Baghdad: The anticipated visit of Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi to Tehran, accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation, is the focal point of Thursday’s newspapers. This visit aims to engage in extensive discussions, with primary emphasis on gas and energy supply issues, to ensure the stability of local supply and fulfill national requirements.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the semi-official Al-Sabah newspaper, affiliated with the Iraqi Media Network, highlighted the government’s commitment to intensifying its regional and international efforts to secure Iraq’s higher interests, resolve outstanding issues, and explore strategic alternatives to the current energy and export crises. Government spokesman Haider Al-Aboudi announced that Prime Minister Al-Zubaidi’s visit to Tehran is at the invitation of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. This diplomatic mission is expected to expand, with a planned visit to Turkey later this month to address Iraq’s historical water quotas.
On the international partnership front, Al-Sabah reported that Prime Minister Al-Zubaidi held telephone discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to foster cooperation in economy, trade, investment, and immigration. Al-Zubaidi expressed Iraq’s interest in enhancing its balance of payments and facilitating investments by German companies through the establishment of a joint Iraqi-German fund aimed at developing national industry. The German Chancellor affirmed support for Iraq’s economic reforms and extended an official invitation to Al-Zubaidi to visit Berlin.
Meanwhile, the newspaper Al-Zaman (Iraq edition) reported that Al-Zubaidi’s visit to Tehran is part of Iraq’s effort to facilitate talks with the American side in Baghdad. Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi, during his weekly press conference, emphasized that the visit would focus on dialogues and agreements centered on the gas file, which is crucial to Iraqi interests.
In a separate report, Al-Zawraa newspaper, published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, detailed remarks from the government’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, regarding potential legislation for borrowing and grants. Saleh noted that such a law could provide the government with increased flexibility to complete public spending financing, addressing the financial crisis due to the lack of an approved budget law for 2026. This legislation would enable the government to secure domestic and foreign loans and receive grants, thereby supporting essential expenditures.
The newspaper emphasized Saleh’s explanation that Iraq is facing a challenging financial situation due to declining oil revenues, which currently cover only a portion of operational expenses. He stressed the need for legal flexibility through legislation, beyond the scope of the Financial Management Law, to manage the country’s finances effectively amidst current economic challenges.