IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

An economist warns of a “cost of living setback” due to exchange rate volatility.

An economist warns of a “cost of living setback” due to exchange rate volatility.

10-26-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Economic expert Abdul Rahman Al-Mashhadani warned on Monday of the significant negative repercussions of exchange rate instability and the current market turmoil. He emphasized that relying on stopgap solutions and manipulating the currency directly harms citizens’ purchasing power and is detrimental to the economy.
In a statement to the Information Agency, Al-Mashhadani said, “The true salvation of the Iraqi economy does not lie in changing the exchange rate or Read more…

Al-Bayati speaks about the date for finalizing the budget: “The end of November.”

Al-Bayati speaks about the date for finalizing the budget: “The end of November.”

10-26-2026

The Information Agency/Baghdad…
MP Mohammed al-Bayati confirmed on Monday that there is no specific date for the 2027 budget to reach Parliament, but indicated that all signs point to it being finalized by the government in the second half of November.
Al-Bayati explained to the Information Agency that “the 2027 budget is still within the Cabinet, and there are central committees working to finalize its articles before presenting it to the Cabinet, which is responsible Read more…

Sinjar Resistance Units announce their integration into the Iraqi security system

Sinjar Resistance Units announce their integration into the Iraqi security system

2026-10-26

Shafaq News – Nineveh
On Monday, the leadership of the Sinjar Resistance Units announced the end of its “independent” military affiliation and its integration into the security system, as part of the process of restricting weapons to the state.

The command said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “We announce reaching an agreement with the Iraqi federal government regarding ending the independent military affiliation of our forces, the Sinjar Resistance Units and the Sinjar Women’s Units, Read more…

Al-Zaidi from Amman: Iraq continues its efforts to end the region’s crises

Al-Zaidi from Amman: Iraq continues its efforts to end the region’s crises

2026-10-26

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed on Monday his government’s keenness to enhance cooperation with Jordan, particularly in the economic, trade and investment fields, stressing the continuation of coordination and efforts aimed at ending crises and tensions in the region and establishing the foundations of stability. Read more…

The Kurdistan negotiating delegation and decision-making centers meet in Erbil to discuss the 2027 budget.

The Kurdistan negotiating delegation and decision-making centers meet in Erbil to discuss the 2027 budget.

2026-10-26

Shafaq News – Erbil
On Monday, the Kurdistan Region’s negotiating delegation with Baghdad held a meeting in Erbil, attended by a number of economic experts and decision-makers in the region’s political and governmental center, to discuss the ongoing negotiations regarding the Kurds’ share in Iraq’s 2027 budget. Read more…

The Sudanese bloc suspends its participation in parliamentary sessions.

The Sudanese bloc suspends its participation in parliamentary sessions.

2026-10-26

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Reconstruction and Development bloc, which is linked to former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, decided on Monday to suspend its attendance at the House of Representatives sessions, and stipulated that a deputy be referred to the Parliamentary Conduct Committee before it would return. Read more…

Spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief: The transfer of responsibility for Mount Sinjar to the federal authorities will take place today.

Spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief: The transfer of responsibility for Mount Sinjar to the federal authorities will take place today.

10-26-2026

The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu’man, confirmed today, Monday, that the ceremony for the military disengagement of the Sinjar Protection Units will take place today. Al-Nu’man stated in a statement reported by the official agency that “under the supervision and follow-up of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Falih al-Zaidi, the ceremony for the military disengagement of the Sinjar Read more…

Parliament approves five-year leave for employees and adjourns its session

Parliament approves five-year leave for employees and adjourns its session

2026-10-25

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi parliament voted on Sunday on a proposed law to grant employees a long regular leave, and adjourned its session until Tuesday.

During the same session, the council voted to extend its legislative term for 30 days, from November 1st to December 1st.

The proposed long leave law grants the relevant minister, or the head of the entity not affiliated with a ministry, or the governor, or whoever he authorizes, the authority to grant an employee who is permanently employed, and whose actual service in the job is not less than two years, a regular leave of five years that is renewable once. Read more…

Al-Zaydi confirms receiving the protesters’ demands: Government doors are open

Al-Zaydi confirms receiving the protesters’ demands: Government doors are open

2026-10-25

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi confirmed on Sunday that he had received the demands of the protesters, while praising the peaceful nature of the demonstrations in Baghdad.

The Security Media Cell said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Zaydi expressed his thanks and appreciation to the peaceful Read more…

Parliamentary Oil Committee: Iraq’s ownership of crude oil tankers will spare us the Hormuz crisis and save millions of dollars.

Parliamentary Oil Committee: Iraq’s ownership of crude oil tankers will spare us the Hormuz crisis and save millions of dollars.

2026-10-25

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, Jassim al-Moussawi, a member of the parliamentary oil committee, confirmed that this would help Iraq overcome the crisis of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and save the treasury millions of dollars.

Al-Moussawi told Shafaq News Agency that the parliamentary oil committee will meet on Monday with the oil minister to discuss the decisions issued by the ministry’s advisory board, including the move to purchase oil tankers. Read more…

A member of parliament reveals the reasons for the continued oil dispute between Baghdad and Erbil.

