Latest news with #US-Iraq
Shafaq News
01-07-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
US-Iraq collaboration deepens despite "anti-American" sentiment
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Washington Despite escalating armed groups' attacks and deep-rooted public opposition, Iraq and the United States are pushing ahead with renewed security and energy collaboration. According to a report by the Atlantic Council, even without the current conflict between Israel and Iran, the prospects for future US-Iraq relations have often appeared dim. Due in part to the reduced threat from ISIS, and also to public opposition to US military presence under Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), Washington and Baghdad agreed to reduce the role of US forces in combating ISIS and transition to a new security relationship. The report said that hostilities intensified in Iraq following US backing of Israeli operations in Gaza after October 7, 2023, prompting a wave of anti-American demonstrations and attacks on US-affiliated businesses. These developments, coupled with scaled-back military coordination, narrowed the space for broader cooperation. Nonetheless, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's April 2024 visit to the US signaled an effort to deepen strategic ties. In Houston, he signed agreements granting American energy companies preferential treatment over Chinese firms, and concluded deals with US defense contractors for equipment and training.
Shafaq News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq urges US to prevent Israeli Airspace violations
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed its call on Saturday for the United States to take urgent action to prevent Israeli aircraft from violating Iraqi airspace. According to a statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, during a meeting with Steven H. Fagin, the chargé d'affaires at the US Embassy in Baghdad, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Bilateral Relations, Mohammed Hussein Bahr Al-Uloom, expressed Baghdad's deep concern over what he described as repeated Israeli incursions into Iraqi skies. 'A recent breach of sovereignty was recorded on Friday, when Israeli warplanes reportedly flew over the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, continuing southward.' Bahr Al-Uloom stressed that the infringement 'not only undermines Iraq's sovereignty but also poses a direct threat to civil aviation safety,' particularly over Basra International Airport, which is currently the primary air gateway for returning stranded Iraqi citizens and outbound travelers. 'This is a matter of national security and the safety of civilian air traffic,' he emphasized. He also urged the US to 'take all necessary measures to halt these violations and enhance Iraq's capacity to deter threats to its sovereignty, territory, and airspace,' citing the 2008 US-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement as the foundation for cooperation on such matters.
Mint
12-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Hindustan Zinc, Hindalco to NALCO: Why were metal stocks in the red today? Analysts decode factors & top stock ideas
Metal stocks: Amid the sharp crash in the Indian stock market today, June 12, metal counters emerged as one of the top casualties, with the 15-constituent Nifty Metal index declining 1.55%. However, this fall comes on the heels of a nearly 4% rally seen in the last one week. Among the 15 metal stocks in the index, 14 closed in the red. Welspun Corp, APL Apollo, Tata Steel, SAIL, Vedanta and NMDC were among the top index losers, shedding between 2-3%. Hindalco, Hindustan Zinc, Adani Enterprises and NALCO also emerged among the losers, down between 0.5% to 1.75%. Jindal Stainless shares were the only ones to defy the weakness in the metal pack and the overall broader market. Analysts largely attributed the fall to profit taking amid a lack of conclusive outcome on the US-China trade deal talks and growing tensions in the Middle East. "Metal stocks started getting into profit-taking zone, driven by the rise in uncertainty in the geopolitical situation, headlined with US-Iraq as well as no clear direction on US-China deal talks. Despite 'frameworks' being reported, concrete outcomes are missing," said Prashant Tapse, Senior (VP) Research at Mehta Equities. Despite today's profit taking, the metal index is in an uptrend for the second month in a row. While it saw a massive fall in April amid a tit-for-tat tariff war between the world's two largest economies, reports of a trade truce brought investors back to metal counters. "Ongoing uncertainties and stalled tariff talks have kept metal stocks volatile. The US-China trade conflict has raised concerns about global demand and supply chain disruptions, impacting metal prices and stocks negatively. China's stimulus measures have been a key driver for metal demand globally. Recent disappointing or unclear stimulus announcements from China, particularly regarding its property sector, which is a major consumer of metals, have dampened hopes for a sustained recovery in metal demand," said Vaibhav Vidwani, Research Analyst at Bonanza. Market dynamics such as profit-taking after previous rallies has also led to selling pressure on Indian metal stocks and the Nifty Metal index, Vidwani added. Going ahead, Tapse expects choppy trading and volatility in metal stocks in the short term, as they are likely to swing with headline news. Technically, he sees more pressure in the metal space, Tapse said, adding that one can use dips as entry points in stocks like JSW Steel and Tata Steel. Meanwhile, Vidwani prefers Hindustan Zinc amid a bullishness in the silver prices. "Hindustan Zinc is the stock we are bullish on because Hindustan Zinc have +15% revenue contribution of silver, and we can expect upward movement in the near term in silver prices, which will support the revenue growth and net profitability of the company, as per the Bonanza analyst. Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
Shafaq News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
US Secretary of State underscores Kurdistan's role in US-Iraq ties
Shafaq News/ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington's support for the Kurdistan Region in a recent phone call with President Nechirvan Barzani, highlighting its key role in US-Iraq relations. According to the State Department, the two discussed efforts on Wednesday to boost cooperation and maintain stability in Iraq, Syria, and the wider region. Rubio commended the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for working with US companies and helping advance Iraq's energy independence.
Shafaq News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Republican lawmakers urge immediate US sanctions on Iraq
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, two Republican members of the US House of Representatives called for immediate sanctions on Iraq, accusing Baghdad of falling fully under Iranian influence and acting as a 'puppet' of Tehran. In a letter addressed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Representatives Joe Wilson of South Carolina and Greg Steube of Florida demanded a 'comprehensive reassessment' of US-Iraq relations, urging the suspension of all American aid to the Iraqi government until 'serious steps' are taken to curb Iran's dominance. My letter today with @RepGregSteube to Secretary Rubio asking for sanctioning Iraq to be included as part of maximum pressure. ⬇️ — Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) May 28, 2025 'Iran now effectively controls the Iraqi government and large parts of its security apparatus,' the lawmakers wrote, adding that continued US support for Baghdad amounts to 'a betrayal of the more than 4,400 American service members who died since 2003.' The letter also blamed former President Barack Obama's administration for 'emboldening Iran's position in Iraq' by backing former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and allowing Iran-backed militias to expand under the pretext of fighting ISIS. Wilson and Steube described current US policy toward Baghdad as a 'strategic failure,' and called for a firmer stance to contain Iranian influence not only in Iraq but across the region.
