AGP Executive Report

Border Reopenings: Iraq set a schedule to restart traffic at three crossings with Iran after closing them over a drone attack blamed on launches from Iraqi territory targeting Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline. Energy Shock: Saudi Arabia shut the 1,200-km East-West pipeline as a precaution, with drones said to have hit the route in Riyadh and Medina, injuring people and raising fresh oil-price fears. Diplomacy & De-escalation: Iran, Iraq, and Turkey urged restraint in West Asia, while Turkey condemned the drone strikes from Iraqi territory and backed Saudi sovereignty. ISIS Crackdown in Kurdistan: Kurdistan security forces arrested 22 suspected ISIS members in Sulaimaniyah and Halabja, including an alleged “sharia emir,” and seized weapons ahead of planned mid-September attacks. Regional Flashpoint: In parallel, Iran and Oman agreed on new Strait of Hormuz entry/exit routes, but Iran says the strait stays closed until US conditions are met.

Saudi Pipeline Crisis: Saudi Arabia shut its East-West pipeline after drone attacks that both Riyadh and Baghdad say were launched from Iraq, prompting injuries and precautionary closure; Iraq also dismissed a Maysan commander and found suspected drone launch sites near the Iranian border, while multiple Arab and Islamic states condemned the strikes. Border & Probe Moves: Iraq temporarily closed three crossings with Iran (Shalamcheh, al-Shib, Mandali) and shut the al-Tayyib area as searches continued, and approved an Iranian request for a joint investigation. Hormuz Talks: Iran says Hormuz won’t reopen under an Oman shipping arrangement unless the US meets Tehran’s conditions, while Gulf states plan a Monday meeting in Oman; Bahrain says it won’t attend until ties with Iran are restored. Local Impacts: Iraq’s medical-grade liquid oxygen shortage is pushing prices up sharply, and in Kirkuk gunmen attacked an Iraqi Army position. Energy & Economy: Iraq signed a 25-year deal to boost gas output at the Ajeel field, aiming for a major production jump. Sports & Culture: FIFA will treat Arabian Gulf Cup matches as official fixtures affecting world rankings. Politics: Veteran Iraqi politician Naseer Al-Chaderchi died at 90, and Baghdad governor successor talk is heating up.

Saudi-Iraq Tensions Over Oil Attack: Saudi Arabia shut its East-West crude pipeline (Petroline) as a precaution after drones it says came from Iraq hit facilities near Riyadh and Medina, causing injuries and fires; Riyadh said it won’t retaliate for now to let Baghdad investigate, while Iraq dismissed a Maysan commander and ordered a probe. Red Sea Shockwaves: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis seized Mayun/Perim and expanded control along the Bab al-Mandeb coast, raising fears for shipping and energy flows as Saudi pipeline closure deepens oil risk. Regional Diplomacy: Iran says it will meet Gulf states in Oman to discuss safer Strait of Hormuz navigation, while Persian Gulf neighbors and Qatar condemned the Saudi pipeline attack and backed Riyadh’s sovereignty concerns. Iraq Border Measures: Iraq ordered closure of the Shalamcheh crossing with Iran as a precaution amid the wider drone fallout. Markets: Basrah Medium rose 4.7% in August to about $82.04 a barrel, per OPEC data.

Middle East Security: Acting U.S. Navy officials say Iranian forces severely damaged Naval Support Activity Bahrain, forcing evacuation of about 1,300 military families and leaving the Fifth Fleet’s logistics hub hard to use. Energy & Regional Tensions: Saudi Arabia shut its East-West pipeline after drone attacks, with reports saying drones were launched from Iraq; Riyadh says it won’t retaliate for now. Shipping & Oil Routes: Iran and Gulf states are set to discuss safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in Oman, with Iraq expected to participate as disruptions keep oil prices high. Iraq-Turkey Infrastructure: Iraq and Turkey completed a final draft for the Development Road implementation agreement, aiming to expand rail, roads, and ports linking southern Iraq to the Turkish border. Iraq Domestic Security: Iraqi forces killed two ISIS members in an air operation in Kirkuk’s Wadi Shay area. Baghdad Local Life: Baghdad drug crackdown reports net 13 suspects, while other Baghdad operations dismantled a six-member marijuana network.

