Iraq Economic News And Points To Ponder Thursday Morning 4-16-26

The Reconstruction And Development Coalition Calls For A Strong Government And Emphasizes Meeting The Aspirations Of The Iraqi People

 Baghdad – One News       4/15/2026  The leadership body of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition held its periodic meeting today, Wednesday, chaired by Secretary-General Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, to discuss the latest developments in the political scene in the country. 

During the meeting, the coalition stressed the importance of completing the constitutional steps to move towards forming a strong national government with full powers, capable of continuing strategic service and economic programs, and confronting the challenges facing the Iraqi state. 

The participants stressed that the priority of the next government should be to meet the aspirations of citizens in the areas of construction and development, with the need to secure the support of political forces, foremost among them the coordination framework, in order to ensure unity of decision and to prioritize the higher interests of Iraq. 

The coalition also stressed the need to respect the will of the voters, which was manifested in the broad participation in the elections, stressing that the process of forming the government must reflect the aspirations of the Iraqis, contribute to strengthening Iraq’s international standing, developing its foreign relations, extending state authority, and enabling the armed forces to enforce the law and monopolize weapons, while giving priority to national sovereignty.https://1news-iq.net/ائتلاف-الإعمار-والتنمية-يدعو-لحكومة-ق/

The UAE Protests Against Iraq And Accuses Pro-Iranian Factions Of Targeting Gulf Facilities

UAE – One News   4/15/2026   The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the chargé d'affaires at the Iraqi embassy and handed him a protest note regarding what it described as terrorist attacks launched from Iraqi territory.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that pro-Iranian factions and militias in Iraq targeted vital facilities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, considering these attacks a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the Gulf states and their airspace. 

She also warned that the continuation of what she described as the brutal attacks launched by Iran and its proxies in the region threatens regional security and stability.   https://1news-iq.net/الإمارات-تحتج-على-العراق-وتتهم-فصائل-م/

Iraq Seeks To Revive Oil Pipeline Via Saudi Arabia To The Red Sea

 IraqiNews  Amr Salem April 15, 2026  Baghdad (IraqiNews.com)   Iraq’s energy sector is undergoing significant developments aimed at diversifying its oil export channels, as geopolitical uncertainties threaten global supply, particularly with growing tensions in the Gulf region and their direct influence on well-established shipping routes. 

The spokesperson for the Oil Ministry, Saheb Bazoun, announced on Tuesday alternative plans to ensure consistent oil exports, confirming the existence of multilateral agreements to mitigate the effects of any potential blockade, according to the state-run news agency (INA). 

According to Bazoun, these measures come as the Iraqi economy is excessively reliant on oil exports, with dependency surpassing 90 percent, pushing the government to seek strategic alternatives that minimize the dangers associated with traditional marine routes. 

Understandings with Saudi Arabia have emerged as one of the most significant paths through which Iraq intends to revive a historic pipeline that has been idle for more than three decades. The step is part of a larger effort to increase the country’s oil export flexibility. 

The pipeline connecting Iraq and Saudi Arabia is approximately 1,568 kilometers long, extending from the city of Zubair to the Saudi port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. It passes through key stations in Saudi Arabia, making it one of the longest oil pipelines in the region. 

During the 1980s, the pipeline was built in two phases. The first phase stretches between Zubair and Khurais, while the second extends to Yanbu. The pipeline’s operating capacity reached over 1.6 million barrels per day, reflecting its historical role in sustaining oil exports. 

Following the Gulf War, the pipeline was shut down in August 1990. It remained out of operation for decades, despite Iraq’s several attempts to restart it. 

According to data, the project cost over $2.6 billion when it first began and includes a sophisticated infrastructure of storage tanks and loading terminals, making it an attractive option for reuse if the two parties reach an agreement 

This pipeline is a strategic option to export oil through the Red Sea, lessening Iraq’s dependency on the Strait of Hormuz and providing more flexibility in regulating export flows.

