IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

“A secret pipeline 500 meters long”… A crude oil theft operation foiled in Basra

“A secret pipeline 500 meters long”… A crude oil theft operation foiled in Basra

2026-05-26

Shafaq News – Basra
The National Security Service announced on Tuesday that it had thwarted an organized attempt to smuggle crude oil in Basra Governorate, through an oil breach that included laying a secret pipe more than 500 meters long connected to the main pipeline.

The agency stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “its detachments in Basra, after intelligence follow-up and obtaining judicial approvals, were able to seize a crude oil Read more…

Government advisor: New financial strategy to raise non-oil revenues to 45%

Government advisor: New financial strategy to raise non-oil revenues to 45%

2026/05/25

The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, revealed that the government is moving towards adopting a new financial strategy aimed at raising the contribution of non-oil revenues in the general budget to 45% by diversifying the economy and reducing dependence on crude oil. Saleh told Al-Furat News that “Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, during the historic meeting with the Iraqi financial authority held on May 23, 2026, outlined a firm vision for building the future of public finance in the country,” explaining that “the new beginning came from a fundamental pillar represented by announcing the alternative path Read more…

The oil and gas law tops the parliament’s priorities; moves are underway to legislate it in the coming period.

The oil and gas law tops the parliament’s priorities; moves are underway to legislate it in the coming period.

5-25-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Qusay Abbas confirmed that the Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Law is a priority within Parliament in order to ensure its enactment in the next phase of the current legislative session of the Council.

Abbas told Al-Maalomah, “There is a priority for laws that have been pending for a long time without legislation, such as the oil and gas law, which is considered one of the laws that most need legislation in the current parliamentary session.”

He added that “this law has not been passed despite Read more…

A politician reveals the behind-the-scenes details of a new alliance between the Democratic Party, the State of Law Coalition, and the Determination Movement.

A politician reveals the behind-the-scenes details of a new alliance between the Democratic Party, the State of Law Coalition, and the Determination Movement.

5-25-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Wafa Muhammad Karim, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, clarified the truth about the formation of an alliance between the Democratic Party, the State of Law Coalition, and the Azm Coalition, pointing out that such an idea exists, especially after the obstruction of the passage of some of the candidates of these blocs.

Karim told Al-Maalomah, “The Democratic Party has obtained the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs and is on its way to obtaining another ministry in Al-Zaidi’s government. In addition, the State of Law Coalition has its candidates who will be voted on Read more…

Parliament’s rejection means replacement… A legal expert explains the constitutional mechanism for approving ministers

Parliament’s rejection means replacement… A legal expert explains the constitutional mechanism for approving ministers

5-25-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Legal expert Ali Al-Tamimi explained the possibility of resubmitting the same candidates who were rejected in the parliamentary session to vote on the cabinet.

Al-Tamimi told Al-Maalouma that “Article 76 of the Constitution requires the Prime Minister-designate to present his cabinet and program within 30 days of the date of his designation and to present the nominated ministers individually to the House of Representatives for a vote on them. Whoever receives a vote of half the total number of representatives is passed and becomes Read more…

One of them is carrying Iraqi oil… Iran allows passage for two tankers that have been stranded for 3 months

One of them is carrying Iraqi oil… Iran allows passage for two tankers that have been stranded for 3 months

2026-05-25

Shafaq News – Middle East
Reuters reported on Monday that the liquefied gas tanker “Fuerette” and the oil tanker “Eagle Verona” had taken a route proposed by Iran to cross the Strait of Hormuz after being stuck for three months.