Sanctions & Militias: The US Treasury expanded Operation Economic Outcast with new sanctions targeting networks supporting Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, saying the moves aim to cut off Iranian proxy funding across Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, the UAE and Türkiye. Transport & Trade: Iraq’s Ministry of Transport discussed a land freight-and-passenger transport draft with Kyrgyzstan, focusing on easing Kyrgyz truck transit to Gulf states and simplifying border procedures to lower costs. Kurdistan Economy: Armenia and Iraqi Kurdistan officials met in Erbil to boost trade and exports, with talks also covering culture, tourism, technology and education. Regional Security Shock: A Kurdish Syrian army fighter’s abduction and murder in Hasaka sparked protests across Kurdish-majority areas in Syria, with demonstrators storming local security offices. Sports: Iraq won 13 Muay Thai world championship medals in Kosovo. Football: Qatar’s U-17 Gulf Cup draw put Iraq in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen and Egypt.

Iraq-Europe Push: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is set to visit France and Germany early next week to boost economic, investment, trade, energy and technology ties, with talks also covering political and security issues. Kurdistan Weapons Under State Control: Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi, renewing support for bringing weapons under state control through dialogue, while urging constitutional solutions to Erbil-Baghdad disputes and budget share. Parliament Targets Medicine Prices: Iraq’s parliament formed a committee to standardize pharmacy medicine prices nationwide, require clearer/electronic prescriptions, and tackle corruption involving doctors, pharmacists and labs. Security Cooperation in the Region: Kuwait’s acting PM and interior minister chaired a meeting with Iraqi and US delegations on strengthening security and defense coordination amid regional developments. Terror Risk Watch: Singapore’s Internal Security Department said an Iran-backed Iraqi militia commander linked to alleged plots against Jewish targets tried to enter Singapore multiple times but would have been denied entry.

Oil & Exports: Iraq’s Oil Minister says crude exports are back around 3 million barrels per day and the country wants to expand export capacity via Syria and Türkiye to boost flexibility and routes. OPEC+ Pressure: Iraq may consider leaving OPEC if its quota isn’t raised, warning the financial crisis makes a bigger ceiling urgent. Security in Kirkuk: Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga plan to close security gaps in Kirkuk by redeploying units and coordinating on areas outside current jurisdiction. Baghdad–Amman Connectivity: Iraqi Airways will double Baghdad-Amman flights on peak days starting Sept. 11 to meet rising demand. Regional Shockwaves: The US-Iran tanker war keeps escalating, with shipping attacks near Hormuz pushing Brent above $100 and raising fears of longer disruptions. Karbala Focus: President Barzani Amidi visited Karbala, calling infrastructure and services for millions of visitors a top priority. Politics & Governance: Iraq’s ruling coalition has hit friction over deputy prime minister posts as factions dispute the weapons-under-state-control track. Terror Risk Abroad: Singapore says an Iran-backed Iraqi militia commander sought entry visas, warning Middle East conflicts can lift terrorism risks in Southeast Asia.

Anti-Corruption Push: Iraq’s parliament backs the government’s anti-corruption drive, with the First Deputy Speaker Adnan Fayhan saying no accused person should be shielded from the law as the Dawn Crackdown expands beyond early raids. Education Crisis: Iraq is short more than 10,000 schools, forcing about 1,000 mud-built and caravan schools and pushing many schools into double and triple shifts, raising concerns over reduced learning time. Baghdad Book Fair Culture: The Imam Ali Holy Shrine is displaying a rare Quran manuscript attributed to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib at the Baghdad International Book Fair, with officials saying it was sent to Oxford for radiocarbon dating. ISIS Strikes in Kirkuk: Iraqi F-16s carried out airstrikes in Wadi al-Shay, killing a senior ISIS commander known as “Abu Osama.” Oil Coordination: Baghdad and Erbil renewed calls for continued dialogue on oil and gas, with crude exports through Turkey’s Ceyhan port running around 220,000 bpd. Regional Shipping Shock: A Panama-flagged tanker carrying about 2 million barrels of Iraqi fuel oil was hit by a drone in Iraqi waters, while markets watched Brent push above $100 amid renewed US-Iran shipping attacks.

