Latest news on Iraq, covering Baghdad, Erbil, Basra, Kurdistan, Iraqi politics, security, oil, economy, the US-Iran war, and key developments across the country.

Iraq is a country of nearly 48 million people at the crossroads of the Middle East, with a young population (median age around 21), a Shia Arab majority alongside significant Sunni Arab and Kurdish communities, and an economy overwhelmingly reliant on oil. Crude oil exports account for roughly 90% of government revenue, making Iraq one of OPEC's most important producers, while the country's broader ambitions include diversifying through infrastructure projects such as the Grand Faw Port in Basra and the 1,200-kilometre Development Road corridor linking the Gulf to Turkey and Europe.

Iraq's security and political landscape have been profoundly affected by the US-Israel war on Iran, which has spilled onto Iraqi soil. Drone and missile strikes from both Iran-aligned militia groups and US forces have targeted sites across the country, including Baghdad's Green Zone, the US Embassy, oil facilities in Basra, and areas around Erbil International Airport. With Iraqi airspace closed and oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted, the country faces an economic emergency that threatens public-sector salaries and basic services.

Domestic politics remain in flux. Parliamentary elections held on 11 November 2025 saw a 56% voter turnout, but government formation has stalled, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani continuing in a caretaker role. The Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shia parties, endorsed former PM Nouri al-Maliki for a return to the premiership, a move opposed by the United States and contested within the coalition itself. Meanwhile, the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region faces its own governance deadlock following separate elections in 2024.

Iraq's social and humanitarian challenges remain immense. Over one million Iraqis are still internally displaced, and the country has experienced its worst drought conditions in decades, displacing tens of thousands more and devastating agriculture. Amendments to the Personal Status Law, allowing marriage and family matters to be governed by sectarian codes rather than the 1959 civil law, have drawn sharp criticism from women's rights advocates and international observers. The closure of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) at the end of 2025, along with cuts to international aid programmes, has removed key mechanisms for human rights monitoring and demining operations.

Modern Iraq's turbulent history stretches from the cradle of civilisation in ancient Mesopotamia through Ottoman and British rule, the 1958 revolution, the Ba'athist era under Saddam Hussein, the devastating Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, the 1991 Gulf War, and the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled the regime. The rise and fall of ISIS from 2014 onward reshaped the country once more, with the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) playing a central role in the fight against the group before becoming a permanent and politically influential element of Iraq's security apparatus.

Whether you are following the latest on Iraqi politics, the impact of regional conflict, oil prices, reconstruction efforts, or the humanitarian situation, the NewsNow Iraq feed brings together up-to-the-minute coverage from a wide range of reliable sources, ensuring a comprehensive picture of this complex and consequential country.

Iraq - Iran

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