly topped $100 a barrel. Diplomacy in Focus: Iraq’s PM Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Tehran for talks with President Masoud Pezeshkian on energy, agriculture, and regional stability, with Iraq stressing neutrality in US-Iran tensions. Intelligence Scrutiny: Reuters reports US investigators are probing whether Russia helped Iran target covert CIA facilities, including sites in Saudi Arabia and eastern Iraq. Energy Routes: With Hormuz risk rising, regional states are accelerating pipeline plans, including Iraq-Syria restoration work aimed at cutting reliance on the strait.

US-Iran War & Iraq Security: Air defenses intercepted four drones over Erbil, with explosions heard near the US consulate; earlier, explosive-laden drones were also shot down near the consulate and around a Kurdistan Freedom Party camp. Anti-Corruption Crackdown: Iraq’s judiciary says it recovered 13 billion dinars plus gold in the Jumaili case, as part of a wider anti-corruption drive that has already netted billions in assets. Energy & Trade Routes: Iraq says it lost $40–45 billion in revenue since the war began, mainly from a sharp drop in oil exports as Hormuz risks choke shipments; at the same time, Iraq and Syria move into studies to rehabilitate the Kirkuk–Baniyas pipeline to reduce reliance on the strait. Regional Shipping Shock: Yemen’s Houthis claim they struck Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, while UKMTO reported a tanker fire after an unknown projectile—raising fresh concerns for global oil flows. Diplomacy Watch: Former US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad says Iraq’s PM Al-Zaidi has a chance to balance Washington and Tehran, but militia threats remain the key test.

Iraq-US Energy Push: Iraq says it secured $200bn in energy deals during Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi’s Washington visit, including agreements with Halliburton, HKN Energy and Chevron, as Baghdad tries to boost crude output and gas self-sufficiency while planning export routes beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Kurdistan Diplomacy: Syria’s foreign ministry delegation visited Erbil to move ahead with opening a Syrian consulate for Kurds and Syrians in the region, where most of Iraq’s Syrian refugees live. Security Appointments: Iraq named new federal police and counterterrorism chiefs, signaling continued reshuffles as regional tensions rise. Regional War Fallout: The US-Iran standoff kept escalating, with Iran-linked attacks reported across the Gulf and new travel warnings issued for multiple countries, while oil shipping disruptions spread from the Red Sea to Hormuz-linked routes. Human Cost: The US announced a dignified transfer for four service members killed in the Middle East, including one soldier killed in Iraq during a drone detonation.

US-Iran Escalation: The U.S. says it completed its 11th straight night of strikes on Iran, targeting hangars and drone storage as diplomacy stalls and the Strait of Hormuz remains the key flashpoint. US Casualties in the Region: The Pentagon confirmed a third soldier believed killed in a Jordan base attack—Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, from New York—raising the U.S. death toll to 18, after earlier IDs of two other victims and a separate Iraq death tied to a drone detonation. Iraq’s Energy Pressure: Iraq struggles to meet power demand as Iranian gas imports drop, worsening summer shortages. Digital Safety Push: Iraq’s media regulator urged people to report online abuse and digital extortion targeting women, including AI-fabricated content. Local Economy & Trade: Iraq opened its first industrial solar module factory in Karbala, while ports reported stronger 2025 activity and the central bank pushed e-payment firms to expand digital services. Food Security: Iraq says 4.8 million tons of wheat reached state storehouses in the 2026 marketing season.

Kurdistan Health Funding: KRG approved about $21.3M for Hiwa Cancer Hospital in 2025, covering medicines, supplies and daily devices, while shortages still push talks with Baghdad for remaining needs. Housing Push: Nineveh prepared 5,000+ hectares for 100,000+ homes under Ali Al-Zaidi’s residential-plot drive, prioritizing families without property. Electricity Shake-up: Iraq’s Electricity Ministry replaced the Sadr City distribution branch head, citing job-description gaps, as part of a wider cabinet reshuffle. Security Crackdown: Baghdad’s National Security Service arrested three suspects and seized 25 drone frames from a workshop, stopping production before completion. Oil Shipping Hit by Hormuz: India’s Indian Oil Corp canceled a 2M-barrel Basra loading plan, with another refiner also delaying due to Strait of Hormuz risks. War Toll and Alerts: The Pentagon said nearly 100 U.S. troops were injured in the Iran conflict over two weeks, while the U.S. issued a rare worldwide travel warning amid escalating strikes. Kuwait Power Rationing: Kuwait urged residents to cut air-conditioning use as Iranian strikes hit power and water plants, raising fears of outages.

