Khor Abdullah off parliament agenda: MP cites "misconception"
Parliament is unlikely to vote this Saturday on the 2012 Khor Abdullah maritime agreement with Kuwait due to legal hurdles and insufficient quorum, Mohammed al-Sayhoud, the Secretary-General of the 'Ajyal' political group, told Shafaq News on Wednesday.
Al-Sayhoud explained that the 2012 agreement, which aimed to regulate navigation in the disputed waterway, was wrongly perceived as a border deal, clarifying that it was intended to shift operational control back to Iraq, unlike the earlier 1991 arrangement that gave Kuwait significant authority.
Although the agreement passed in Parliament at the time, it was later annulled by the Federal Supreme Court for failing to meet the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority.
The lawmaker warned that Iraq now faces two options, 'return to the unfavorable 1991 terms or negotiate a new deal.' He noted that the 2012 agreement has been sent back to Parliament but requires at least 207 votes to pass.
Al-Sayhoud expressed doubt that Saturday's session would have enough MPs present but said a vote could take place in subsequent meetings, urging lawmakers to support the agreement in the interest of Iraq's sovereignty and economic control over the waterway.
'If lawmakers are truly committed to the country's interests, they must vote in favor of the 2012 agreement,' he added.
Earlier, Iraq's three presidencies agreed that the Parliament must take the necessary legislative action following a ruling by the Federal Supreme Court requiring the re-legislation of the law ratifying the Khor Abdullah agreement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
22 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Israel threatens Iran strikes if nuclear program resumes
Shafaq News – Washington Israel has warned it could launch military strikes against Iran if Tehran resumes operations at its nuclear facilities, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. Citing US and Israeli officials, the report detailed a recent meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, during which Trump voiced a preference for a diplomatic path with Iran. However, he indicated he would not oppose an Israeli decision to take military action if negotiations collapse. Israeli officials noted that any strike would depend on the seriousness of Iran's efforts to revive its nuclear program, stressing that Trump aims to use the threat of escalation to encourage Tehran to accept a deal preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon. Israeli officials also acknowledged that Netanyahu could face pressure from Washington to delay military action. However, they emphasized that Israel may act independently, even without a formal green light from the United States. This comes as Israeli intelligence has identified suspected covert sites where Iran may attempt to restart nuclear activities, cautioning that it can disrupt those efforts in the short term.
Shafaq News
22 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
War of narratives won: Qalibaf cites "Boom Boom Tel Aviv" song
Shafaq News – Tehran On Saturday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf described the country's 90 million citizens as the 'solid core of the Islamic Republic,' framing national unity as one of the most significant outcomes of the recent 12-day conflict with Israel. Speaking to Tasnim News Agency, Qalibaf pointed to what he called an unusual level of alignment among Iran's religious establishment, highlighting that both senior Shiite clerics and Sunni scholars had voiced support for Tehran's stance during the fighting. Qalibaf also highlighted the role of cultural messaging during the conflict, pointing to the viral song Boom Boom Tel Aviv as a reflection of what he described as Iran's evolving approach to public diplomacy. The track, combining a fast-paced beat with imagery of Iranian missiles striking Israel, quickly gained momentum online, surpassing one billion views across platforms—an achievement Qalibaf framed as a 'victory in the war of narratives.' The Iran-Israel war, which broke out on June 13 and continued for 12 days, resulted in heavy casualties and significant infrastructure damage on both sides. The conflict also drew in the United States, which conducted strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities as part of its involvement.
Shafaq News
22 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
US Federal judge halts immigration raids over racial profiling
Shafaq News – California A US federal judge has blocked immigration raids in seven California counties, including Los Angeles, after civil rights groups accused the Trump administration of using racially targeted enforcement tactics. Citing a 'mountain of evidence' that federal agents were violating constitutional rights, Judge Maame E. Frimpong issued an emergency injunction from a Los Angeles district court, barring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from making arrests based on race, conducting warrantless operations, or denying detainees access to legal counsel. The lawsuit—filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and immigrant advocacy organizations—centers on the detention of three laborers and two US citizens. One plaintiff was allegedly held despite presenting valid identification. Raids targeted car washes, swap meets, Home Depot parking lots, and other public spaces across Southern California, sparking mass protests. Demonstrations intensified following the deployment of National Guard units and US Marines to assist in enforcement efforts. The injunction also extends to Ventura County, where agents on Thursday detained dozens of workers at a cannabis farm. The operation triggered clashes with demonstrators and left multiple people injured. Court filings accuse DHS of enforcing an 'arbitrary arrest quota' and engaging in racial profiling. The ACLU cited cases of agents arresting individuals solely for 'looking Hispanic,' including day laborers in construction gear. One incident involved Brian Gavidia, a Latino US citizen allegedly assaulted and detained at a tow yard in a predominantly Latin American neighborhood. ACLU attorney Mohammad Tajsar questioned why non-Latino individuals were consistently overlooked during the sweeps. The Trump administration quickly denounced the ruling. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson insisted immigration enforcement is an executive power. 'No federal judge has the authority to dictate immigration policy,' she stated, predicting the decision will be overturned on appeal. DHS officials also pushed back. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin dismissed the racial bias allegations as 'disgusting and categorically FALSE,' claiming operations were lawful and based on credible intelligence. In court, government attorney Sean Skedzielewski defended DHS practices, asserting arrests relied on a 'totality of the circumstances,' including prior surveillance and known activity—not race alone. He emphasized that internal protocols and training ensure compliance with Fourth Amendment protections.
