Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has called on Bulgaria to reconsider its recent decision to permit the temporary deployment of U.S. military aircraft at the Bezmer air base, according to Iranian state media on Thursday. During a phone conversation with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova, Araqchi argued that Bulgaria’s approval of a U.S. request to station aircraft there to support military operations effectively enables aggression against Iran. He emphasized that such actions are unacceptable and undermine the traditionally friendly relations between the two nations.
Iran has issued repeated warnings to countries allowing their territories to be used for U.S. military actions against Iran, warning of potential consequences. Separately, Araqchi spoke with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, stressing the need to ensure that foreign military bases in Cyprus are not utilized for any operations targeting Iran.
Last week, Bulgaria’s parliament approved the temporary stationing of up to eight U.S. KC-135 tanker aircraft and 250 personnel at Bezmer air base, despite Iranian objections. Bulgarian authorities clarified that no offensive weapons would be deployed and that the move does not make Bulgaria a participant in military operations.
Cyprus hosts two British military bases, including RAF Akrotiri, which was targeted by an Iranian drone in early March — shortly after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes against Iran. Britain had previously agreed to a U.S. request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile depots; however, they later clarified that RAF Akrotiri would not participate in these defensive operations. The defense arrangements were maintained by Britain’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, in July, prompting warnings from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards against Britain’s involvement in facilitating U.S. military actions against Iran.
Over the past 50 days, the Iran conflict has caused a global loss exceeding $50 billion in unproduced crude oil, with the repercussions expected to persist for months or even years. Analysts and Reuters estimates highlight these economic impacts.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened following a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon, while U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a potential deal to end the Iran conflict soon, though no specific timeline has been specified.
Since the crisis erupted in late February, over 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been removed from the international market—a disruption unmatched in recent history.
To put this into perspective, losing 500 million barrels of oil is equivalent to:
Cutting global air travel demand for ten weeks,
Ceasing all road vehicle travel worldwide for eleven days,
Or depriving the global economy of oil for five days.
In the United States, this equates to nearly a month of national oil demand, with Europe experiencing over a month’s worth of oil consumption lost, according to Reuters. It also represents enough fuel to sustain the U.S. military’s operations for about six years based on its annual usage of approximately 80 million barrels. Additionally, this volume could power the world’s international shipping industry for around four months.
Key facts include:
Gulf Arab nations reduced crude output by roughly 8 million barrels per day in March, a figure comparable to the combined production of ExxonMobil and Chevron, two leading oil companies.
Exported jet fuel from major Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, dropped sharply from approximately 19.6 million barrels in February to just 4.1 million barrels in March and April combined. This reduction could fuel approximately 20,000 round-trip flights between New York’s JFK and London’s Heathrow.
With oil prices averaging around $100 per barrel since the conflict’s start, this shortfall translates to around $50 billion in lost revenue, according to Johannes Rauball, senior crude analyst at Kpler. This loss corresponds to a 1% decrease in Germany’s annual GDP or roughly the entire GDP of small nations like Latvia or Estonia.
Recovery outlook:
Although Iran’s Foreign Minister indicated the Strait is open, restoring output and flow remains a slow process. April’s global onshore crude inventories have decreased by about 45 million barrels, and production interruptions since late March have reached around 12 million barrels per day.
Fields in Kuwait and Iraq, particularly in heavier crude zones, may take four to five months to regain their normal output levels, extending stock depletion through summer. Damage to refining facilities and Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex could mean regional energy infrastructure restoration may take several years.
Nato has moved its mission in Iraq entirely to Europe due to regional conflicts, with the last non-combat staff of several hundred individuals departing Iraq on Friday. The personnel were based in an Iraqi military facility within Baghdad’s Green Zone, near the U.S. embassy, which has faced multiple attacks since the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran began three weeks ago.
An official statement from Nato’s European command confirmed, “The Nato Mission Iraq has adjusted its posture, safely relocating all personnel from the Middle East to Europe.” The mission’s primary role involves supporting and training Iraqi security forces to combat terrorism, especially to prevent a resurgence of Daesh.
Operations will now proceed from Nato’s command center in Naples, Italy. General Alexus Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, expressed gratitude to the Iraqi government and allies who helped facilitate the safe move. “I also want to commend the dedicated men and women of Nato Mission Iraq, who carried on their duties diligently. They are true professionals,” he added.