U.S.-Iran Escalation: The Pentagon identified Pvt. Isabella Gonzales (19, Texas) and 1st Lt. Tyler Feehan (25, Hawaii) as the two Americans killed in an Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, with a third service member still missing after the attack; CENTCOM says the U.S. is now on its 10th straight night of strikes on Iran, aiming to disrupt attacks on commercial shipping tied to the Strait of Hormuz. Regional Spillover: Iran claims it hit U.S. assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, while the Houthis announced a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, raising fears for Red Sea oil routes and wider regional instability. Iraq Angle: Iraq-based risks remain in focus as another U.S. service member was reported killed in northern Iraq during a “controlled detonation” of a downed Iranian drone, and reports say the Pentagon has been slow to disclose some injury details. Energy & Costs: With conflict fears driving crude higher, U.S. gas prices have climbed back above $4 a gallon, adding pressure to inflation expectations.

US-Iran Escalation: The US launched a ninth straight night of strikes on Iran, saying it aims to degrade Tehran’s ability to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as Gulf states reported drone and missile interceptions. Casualties in Iraq and Jordan: CENTCOM confirmed a US service member was killed in northern Iraq during a “controlled detonation” of ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, while two others were killed in Jordan and another remains missing after the earlier attack. Diplomacy on the ropes: Iran says it is in “full-scale war” and claims the US has suspended commitments, while Washington says it remains open to talks if Hormuz security improves. Energy shock for Iraq: Oil prices pushed above $90 a barrel and US gas prices again topped $4, while Iraq’s SOMO moved to resume gas oil purchases after a long pause, citing renewed Hormuz disruption. Kurdistan under pressure: The Kurdistan Freedom Party accused Iran of using white phosphorus in a drone attack on its base in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.

US-Iran Escalation: The US launched its ninth straight night of strikes on Iran after CENTCOM said a service member was killed in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, while unidentified remains were found in Jordan after an earlier attack. Regional Fallout: Iran also claimed strikes near Syria’s Al-Tanf and Bahrain reported air-raid sirens, as Israel warned missile fire toward Jordan could spill over. Strait of Hormuz Pressure: With shipping disrupted and oil prices pushed above $90 a barrel, Iraq is moving faster on alternatives, including plans for a pipeline to Mediterranean ports via Türkiye and Syria. Iraq Security Watch: Analysts warn ISIS could exploit the coming US troop exit, arguing the “gaps” after September could be the group’s opening. Sports Glance: Kylian Mbappé won the World Cup Golden Boot twice, finishing with 10 goals and edging Lionel Messi.

US-Iran Escalation Hits the Gulf: The US says it’s on an eighth straight night of strikes to “swiftly punish” IRGC-linked forces after two US troops were killed in Jordan, while Iran and allies report drone and missile attacks that are increasingly hitting power and desalination infrastructure across the region, raising fears the fight will spread. Kurdistan Under Pressure: Kurdistan Region leaders condemned renewed Iranian-linked attacks and drones over Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, warning the region is being pulled into wider tensions. Iraq’s Oil Squeeze and Workarounds: Iraq says war disruption cost it about 302.8 million barrels in the first half of 2026, even as exports rise via Hormuz and rerouting through Syria; Baghdad is also pushing new pipeline options to reduce dependence on the Strait. Anti-Corruption Push: Iraq’s Integrity Commission detained an electricity official over $3.3M embezzlement tied to diverted cables, as the “Dawn Crackdown” continues. Human Trafficking Crackdown: Iraq detained 5,107 people in 2025 trafficking cases but formally identified only 385 victims, with rights groups citing conflict, poverty, and weak oversight. Diplomacy Ahead of Tehran: Sources say PM Ali al-Zaidi plans a Tehran visit with an Iraqi proposal to open US-Iran dialogue channels. Energy Deals: Iraq and Syria signed an MoU in Washington to rehabilitate the Iraq-Syria crude pipeline, aiming for 2 million bpd capacity and a Mediterranean export route. World Cup Buzz: FIFA’s 2026 prize pool tops $727 million, with Iraq fans likely watching the tournament’s record payouts.