The “control” zone west of the Strait of Hormuz is defined as a straight line extending from the western tip of the Iranian island of Qeshm to a point east of the city of Umm al-Quwain in the United Arab Emirates. East of the strait, the zone extends from the Iranian village of Kuh Mubarak to Read more…

Kurdistan Finance Ministry deposits 50 billion dinars in “non-oil revenues” into Baghdad’s account

Kurdistan Finance Ministry deposits 50 billion dinars in “non-oil revenues” into Baghdad’s account

2026-05-25

Shafaq News – Erbil
The Ministry of Finance and Economy of the Kurdistan Regional Government announced on Monday that it had deposited 50 billion dinars in “non-oil revenues” for the month of May into the account of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The ministry stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “a decision was issued by the ministry to deposit an amount of (50,000,000,000) Read more…

The Kurdistan Region announces the Eid al-Adha holiday, starting tomorrow.

The Kurdistan Region announces the Eid al-Adha holiday, starting tomorrow.

2026-05-25

Shafaq News – Erbil
The Kurdistan Region’s Government Media and Information Department announced on Monday that the Eid al-Adha holiday will begin on Tuesday and last until Saturday.

The department said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency: “On the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Adha, it has been decided that the days from Tuesday (May 26, 2026) until Saturday (May 30, 2026) will be an official holiday in all government institutions Read more…

Since the beginning of 2026, Iraq has been off the list of gold buyers.

Since the beginning of 2026, Iraq has been off the list of gold buyers.

2026-05-25

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq did not record any new gold purchases during 2026, despite a number of central banks around the world continuing to increase their holdings of the precious metal.

Iraq holds a reserve of 174.6 tons of the precious metal, placing it 28th globally among the largest countries possessing gold reserves.

Poland topped the list of the world’s largest gold buyers this year, adding more than Read more…

A split has emerged within the coordination framework regarding the “dissolution of the Popular Mobilization Forces,” with factions threatening to leave.

A split has emerged within the coordination framework regarding the “dissolution of the Popular Mobilization Forces,” with factions threatening to leave.

2026-05-25

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A source within the coordination framework revealed on Monday the escalating disagreements within the framework’s forces regarding the American proposal to disarm the factions and dissolve or integrate the Popular Mobilization Forces.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “some political entities that have armed factions have officially informed the leadership of the Coordination Framework that they will leave the Read more…

The economy of private generators: an economic disaster and an environmental time bomb threatening Iraq

The economy of private generators: an economic disaster and an environmental time bomb threatening Iraq

5-25-2026

Since their emergence in the early 1990s, privately owned generators offered a temporary solution to Iraq’s electricity crisis. However, over the past two decades, they have transformed into a parallel economy generating billions of dinars annually, becoming one of the most influential informal sectors impacting the daily lives of Iraqi citizens. While successive governments have spent tens of billions of dollars on the electricity sector without achieving a lasting solution, the “generator empire” has expanded to become a permanent Read more…

Some factions have shown flexibility… Al-Zaydi’s government will open the “weapons control” file after Eid.

Some factions have shown flexibility… Al-Zaydi’s government will open the “weapons control” file after Eid.

2026-05-24

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed government source revealed on Sunday that some political forces and armed factions have shown “flexibility” regarding the issue of restricting weapons to the state, after having been rigid on this matter, indicating that the process of handing over weapons will be within a specific timeframe.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “most of the forces and factions that were refusing to hand over their weapons have shown some flexibility in the dialogue and are working to find Read more…

Al-Fatlawi: The framework is nearing a two-thirds majority and the passage of sovereign laws.

Al-Fatlawi: The framework is nearing a two-thirds majority and the passage of sovereign laws.

5-24-2026

Information/Special..
Ali Al-Fatlawi, a member of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, confirmed today, Sunday, the ability of the Coordination Framework and its allies to achieve the two-thirds quorum of members of the House of Representatives necessary to pass strategic laws and resolve political entitlements.

Al-Fatlawi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “the current parliamentary and political map confirms the existence Read more…

MP reveals when the vacant ministerial portfolios will be filled

MP reveals when the vacant ministerial portfolios will be filled

5-24-2026

Information/Special..
MP Ahmed Shaheed revealed today, Sunday, that intensive political activity is currently taking place behind the scenes to resolve the issue of the remaining ministerial cabinet.

