The Cabinet made several new decisions during its session on Saturday, including those related to the electricity sector and allowances for gifted students studying abroad.
The Prime Minister's office stated in a press release, "Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi chaired the twelfth regular session of the Cabinet this evening, Saturday, during which the overall situation in the country was discussed, the items on the agenda were reviewed, and the necessary directives and decisions were made."
The statement added, "On the occasion of the Arba'een commemoration of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), and to facilitate the smooth return of pilgrims, the Cabinet decided to suspend official working hours on Monday and Tuesday, August 3-4, 2026."
In the context of regulating foreign relations, the Cabinet voted to activate the Iraqi-Turkish Framework Agreement on water and to bring the project financing mechanism related to this agreement into effect as of September 1, 2026.
To diversify crude oil export routes and outlets, the Cabinet approved authorizing the CEO of Basra Oil Company to sign a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Oil and the Syrian Ministry of Energy regarding the establishment of a pipeline project linking Iraqi oil production to global export markets via the Mediterranean Sea. The Cabinet also authorized the Minister of Oil to sign a memorandum of understanding with the consortium of companies (CONOCOPHILLIPS, TI CAPITAL, NOVATER) to initiate discussions concerning the evaluation of exploration and development potential in the Akkas/West Iraq field and surrounding areas.
To develop oil infrastructure and increase production rates, the Cabinet voted to task the Ministry of Oil with issuing a tender for the Qayyarah Integrated Project, in accordance with the implementation of public contracts (No. 1 of 2025). The Cabinet also approved the recommendation regarding the Integrated Field Management Services (IFMS) and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPCM) contract for the West Qurna-2 field/Basra Oil Company.
In the same matter, the Council approved the recommendation to exempt the tender for drilling an exploratory well in (Qara Tapa-A) from the provisions of Cabinet Resolutions (1128 of 2025) and (325 of 2026) concerning the regulation and management of government contracts.
New Cabinet decisions, including some concerning the electricity sector
