PM Zaidi (2026-Present)

2026

 

Apr 28 Businessman Zaidi nominated as prime minister by ruling Coordination Framework

 

May 11 Report Quds Force cmdr Gen Qaani in Iraq again Told Resistance to not make any

concessions about disarming restructuring Hashd or allow PM Zaidi to go after them Iran thinks Zaidi too pro-US State Dept official said Resistance had to be expelled from state and cut from budget

May 11 Govt borrowing more due to Iran War Finance Min borrowed 46 tril dinars/$35.1 bil

in total 2023 govt borrowed 7.6 tril dinars/$5.8 bil 2024 borrowed 17.1 ril dinars/$13 bil 2025 borrowed 10.8 tril dinars/$8.2 bil 1st 4 months of 2026 borrowed 10.5 tril dinars/$8 bil

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Financial Woes Continue Due To Iran War And Trump Administration)

 

May 12 Project to connect Iraq to Gulf States power grid delayed due to Iran War Was

supposed to start beginning of Apr Another hit to Electricity Min plans to boost output during summer

May 12 Plan to import liquefied natural gas delayed due to Iran War Was part of Electricity

Min plans to boost production during summer Max output of grid 28,000mw Demand at 50-55,000mw

 

May 13 2 Iranian drones hit KDPI in Irbil province Iran accused Kurds of receiving US

weapons

 

May 14 14 members of Zaidi’s cabinet approved by parliament 2 nominees rejected 9 other

positions still disputed by ruling parties

May 14 Report Saudis hit Resistance group along Iraq-Saudi border after US-Iran ceasefire

Group had been attacking Saudi Arabia and Gulf States Kuwait fired missiles into Iraq at least 2 times

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Pro-Iran Resistance Continue Attacks Upon Neighbors)

May 14 Report US said 6 members of Resistance should not be given positions in PM Zaidi

govt

May 14 Economist posted on Facebook that Iraq’s debt reached 96.6 tril dinars 3 tril dinars

drawn down form foreign reserves in just 2 wks UK analyst said growing borrowing meant future budgets would spend more on paying off debts than investing in economy

 

May 15 Hezbollah al-Nujaba said pro-Iran Resistance weapons did not come under state

control

May 15 3 Iranian drones hit KDPI camp in Irbil province Iran accused Kurds of receiving

US weapons

 

May 17 Saudis intercepted 3 drones from Iraq Said it had right to respond 3 Iraqi drones

attacked UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Pro-Iran Resistance Continue Attacks Upon Neighbors)

May 17 Report Iran built secret base in Iraq’s western desert in 2025 for first war vs Iran May 17 Report Govt withdrew over $1.8 bil from Central Bank of Iraq’s foreign reserves to

cover budget due to decline in oil revenues because of Iran War

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Financial Woes Continue Due To Iran War And Trump Administration)

 

May 18 Oil Min Khudair said Iraq wanted to reach self-sufficiency in natural gas by 2030

Was supposed to be self-sufficient in 2026

May 18 Kataib Hezbollah accused Jordan as being base for most US and Israeli

reconnaissance missions during Iran War Said Jordan got a taste of what would happen to it during war if didn’t change policy

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Pro-Iran Resistance Continue Attacks Upon Neighbors)

May 18 Gulf Cooperation Council condemned Iraq’s attack upon Saudi Arabia on May 17

Said Iraq violating security and stability of region

 

May 19 UAE Defense Min said it intercepted 6 Iraqi drones in last 48 hrs

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Pro-Iran Resistance Continue Attacks Upon Neighbors)

May 19 Report Iranian Rev Guard claimed it discovered cache of US weapons going from

Kurdistan into Iran meant for Kurdish opposition parties KRG official denied it was helping weapons go to Iran Trump has talked about arming Iranian Kurds

May 19 Peshmerga Chief of Staff said unification of KDP and PUK forces to be completed

by Sep 2026 Was supposed to be done in 1992

 

