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Iraqi PM heads to US seeking balance between security and economy

Iraqi PM heads to US seeking balance between security and economy

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is travelling to the United States for talks with President Donald Trump, in what will be his first foreign trip since taking office in May. During this week’s meetings, al-Zaidi is expected to sign agreements in energy and trade while also boosting investment with US companies. Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi told reporters on Sunday the visit to Washington, DC, will mark a shift in the countries’ relations “from a framework of crisis management to a strategic economic partnership”. The focus, he said, would not be about striking a “temporary” agreement but about establishing “a durable, long-term partnership that serves the shared interests of both countries”. Al-Aboudi said oil would be “a top priority” during the visit as the Iraqi government seeks to increase production and find alternative export hubs to lessen the consequences of any future closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq was one of the countries badly hit by the shutting down of the critical waterway in recent months due to the US-Israel war on Iran, as about 90 percent of its 3.4 million barrels per day (bpd) of exports passes through it. Al-Aboudi said Iraq’s proposal to establish an energy and development fund with the US would be on the table to finance any projects that would be agreed upon, especially in the energy sector. Al-Zaidi had previously said the fund would initially be structured in oil exports of 500,000 bpd with the goal of increasing to as much as two million bpd. Advertisement The prime minister has also said Iraq seeks to increase oil production to seven million bpd over the next three years, up from its current output of about 4.5 million bpd. “Iraq is in need of such kind of cooperation, especially with a partner like the United States to enhance and strengthen its capacity, particularly in the energy, oil, gas, electricity, and petrochemicals sectors,” said Abdulrahman Almashhadani, an Iraqi economic expert and professor. “However, the critical question remains whether Iraq can provide a safe and stable environment that would encourage US companies to come to Iraq,” he said. “This issue is sensitive and unresolved; it largely depends on the government’s ability to deliver on its commitments to restrict weapons to state control.” Large delegation Sources told Al Jazeera the Iraqi delegation to the US comprises more than 70 people, including key ministers, the head of the central bank, the national security adviser, lawmakers and businessmen. A well-informed source said meetings with US administration officials and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have also been planned. According to the source, who asked not to be named, Iraq is seeking to secure an IMF loan of up to $8bn. A separate well-informed source told Al Jazeera that the disarming of pro-Iran Iraqi armed factions and restricting weapons under state authority, as well as Baghdad’s relationship with Tehran, are expected to be among the issues the US side will raise during the visit. In his first speech in parliament as prime minister, al-Zaidi had promised that the state would have control over weapons in a country where paramilitary groups, including many supported by Iran, have been powerful since the 2003 US-led war on Iraq. Some armed factions said they would abide by the prime minister’s declaration, but others – particularly the powerful ones that launched missiles and drones at US facilities during the war on Iran – rejected it. In a statement released hours before al-Zaidi’s trip to Washington, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed groups in the region, including Iraq, rejected the prime minister’s visit and its outcomes. “We will not give a blank cheque for all government policies. We warn against replacing military occupation with an economic occupation that is even more dangerous,” the statement said. “The option of defending Iraq and its legitimate interests will remain on the table,” it added. Al-Zaidi has said his government is eager to implement a 2024 deal made with the US-led coalition’s military mission in Iraq to end its presence as combat forces by the end of September. Advertisement Some of the factions that rejected the prime minister’s disarmament statement said they would wait to see what happens on September 30 and then act accordingly. Ehsan al-Shammary, a professor of international studies at Baghdad University, said the economic initiatives and the backing that al-Zaidi is seeking from Trump during Monday’s talks would inevitably be overshadowed by the issue of Iran’s influence in Iraq. Ultimately, he added, it is the issue that will determine the success or failure of a “very important” visit that could “redefine” bilateral relations and “give it a push”. “Al-Zaidi has little room for manoeuvre. He should choose either to align with the United States or move closer to Iran,” said al-Shammary. “I do not believe Washington is willing to accept a divided sphere of influence in Iraq alongside Tehran. That is why the prime minister’s task appears to be almost impossible.” Adblock test (Why?)

