An explosion aboard the Panama-flagged MSC Sariska V has triggered competing narratives, with Iran claiming a retaliatory strike and Iraqi reports pointing towards a possible technical failure.
The attacks come as regional tensions continue to escalate, with the ongoing US-Israel conflict involving Iran entering its 36th day. Iran-backed militias have repeatedly targeted US military positions in Iraq and neighbouring areas in recent weeks.
US issues fresh advisory highlighting attack and kidnapping risks in Iraq, asks citizens to avoid key locations and use land routes as airspace remains closed.
A suspect has been arrested after a dramatic chase in Baghdad, but uncertainty remains over the missing journalist’s whereabouts as US officials warn of militia involvement.
A US alert for Iraq, a claimed five-day diplomatic window with Iran, and renewed pressure around Hormuz pushed the conflict into a tense new phase on March 24.
From Iraq to Afghanistan to the US, basic freedoms for women are being eroded as governments start rolling back existing laws. Just a few months ago a ban on Afghan women speaking in public was the latest measure introduced by the Taliban, who took back control of the country in 2021.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said that the Islamic State (IS) militant group no longer poses a threat to Iraq and dialogue to end the US-led international coalition to fight the IS group continues.
Iraq exported about 108.053 million barrels of crude oil in July, the country's Oil Ministry announced Thursday.
Two Iraqis were killed and 17 others injured, including Iranian Shiite pilgrims, in a car accident in Baghdad, a traffic police officer said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has stressed the urgent need to halt the attacks against Lebanon and Palestine and called for concerted efforts to prevent the escalation of regional conflict.