May 21 Kurdish opposition group Komala’s camp in Sulaymaniya attacked by 2 Iranian

drones Iran accused Kurds of receiving US weapons

May 21 Central Bank of Iraq warned of chronic budget deficits Said might have to borrow

externally to cover deficit Said state owned banks had reached limit of loaning money to govt Said govt spending fixed by govt salaries and welfare payments When revenue dropped govt had to cut investment budget to cover those costs limiting long term growth of economy

May 21 Report Babil govt trying to build bridge across Euphrates in Hilla One side of bridge

completed other ends near Kataib Hezbollah base Group asked repeatedly to leave base so bridge could be completed but refused May 20 Babil governor went to base to discuss matter Was verbally attacked One of his team assaulted Govt vehicle taken

 

May 22 Report Iraq running $9.5 bil/mo deficit due to decline in oil exports

 

May 24 Kurdish opposition parties Komala and Kurdistan Freedom Party hit with 8 Iranian

drones in Irbil province Tehran accused them of receiving US weapons

 

May 26 2 Iranian drones and missile hit Kurdish opposition party Kurdistan Freedom Party

in Irbil province injuring 9 fighters Iran accused them of receiving US weapons

 

May 27 Sadr said his militia Saraya al-Salam would be integrated into the state Said other

factions should do the same Sayid al-Shuhada of the pro-Iran Resistance said it would not disarm Said resistance would continue as long as US was in Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq said it supported disarmament

(Musings On Iraq US Demands About Iranian Influence In Iraq Causing Disarray Amongst ruling Shiite Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Begins Integration Plan For Armed Factions)

 

May 30 Kataib Hezbollah said it would not disarm under US pressure Said it would help

others that wanted to give up their weapons Said as long as US in Iraq would be no disarmament

May 30 Report PM Zaidi would meet with factions willing to disarm 3 steps to process

Inventory of weapons Handing them over Integration of groups into security forces or Hashd Were already part of Hashd and the state

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Begins Integration Plan For Armed Factions)

 

May 31 Iranian opposition group Kurdistan Freedom Party hit by Iranian missile in Irbil

province Iran accused them of receiving US weapons

May 31 Sadr’s Saraya al-Salam militia officially turned over their weapons to the govt

May 31 Report Ruling Coordination Framework was hoping it could make cosmetic changes

to Resistance to appease US Now seems US has set conditions that won’t allow that Sadr’s announcement that his militia would join the state pushed Resistance to make similar decision PM Zaidi asked for 3 month period to work out deal with resistance Zaidi talked with factions before becoming PM Led him to form partial cabinet without their participation Sadr has talked about Resistance and Hashd becoming unarmed humanitarian group Said those that didn’t agree would be outlawed Talk of 5 of 7 factions willing to disarm Badr’s Amiri pushing for a Federal Security Ministry that would include Hashd Rapid Reaction Div Federal Police Border Police and perhaps Peshmerga Would allow Hashd to keep their men but under govt authority That already exists with Hashd  Resistance afraid disarmament will lead to then being targeted

(Musings On Iraq US Demands About Iranian Influence In Iraq Causing Disarray Amongst ruling Shiite Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Begins Integration Plan For Armed Factions)

 

Jun 1 Ruling Coordination Framework resolution said that all weapons would be placed

under state control

Jun 1 2 Iranian missiles hit the HQ of the Toilers of Kurdistan in Irbil province Iran accused

them of receiving US weapons

Jun 1 Report Hikma member said Coordination Framework has decided that Resistance

cannot continue because of events during Iran War and US demands 5 groups willing to disarm Sadr’s Saraya al-Salam officially turned over weapons to state Asaib Ahl Al-Haq supposed to be next Quds Force cmdr Gen Qaani pushed Resistance to maintain weapon Report that Iran circulating message to Resistance that they betrayed Iran by saying they would disarm and weapons belonged to Iran not them Kataib Hezbollah refuses to disarm