A member of parliament reveals the reasons for the continued oil dispute between Baghdad and Erbil.

10-25-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Rasul Radhi confirmed the ongoing dispute between Baghdad and Erbil over oil wells and fields discovered after 2003, noting that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) considers these wells and fields to be under its jurisdiction and authority, without subjecting them to the authority of the federal government in Baghdad.
Radhi told Al-Maalouma, “There are points of contention between Baghdad Read more…

Reconstruction and Development: Al-Kinani and Al-Battal are the most prominent candidates for the two vice-presidential positions.

Reconstruction and Development: Al-Kinani and Al-Battal are the most prominent candidates for the two vice-presidential positions.

10-25-2026

The spokesperson for the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, former MP Firas al-Muslawi, revealed on Sunday that political understandings have been reached regarding the appointment of two vice presidents, suggesting Jabbar al-Kinani and Khalid Battal as likely candidates for the positions. Al-Muslawi told the Information Agency that “there is a prior agreement among the forces of the State Administration Coalition to appoint two vice presidents, representing the Shia and Sunni components, with the candidates being Read more…

“State administration” has not resolved the dispute… Kurdistan’s share of the 2027 budget is the biggest obstacle

“State administration” has not resolved the dispute… Kurdistan’s share of the 2027 budget is the biggest obstacle

2026-10-25

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, Ikhlas Al-Dulaimi, a member of the parliamentary finance committee, confirmed that no general agreement had been reached on the draft federal budget law for 2027, despite it being presented during the State Administration Coalition meeting yesterday.

Al-Dulaimi told Shafaq News Agency that the draft budget needs some amendments, noting that there is currently no government agreement between the federal government and Read more…

Oil Minister stresses the need to purchase oil tankers for Iraq: to support exports

Oil Minister stresses the need to purchase oil tankers for Iraq: to support exports

2026-10-25

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Al-Abadi stressed on Saturday the need to expedite the procedures for purchasing oil tankers for Iraq.

Al-Abadi said, during his chairmanship of the Ministry’s Advisory Board session: There is a need to purchase oil tankers, because this issue has a significant impact on supporting Iraqi oil export operations and generating revenues that support the state budget. Read more…

“Death Roads” Hinder Trade in Iraq… A Bet on “Development”

“Death Roads” Hinder Trade in Iraq… A Bet on “Development”

2026-10-25

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The land transport sector in Iraq faces accumulated challenges ranging from the deterioration of some external roads and the risks of overloading, to the limited rail connection with neighboring countries, despite indications of growing transit freight traffic through the country.

While the government is working on upgrading roads and developing trade exchange areas and border crossings, attention is turning to the “Development Road” project as one of the most prominent bets for transforming Iraq into a trade corridor linking East and West, and enhancing its role in stimulating trade and diversifying the economy. Read more…

The number of protesters is increasing and the demands are escalating in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad

The number of protesters is increasing and the demands are escalating in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad

2026-10-25

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, demonstrators continued to flock to Tahrir Square in central Baghdad to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the October protests, with the number of participants exceeding hundreds amid escalating demands and tight security measures.

The protesters gathered in Tahrir Square carrying Iraqi flags and chanting several slogans, including “The people want to overthrow the regime” and “Iran out, out, Tishreen will remain free,” Read more…

The budget and financial file are on the table… A meeting between a delegation from Baghdad and Masrour Barzani in Zakho

The budget and financial file are on the table… A meeting between a delegation from Baghdad and Masrour Barzani in Zakho

10-25-2026

Shafaq News – Zakho
A high-level delegation from the federal government arrived in the Kurdistan Region on Sunday to hold a meeting with the region’s Prime Minister, Masrour Barzani, at the administration of the autonomous Zakho region.

A correspondent for Shafaq News Agency reported that the delegation is headed by the Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs, and includes Read more…

After a decades-long hiatus, the Iraqi shipping line resumes operations in Basra.

After a decades-long hiatus, the Iraqi shipping line resumes operations in Basra.

2026-10-25

Shafaq News – Basra
The Director General of the General Company for Maritime Transport in the Ministry of Transport, Ahmed Jassim, announced on Sunday the arrival of the ship “Basra” at the port of Umm Qasr loaded with containers, coming from the port of Jebel Ali in the Emirates, in a step that represents the resumption of the activity of the Iraqi maritime line and the return of its commercial trips after a hiatus of decades. Read more…

Report: Iraq sold 10 million barrels of oil at a discount of $28

Report: Iraq sold 10 million barrels of oil at a discount of $28

2026-10-254

Shafaq News – Washington
Iraqi sources revealed on Sunday that Iraq recently sold 10 million barrels of oil through its southern ports, at a discount ranging between $25 and $28 per barrel.

Sources told the “Energy” platform, as reported by Shafaq News Agency, that most of these shipments were obtained by Indian companies, indicating that they were loaded from the southern ports a few days ago. Read more…

The Iraqi parliament votes to extend its legislative session by 30 days.

The Iraqi parliament votes to extend its legislative session by 30 days.

2026-10-25

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi parliament voted on Sunday to extend its legislative session for 30 days, from November 1st to December 1st.

The media office of the House of Representatives stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that four representatives took the constitutional oath as members of the council. Read more…