Earlier on Friday, Nato announced it was modifying its Iraq mission, with a French military source confirming the relocation was temporary and driven by regional security concerns. Nato spokesperson Allison Hart emphasized that political dialogue and cooperation with Iraq, including through the Iraq mission, will remain ongoing.
Since its inception in 2018, the mission has comprised several hundred personnel from Nato allies and partner nations such as Austria and Australia. It has been led since May 2025 by General Christophe Hintzy of France.
A French military source explained to AFP that the decision to relocate personnel aligns with Nato’s stance on non-combat missions, noting that the current threats in the region make their continued presence less relevant. An Iraqi security official confirmed there was no disagreement with Iraqi authorities, describing the withdrawal as a temporary measure due to the escalating Middle East security situation.
President Donald Trump issued a warning on Tuesday, stating that the U.S. might withdraw support for Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki, a former prime minister with connections to Iran, regains the position. Trump criticized Maliki, asserting that his previous tenure led Iraq into poverty and chaos and warned against repeating that history. He emphasized that under Maliki’s leadership, Iraq would make a “very bad choice” and declared that the U.S. would cease assistance if Maliki is elected again, claiming that America’s help is vital for Iraq’s success, prosperity, and freedom. The former Iraqi leader stepped down in 2014 amid U.S. pressure, which linked his sectarian policies to the rise of ISIS. The U.S. continues to hold significant influence over Iraq, as much of the country’s oil revenue is kept at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, a system established after the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Election participation reached 56%, according to officials. The Taqaddum Party secured 27 seats in the parliamentary vote, while Iraq’s ruling alliance claims to be the largest bloc following the results. The upcoming government faces the complex task of balancing influence from the United States and Iran. It also needs to oversee numerous armed factions that are more accountable to Iran’s leadership than to the Iraqi state, amidst mounting pressure from Washington to disarm these militias.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s political coalition emerged with the highest number of seats, totaling 46 out of 329, as reported by the election commission. The Taqaddum Party, predominantly supported by voters in western and northern Iraq, gained 27 seats. Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law faction secured 29 seats, and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) earned 26.
The official voter turnout was recorded at 56.11%. Following the announcement, parties aligned with the current government declared themselves the largest parliamentary group and committed to proceeding with the nomination process for a new prime minister.
Sudani had aimed for a second term, but many disillusioned young voters viewed this election as an opportunity for established parties to continue controlling Iraq’s oil revenues. Nevertheless, Sudani has portrayed himself as a leader capable of steering Iraq toward stability, emphasizing efforts to challenge the influence of traditional political factions that helped him ascend to power.
Dick Cheney, who was a major architect of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq and widely regarded by presidential historians as one of the most influential vice presidents in American history, has died at age 84, his family announced on Tuesday. They stated that Cheney passed away Monday due to complications from pneumonia as well as heart and vascular conditions.
A former congressman from Wyoming and Secretary of Defense, Cheney already had a significant influence in Washington when Texas Governor George W. Bush selected him as his running mate in the 2000 presidential election, which Bush ultimately won. Serving as vice president from 2001 to 2009, Cheney was a staunch advocate for strengthening presidential power, feeling it had been diminishing since the Watergate scandal that led to Richard Nixon’s resignation. He also expanded the vice president’s office by establishing a prominent national security team that often operated as an independent power center within the administration.
Cheney was a leading supporter of the Iraq invasion in 2003 and was among the most vocal officials warning of Iraq’s supposed weapons of mass destruction—none of which were ever discovered. He frequently clashed with top advisors, including Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. Cheney also defended the use of controversial interrogation techniques such as waterboarding and sleep deprivation, practices critics, including several U.S. and international human rights bodies, labeled as torture.
His daughter, Liz Cheney, served in the House of Representatives but lost her seat after opposing Donald Trump and voting to impeach him following the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Cheney expressed agreement with her stance, stating he would support Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. He was outspoken about his opposition to Trump, declaring that “there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump” in his long-standing fight against the left.
Throughout his life, Cheney struggled with heart issues, suffering his first heart attack at age 37. He received a heart transplant in 2012.