(Musings On Iraq US Demands About Iranian Influence In Iraq Causing Disarray Amongst ruling Shiite Parties)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Begins Integration Plan For Armed Factions)

 

Jun 2 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Imam Ali Brigades announced they would disarm and integrate

            into the state

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Begins Integration Plan For Armed Factions)

 

Jun 9 Iranian opposition party KDPI camp hit by Iranian drone in Irbil province Iran

accused them of receiving US weapons

 

Jun 10 Report Zaidi govt set Sep as deadline for pro-Iran Resistance to disarm Also when US

led Coalition supposed to withdraw from Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Begins Integration Plan For Armed Factions)

 

Jun 14 Report Jun Coordination Framework resolution said all weapons would be brought

under state control Led to Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Imam Ali to announce disarmament Kurdish official believed Resistance would take over security forces rather than be integrated Sunni leader in Kirkuk said Resistance would not disarm Just trying to appease US Badr official said govt plans to dissolve Hashd

 

Jun 18 Report US sent 2 shipments of US$s to Iraq US stopped delivery of oil revenues to

pressure govt to exclude Resistance groups from new Zaidi govt

 

Jun 19 Report Iranian Revolutionary Guard created 10 men units of Shiite fighters in Basra

and Muthanna to attack Gulf states during Iran War 3 drone strikes vs Kuwait 2 vs Saudi Arabia 2 vs UAE Attacks continued after ceasefire

 

Jun 22 Govt seized 25 bil dinars Confiscated 70 properties from fmr Dep Oil Minister

Jumaili Charged with corruption

 

Jun 24 Zaidi govt announced 10 yr economic plan to diversify economy and reduce budget’s

dependence upon oil from 90% to 45% Iraq never implemented any plans

Jun 24 In 2025 Iraq top 3 countries flaring gas after Russia and Iran Govt said it wanted to

end gas flaring by 2027 Flaring actually increased in last 10 yrs

 

Jun 27 PM Zaidi said he wanted to raise oil production to 7 mil/bar/day in 3 years Said

would rely upon US companies Before Iran war Iraq was producing 4 mil/bar/day

 

Jun 28 67 officials and MPs arrested as part of PM Zaidis’s anti-corruption campaign

Included MP Samarraie head of Azm Alliance in parliament Deputy Oil Min for Distribution An aide and an advisor to fmr PM Sudani

(Musings On Iraq PM Zaidi Begins Anti-Corruption Campaign)

 

Jun 30 Report Parliament lifted immunity on 19 MPs for corruption 10 arrested 9 in hiding 9

members of ex-PM Sudani’s Reconstruction bloc arrested List warned of politicizing arrests 3 MPs from Azm Alliance and 2 from Sovereignty Alliance also arrested

Jun 30 Report Govt seized $14 mil in cash and confiscated properties during corruption

arrests

Jun 30 Report PM Zaidi’s anti-corruption campaign has gone after Sunni Azm Alliance and

peripheral members of ex-PM Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development list Has not touched any major Shiite figure from the ruling Coordination Framework

 

Jul 1 Report Head of al-Nahrain Foundation for Transparency and Integrity said Iraq spent

10 times more than necessary to provide full electricity to public Said Electricity Min full of corruption from having too many useless employees to contracts, to bill collection to projects

Jul 1 4 party alliance announced of PUK New Generation Gorran Babylon Movement Has 42

of 100 seats in KRG parliament KDP has 39 seats New Generation head Abdulwahid said he wanted to be next KRG PM

 

Jul 2 Report investigated service contracts in Diwaniya Govt used change orders and

additions to contracts to inflate prices avoid competitive bidding and oversight and to steal money Contracts were only give to specific companies usually connected to ruling parties 2011 sewage project grew to 5 times its original price and never finished Was changed to several different companies Contract was originally for 218 bil dinars Eventually raised to over 1 trill dinars

 