Iraq Oil & Markets: Iraqi crude prices climbed as global oil rose amid the widening US-Iran tanker war. Basrah Heavy hit $85.76 (+$1.53), Basrah Medium $89.06 (+$1.53), while Brent neared $100 at $99.38. AI & Digital Security: Iraq’s National Security Service launched “Distinguish the Fake,” an AI-powered platform to help citizens spot fabricated images, doctored videos, and dubbed audio to curb misinformation and fraud. Regional Diplomacy: Armenia and Iraq held political consultations in Baghdad, discussing trade, high-tech, education, tourism, and possible direct flights, and signed youth and sports cooperation memoranda. US-Iran Escalation at Sea: Iran’s IRGC claimed it struck US vessels and oil tankers and hit Jordan’s al-Azraq base after US strikes destroyed Iranian tankers, keeping Hormuz shipping tense. Local Governance & Services: Iraq’s oil ministry is seeking a higher OPEC+ production baseline, while Baghdad also faced currency-exchange and payment disruptions reported in the wider coverage.

Iraq Security & Politics: A new GeoSpace episode warns Iraq may struggle after the US-led coalition’s planned Sept. 30 withdrawal, saying Baghdad lacks a clear plan to fill the security vacuum and could slide toward sectarian or ethnic targeting. Armed Groups & Disarmament: Iraq’s PMF is preparing to absorb PKK members not covered by Turkey’s disarmament process, as hundreds of commanders and thousands of fighters could remain outside Ankara’s settlement. Regional Tensions: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed resistance until “aggressors” regret, while Iraqi FM Fuad Hussein met Arab League chief Nabil Fahmy in Cairo to discuss Strait of Hormuz disruptions and their economic impact on Iraq. Media & Governance: Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission suspended Iraq Al-Hadath’s Sawt Al-Shaab for 90 days and barred presenter Marwa Hashem over broadcasting rule violations, amid an extortion dispute involving the ministry. Economy & Markets: Iraq’s crude output rose to 3.37 million bpd in August as exports recovered through the Strait of Hormuz. Humanitarian Watch: A report says cluster munitions caused at least 1,063 casualties worldwide in 2025, with Iraq among the affected countries and civilians making up 87%.

Basra Energy & Jobs: West Qurna 2 workers in Basra gave a one-week deadline for contracts and unpaid dues, warning they could halt production and exports if demands aren’t met. Diplomacy in the Region: Iraq’s FM Fuad Hussein met Kuwait’s Deputy FM Hamad Al-Mashaan on Arab League sidelines in Cairo, reviewing bilateral ties and regional files. Iran-Iraq Links: Iran’s new Basra consul general, Mostafa Tarfi, began his tenure stressing economic, security, cultural and tourism cooperation. Oil Prices Watch: Basra crude rose about 2% Tuesday, with Basrah Heavy up to $84.23 and Basrah Medium to $87.53, as global markets tracked US-Iran tensions. US-Iran Fallout: Reports say the US is considering reducing its permanent military and intelligence presence in West Asia if the Iran conflict ends, after attacks exposed vulnerabilities in US bases. Humanitarian & Justice: In France, 14 people go on trial over the 2021 Channel migrant disaster that killed 31, including many Iraqi Kurds.

Iraq-Iran Student Clash: Iraq’s Foreign Ministry demanded legal action after Iranian citizens attacked Iraqi students in Semnan, with Iran moving exams online and pledging to relocate students to safer monitored areas. Kirkuk Exports: Northern Iraq oil exports held near 220,000 bpd, with Kirkuk at about 150,000 bpd and the Kurdistan Region supplying roughly 70,000 bpd via the Iraq-Turkiye pipeline. Banking Reform: The Central Bank of Iraq said most depositor funds are guaranteed and that reforms with Oliver Wyman are continuing, alongside new lending initiatives to back investment and the private sector. Oil Jobs Push: Iraq’s Oil Minister asked the Cabinet to approve positions for petroleum institute graduates and permanent appointments for contract and daily-wage workers at state oil firms, as protests continue. Nineveh Court Ruling: Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court dismissed a land dispute in Nineveh’s Qazza Fakhra and Jaliyukhan areas, triggering opposing reactions from local officials and Shabak community representatives. Kurdistan Returns: The KRG said it returned 33 Kurdish men from Libya after arranging their release, bringing the total irregular migrant returns from Libya to 335. Duhok Ordnance: Mine teams removed 47 unexploded 100-mm artillery shells in Duhok’s Amedi district.

