IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

An economist says increased money printing “threatens financial stability.”

An economist says increased money printing “threatens financial stability.”

6-1-2026

Information / Special:
Economic expert Dirgham Muhammad Ali confirmed on Monday that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz does not mean Iraq’s immediate return to previous export levels, noting that increasing the printing of currency to cover the financial deficit threatens the economy.

Ali told Al-Maalomah that “crude oil production has declined as a result of the decrease in reservoir pressure in some fields and the shutdown of a number of wells, which requires technical procedures and sufficient time to rehabilitate them and resume Read more…

Kanun’s radiance: The quota system kept us away from the confidence session, and we will propose a conflict of interest law.

Kanun’s radiance: The quota system kept us away from the confidence session, and we will propose a conflict of interest law.

6-1-2026

Information / Special..
MP Zuhair Al-Fatlawi, from the Ishraqa Kanoun bloc, confirmed today, Monday, that his bloc’s position on the session to grant confidence to the government of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi remains firm and has not changed, noting that the bloc chose not to participate in the session to grant confidence and vote on ministerial portfolios because of the adoption of the quota principle in forming the cabinet.

Al-Fatlawi told Al-Maalouma that “the quota system that accompanied the formation of the government was Read more…

Khalil: The quota system is the biggest obstacle to reform and services in Iraq

Khalil: The quota system is the biggest obstacle to reform and services in Iraq

6-1-2026

Information/Special..
Former MP Mahma Khalil confirmed on Monday that the political quota system was one of the most prominent reasons that contributed to weakening the performance of successive governments, while he pointed out that it hindered the process of building state institutions on professional and efficient foundations.

Khalil told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “adopting the principle of quotas in distributing ministerial positions and portfolios during the past years has negatively affected the performance Read more…

New rapprochement between the KDP and PUK: Resumption of talks and activation of the Kurdistan Parliament

New rapprochement between the KDP and PUK: Resumption of talks and activation of the Kurdistan Parliament

2026-06-01

Shafaq News – Sulaymaniyah
The two parties in the Kurdistan Region, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, are moving towards resolving the political crisis, resuming bilateral dialogues, and also activating the work of the regional parliament during the coming period, according to leaders in the two parties.

The spokesman for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Karwan Kazani, said Read more…

Trade between Kurdistan and Iran has fully resumed after being halted due to the war.

Trade between Kurdistan and Iran has fully resumed after being halted due to the war.

2026-06-01

Shafaq News – Sulaymaniyah
Mustafa Sheikh Abdul Rahman, head of the Kurdistan Region’s Exporters and Importers Union, announced on Monday the full resumption of trade between the region and Iran after a period of stagnation and decline due to the war in the region.

Abdul Rahman told Shafaq News Agency that trade between the two sides has returned smoothly and completely, noting that the current situation is very normal and that economic and Read more…

MP: The 2026 budget will be the most complex compared to previous years

MP: The 2026 budget will be the most complex compared to previous years

6-1-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Mohammed al-Bayati confirmed on Monday that there is still no set date for the 2026 budget to be presented, noting that it will be the most difficult and complex compared to previous budget cycles.
Al-Bayati told Al-Maalouma, “As of now, there is no specific date for the Council of Ministers to present the 2026 budget and send it to the Finance Committee in the House of Representatives for review before proceeding with the first and second readings and then voting on it.” Read more…

Abdul Hadi: The coordination framework is nearing completion of the cabinet formation process.

Abdul Hadi: The coordination framework is nearing completion of the cabinet formation process.

6-1-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Member of the Coordination Framework, Uday Abdul-Hadi, confirmed on Monday that the Framework’s constituent forces will hold an important meeting in the coming hours to determine when to proceed with finalizing the remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali al-Zaidi’s government. Abdul-Hadi told Al-Maalouma, “The Coordination Framework forces will hold a meeting in the coming hours to discuss several issues, foremost among them proceeding with finalizing the remaining ministerial portfolios Read more…

The Democratic Party: We await the Federal Court’s decision regarding the appeal against the ministerial nominees.

The Democratic Party: We await the Federal Court’s decision regarding the appeal against the ministerial nominees.

6-1-2026

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is still awaiting the Federal Court’s decision on the appeal it and other political forces filed regarding the voting mechanism for some ministerial candidates in Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government, KDP member Wafaa Mohammed confirmed on Monday. Mohammed told Al-Maalomah news agency, “The KDP has not yet decided on replacing its nominee for the Ministry of Construction and Housing, pending the Federal Court’s ruling on the appeals.”
He added, “Several names are being considered as potential replacements Read more…

The government formation crisis: between re-presenting names and power-sharing disputes within parliament.

The government formation crisis: between re-presenting names and power-sharing disputes within parliament.

6-1-2026

Information / Report…
Political activity continues as a crucial meeting of the Coordination Framework forces is expected today to finalize the remaining cabinet positions of Prime Minister Ali al-Zidi.
The Coordination Framework will hold an expanded meeting today, Monday, with al-Zidi in attendance, to discuss ending the deadlock that accompanied the partial vote of confidence, which left six key sovereign and service ministries either being run by acting ministers or remaining vacant.
The current disagreements revolve around Read more…

Al-Zarkoushi: An extraordinary parliamentary session may be held within ten days to complete the cabinet formation.

Al-Zarkoushi: An extraordinary parliamentary session may be held within ten days to complete the cabinet formation.

6-1-2026

Information/Baghdad..
Member of the Coordination Framework, Abdul Samad Al-Zarkoushi, confirmed on Monday that setting a date for an extraordinary session of the House of Representatives to complete the remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali Al-Zidi’s government may be decided within the next ten days.

