Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Morning 7-16-26
Unprecedented security measures accompanied the Iraqi Prime Minister's visit to Washington, causing the suspension of air traffic at Reagan Airport and the cancellation and delay of more than 400 flights
Washington -One News - 7/16/2026 The official visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to the US capital, Washington, turned into one of the most heavily secured foreign visits in recent months, after US authorities imposed exceptional measures that led to the suspension of air traffic at Ronald Reagan National Airport, one of the most sensitive airports and closest to federal institutions in the capital.
CBS News reported that takeoff and landing operations at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) were halted for several hours on Tuesday afternoon as part of security arrangements accompanying al-Zaidi's movements, given the security circumstances related to the ongoing war with Iran, which directly impacted air traffic.
According to the report, the measures caused the cancellation of at least 126 flights, while more than 300 other flights were delayed between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., in one of the most significant disruptions the airport has witnessed this year as a result of security arrangements related to a visit by a foreign official.
These measures coincided with the Iraqi-American summit that brought together Al-Zaidi and US President Donald Trump at the White House, and received widespread political and media attention, especially in light of the friendly atmosphere that prevailed during the meeting.
Trump praised his relationship with the Iraqi Prime Minister, stressing that there was "tremendous chemistry" between them, before deciding to extend the meeting and inviting al-Zaidi to a luncheon that was not on the official visit schedule, in a move that reflected the level of rapprochement that characterized the talks between the two sides.
The visit comes at a stage described as one of the most sensitive in Iraqi-American relations, as it coincides with the approaching end of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq on September 30, and the Iraqi government’s continued implementation of its program to restrict weapons to the state, in addition to discussing security cooperation, energy, investment and economic partnership files.
Observers believe that the level of security measures accompanying the visit reflects the importance that American institutions have attached to the summit, whether due to the position of the Iraqi Prime Minister in the current regional equation, or due to the rapid security developments in the Middle East, which prompted Washington to adopt the highest levels of protection during the movements of the Iraqi delegation within the capital.
This is al-Zidi's first visit to the United States since assuming the premiership, and it is seen as a pivotal moment in reshaping relations between Baghdad and Washington, amidst rapidly changing regional dynamics and anticipated agreements on security, energy, and investment. https://1news-iq.net/إجراءات-أمنية-غير-مسبوقة-رافقت-زيارة/
The "Axis Of Resistance" Is A Thing Of The Past After Al-Zaidi Entered The White House... And The Factions Are Worried About "Trump's Deception": He Wants To Overthrow The Iranian Regime
White House to meet with US President Donald Trump, armed factions in Iraq were monitoring the visit and keeping their finger on the trigger, amid a continuing escalation
Baghdad - One News - 7/16/2026 As Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi crossed the threshold of the between Washington and Tehran that has revived fears that Iraq could once again become an arena for regional conflict.
According to a report published by Al-Mada newspaper, political circles in Baghdad believe that the real test for Al-Zaidi will not be in Washington, but after his return to Iraq, and his ability to consolidate his government and implement its pledges, in light of the possibility of Iran and the factions associated with it moving to weaken or overthrow it.
Al-Zaidi arrived in Washington with a large political and economic delegation, where he met with US President Donald Trump at the White House and also met with the US Secretary of Defense, in a visit that focused on security, energy and investment issues, as well as the future of US forces and the issue of restricting weapons to the state.
Independent politician and former MP Mithal Al-Alusi said that the Trump administration is giving the visit exceptional attention and is seeking to confirm its support for Al-Zaidi as the head of a government that is moving towards political, military, security, financial and economic reform.
Al-Alousi criticized the size of the Iraqi delegation and its composition based on power-sharing, arguing that Washington expects a more independent government capable of changing the course of the state, not a reproduction of traditional party balances.
Al-Mada quoted a source close to the armed factions as saying that these groups doubt the September 30 deadline, which is supposed to mark the end of the US forces’ mission in conjunction with the implementation of the weapons control plan.
The source added that some factions believe that Trump is pushing to accelerate the delivery of weapons while he is preparing a broader plan to overthrow the Iranian regime, which is prompting them to keep their weapons and prepare for the possibility of escalation.
In Baghdad, security and political sources reported that authorities are monitoring the movements of between seven and ten factions believed to be directly linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and are conducting undisclosed investigations to determine whether they were involved in attacks targeting American sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
The sources warned that any new US strike against Iran could push some of these groups to move from waiting to direct engagement, threatening to bring Iraq back into the heart of the confrontation.
In contrast, Rahim Al-Aboudi, a member of the Wisdom Movement, said that the disarmament file has reached about 80 percent, and that between four and five factions still refuse to respond, while political sources doubted the seriousness of the handover operations, and said that some of them were limited to handing over old weapons while keeping ballistic missiles, drones and qualitative weapons.
Al-Zaidi is also visiting Washington weeks after the start of a campaign to pursue figures accused of corruption, and amid continued vacancies in the Interior and Defense Ministries.
Al-Alousi said that US financial authorities and anti-money laundering institutions are concerned about Iraqi funds located abroad, some of which are believed to belong to individuals and institutions linked to entities hostile to the United States.
He added that the most important issue for Washington remains al-Zaidi’s ability to confront the factions, remove weapons from outside the state, and enforce the law, considering that the delay in deciding on the two security ministries may be a message that they will be assigned to professional figures far removed from quotas.
Al-Alousi believes that the factions refusing to hand over weapons risk losing their political position, but he acknowledged that they are still capable of threatening the Iraqi interior.
He concluded by saying that the toughest test will begin after al-Zaidi's return to Baghdad, the selection of the Ministers of Interior and Defense, and the implementation of changes in the security apparatus.
He stressed that the success of the visit will not be measured by what was announced in Washington, but rather by the government's ability to fulfill its commitments regarding the issues of weapons, corruption, and reform.
https://1news-iq.net/محور-المقاومة-أصبح-من-الماضي-بعد-دخو/
Al-Zaidi To Former US Ambassadors To Iraq: We Look Forward To Building Balanced And Sustainable Relations With The United States
Washington - One News - 7/15/2026 Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi met in Washington, D.C., with a number of former U.S. ambassadors to Iraq, as part of meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and exchanging views on the future of cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting witnessed discussions on Iraqi-American relations and ways to develop them in various fields, in addition to discussing the latest developments in Iraq and the region, and emphasizing the importance of expanding joint cooperation in a way that serves the interests of the two countries and the two friendly peoples.
Al-Zaydi stressed that Iraq looks forward to building balanced and sustainable relations with the United States, based on common interests and mutual respect, noting that the government continues to implement its program aimed at consolidating security and stability, strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption, and advancing development and economic reform.