Jul 3 Report Found last 10 yrs gas flaring increased 39% in Iraq Govt said it wanted to end

gas flaring by 2027

Jul 3 KRG’s Finance Min released revenues and spending for 2019-25 Earned 84.8 tril

dinars Spent 87.5 tril dinars Didn’t include unpaid govt wages Debt to oil and electricity companies so deficit actually much larger

 

Jul 4 Members of ruling Coordination Framework complained to PM Zaidi about anti-

corruption campaign Didn’t like using Counter Terror Service and detainee names published Ex-PM Sudani complained campaign going after his list Some demanded that Zaidi inform them before any arrests Said acting unilaterally threatened the list

 

Jul 6 Cabinet issued new rules to try to improve contracting and cut overruns Planning Min

not supposed to allow additions to contracts

 

Jul 7 Report Members of ruling Coordination Framework opposed to anti-corruption

campaign Wanted to limit number of people arrested Wanted those detained to go free in return for giving up stolen money Didn’t want any major figures touched Sametime wanted to talk about fighting corruption to gain public support and improve image Worried US wouldn’t agree to limits on campaign

Jul 7 Report Govt contracts usually don’t have competitive bidding Given to companies

connected to ruling parties Contracts used to create monopolies and profiteering by elite Politics rather than competence and expertise ran projects 1st ruling parties had economic offices that facilitated contracts for a fee 2nd elite started companies and used other businesses to get contracts and execute them Today ruling parties get most contracts because control so many companies Many companies no longer try to get contracts Practice led to decline in services Concentrated wealth Govt sets up specifications for contracts that exclude most companies Usually offers limited tendering where contracts only open to a few companies Most of money from contracts sent out of Iraq

 

Jul 8 Report Members of ruling Coordination Framework planned to derail PM Zaidi’s anti-

corruption campaign using committees legal challenges leaks to media Used to undermine PM Kazemi’s anti-corruption comm into corruption which was stopped by stories of torture Have been calls in parliament to investigate conduct of arresting forces

Jul 8 Report Parliament met Objected to PM Zaidi’s anti-corruption campaign Complained

about warrants using military to carry out arrests Wanted details of ex-Dep Oil Min Jumaili’s confessions which led to arrests

 

Jul 9 Govt found $10.7 mil inside storm drain Discovered from confession of ex-Dep Oil

Min Jumaili who was arrested for corruption

 

Jul 10 Report Judiciary said that people arrested in PM Zaidi’s anti-corruption campaign

could be covered by 2025 Amnesty Law and be released if returned stolen money

Jul 10 Report Businessman Zuhair given 10 yrs in absentia for $2.5 bil Heist of the Century

He was given bail by PM Sudani in return for giving back stolen money Gave back $279 mil Then fled Iraq

Jul 10 Protests in Kut, Wasit over electricity shortages Led to clash with police that lasted

into next morning Tear gas used 30 arrested

 

Jul 11 Report Leaders of Coordination Framework warned PM Zaidi about anti-corruption

campaign Said govt should only go after workers not aligned with any ruling parties Warned about crossing red line Zaidi rejected their demands

Jul 11 Pro-Iran Resistance said it would not give up weapons to the state Sec Gen of Kataib

Hezbollah said that govt had to follow the Resistance which was created by Ayatollah Khamenei

 

Jul 12 Agriculture Min said irrigated land went from 6 mi dunams down to 2 mil due to water

shortages and climate change Iraq needs 70 billion cubic meters of water each year but only gets 53 billion

 

Jul 13 Reports PM Zaidi said KRG has to follow deal KRG made with PM Sudani to send 120

bil dinars each month to Baghdad In return Baghdad would pay KRG govt salaries Zaidi said he would only send this payment and withhold rest until KRG fulfilled obligations Over last 11 yrs KRG only got 18 months of full salaries 44 months only got 50-70% of pay Each time worker snot paid Kurdish economy declines because people don’t buy

 

Jul 14 Kataib Hezbollah official said Resistance would immediately join any new war with

Iran

 

Jul 15 8 drones launched by Iranian Revolutionary Guard shot down over Irbil city