Al-Zarkoushi told Al-Maalouma that “the forces of the Coordination Framework, with all their titles, realize the importance of completing Read more…

Jaafar: Iraq is in dire need of developing its defense system.

Jaafar: Iraq is in dire need of developing its defense system.

6-1-2026

Information/Special..
Former MP Jassim Mohammed Jaafar confirmed on Monday that Iraq still needs to strengthen its defense and military capabilities to ensure the complete protection of its air and border sovereignty, noting that security and regional challenges require the possession of advanced systems and effective deterrence capabilities.

Jaafar told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “protecting Iraqi airspace and borders requires completing the Read more…

Al-Zaidi appoints the first female advisor in his government

Al-Zaidi appoints the first female advisor in his government

2026-06-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source reported on Monday that Azhar Hussein Saleh had been chosen as an advisor to the Prime Minister for administrative and technical affairs.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “Azhar Hussein Saleh was chosen to assume the position of advisor to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, in administrative and technical affairs.”

He added that “Saleh previously held the position of head of the Iraqi Engineers Syndicate, and also served as Read more…

First Chinese ship arrives in Iraq via the Strait of Hormuz after navigation resumes

First Chinese ship arrives in Iraq via the Strait of Hormuz after navigation resumes

2026-06-01

Shafaq News – Basra
The northern port of Umm Qasr received on Monday the first cargo ship coming directly from China via the Strait of Hormuz, after the resumption of maritime traffic in the strait.

The General Company for Iraqi Ports said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the ship “MV KSL XINYANG” docked at the port loaded with materials and equipment for the oil sector and various commercial goods, with a total weight of 29,720 tons. Read more…

“Disarming the factions” is on Al-Zaydi’s agenda with the framework today

“Disarming the factions” is on Al-Zaydi’s agenda with the framework today

2026-06-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The tripartite committee concerned with restricting weapons to the state will hold an expanded meeting this evening, Monday, with the forces of the coordination framework to discuss mechanisms for implementing the project to disarm the armed factions and the plan to integrate their members into state institutions.

An informed source told Shafaq News Agency that “the tripartite committee consists of the Commander-in-Chief Read more…

China’s imports of Iraqi oil have fallen sharply to 60,000 barrels per day.

China’s imports of Iraqi oil have fallen sharply to 60,000 barrels per day.

2026-06-01

Shafaq News – Beijing/Baghdad
Recent data shows a significant decline in China’s imports of Iraqi oil during May, amid global energy market turmoil resulting from tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to an analysis published by Reuters on Monday, China’s imports of Iraqi oil fell to just 60,000 barrels per day in May, compared to 790,000 barrels per day in February, reflecting Read more…

“It’s no longer a separate issue”: Washington is reshaping its priorities in Iraq.

“It’s no longer a separate issue”: Washington is reshaping its priorities in Iraq.

2026-06-01

Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
Diler Khalaf Osman, a researcher in international relations and Middle Eastern affairs at the University of Tennessee, confirmed on Monday that Washington’s decision to merge the Iraq and Syria files under the supervision of a single envoy reflects a fundamental shift in the American strategy towards the region.

Osman told Shafaq News Agency that this move confirms that the United States no longer deals with Iraq as a separate or isolated case with its internal particularities, but rather as part of a Read more…

After the Chinese… MSC, the giant, returns to Umm Qasr after an absence of months

After the Chinese… MSC, the giant, returns to Umm Qasr after an absence of months

2026-06-01

Shafaq News – Basra
The giant ship “MSC” arrived on Monday at the ports of Umm Qasr in Basra, in the far south of Iraq, after an absence of more than three months as a result of the war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Director General of the General Company for Iraqi Ports, Farhan Al-Fartousi, told Shafaq News Agency that the ship came from Dubai and is scheduled to carry 96 containers, all of which are for export and not for import. Read more…

“The Red Bus”: Baghdad residents’ refuge from the summer heat and high transportation costs

“The Red Bus”: Baghdad residents’ refuge from the summer heat and high transportation costs

2026-06-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The “Red Buses”, belonging to the Iraqi Passenger and Delegation Transport Company, continue to play their role in easing the burden of transportation for citizens in the capital, Baghdad, especially in areas of the city center such as Tahrir Square, Al-Shourja, Bab Al-Muadham, and the connecting lines between the two sides of Karkh and Rusafa.

These buses, which include single-decker and double-decker models, are a preferred means of transportation for a wide segment Read more…

Nechirvan Barzani discusses with al-Samarrai Baghdad’s measures to restrict weapons to the state

Nechirvan Barzani discusses with al-Samarrai Baghdad’s measures to restrict weapons to the state

2026-06-01

Shafaq News – Erbil
On Monday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani discussed with Muthanna al-Samarrai, head of the Azm Alliance, Baghdad’s measures to restrict weapons to the state, complete the government of Ali al-Zaidi, and fill the vacant ministries.

This came during Nechirvan Barzani’s reception of Al-Samarrai in Erbil, according to a statement issued by the Presidency of the Region and received by Shafaq News Agency. Read more…

Officially, Trump announces the appointment of Tom Barrack as special envoy to Iraq.

Officially, Trump announces the appointment of Tom Barrack as special envoy to Iraq.

2026-05-31

Shafaq News – Washington
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Washington’s ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack, as a special presidential envoy to Iraq and Syria.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Tom Barrack will continue in his role as ambassador Read more…