US-Iraq Withdrawal: Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi reaffirmed Sept. 30 as the “fixed and final” deadline for the US-led anti-ISIS coalition to end its mission, with Oct. 1 marking a new phase of full Iraqi sovereignty and no foreign military presence. Air Defense & Sovereignty: Ahead of the pullout, Zaidi ordered upgrades to Iraq’s air defense readiness, stressing stronger systems to protect Iraqi airspace and prevent any use of Iraqi territory as a launch pad. Arms Under State Control: The government is pushing legislation to limit weapons to state authority, a move that could raise tensions with armed factions. Security Crackdowns: Baghdad saw Interior Ministry operations seizing 20+ locally made drones and arresting suspects, while Iraq’s National Security dismantled an international drug smuggling network in Kirkuk. Kurdistan Fuel & Customs: Erbil says it’s entitled to more crude for local use amid gasoline shortages, and Baghdad and Erbil reached a “final agreement” on ASYCUDA customs implementation with a 50-50 border revenue split. Regional Diplomacy: An Iraqi security delegation is set to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss drone attacks and security concerns after recent strikes on PMF sites. Oil Route Talks: Lebanese officials met an Iraqi delegation in Beirut on reviving the Kirkuk-Tripoli pipeline as Baghdad seeks alternative export corridors beyond Hormuz.