Latest Iraq News & Updates

New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) India’s aviation regulator — the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — has directed airline companies to avoid several airspaces in West Asia amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, to ensure contingency planning as part of safety risk assessments.The regulator has asked flight operations firms to refrain from operating in the airspace of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).However, flights over O…

Brussels, March 20 (IANS) European Union (EU) leaders pledged to remain vigilant against any spillover from the Middle East conflicts that could trigger migratory pressure on the bloc, as the conflicts pose growing risks to Europe.Although the conflict “has not translated into immediate migratory flows towards the EU,” leaders at a European Council meeting underscored “the importance of maintaining a high level of vigilance and ensuring the necessary level of preparedness,” according to conclusi…

New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) Flight operations are gradually improving with additional services being introduced between India and the Middle East region, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.In the UAE, around 70 flights operated on March 17 and about 75 flights are expected on Wednesday to various destinations in India. Over 50 flights have been operating daily since 5 March 2026, indicating improved connectivity.Flights continue to operate from Saudi Arabia and Oman to India. …

Kathmandu, March 17 (IANS) The Nepali government has decided to partially resume labour approvals previously suspended to send migrant workers to parts of the Gulf region, even as the region remains affected by the ongoing US-Iran conflict.​ Following joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, which triggered retaliatory strikes by Iran targeting US and Israeli assets in the region, the Nepali government on March 1 suspended the issuance of labour approvals for Saudi Arabia, the Unit…

Washington, March 13 (IANS) All six crew members aboard a U.S. Air Force KC-135 refuelling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq during a military mission have been confirmed dead, the U.S. military said Friday. The aircraft went down on March 12 while flying over friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, according to a statement released by CENCOM.“All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refuelling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased,” the statement said…

Manila, March 13 (IANS) The Foreign ministers of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday emphasised the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, calling upon all parties concerned to exercise utmost self-restraint, avoid any acts that may further aggravate the situation, and resolve differences through diplomacy and dialogue in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the wider region. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ unified call came follow…

Washington, March 13 (IANS) A US Air Force aerial refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during operations linked to the war with Iran, the US military said, as rescue teams searched the area and officials worked to determine whether there were casualties.US Central Command confirmed that a KC-135 refuelling tanker was lost during an incident involving two aircraft operating in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury.“US Central Command is aware of the loss of a US KC-135 refueling a…

New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) The ongoing conflict in West Asia has triggered the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market, according to a report released on Thursday.According to the report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), with limited capacity to reroute shipments and storage facilities filling up, oil-producing countries in the Gulf have cut production by at least 10 million barrels per day, it added.”Unless tanker traffic through the strategic waterway resumes …

New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) India’s strategic oil reserves and diversification of energy imports across 40 supplier countries have transformed its capacity to absorb global energy shocks, and this resilience has ensured that there is no energy crisis due to the disruption caused by the Iran war as the government is tackling the situation with supply-side management, a senior official said on Thursday.The country has robust macroeconomic fundamentals with ample forex reserves to cover 11–12 mont…

New Delhi/Baghdad, March 12 (IANS) An Indian crew member was killed after a US-owned crude oil tanker, Safesea Vishnu, came under attack by Iran near Basra in Iraq on Wednesday. The remaining 15 Indian crew members on board were evacuated safely and moved to a secure location, the Indian Embassy in Baghdad said.The attack took place in the Persian Gulf, where another oil tanker was also reported to have caught fire after being struck in Iraq’s territorial waters. Iran has claimed responsibilit…