January oil production inches higher despite Rumaila dip

Nationwide crude production increased by just over 50,000 bpd as state-operated Basra fields ramped up to compensate for a temporary decline at Rumaila.

Deputy Oil Minister Bassim Mohammed Khudair (center) and Basra Oil Company Director General Bassim Abdul Karim (right) tour part of the Ratawi project led by TotalEnergies in February 2026. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Energy

Iraq oil exports flat in January

Export volumes held steady in January while revenues appeared to increase slightly on higher global crude prices.

Politics

Iraq faces political disarray after Trump opposes Maliki’s return

Maliki defiantly asserts his right to lead the formation of a new government while Kurdish parties remain at odds over presidency.

Security

Kurdistan refinery protests spark deadly violence

At least one person is dead and several injured after security forces cracked down on unemployed truck drivers demanding work at the Lanaz refinery near Erbil.

Interviews

Q&A: Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq

Iraq is making progress toward a goal of starting LNG imports in time for summertime spikes in electricity demand.