Some “Iraqi News” Posted by Tishwash at TNT 4-6-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: A source reassures Baghdad residents: The sounds heard were caused by fireworks celebrating the national team's victory.
A security source reassured residents of the capital, Baghdad, on Sunday (April 5, 2026), after news circulated about explosions in a number of areas, confirming that the sounds that were heard were just fireworks launched in celebration of the Iraqi national team's victory.
The source told Baghdad Today that "the fireworks were launched from the vicinity of Mall of Iraq due to a special event to honor the national team after its recent victory," stressing that "there were no explosions or security incidents inside the capital."
He added that "the security forces conducted routine sweeps to ascertain the situation, and it was found that there was no threat," calling on citizens "not to spread rumors and to rely on official statements." link
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Tishwash: What will happen to Iraq's oil revenues in Washington? An expert responds.
The United States has effectively controlled Iraqi oil revenues in dollars since 2003, giving Washington exceptional leverage to interfere in Baghdad’s affairs through the US Federal Reserve {the US Central Bank}.
At a time when concerns are rising about the impact of tensions and war in the region on the mechanism of financial transfers, and the possibility of this affecting the flow of oil revenues to Iraq.
In this context, oil expert Hamza Al-Jawahiri explained to Al-Furat News Agency that: “Iraq’s entitlements with the US Federal Reserve are fixed,” noting that “there are no sanctions imposed on Iraq as happened with Russia or Iran.”
Al-Jawahiri added, "Iraq is a friendly country to the United States and has security agreements with it, which means there will be no interruption in the transfer of Iraqi funds." link
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Tishwash: Monday... the start of negotiations between the Kurdistan economic delegation and Taif Sami
On Monday (April 6, 2026), Wafa Mohammed, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, revealed that an economic delegation from the Kurdistan Region had begun its official negotiations in Baghdad with Federal Finance Minister Taif Sami to resolve issues related to oil and customs between the two sides.
Wafa Mohammed told Baghdad Today that "the delegation, which arrived in Baghdad headed by Omid Sabah and including Amanj Rahim and Abdul Hakim Mustafa, will hold a series of meetings today with Finance Minister Taif Sami and the relevant customs committees, as part of efforts to close a number of outstanding financial files between the central government and the region."
Mohammed explained that "the agenda of the negotiations focuses on unifying the customs system, in addition to the files of Kurdistan's oil, its export mechanisms, and the settlement of revenues," noting that "the discussions will also address the amount of 120 billion dinars allocated to the region, which it was unable to pay in full last month, only transferring 60 billion dinars, which necessitates direct coordination with the Federal Ministry of Finance."
Wafa Mohammed confirmed that "the meetings will also address the issue of lifting restrictions and sanctions on the dollar," explaining that "the region's share of the US currency has not yet arrived, and the Kurdish team is seeking to reach practical solutions during tomorrow's meetings in order to end the financial and administrative problems between Baghdad and Erbil."
According to what was published by “Baghdad Today” earlier, an informed source stated that “a high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government is heading to the capital, Baghdad, to discuss the ASYCUDA system file with the relevant authorities in the federal government.”
Media outlets close to the Kurdistan Democratic Party, as reported by Baghdad Today, stated that "the talks will focus on the mechanism for implementing the system for managing and regulating border crossings and customs operations between the region and Baghdad."
ASYCUDA is an automated customs management system, designed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), that aims to automate customs procedures, data recording, duty calculation, and facilitate foreign trade through a unified database. In Iraq, its implementation has led to a reduction in manipulation and smuggling, and improved duty control. link
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Tishwash: First Iraqi oil tanker makes its way through the Strait of Hormuz
Bloomberg reported on Sunday that the first Iraqi oil tanker had crossed the Strait of Hormuz, following Iran's announcement that it had granted Iraq a special exemption allowing it to use the waterway despite restrictions imposed on most countries.
According to ship tracking data, the "Ocean Thunder, a Suezmax tanker, loaded its cargo from Basra ports at the beginning of March and is currently heading to Malaysia. This type of tanker has a capacity of about one million barrels of crude oil."
The data showed that "the tanker followed a narrow northern corridor between the Iranian islands of Larak and Qeshm, a route that recent movements indicate is being carried out with the supervision and approval of Tehran."
However, Bloomberg cautioned that "tracking data may not be entirely accurate, due to the possibility of electronic jamming or the shutdown of transmitters in high-risk areas."
This development comes at a time when oil traders are closely monitoring shipping traffic in the strait, which was effectively closed following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, causing a rise in oil and petroleum product prices, amid fears of wider economic repercussions.
Iran announced on Saturday that Iraq was exempt from the restrictions imposed on navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the measures targeted only "hostile countries," while emphasizing respect for Iraqi sovereignty.
For his part, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein expressed Baghdad’s gratitude to Tehran for this step, stressing the importance of continued cooperation to ensure the smooth flow of oil exports in light of regional tensions.
Iraq is among the countries most affected by the closure of the strait, as its oil production has declined from about 3.5 million barrels per day to about 1.3 million barrels, while exports have decreased to about 800,000 barrels per day due to the disruption of shipping. link
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Tishwash: The Foreign Minister thanks Iran for exempting Iraq from the conditions for its oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein expressed his gratitude to Iran for allowing Iraqi oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a copy of which was received by Iraq Observer, said: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein received the Iranian Ambassador to Iraq, Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadegh. During the meeting, the Minister expressed his gratitude for allowing the passage of tankers carrying Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz, noting the importance of continuing this cooperation in the near future.
Mechanisms for joint cooperation between the two sides were also discussed to ensure the implementation of this commitment in a way that serves mutual interests.
For his part, the Iranian ambassador reviewed his country’s position on the latest developments related to the war, while the meeting also addressed regional conditions and their repercussions.
Hussein emphasized Iraq’s firm policy of rejecting war and the need to end it, stressing the importance of resolving conflicts through dialogue and peaceful negotiations.
He also pointed out that the region needs to adopt an approach based on open and rational dialogue, which will enhance opportunities for cooperation between regional countries and achieve common stability. link