“Tidbits From TNT” Friday 2-20-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Except for Hamoudi, the coordinating framework withdraws its support from Maliki.
Iraqi sources reported on Thursday that some members of the Coordination Framework and Shiite blocs withdrew their support for Nouri al-Maliki’s candidacy, while only Humam Hamoudi, head of the “Abshir Ya Iraq ” bloc, remained in support of him.
Sources told Al-Araby TV, as reported by Al-Sa’a Network, that “some members of the coordinating framework and Shiite political blocs withdrew their support for Maliki’s candidacy, and only Humam Hamoudi, who heads the Abshir Ya Iraq bloc, which holds 4 seats in the Iraqi parliament, continues to support him .”
The sources added that "the deadline given by the US Chargé d'Affaires, Joshua Harris, to the political leaders within the coordination framework ends today ."
She noted that "a meeting of the coordination framework was scheduled for last Monday, but it was postponed at the request of al-Maliki due to the expiration of the deadline, and it was postponed to Thursday ."
Against this backdrop, the coordinating framework may withdraw al-Maliki’s nomination or replace him with another candidate who does not face internal and external problems, and who is a figure acceptable to everyone .
US President Donald Trump had warned that Washington would not provide any assistance to Iraq if Maliki returned to power link
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Tishwash: An Iraqi delegation will visit Iran soon... Gas supplies are completely cut off, and the heatwave will reveal the extent of demand.
The Ministry of Electricity announced the formation of an official delegation that will visit Iran soon to discuss the issue of gas supply in preparation for the summer season, given the existing need for it.
According to the ministry spokesman, Ahmed Moussa, "The gas supplies and quantities agreed upon with the Iranian side are still completely halted, which has led to the loss of more than 5,500 megawatts of generating capacity for the national grid."
He noted that "this stoppage directly affected a number of vital centers supplying the southern and central regions, in addition to the capital, Baghdad," explaining that "the current moderate temperatures have contributed to controlling the loads and providing relatively stable supply hours."
He stressed that “any fluctuation in temperatures will reveal the actual size of the demand, especially with the approach of summer, which requires full readiness of stations and an abundance of fuel,” noting that “the delegation that will leave for Iran will discuss the quantities that can be supplied to ensure the stability of the network during the peak of summer.”
Musa also said that "work is continuing on the liquefied gas platform project at Khor Al-Zubair port, and it is hoped that it will be completed by the beginning of next June," indicating that "the platform will secure about 500 million standard cubic feet per day, which will provide between 3,500 and 4,000 megawatts through combined and simple cycle power plants."
He spoke of "high-level coordination with the Ministry of Oil to supply some stations with national gas produced in the southern and central regions, especially the Basmaya station, as well as securing alternative fuel (gas oil) for stations capable of operating with it."
He added that "the demand for energy is witnessing a significant increase as a result of the expansion of electrical appliances, modern buildings and investment projects," stressing that "the growth of residential areas and the conversion of agricultural lands into residential areas, as well as the spread of slums, have become additional, rapidly increasing loads that put pressure on the electrical grid." link
Tishwash: Washington reduces its diplomatic presence in Iraq and Gulf states amid tensions with Iran
Two Iraqi and American officials said on Thursday that the United States has reduced the number of its diplomatic staff at its missions in Iraq and some Gulf states, taking precautionary measures against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions, without disclosing details about the size or nature of the reduction.
They added in an interview with Shafaq News Agency that the reduction included staff in a number of locations, while work continued in the remaining missions according to normal operational arrangements with a reduction in some staff and non-essential activities.
Meanwhile, an official at the US Embassy declined to comment on this news to Shafaq News Agency, saying only that "the US Embassy in Baghdad and the US Consulate General in Erbil are open, and our operations are proceeding as usual."
In response to questions about the status of the forces, an official at the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is part of the US Department of Defense, told Shafaq News Agency that "the US military will not comment on personnel movements or troop status for reasons related to operational security and the safety of military personnel."
The moves come after US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday, February 18, warning Britain against “giving away” the Diego Garcia base, saying the base could be needed in any military operation to deter a “potential attack” from Iran.
In parallel, several capitals escalated their warnings to their citizens against traveling to Iran and called on those already there to leave, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urging his citizens to leave Iran "immediately," warning of "an imminent risk of escalation."
The US State Department has also reiterated in recent security alerts its call for its citizens to "leave Iran now" in light of unrest and security risks.
This is happening while indirect nuclear talks continued in Geneva, mediated by Oman, without any announcement of a decisive breakthrough.
On the military front, Western reports said the US military is preparing for the possibility of operations that could last "for weeks" if Trump orders an attack, with official US expectations of an Iranian response and a shift in targeting beyond nuclear infrastructure.
In the same context, Axios quoted Israeli officials as saying that the government is preparing for the possibility of a large-scale confrontation that "could erupt within days," while informed sources spoke of different time estimates within the US administration. link
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Mot: They ""Found that Spot"" again this Year!!!!