Oil & Exports: OPEC+ decided to keep October oil production quotas unchanged from September after a virtual meeting on Sept. 6, with Iraq’s required output set at 4.431 million bpd, as Hormuz disruptions and regional fighting keep exports unpredictable. Energy Infrastructure: Iraq says it has already lifted export capacity above 3 million bpd and is pushing new pipeline routes—Basra-Haditha-Fishkhabur and Haditha-Banias—to reach 5 million bpd and reduce reliance on Hormuz. Diplomacy: Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein is in Cairo for the Arab League session, meeting Arab counterparts amid the US-Iran conflict spillover affecting countries including Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Security in Kurdistan: Three drones hit a refugee camp in Surdas (Surdash) in Sulaymaniyah province early Monday; no casualties were reported. Culture: Baghdad’s 27th International Book Fair opened Sept. 2 and is drawing record participation, with 28 countries and 600+ publishers, as Iraq restores and promotes heritage, including restoration work on the 3,400-year-old Aqarquf Ziggurat temples west of Baghdad. Business: Ford named Shimal Al Jazeera Auto-Trading and Commercial Agencies (SAT) as its distributor partner in Iraq from Oct. 1 for sales, parts and aftersales.

Security & Protests: Babil security forces partially closed key roads to stop protesters reaching a demonstration near the Babil Court of Appeal, after authorities said no permit was approved for Sunday. Anti-Arms Crackdown: Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service arrested two suspected arms dealers in Nineveh and seized firearms, magazines, and ammunition. Health Expansion: The Health Ministry says 10 new hospitals will open across Iraq in the next six months, easing pressure on beds and doctors. Sports & Infrastructure: Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered 30 billion dinars to speed up work on the 30,000-seat Al-Diwaniyah Stadium. Corruption Watch: Iraq’s Integrity Commission reported 191 arrest warrants in August, including 27 for high-ranking officials. Banking Fallout: CBI oversight is moving forward at Al-Taif Islamic Bank after depositors protested frozen withdrawals; the bank says funds will be returned soon. Oil & Routes: Iraq is set to export crude via Syria using land transport from Basra to Baniyas, aiming to diversify routes amid Hormuz disruption. Regional Tensions: Iran and the U.S. traded escalating claims over strikes and oil-tanker incidents, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a major concern. Money & Prices: A parliamentary panel was formed to tackle soaring medicine prices and curb pharmacy exploitation. Remains Returned: Families in Anbar and Kirkuk received remains of ISIS-era victims recovered from mass-grave searches.

Baghdad Transport & Energy: Iraq’s “Green Taxi” electric taxi plan is taking shape in Baghdad as officials respond to a severe gasoline shortage, with charging infrastructure developed by the Transport and Environment ministries. Oil Exports & Routes: Iraq says it has boosted crude export capacity to over 3 million bpd and is pushing toward 5 million bpd by building new pipeline routes to the Mediterranean to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. Security & Politics: Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework says talks with armed factions are at a deadlock over weapons ahead of the Sept. 30 US withdrawal deadline, with factions rejecting any fixed timetable for disarmament. Regional Tensions: The US-Iran standoff keeps escalating around tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran warning of broader action and the US signaling it could target Iran’s oil tanker fleet. Local Life & Justice: Erbil authorities shut down a nightclub after a viral video involving alleged child exploitation, while a man in the UK (Iraqi national) was charged with rape of a 14-year-old boy. Finance & Daily Services: Baghdad International Airport warned travelers of possible currency exchange delays after the CBI closed some exchange companies at the airport.

Watan Initiative Housing: Basra and Karbala say they’ve finished procedures for 195,000 free residential plots under Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s Watan program, with registration set for October and eligibility tied to land/property ownership. Anti-Corruption Crackdown: Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commission arrested five staff overseeing the Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital renovation in Al-Muthanna, alleging cost discrepancies, delays, and stalled work that disrupted cooling units and services. CBI Currency Rumors: The Central Bank of Iraq denied social media claims of a new dollar rate, saying the official rate remains 1,310 dinars per dollar. AI Content Enforcement: The Interior Ministry warned of tougher penalties for accounts using AI to post obscene or culturally “indecent” videos, urging reports via the Ain Iraq “Balligh” platform. ISIS Detention Progress: Iraq says it completed the interrogation phase for about 5,700 ISIS suspects transferred from Syria, with cases set to proceed to trial and some Syrians to be released. Regional Security Tensions: US and Iran traded threats after US strikes hit Iranian tankers following attacks on US Navy ships, with both sides warning of retaliation. Sports: Iraq beat Qatar 3-0 in the West Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, setting up a key match vs Jordan.