On Iraq and Beyond
Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, longtime colleagues from the Nixon White House era, played pivotal roles in forging the push for the Iraq invasion. Leading up to the war, Cheney suggested links between Iraq and Al-Qaeda, as well as connections to the 9/11 attacks—a theory later discredited by a congressional commission. He predicted that U.S. forces would be welcomed as liberators and that the troop deployment would be brief, lasting weeks rather than years. Although no weapons of mass destruction were found, Cheney maintained later that the invasion was justified based on the intelligence available at the time and the goal of removing Saddam Hussein from power.
Prior to his vice presidency, Cheney had played a crucial role as Secretary of Defense during the 1990-91 Gulf War under President George H. W. Bush, urging a tough stand against Iraq after Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. Interestingly, while he originally believed the U.S. should act alone and avoid an Iraq invasion at that time, his close ties to the Bush family eventually contributed to his selection as vice-presidential candidate in 2000.
His career in government and his ties to the oil industry—especially his tenure leading Halliburton from 1995 to 2000—generated significant criticism, especially regarding the firm’s lucrative role in Iraq war contracts. Upon returning to politics, Cheney’s influence was profound, shaping policy for nearly a decade.
Early Life
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 30, 1941, Cheney was the son of Marjorie Lorraine (née Dickey), a waitress turned softball player, and Richard Herbert Cheney, a federal employee. Both sides of his family were New Deal Democrats, and Cheney later noted this in his 2011 memoir, “In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir.” He was the first Republican in his extended family since his Civil War-era great-grandfather who served on the Union side. Moving to Wyoming as a boy, Cheney attended Yale University but dropped out, describing himself as an average student.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced on Sunday that it is pulling back from Turkey as part of a disarmament process coordinated with the government. This move is intended to pave the way for the group to enter the political arena. The PKK, which has been fighting against the Turkish government since 1984, decided in May to disarm and disband following a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, to end the armed conflict. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 40,000 deaths.
In July, the banned organization, classified as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, symbolically destroyed some of its weapons as a gesture of good faith. During a ceremony in the Qandil Mountains, their stronghold in northern Iraq, the PKK stated it had decided to withdraw all fighters from Turkey to establish a foundation for a “free, democratic, and brotherly life.”
The group emphasized that this move demonstrates its dedication to the disarmament and integration process. It called on the Turkish government to facilitate its transition into “democratic politics” through the passage of relevant laws. As a senior official read the statement aloud at the event, about two dozen PKK fighters stood in formation, with a large image of Ocalan displayed prominently in the background.
“We are committed to implementing leader Ocalan’s peace plan,” PKK spokesperson Zagros Hiwa told Reuters from Qandil. “The Turkish side must now carry out political reforms and create a conducive environment for this project.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s communications director, Burhanettin Duran, praised the announcement and expressed hope that it would lead to lasting peace and stability. “This is a positive step towards the PKK finally laying down its weapons in all its components,” Duran wrote on X.
In recent years, the PKK has operated mainly from northern Iraq after being driven beyond Turkey’s southeastern borders. The Turkish military frequently targets PKK bases there and has established multiple outposts.
Over time, the PKK’s objectives shifted from seeking outright independence to advocating for increased Kurdish rights and limited autonomy primarily in southeastern Turkey, where the Kurdish population is concentrated. Turkey claims to support Kurdish rights but insists that it will not tolerate any separatist efforts.
If Turkey’s conflict with the PKK concludes successfully, it could have wider regional implications, particularly in neighboring Syria, where the U.S. allies with Kurdish forces that Ankara considers to be tied to the PKK.
The Pentagon reaffirmed its commitment Tuesday to reducing its military presence in Iraq, a move that a U.S. official said will involve Baghdad taking more control of efforts to eliminate Daesh remnants within its borders.
According to the plan, the U.S. and coalition partners will shift their focus to fighting Daesh in Syria and relocate most personnel to Iraq’s Kurdistan region for this mission. The official, speaking anonymously, noted that the U.S. had roughly 2,500 troops stationed in Iraq at the start of 2025 and over 900 in neighboring Syria, part of the coalition launched in 2014 to counter Daesh’s advance through both nations.
Once the transition is complete, the total number of U.S. military personnel in Iraq will drop below 2,000, with the majority based in Erbil. An exact figure and timetable remain undecided, the official added. Troops still in Baghdad will primarily focus on routine bilateral security cooperation rather than counter-ISIS operations.
