At least three people were killed following a pair of bombings in Iraq on Friday. Security officials say a bomb placed under a parked car exploded near the holy city of Karbala, killing at least two people. The blast occurred as thousands of Shi’ite pilgrims gathered for a religious festival in the city. Meanwhile, officials […]
Spain Demands Iraqi PM Appear in Camp Ashraf Probe
Posted July 14th, 2011 at 12:30 pm (UTC-5)
A Spanish judge has announced plans to question Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and three Iraqi military officers in a probe into the deaths of 34 people at an Iranian exiles’ camp in Iraq. Judge Fernando Andreu announced his intentions this week to question the four in connection to a deadly Iraqi military raid at […]
Iran Rejects US Claims of Role in Iraq Attacks
Posted July 13th, 2011 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
Iran has dismissed U.S. claims that Tehran is arming insurgents who have played a role in attacks on American soldiers in Iraq. Iran’s state-run media on Wednesday quoted Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi as saying the claims are baseless. The reports also say Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast described them as a “big lie.” On Monday, […]
Iraq Signs $12 Billion Gas Deal
Posted July 12th, 2011 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
Iraq has signed a $12 billion deal with Royal Dutch Shell and Mitsubishi to capture and use natural gas currently being flared from oil fields in the country’s south. The 25-year deal signed Tuesday must still be approved by the Iraqi cabinet, and would create a joint venture called Basra Gas Company. Iraq will hold […]
Panetta: US Acting Against Iranian-Armed Iraqi Militants
Posted July 11th, 2011 at 3:25 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says U.S. forces in Iraq are taking unilateral action against Shi’ite militants who he says are using Iranian-supplied weapons to stage deadly attacks on American soldiers. Fourteen U.S. soldiers were killed last month in attacks mostly blamed on Iraqi Shi’ite insurgents. It was the highest monthly combat-related death toll for […]
Panetta: US Will Act Against Iran’s Arming of Iraqi Militants
Posted July 11th, 2011 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta says U.S. forces in Iraq will act against Iran’s arming of Shi’ite militants blamed for a wave of deadly attacks on American soldiers. Attacks by suspected Iraqi Shi’ite insurgents killed 14 U.S. soldiers in June. It was the deadliest month for U.S. forces in Iraq in two years. Two […]
US Defense Chief Concerned About Iranian Weapons in Iraq
Posted July 11th, 2011 at 5:40 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta says the United States is very concerned about Iran providing weapons to militants in Iraq, as he prepares to meet with Iraqi leaders about the future of U.S. troops in the country. Panetta told a group of U.S. soldiers in Baghdad Monday that the U.S. cannot allow the arming […]
US Opens Consulate in Northern Iraq to Boost Investment
Posted July 10th, 2011 at 10:25 pm (UTC-5)
The United States has opened a consulate in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, in an effort to lure more American investors to one of the most stable and dynamic regions of the country. U.S. Ambassador James Jeffrey opened the new mission in the Kurdish city of Irbil Sunday, saying Iraq needs the support of American businesses. […]
Panetta in Iraq to Press for Decision on US Troops
Posted July 10th, 2011 at 12:45 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is in Baghdad, where he says he plans to press Iraqi leaders to decide whether they want U.S. troops to remain beyond an end-of-2011 deadline. Panetta arrived in the Iraqi capital Sunday from Afghanistan, making his first visits to both nations since assuming the defense post earlier this month. Speaking […]
Iraqi Lawmakers To Decide on US Troop Extension Soon
Posted July 9th, 2011 at 12:50 pm (UTC-5)
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani says political parties will decide within two weeks whether to seek an extension of the U.S. troops presence in the country beyond the December pull-out date. Mr. Talabani announced the decision Saturday after meeting with political blocs in Baghdad. About 45,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq. They are due to withdraw […]
