Baghdad

US embassies in the Middle East issued security alerts urging American citizens to 'consider departing' due to potential escalation in the US-Iran conflict. The warnings followed President Donald Trump's threats to strike Iran 'very hard' and reports of possible US attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure. Advisories included avoiding military bases and preparing for travel disruptions.

Influential Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr blames Iraqi militias and Baghdad's failure to control weapons for deaths in US-Saudi strikes. He criticizes militia leaders for pursuing personal interests and demands an end to their actions, while being a prominent critic of Tehran’s influence.

The US military has concluded a series of strikes targeting 'dozens' of Iranian sites in the latest escalation of conflict. The report originates from Baghdad, as noted by the Associated Press.

Iraq's Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba warned US and Saudi interests would face consequences after joint attacks by the two countries on armed groups across Iraq. The Popular Mobilisation Forces reported 20 fighters killed and 32 wounded in strikes across seven provinces, including Baghdad, Basra, Karbala, Kirkuk, and Nineveh.

Influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr urged Iran's Revolutionary Guard and allied armed groups to cease attacks from Iraq, warning against drawing the country into conflict. He called for Baghdad to assert control and advocated for peace, regional security, and an end to foreign military presence.

US-Saudi strikes in Iraq killed at least 20 Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) fighters and wounded 32 others. The attacks targeted PMF positions in seven provinces, including Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala, and Diyala, causing damage to buildings, vehicles, and military equipment.

President Trump ended a ceasefire with Iran following Israeli intelligence warnings about Tehran's assassination plots against him. US law enforcement and intelligence agencies have tracked Iranian efforts to target Trump and his aides for years, with increased activity since the war began. The attempts began six years ago, just outside Baghdad.

Iraqi authorities conducted anti-corruption raids in Baghdad's Green Zone, arresting 47 officials and seizing cash, gold, and luxury items. Public skepticism remains about whether powerful political figures will be targeted, with citizens questioning the campaign's credibility and long-term impact.

Rayanne Hunter credits TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) with helping her family heal after her husband, Army Staff Sergeant Wesley Hunter, died in 2010 from complications related to injuries sustained in an IED attack in Iraq in 2008. The nonprofit provided resources like regional seminars and a grief camp for her children, fostering a supportive community for military families.

Iraqi security forces arrested several politicians, lawmakers, and senior officials in dawn raids across Baghdad as part of anti-corruption efforts.

Dozens of Iraqi officials, including lawmakers, were arrested on corruption charges in Baghdad following an overnight raid. The arrests, based on a statement from former Deputy Minister of Oil Adnan al-Jumaili, involved 47 individuals, including 15 named officials from various political groups.

Iraq security forces arrested several officials during a large-scale anticorruption crackdown. The operation occurred at dawn in the Green Zone and multiple neighborhoods in Baghdad, according to a security source.

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Aragchi is visiting Baghdad to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments with Iraqi officials, amid recent US strikes on Iranian installations and Tehran's retaliatory attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait. The visit is reported by IRNA News Agency.

Kim Gamel, a veteran Associated Press correspondent who covered conflicts in the Middle East including the Iraq war and Arab Spring, died in Idaho at 57 after a yearslong battle with lymphoma. Known for her compassionate reporting, she highlighted human stories in war zones and mentored journalists.

Palestinian patients from Gaza, flown to Iraq, are confined in a Baghdad medical centre after being stripped of their documents and stuck in administrative limbo.

A powerful dust storm has swept across Iraq, affecting cities including Najaf and Baghdad, causing hospitals to battle respiratory issues. The storm has had a significant impact on the country's health sector. Respiratory problems are a major concern due to the sandstorm.

Ali al-Zaidi has formally taken office as Iraq's new prime minister in Baghdad, pledging reforms. This transition marks a significant shift in the country's leadership. The move is expected to bring about changes in the governance of Iraq.

Iran-backed groups have targeted U.S. facilities in Iraq approximately 600 times, according to a U.S. official. The targets include the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone. Iraqi army armored vehicles are deployed for protection.