Iraq's prime minister seeks big energy investmentsbig energy investments on US trip
Iraq's prime minister traveled to the United States on July 13, 2026, to secure major investments for liquefied natural gas ventures and strategic export pipelines linking Iraq to Mediterranean markets.
This initiative matters as it aims to strengthen Iraq's economy while addressing unresolved security concerns about weapons restrictions in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
- Iraq produces over 4 million barrels of oil daily, making energy exports critical to its national budget.
- The Mediterranean export pipeline project has been discussed for years but stalled due to regional security tensions.
- In 2025, Iraq signed agreements with multiple Gulf states to boost its liquefied natural gas infrastructure.
US-Iran-Israel War
The United States and Israel have resumed full-scale war with Iran after President Trump declared the June 17 Versailles peace agreement's ceasefire over on July 8, following Iranian attacks on commercial ships and U.S. bases in the Gulf. Trump launched massive new airstrikes on 90 military sites across Iran, including the Bushehr nuclear plant, while Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, trapping 150–700 vessels and halting over 11 million barrels per day of Gulf crude.
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