“ISIS no longer presents an ongoing threat to the Iraqi government or the U.S. homeland from within Iraq,” a senior defense official said. “This significant achievement allows us to responsibly transition security responsibilities to Iraq.”
This move provides reassurance to Baghdad, which has long been concerned about U.S. troops attracting instability and being targeted by Iran-backed groups. Last year, the U.S. agreed to withdraw from the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Anbar Province and hand it over to Iraq. The official indicated that the transfer process is ongoing but declined additional details.
While the Trump administration had also planned to reduce forces in Syria, the official said that is currently on hold, contingent upon conditions. The U.S. remains worried about Daesh fighters still operating in Syria and the potential for thousands imprisoned in camps to escape.
Syria’s President, Ahmed al-Sharaa — a former al-Qaeda leader — led rebel forces that toppled Bashar al-Assad’s government last year. President Donald Trump met with him in Riyadh in May. Regional leaders and Western allies continue to warn that Daesh might take advantage of Syria’s ongoing instability to resurge.
More than 600 pilgrims in Iraq were briefly hospitalized with breathing issues after inhaling chlorine gas caused by a leak at a water treatment facility, officials announced Sunday. The incident occurred overnight along the route connecting the two Shia holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, situated in central and southern Iraq.
This year, millions of Shiite Muslims are expected to travel to Karbala to visit the shrines of Imam Hussein (RA) and his brother Abbas (RA). These journeys coincide with the observance of Arbaeen, marking 40 days of mourning for Hussein (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Iraq’s health authorities reported that “621 cases of breathing difficulties were recorded due to a chlorine leak in Karbala.” They confirmed that all affected individuals received proper treatment and were released in good condition. Security forces escorting pilgrims indicated that the leak originated from a chlorine release at a water station along the Karbala-Najaf road.
Decades of conflict and corruption have left much of Iraq’s infrastructure in disrepair, often resulting in neglected safety standards. Earlier this summer, a devastating fire at a shopping mall in Kut caused the deaths of over 60 people, many of whom suffocated in the bathrooms, according to officials.
A fire truck beside the wreckage of a five-story shopping mall, following a devastating overnight blaze that claimed the lives of dozens in al-Kut, Wasit province, Iraq, July 17, 2025. — Reuters
Initial report links fire’s cause to the perfumes and cosmetics section.
Witness describes a scene where “everyone was desperately looking for a way out.”
The Iraqi Prime Minister’s office has called for a national period of mourning.
A devastating fire at a hypermarket in al-Kut, southern Iraq, has resulted in at least 69 fatalities and left 11 others unaccounted for, according to the city’s health officials and police sources, as reported by Reuters on Thursday.
Videos covering the aftermath show the charred remains of the “Corniche Hypermarket,” with emergency responders and law enforcement still at the scene.
Further footage verified by Reuters depicts firefighters battling the blaze overnight and individuals being rescued from the roof.
“We have discovered more bodies that are still buried under the debris,” stated city official Ali al-Mayahi.
The cause of the fire is not yet confirmed, but preliminary police findings indicate that it began on the floor housing perfumes and cosmetics.
“The raging flames trapped many inside the shopping center, and everyone was frantically trying to escape,” recounted Ali Al-Zargani, a nearby resident who entered the mall after the fire was brought under control.
“I saw the charred remains of women and children on the ground—it was a horrifying sight.”
As some victims were prepared for burial, mourners gathered to grieve over the coffins. However, remains of over 15 heavily burned victims will require DNA testing for identification, a witness informed Reuters.
As rescue teams searched the smoke-blackened building for additional bodies, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani initiated an immediate investigation to “identify any shortcomings,” as stated by his office.
The Prime Minister’s office issued a statement calling for national mourning.
According to the provincial governor, initial findings from the investigation are expected to be released within 48 hours, as reported by state news agency INA.
“We have initiated legal action against the owner of the building and the shopping mall,” the governor stated, as quoted by INA.
The absence of safety measures in Iraq has resulted in high casualty rates during fires. In 2023, a fire in a crowded wedding hall in the north claimed over 100 lives.
A devastating fire in a hypermarket located in al-Kut city, eastern Iraq, has claimed the lives of at least 50 individuals, according to a report from the state news agency (INA) released on Thursday, which cited remarks from the governor of the province.