Iraq–Syria Energy Push: Iraq and Syria signed a MoU to rehabilitate a cross-border crude oil pipeline to Syria’s Mediterranean coast, with Chevron named for the project and a wider $60bn package of Iraq–US deals tied to energy, infrastructure and telecoms. Northern Export Lifeline: North Oil Company says the Kirkuk-to-Ceyhan pipeline system is ready for pumping, starting with technical steps to fill the line for trial runs—aimed at restoring a second export route as Hormuz risks bite. Kurdistan Under Strain: A drone hit a Kurdistan National Army headquarters west of Erbil, near the Darashakran camp, as air defenses intercepted drones approaching the US consulate; separate reports also describe explosive drones downed near the consulate. Anti-Corruption Skepticism: Iraqis back the Dawn Crackdown but doubt it will reach senior officials, saying credibility depends on prosecutions that go beyond low-level arrests. Baghdad Kids’ Crisis: Baghdad’s safe play spaces are shrinking as green areas and public recreation sites disappear and costs rise, leaving families to avoid streets and even many parks. US–Iran Escalation Spillover: Two US service members were killed and one is missing after an Iranian strike on a Jordan base, prompting new US airstrikes against Iran and raising regional tension. Pipeline Politics With Turkey: Turkey and Iraq are moving toward a 12-month extension of the Iraq–Turkey crude pipeline transit deal to prevent exports from stalling.

US-Iran Escalation: The Strait of Hormuz fight is intensifying as the US hits Iranian infrastructure and Iran retaliates across the region, with Kuwait reporting damage to power and desalination facilities. Oil Route Shift: With Hormuz under pressure, Iraq is moving fuel through Syria using thousands of trucks, while Baghdad and Damascus sign deals to revive a long-dormant crude pipeline to the Mediterranean. Iraq-US Deals: Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s Washington visit produced 48 agreements with US firms, including major energy pacts and Starlink for satellite internet. Banking Reform: Iraq’s Central Bank and the US Treasury cleared seven Iraqi banks to resume correspondent foreign-currency transactions, a step toward restoring wider dollar access. Kurdistan Under Fire: Drone and missile attacks hit Erbil and Sulaymaniyah; six Kurdish parties demand the strikes stop. Local Security & Health: PMF courts handed ISIS members 15-year sentences; hemophilia patients in Kurdistan warn of life-saving medicine shortages. Environment Crackdown: Iraq’s environment ministry orders owners of wild animals to surrender them within 10 days.

US-Iran Escalation: The US and Iran traded widening drone and missile strikes across the Middle East, with Washington hitting bridges and port infrastructure and Tehran firing at US-allied states including Qatar and Kuwait, as the Strait of Hormuz fight keeps oil shipping under pressure. Kurdistan Under Fire: Iranian drones and missiles struck Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, including Erbil near the US consulate and ammunition depots in Sulaymaniyah, while local security forces reported multiple drone interceptions. Iraq-US Energy Push: Iraq signed dozens of deals with US firms worth over $60 billion, including plans to expand crude exports and build an “energy city” as Baghdad courts investment and seeks routes that reduce reliance on Hormuz. Iraq-Syria Pipeline Plan: Iraq and Syria signed a US-backed memorandum to rehabilitate the Kirkuk–Baniyas crude pipeline, targeting an initial capacity of 2 million barrels per day. Oil Route Backup via Turkey: Turkey and Iraq moved toward extending their long-running Kirkuk-to-Ceyhan pipeline transit deal for another year to keep northern exports flowing. Anti-Corruption & Security: Iraq’s audit flagged alleged nepotism in Dhi Qar police hiring, while military intelligence arrested five wanted terror suspects across Diyala, Kirkuk, and Nineveh. Local Life: Farmers continued harvesting tomatoes in Baghdad despite the wider regional turmoil.