Trump: US will ‘take over’ Strait of Hormuz

Trump: US will ‘take over’ Strait of Hormuz

NewsFeed President Donald Trump has said the US will ‘take over’ the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Iran of breaking the deal and insisting Washington should be paid to guard the waterway. Trump confirmed on Truth Social that the reinstated blockade would begin ‘immediately’. Published On 13 Jul 202613 Jul 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)

India thrash England in historic first women’s cricket Test match at Lord’s

India thrash England in historic first women’s cricket Test match at Lord’s

England, set a record-breaking target of 457 for victory, were dismissed for 186 shortly before lunch on the final day of four. Published On 13 Jul 202613 Jul 2026 Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma shared the last four wickets as India completed a 270-run thrashing of England to win the first women’s Test at Lord’s. England, set a record-breaking target of 457 for victory, were dismissed for 186 shortly before lunch on the final day of four on Monday Rana took 4-42, removing Amy Jones for 54 and finishing the landmark match when she bowled Sophie Ecclestone for 50. Fellow spinner Sharma chipped in with the wickets of Issy Wong and Lauren Bell as England crumbled in front of a crowd that included India men’s cricket great Sachin Tendulkar. India were dominant in all aspects of a game being played 142 years, and 150 matches, after Lord’s staged its first men’s Test and decades on from the first women’s game of any kind at the London ground – a 1976 one-day international between England and Australia. Victory meant India finished their tour with joyous memories of Lord’s, having been knocked out of the T20 World Cup in the group phase at the “Home of Cricket” by eventual champions Australia. England, by contrast, struggled to adapt to the demands of the longer format in a match that started just days after their T20 World Cup final loss to Australia at Lord’s on July 5. Their second-heaviest Test reverse, in terms of runs, and fourth defeat in five Tests was not the way England would have wanted to send off Tammy Beaumont and former captain Heather Knight in the veteran batters’ final appearance before international retirement. The match was a personal triumph for India’s Kranti Gaud and Yastika Bhatia, the first women to take five wickets and score a century respectively in a women’s Test at Lord’s. Advertisement Gaud took a superb 5-37 in England’s first-innings 170 and wicket-keeper Bhatia’s 113 – her first century in any international format – was the cornerstone of India’s imposing second-innings 341-7 declared. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised her top order, with opener Smriti Mandhana hitting fifties in both innings “In this Test match, the way they batted was outstanding to watch,” said Kaur at the presentation ceremony. “Bhatia is a great batter. I had a really strong feeling for her – that’s why we put her in the eleven – and I’m really happy with the way she played.” Seam bowler Gaud was named player of the match after also taking 2-54 in the second innings. “Growing up I never imagined something like this would happen but the moment the Test started I wanted to get my name on the honours board,” said Gaud. “I stuck to what the coaches told me. My strength is to hit the right length and the ball moved and did its bit.” ‘Exceptional India’ Defeat left England still searching for their first win in a home women’s Test since 2005. “I’m disappointed all round, really,” England coach Charlotte Edwards told Sky Sports. “You come into such a historic Test match and occasion, which has been absolutely amazing. To then not play anywhere near our best over the four days…” The former England captain added: “A lot of credit has to go to India. I thought they were exceptional. They were really disciplined with bat and ball.” Nat Sciver-Brunt, the current England skipper lamented a lack of time between formats but said: “As cricketers we have to be prepared for that and recover as best we can before preparing for a Test match.” England resumed in dire straits at 130-6. The highest successful fourth-innings chase in any women’s Test is Australia’s 198 against England in Sydney in 2011. England’s slim hopes of success rested with wicket-keeper Jones, 52 not out after completing her second fifty of the match. Jones, however, had added just two runs to her overnight total when she pulled Rana to mid-wicket. The tourists, in rare blemishes, dropped a couple of catches but the end was not long in coming to the vocal delight of India fans basking in another sun-drenched day at Lord’s. Although Monday’s crowd was sparse, the overall attendance across the four days of 37,846 was a new record for a women’s Test. Adblock test (Why?)