Latest news with #IrfanSiddiq
Shafaq News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Baghdad rocked by explosions: Iranian missiles traverse Iraqi skies
Shafaq News/ The loud explosions that rattled Baghdad early Saturday were caused by Iranian missiles crossing Iraqi airspace, a security source confirmed. The source told Shafaq News that one missile's fuel tank crashed between Abu Ghraib and Al-Radwaniyah, west of the capital, with no casualties recorded. The incident unfolded as Iran and Israel entered their second week of direct strikes, with both sides exchanging missile and drone attacks across multiple fronts. Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani renewed his rejection of Israel 's use of Iraqi airspace in strikes against Iran. In a meeting with UK Ambassador Irfan Siddiq, al-Sudani condemned the overflights as a 'violation of sovereignty' and a threat to both regional and global security. He called on the UN Security Council's permanent members to intervene—demanding a halt to Israeli strikes on Iran and Gaza, and pressing for immediate humanitarian access to the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Iraqi News
19-06-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
UGT Renewables plans 3,000-megawatt solar energy project in Iraq
Baghdad ( – In a move to support Iraq's efforts to diversify its energy sources, UGT Renewables, a well-known supplier of renewable energy solutions, plans to establish a large solar energy project in Iraq with a capacity of 3,000 megawatts. The Iraqi Minister of Electricity, Ziyad Ali Fadel, met on Wednesday with the British Ambassador to Iraq, Irfan Siddiq, and other officials to discuss the details of the memorandum of understanding the Iraqi government signed last month with US-based UGT Renewables to build a 3,000-megawatt solar power plant in Iraq, according to a statement released by the Iraqi Electricity Ministry. The project includes the construction of energy storage systems with capacities of up to 500 megawatts, as well as 1,000 kilometers of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines to improve the efficiency and stability of Iraq's electricity grid. Fadel clarified that the ministry aims to produce 12,000 megawatts of solar energy by 2030, in addition to developing different renewable energy projects that will help achieve sustainable development and environmental preservation. The officials who attended the meeting underlined their desire to expand their collaboration with Iraq, reaffirming their commitment to transferring experience and modern technologies while also contributing to the Iraqi electrical sector's long-term growth. In light of the country's growing need for power, the Iraqi government is taking measures to diversify its energy sources and attain sustainability in the energy industry. In 2023, the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity sought to sign contracts with big businesses, such as France-based TotalEnergies, to build a 1,000-megawatt power plant in Basra, and China-based PetroChina to develop another power plant in Muthanna with a capacity of 750 megawatts. The Iraqi cabinet has approved a plan to assign projects to specialized companies for the generation of 7,500 megawatts of solar energy by 2030. These initiatives are part of a broader national strategy that aims to produce a total of 12,000 megawatts of solar energy.
Iraqi News
04-06-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
CBI signs a training agreement with the British Council
Baghdad – INA The Central Bank of Iraq(CBI) announced today, Wednesday, the signing of a training agreement with the British Council. A statement from CBI signs a training agreement with the British Council received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated, "Under the patronage of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, the Central Bank of Iraq signed a training cooperation agreement between the bank and the British Council, in the presence of the British Ambassador to Iraq, Irfan Siddiq, The agreement was signed on behalf of the Central Bank by the Director of the Human Resources Affairs Directorate, Falah Saleem, and on behalf of the British side by the Director of the British Council, Ben Lawton, and the Country Director of the British Council." It added, "This agreement comes within the framework of enhancing joint cooperation between the two sides, aiming to develop the capabilities of Central Bank of Iraq employees in the field of English language, through organizing specialized training courses in cooperation with the British Council, this will contribute to raising linguistic proficiency and enhancing professional communication at the regional and international levels."
Iraqi News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court receives British Ambassador
Baghdad-INA Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court, Judge Jassim Mohammed Abboud, affirmed on Wednesday that the Constitution guarantees the rights and freedoms of Iraqis, including voting, elections, and candidacy. A statement from the court, received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), stated that "Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court, Judge Jassim Mohammed Abboud, received the British Ambassador Irfan Siddiq and his accompanying delegation in his office at the Federal Supreme Court." It pointed out that "during the meeting, the need to strengthen joint cooperation in all fields between the Republic of Iraq and the United Kingdom, particularly in the field of constitutional justice, was addressed." The Chief Justice emphasized that, "Despite the difficulties facing Iraq, the 2005 Constitution of the Republic of Iraq, as a document of the Iraqi people that may not be violated for any reason, has established the fundamental principles of sound democratic construction, with the goal of achieving popular democracy and realizing the principle of the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power, in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of the Constitution." It added, "Iraq is about to hold general elections for the next parliamentary term, and the measure of the success of the elections depends on the real level of popular participation." It explained that "the Constitution guarantees the public and private rights and freedoms of the Iraqi people, including the right to vote, elect, and run for office, it is prohibited to infringe upon or influence these constitutional rights by any party or for any reason, leading to the building of a strong civil state based on national identity and transcending sectarian, ethnic, and interest-based quotas." He continued, "The Constitution also requires the preservation of public funds and the prevention of encroachment upon them, in accordance with Article (27), given that public funds are sacred and their protection is the duty of every citizen. It is prohibited to use such funds for illegitimate purposes." For his part, the British Ambassador affirmed that "his country is keen to cooperate with the State of Iraq in all areas, including cooperation to achieve the constitutional goals of sound democratic construction, the preservation of public funds, and the rule of law."
Iraqi News
26-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraqi PM Al Sudani and UK Ambassador Siddiq discuss boosting economic partnership
Baghdad ( – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani met with the British Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Irfan Siddiq, in Baghdad on Monday (May 26, 2025). Their discussions centered on reviewing avenues for joint cooperation and bolstering the economic partnership between the two nations, reflecting existing bilateral agreements and understandings. Prime Minister Al Sudani highlighted Iraq's current phase of openness, particularly in developmental fields, infrastructure reconstruction, and expanding the state's capacity to deliver services. He specifically pointed to the potential for collaboration between Iraq's public and private sectors and British companies across a wide range of investment activities. On his part, Ambassador Irfan Siddiq affirmed his government's strong desire to consolidate cooperative relations and partnership with Iraq. He also emphasized the UK's commitment to joint efforts aimed at fostering stability throughout the region. The meeting underscored a mutual commitment to advancing Iraq-UK relations, particularly in stimulating economic growth through enhanced investment opportunities and collaborative projects.