Iraq-Syria Border Security: Iraq’s Joint Operations Command launched a high-level probe into an arms shipment smuggled toward the Syrian border, with investigators reviewing checkpoint logs and inspection records and expected to report within 48 hours. Kurdistan Under Strain: The Kurdistan Region presidency condemned missile and drone attacks that hit Sulaimaniyah and Erbil, killing nine members of the Iranian Kurdish opposition group Komala and prompting drone interceptions over Erbil. Energy Crunch in the North: After Dana Gas suspended Khor Mor gas field operations over security threats, the KRG says it has agreed with Baghdad to receive household LPG supplies, as electricity generation in the region drops. Counterterrorism: An Iraqi court sentenced an ISIS bomb-maker to death and security forces arrested five terrorism suspects in Diyala, Kirkuk and Nineveh. Oil Deals: BP and ConocoPhillips moved toward major investment in Iraq’s Kirkuk area, while Chevron discussed preliminary steps to expand Iraqi oil output and pipeline options to reduce reliance on Hormuz. Regional Escalation: The wider US-Iran conflict continues to spill into Iraq and the Gulf, with both sides trading strikes and Iran warning of further infrastructure pressure.

Iraq–Turkey Energy Lifeline: Turkey and Iraq are close to signing a 12-month extension of the Kirkuk–Ceyhan crude pipeline deal, meant to keep exports flowing as the Strait of Hormuz remains a major risk. Regional Security & Smuggling Crackdown: Syria says it seized an advanced weapons shipment from Iraq—missiles, drones and anti-tank rockets—destined for Hezbollah, while Iraq says it will investigate and form a high-level committee. US-Iran Tensions Spill Into Iraq: Drones hit or were intercepted around Erbil, the US Embassy urged Americans to stay alert, and an Iran-aligned Iraqi faction denied involvement. Power Crisis Protests: Residents in Dhi Qar and Al-Diwaniyah blocked roads over worsening electricity cuts, as Iraq faces a large summer supply gap. Oil Sector Push: Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi urged Chevron to expand in Iraq, while Dana Gas suspended operations at the Khor Mor gasfield citing security threats. Anti-Corruption Drive: Iraq’s courts publicized major cash and gold seizures in the Al-Jumaili oil-sector graft case, as inflation eased to 3% in May.

US-Iran Escalation: The US hit targets further north in Iran and fired on a tanker it said tried to break its naval blockade, as Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on regional allies and warned the fight could widen. Basra Energy Disruption: A drone struck a ship off Basra; Iraq briefly suspended oil loadings before resuming, with officials saying there was no damage or fire. Hezbollah Arms Pressure: Syria says it seized advanced weapons and rockets meant for Hezbollah on the Iraq border, underscoring cross-border smuggling pressure amid US-led push for Lebanon de-escalation. Iraq Sanctions Enforcement: Iraq ordered banks to enforce US sanctions tied to Hezbollah-linked groups, aiming to block sanctioned networks from using Iraq’s financial system. Anti-Corruption Crackdown: Investigators found cash hidden in bottles in the Al-Jumaili case, while Iraq also reported gold and other assets seized in the wider probe. Basra Road Tragedy: A drunk driver hit pilgrims heading to Karbala, killing at least 10 and injuring 12. Regional Oil Route: Turkey and Iraq are nearing a one-year extension of the Kirkuk-to-Ceyhan pipeline deal to keep crude exports flowing as Hormuz tensions persist.

US-Iraq ties & troop exit: Iraq’s PM Ali al-Zaidi told US lawmakers that Baghdad wants balanced relations, reforms, and a better investment climate, as Washington and Baghdad push a shift from military cooperation to business deals. Diplomacy in Washington: Al-Zaidi met House Foreign Affairs leaders and discussed expanding economic and security cooperation, with reports of more than 18 agreements expected. Last US troops: Iraq’s PM and the Pentagon say US forces will fully withdraw by Sept. 30, ending a 23-year mission. Erbil drone scare: Three explosive-laden drones were shot down near the US consulate in Erbil; no casualties reported. Iraq anti-corruption: Authorities detained a power company director in a corruption sweep, and also arrested defense ministry officers in a major hospital graft probe. Oil-route pressure: With Hormuz under strain, Iraq’s reliance on alternative export routes remains in focus, including a near-final 12-month extension of the Iraq-Türkiye crude pipeline to keep flows to Ceyhan. Regional war backdrop: US strikes and Iran’s response continue to rattle shipping and raise fears for energy supplies.