 

Jul 17 Pro-Iran Resistance offered $10 mil bounty on Trump for killing Iranian Gen

Soleimani and Hashd leader Abu Muhandis

Jul 17 13 drones shot down over Irbil city in two waves as fighting between US and Iran

restarted

Jul 17 Missile and drone attack upon Peshmerga arms depot in Tasluja and 3 towns hit by 7

missiles in Sulaymaniya province

 

Jul 19 8 members of Kurdistan Freedom Party Iranian opposition group wounded by drone

strike in KRG

 

Jul 21 6 drones shot down over Irbil

Jul 21 Report PM Zaidi said pro-Iran Resistance will disarm by Sep 30 Resistance say they

won’t disarm until US fully withdraws by that date Don’t believe US leaving

 

Jul 22 5 drones shot down over Irbil 6 Iranian Kurds wounded by Iranian drone hitting

refugee camp in Irbil

Jul 22 Report Govt official said Iraq lost $40-$45 bil due to decline in oil exports caused by

Iran War Another official said losses nearing $50 bil

 

Jul 23 Report Iraq’s internal debt rose from 90.51 tril dinars/$69.1 bil in Apr to 95.7 tril

dinars/$73 bil in Jun Caused by decline in oil exports due to Iran War

Jul 23 4 drones shot down over Irbil city

Jul 23 Report Iran threatened military action in Kurdistan unless KRG curtailed activities of

Iranian Kurdish opposition parties Set a deadline for Kurds to take action

 

Jul 24 5 drones shot down over Irbil Airport 6th drone crashed

 

Jul 25 Drone shot down near US consulate in Irbil city

 

Jul 26 Report US blocked Iraq plan to import natural gas from Turkmenistan because would

use Iranian pipelines US said would be included in comprehensive US-Iran deal to end war Iraq had been working on plan since 2023

 

Jul 27 Saudis shot down drones coming from Iraq Blamed pro-Iran groups PM Zaidi ordered

investigation into matter

Jul 27 4 drones hit Kurdistan Freedom Party an Iranian opposition party in Koya, Irbil

Jul 27 Report More than 1/3 of oil revenues sent to militias and political parties Signed

illegal deals Gave contracts to political parties Smuggled oil

Jul 27 KRG PM Barzani said some drones targeting Irbil came from Mosul Called on central

govt to control armed groups

 

Jul 28 4 drones shot down over Irbil and Soran Another set of drones hit Khor Mor gas field

in Sulaymaniya

 

Jul 29 US-Saudi carried out strikes against pro-Iran Hashd bases in Baghdad Basra Ninewa

Wasit Kirkuk Karbala Diyala Killed 20 fighters Wounded 32 Also killed 6 Iranian advisers Retaliation for Resistance drone attacks on Saudi Arabia Trump said attack coordinated with Zaidi govt Iraq condemned attack

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Zaidi Threatened By US-Saudi Strike On Pro-Iran Resistance)

Jul 29 2 drones targeted Kurdish-Iranian opposition party in Irbil province

 

Jul 30 Report Yemen’s Houthis operating inside Iraq with help of pro-Iran Resistance to

attack Saudi Arabia’s oil industry 2024 Houthi leader said creating joint ops room with Resistance Houthis said carried out ops together with Resistance against Israel

Jul 30 Report 2 Iranian advisers helping Kataib Hezbollah and Al-Nujaba to carry out drone

strikes on Gulf States and Kurds Basra Samawa Najaf Salahaddin Kirkuk Diyala bases for attacks Want to embarrass PM Zaidi who wants to keep Iraq out of Iran War and bring weapons under state control Gulf Cooperation Council told Iraq it has photos and docs proving attacks coming form Iraq

 

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Iraq’s PM Zaidi Threatened By US-Saudi Strike On Pro-Iran Resistance

   On July 29 the United States and Saudi Arabia launched a series of strikes against the Hashd throughout Iraq. Bases were h...