Videos shared on social media depict intense flames consuming a five-story structure as firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control.
Unfortunately, Reuters has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of these videos at this time.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, though officials indicate that preliminary investigation findings will be available within the next 48 hours. The governor disclosed to INA that legal action has been initiated against the mall’s owner and the building itself.
This story is still developing and will be updated with additional details as they become available.
A PKK fighter participates in a disarmament ceremony in Sulaimaniya, Iraq, on July 11, 2025. — Reuters
On Friday, thirty militants from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) set fire to their weapons at the entrance of a cave in northern Iraq, marking a crucial yet symbolic move towards ending a prolonged insurgency against Turkey.
Video footage showed the fighters, half of whom were women, lining up to deposit AK-47 rifles, ammunition belts, and other firearms into a large gray cauldron. The flames consumed the weapons, which pointed skyward, while Kurdish, Iraqi, and Turkish officials observed the event from a distance.
Since being banned in 1984, the PKK has been engaged in a fierce struggle against the Turkish state. However, in May, the group announced its decision to disband and disarm following a public appeal from their long-imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan.
Amid a history of unsuccessful peace talks, this new effort could potentially clear the way for Ankara to resolve an insurgency that has claimed over 40,000 lives, strained the economy, and created severe social and political rifts within Turkey and its neighboring regions.
President Tayyip Erdogan expressed optimism that the PKK’s disbandment would enhance Turkey’s security and promote regional stability. He remarked on X, “May God grant us success in achieving our objectives for the safety of our homeland, the peace of our people, and the establishment of lasting tranquility in our region.”
The ceremony took place at the Jasana cave’s mouth, located in the town of Dukan, about 60 kilometers northwest of Sulaymaniyah in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
The soldiers, dressed in beige military uniforms, were accompanied by four commanders, one of whom was a prominent PKK leader, Bese Hozat. She read a declaration in Turkish that announced the group’s decision to disarm.
“In your presence, we voluntarily destroy our weapons as a gesture of goodwill and commitment,” she stated, before another commander translated the message into Kurdish.
Helicopters flew overhead while numerous Iraqi Kurdish security forces secured the mountainous area, according to a witness from Reuters.
The event attracted Turkish and Iraqi intelligence officials, representatives from Iraq’s Kurdistan regional government, and key members of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM party, who played a significant role in facilitating the PKK’s decision to disarm this year.
The timeline for additional disarmament events remains unclear.
A senior Turkish official indicated that the arms handover represents an “irreversible turning point” in the peace process, while another government source noted that subsequent actions would encompass the legal reintegration of PKK members into Turkish society, as well as initiatives aimed at community healing and reconciliation.
Broader Implications
The PKK has operated from northern Iraq after being forced well outside Turkey’s southeastern border in recent years. Turkish military forces regularly target PKK bases in that area and have established several military outposts.
Peace between NATO-member Turkey and the PKK could have far-reaching implications across the region, including in neighboring Syria, where the U.S. collaborates with Syrian Kurdish groups that Ankara views as PKK affiliates.
Both Washington and Ankara seek to have these Kurdish groups swiftly assimilate into Syria’s security framework, which has been undergoing changes since the fall of autocratic President Bashar al-Assad in December. Analysts suggest that PKK disarmament could intensify this pressure.
All parties involved — including the PKK, DEM, and Ocalan — have urged Erdogan’s administration to address Kurdish demands for greater rights in areas where Kurds are the majority, particularly in southeastern Turkey, where the insurgency has been most concentrated.
In a rare online video released on Wednesday, Ocalan, whose image was prominently displayed at the weapons ceremony, also called for the establishment of a parliamentary commission to manage disarmament and the larger peace initiative.
While Ankara has initiated moves toward forming this commission, both the DEM and Ocalan have stated that legal guarantees and various mechanisms are essential for facilitating the PKK’s transition to democratic politics.
Omer Celik, spokesperson for Erdogan’s AK Party, remarked that the ceremony represented an initial step towards complete disarmament and a “terror-free Turkey,” emphasizing the necessity to finalize this process “in a timely manner.”
Erdogan has asserted that disarmament will enable the reconstruction of southeastern Turkey. Over the past fifty years, Turkey has invested nearly $1.8 trillion in combating terrorism, as noted by Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek.
