Iraqi president (1979–2003) who toppled in the US-led invasion.
Vahidi has emerged as a central figure in Iran’s diplomacy and crisis management, guiding negotiation posture and security strategy as Iran maintains pressure in the Strait of Hormuz and across the Gulf. New unity claims surround leadership circles amid a concealed supreme leader.
The Senate has approved a war powers resolution directing the president to halt U.S. military action against Iran unless Congress authorizes such steps. The House already passed a similar measure. The vote is largely symbolic and faces legal questions, but it signals mounting congressional concern over the Iran conflict.
Khamenei’s coffin nears final burial after a week of funeral ceremonies spanning Iran and Iraq. Najaf and Karbala host large processions; Iran’s deadly regional posture and ties with Iraq underscore the regional flare. The burial will conclude in Mashhad.
Senator Lindsey Graham has died at 71 after a "brief and sudden illness," his office has said. Graham had just returned from a visit to Kyiv and had met President Volodymyr Zelensky. Officials say a preliminary medical examiner found an aortic dissection; South Carolina's governor will appoint a temporary replacement ahead of November's elections.
Iraq’s prime minister travels to Washington to deepen economic ties as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and fighting between the US and Iran intensifies. Oil output, IMF talks, and potential US investment are on the table while Iran-backed groups push back against disarmament. Diplomatic prospects hinge on stabilizing energy flows and expanding state control over weapons.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as the United States reimposes a blockade on Iran and Iran asserts control over the waterway. Experts say escalating actions threaten global oil shipping, with discussions of large-scale military deployments and potential ground forces to secure the strait. Cross-border tensions are fueling price volatility and drawing international attention.
The United States plans to end its mission against ISIS in Iraq and withdraw most forces by Sept. 30, reaffirming a 2024 pact with Baghdad. Officials say American troops have largely left and the burden is shifting to Iraqi security forces, while U.S. companies will remain active in the country.
Airstrikes by US and Saudi forces hit PMF sites in Iraq after attacks on Saudi facilities, while Iran-backed groups and regional rivalries threaten Iraq’s new prime minister’s plan to disarm militias and anchor the state. The broader Strait of Hormuz dynamics and Yemen’s Houthis add layers to the conflict, risking wider regional instability.