“Tidbits From TNT” Tuesday Morning 3-24-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: First Iraqi oil tanker to cross the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of war
A giant oil tanker carrying two million barrels of Iraqi crude successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, according to Bloomberg.
According to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, the tanker Omega Trader, operated by Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lead, arrived in Mumbai, India, in the past few days. The tanker's last known signal before reaching India was from the Arabian Gulf more than ten days ago.
The passage of this tanker represents the first observed movement of Baghdad's oil barrels through the vital waterway since the outbreak of the war, which has entered its fourth week.
Reports indicate that most of the ships that finally made it through unloaded their cargo in India, whose government contacted Iranian officials to ensure a safe passage for energy ships bound for it. The Iranian navy even escorted one of the liquefied gas ships through the strait. link
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Tishwash: An economist told Al-Mirbad: There are no financial problems in March and April, but they are likely to begin in May, depending on events.
Economic expert Safwan Qusay suggested that the country’s financial problems may begin during the month of May, noting that if the Ministry of Finance is unable to meet the item of employee compensation or public operational spending, the Central Bank can support the financial policy of the Ministry of Finance with internal loans, and there may be flexibility for the Central Bank of around $30 billion.
Qusay told Al-Mirbad that there are no concerns about funding the items currently due during March and April, but the financial solution may be available in May and beyond.
He added that Iraq sells oil using futures contracts, meaning that the oil sold during January is paid for in March and the oil sold during February is paid for in April, noting that there are no financial problems in the current month of March or the next month of April. link
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Tishwash: Sudanese: Dissolving the factions will be easier after next September, after the end of the international coalition's mission.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani confirmed on Monday that the issue of disbanding Iraqi armed factions will become easier after September 2026, with the end of the international coalition's mission and the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, he pointed out that the factions view these foreign forces as an “occupation.”
Al-Sudani added that Iraqi security forces have successfully thwarted numerous attacks, alongside political efforts to curb the activities of these factions, and expressed his hope for the return of American military trainers. link
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Tishwash: Iraq increases its holdings of US Treasury bonds to $42 billion
Official data released by the US Treasury Department within the "Treasury International Capital (TIC)" system on Monday showed that Iraq's total holdings of US bonds amounted to about $42 billion at the end of December 2025, after being $41.1 billion in November, registering a monthly increase of about $0.9 billion.
Shafaq News Agency followed up on those data which showed that Iraq’s holdings of long-term bonds amounted to $40.8 billion, while short-term bonds reached about $1.2 billion, bringing the total to $42 billion.
The monthly table for 2025 showed a continued gradual increase in holdings of long-term bonds, compared to relative stability in short-term bonds, as the year began with a total of about $39.85 billion in January, before gradually rising to $42 billion in December.
Compared to last year, when Iraq’s total holdings of US bonds amounted to about $23.4 billion in December 2024, this shows an annual increase of nearly 79% in one year, driven by a focus on long-term bonds. link
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Mot: Not Funny - K!!! Andy cap and swim trunks