Furthermore, the reopening of the pipeline may boost economic connections between Iraq and Saudi Arabia and offer new options for collaboration in the energy industry, given the rising demand for secure and dependable export routes.https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/iraq-seeks-to-revive-oil-pipeline-via-saudi-arabia-to-the-red-sea/

A Crisis Of Confidence Is Rocking The Framework... Al-Sudani Maintains His Chances Of Staying, While Al-Maliki Sets Conditions That Include The Right To Choose A Replacement

Special Report – One News      4/15/2026  The division within the coalition regarding the premiership has intensified as the constitutional deadline approaches without a clear consensus.

According to circulating information, the coalition is split into two main camps: one pushing for the renewal of current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's term, and the other insisting on the return of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for a third term.

Sources indicate that al-Maliki, despite his insistence on running, has expressed a conditional willingness to withdraw, setting a set of what have been described as difficult conditions.

The most prominent of these is the withdrawal of the remaining contenders, including former prime ministers and those aspiring to the position, most notably Haider al-Abadi and Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. His most significant condition is his demand for the exclusive right to choose his successor, a demand seen within the coalition as an attempt to maintain political influence even in the event of his withdrawal.(an Obama/Biden attempt)

Meanwhile, political leaks have emerged suggesting the possibility of alternative names being put forward, including Basim al-Badri, with some leaders indicating that al-Maliki might be prepared to support him.

Conversely, other sources indicate that the general trend within the coalition increasingly leans towards granting al-Sudani a second term, based on his greater parliamentary weight compared to his rivals, in addition to considerations related to external acceptance, especially given indications of American opposition to al-Maliki's return, which reduces the chances of his nomination being approved in parliament.

The postponement of previous coalition meetings reflects the extent of the internal crisis, with estimates suggesting that the disagreements have transcended the traditional political framework and transformed into a crisis of confidence among the parties.https://1news-iq.net/أزمة-ثقة-تعصف-بالاطار-السوداني-يحافظ-ع/

Source: The Coordination Framework Is Holding A Stormy Meeting Today To Decide On The Appointment Of The Next Prime Minister, With More Than One Candidate Being Considered

 Wednesday, April 15, 202  Baghdad – One News  The Coordination Framework is scheduled to hold a “stormy” meeting to decide on the prime minister candidate, in a scene that reveals a sharp division within the framework on this issue. 

A source within the Coordination Committee indicated a clear division within the framework between two fronts: the first supports the option of a “second term” for Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and the second demands a “third term” for Nouri al-Maliki. 

He explained that al-Maliki’s insistence on running does not preclude the possibility of him withdrawing, but he has set “difficult” conditions in exchange for relinquishing the position. 

These conditions include the withdrawal of the remaining competitors from among the former prime ministers aspiring to the position, specifically Haider al-Abadi and Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. He added that the most prominent condition that al-Maliki is setting, in the event that he agrees to withdraw from the candidacy, is his “exclusive right” to choose the replacement who will occupy the position.   https://1news-iq.net/مصدر-الإطار-التنسيقي-يعقد-اليوم-اجتما/

Bahaa Al-Araji: The Leaders Of The Coordination Framework Bear A National And Political Responsibility To Resolve The Issue Of The Candidate For The Position Of Prime Minister

Baghdad – One News      4/15/2026   Bahaa al-Araji, head of the Reconstruction and Development bloc, affirmed that completing the presidential election process places the leaders of the Coordination Framework before a national and political responsibility to finalize the nomination for prime minister. In a post on his account on the X platform, al-Araji stated that the current stage necessitates a choice based on the realities of the political balance and the depth of experience. 

He added that the present phase requires a figure capable of maintaining the momentum of accumulated achievements, whether in internal reform or in managing foreign relations, in a way that achieves stability and strengthens the state's performance. 

He pointed out that Iraq, given the current complexities, needs leadership that believes in institutional continuity and avoids starting from scratch, thus ensuring the smooth functioning of the state and bolstering public confidence in the political process.https://1news-iq.net/بهاء-الأعرجي-قادة-الإطار-التنسيقي-أما/