Shahid told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “political blocs are currently engaged in serious discussions and a series of meetings to discuss the names of new ministers as replacements for those who were rejected in the first voting Read more…

A former MP calls on the current parliament to complete reading and voting on pending legislation.

A former MP calls on the current parliament to complete reading and voting on pending legislation.

5-24-2026

Information / Special..
Former MP Zahra Hamza Ali called on the House of Representatives and parliamentary committees on Saturday to expedite the legislation of laws carried over from the previous session, in which the first and second readings were completed but were not put to a vote due to the end of the parliamentary legislative session.

Ali told Al-Maalomah that “among the most prominent of these laws are the Civil Aviation Authority Law and the amendment to the Maritime Authority Law,” noting that they “reached Read more…

Unprecedented activity at the US base near Erbil for the first time in three months

Unprecedented activity at the US base near Erbil for the first time in three months

5-24-2026

Information/Erbil..
Informed sources revealed on Sunday that unprecedented activity was recorded inside the Harir base near Erbil, the largest of its kind in about three months.

A source told Al-Maalomah that “Al-Harir Air Base, where US forces are stationed, has witnessed significant activity since the early morning hours, including a large influx of helicopters, particularly Chinooks, likely originating from US bases in Syria or other locations.” The source added that “this intense activity suggests the possibility of Read more…

A political movement is expected after the Eid holiday to replace “rejected” candidates and make changes to the blocs’ entitlements.

A political movement is expected after the Eid holiday to replace “rejected” candidates and make changes to the blocs’ entitlements.

5-24-2026

The Victory Coalition revealed on Sunday that there is intensive political activity to present new candidates as replacements for the names that failed to gain the confidence of the House of Representatives, and that the matter will be resolved after the Eid al-Adha holiday, while it indicated that changes have occurred in the parliamentary entitlements following recent bloc withdrawals. Coalition spokesman Aqeel al-Rudaini told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the political forces whose candidates did not receive parliamentary confidence have officially begun selecting replacements,” indicating that “the new names Read more…

Al-Sharaa: “The ministerial exchange” is stronger than any attempt to break the quota system.

Al-Sharaa: “The ministerial exchange” is stronger than any attempt to break the quota system.

5-24-2026

The political analyst Atheer al – Sharaa confirmed on Sunday that the quota system and political agreements continue to govern the formation of governments in Iraq, indicating that no future government will be able to transcend the prevailing political norms established after 2003.
Al-Sharaa told Al-Maalomah news agency, “The political custom that has become entrenched since 2003 and throughout successive governments is based on the principle of power-sharing and consensus among Read more…

Double salaries are straining the budget; an economist warns against printing money and calls for urgent austerity measures.

Double salaries are straining the budget; an economist warns against printing money and calls for urgent austerity measures.

5-24-2026

Information / Baghdad –
Economic expert Hashim al-Haboubi warned the government on Sunday of the dangers of continuing to print local currency, stressing that it will deplete the country’s strategic reserves of gold and hard currency. He called for the implementation of an urgent package of financial reforms, spearheaded by strict government austerity measures.
Al-Haboubi told the Information Agency that “printing local currency will have dire consequences, primarily a decline in the purchasing power of the Iraqi dinar against foreign currencies, especially Read more…

Temporary reassurance is not enough… What awaits the Iraqi economy in the next stage?

Temporary reassurance is not enough… What awaits the Iraqi economy in the next stage?

5-24-2026

Information / Report…
The Iraqi economic scene is witnessing escalating debate regarding the nature of the current financial crisis and how to address it amidst fluctuating oil revenues and challenges related to regional stability, particularly concerning securing employee salaries and the sustainability of public finances.
In this context, economist Hashim al-Haboubi warned against the government resorting to printing local currency as a solution to the financial crisis, arguing that this measure could exacerbate economic pressures and negatively impact the value of the Iraqi dinar. Read more…