IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Parliamentary Legal Committee: Finalizing the oil and gas law and pension amendments are among the top priorities for the next phase

Parliamentary Legal Committee: Finalizing the oil and gas law and pension amendments are among the top priorities for the next phase

5-21-2026

Information/Baghdad..
Member of the Parliamentary Legal Committee, MP Ibtisam Al-Hilali, revealed today, Thursday, the most prominent laws that are expected to be completed during the next stage, in preparation for submitting them to the Presidency of the House of Representatives and voting on them after the end of the Eid holiday, stressing that there is a serious move to resolve the outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil, foremost among them the oil and gas law.In a statement to Al-Maalomah News Agency, Al-Hilali said, “The Parliamentary Oil and Gas Committee has reached understandings with the government regarding Read more…

After the holiday, Parliament opens the most critical pending files, and the government faces a legislative test.

After the holiday, Parliament opens the most critical pending files, and the government faces a legislative test.

5-21-2026

Information/Report..
All eyes in Iraq are on the upcoming legislative session, which is expected to witness extensive activity to pass a package of postponed and controversial laws, amid political and popular pressures pushing towards resolving long-awaited files related to oil and gas, retirement, security, traffic, the Popular Mobilization Forces, as well as digital transformation and administrative reform.

As the new government prepares to begin operating with its full executive powers, the legislative authority faces Read more…

MP: It is unlikely that a parliamentary session will be held after Eid al-Adha due to the travel of most MPs.

MP: It is unlikely that a parliamentary session will be held after Eid al-Adha due to the travel of most MPs.

5-21-2026

Information / Special ..
MP Duha Laibi Kazem, from the Coordination Framework, ruled out today, Thursday, the possibility of the House of Representatives holding a session after the Eid al-Adha holiday to vote on completing the cabinet, attributing this to the travel of a large number of MPs outside the country and the performance of Hajj rituals by some of them.

Kazem told Al-Maalomah that “the House of Representatives’ holiday will Read more…

The Federal Court sets July 1st as the date to consider the appeal against al-Zaydi’s appointment.

The Federal Court sets July 1st as the date to consider the appeal against al-Zaydi’s appointment.

2026-05-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Federal Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority in Iraq) has decided to set July 1st as the date for holding the first session to consider the lawsuit challenging the validity of Ali al-Zidi’s appointment as Prime Minister.

The plaintiff, former MP Raed Al-Maliki, said in a statement that he received the official notification via email, along with the response from the President’s Read more…

Exclusive: Behind the scenes of the framework meeting with Al-Zaydi regarding ministerial candidates and the drone file

Exclusive: Behind the scenes of the framework meeting with Al-Zaydi regarding ministerial candidates and the drone file

2026-05-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A source within the Coordination Framework revealed on Thursday the details of a meeting held by the Framework’s forces on Wednesday evening in the presence of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, indicating that the meeting focused on the two issues of completing the security portfolios and verifying accusations related to the launching of drones from Iraqi territory towards Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

On May 14, 2026, the Iraqi parliament granted confidence to the government of Ali Faleh al-Zaidi and its ministerial Read more…

Iraqi Ambassador to America: We are a key player in the fight against terrorism

Iraqi Ambassador to America: We are a key player in the fight against terrorism

2026-05-21

Shafaq News – Washington
Iraq’s ambassador to the United States, Nizar Khairallah, affirmed on Thursday that Baghdad is a key player in the fight against terrorism in the Middle East, calling on Washington to support the Iraqi army and enhance the country’s stability.

The Iraqi Embassy in Washington stated, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, that Al-Khairallah met with the member of the Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in the US Senate, Republican Senator Tim Shehey from Montana, Read more…

New details emerge about Iraq’s intervention to secure the passage of an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz.

New details emerge about Iraq’s intervention to secure the passage of an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz.

2026-05-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Reuters revealed on Thursday that the Iraqi government intervened directly to secure the passage of the oil tanker “Agios Phanourios 1” loaded with Iraqi crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, amid Iran’s tightening of its security and monitoring measures on ships passing through the strait.

According to the report, the tanker, which was headed to Vietnam, had been stuck near the coast of Dubai since late April, before receiving approval to cross on Read more…

Al-Zaydi discloses his financial assets and affirms: We are striving to find a radical solution to end the electricity crisis.

Al-Zaydi discloses his financial assets and affirms: We are striving to find a radical solution to end the electricity crisis.

2026-05-21

Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi stressed to the members of the ministerial team on Thursday the need to expedite the disclosure of their financial assets within a period not exceeding one week from the date of assuming responsibility.

This came during his submission of a financial disclosure statement to the head of the Integrity Commission, according to a statement issued Read more…

Iraq is not among the major holders of US Treasury bonds; its holdings exceed $9 trillion.

Iraq is not among the major holders of US Treasury bonds; its holdings exceed $9 trillion.

2026-05-21

Shafaq News – Washington
Data from the U.S. Treasury Department on foreign holdings of Treasury securities, released on Thursday, showed that total foreign holdings rose to $9.348 trillion by the end of March 2026, compared to $9.001 trillion in April 2025, with Japan, the United Kingdom and China continuing to top the list of major investors.

According to data from the US International Capital System (TIC ), reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, Read more…

The market value of Iraqi stocks is approaching 27 trillion dinars in the first quarter of 2026.

The market value of Iraqi stocks is approaching 27 trillion dinars in the first quarter of 2026.

2026-05-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Securities Commission announced on Thursday that it had recorded a significant increase in the market value of stocks during the first quarter of this year, reaching nearly 27 trillion dinars.

This came in the first quarterly report for 2026 issued by the Authority, which included the most prominent performance indicators and regulatory and developmental activities in the Iraq Stock Exchange. The report confirmed the continuation of work on developing Read more…

Iran’s Supreme Leader decides not to send uranium out of the country

Iran’s Supreme Leader decides not to send uranium out of the country

2026-05-21

Shafaq News – Tehran
Reuters reported on Thursday that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had issued a directive not to send uranium out of Iran.

The agency, citing two Iranian sources, said that “Iran’s Supreme Leader has issued a directive not to send semi-weapon-grade uranium abroad.”

This indicates that Tehran is hardening its stance Read more…

The war is getting closer to the pockets of Iraqis… Can the state protect salaries and the dinar?

The war is getting closer to the pockets of Iraqis… Can the state protect salaries and the dinar?

5-21-2026

Researcher Shatha Khalil*
Iraq fears not only war, but also the day when salaries could become a national crisis. The conflict raging around Iran and the Gulf is not just about missile strikes; it’s about striking at the very heart of the Iraqi economy: oil, dollars, and government spending.

The real danger doesn’t begin on the battlefield, but at the port. Iraq sells its oil in dollars, pays salaries in dinars, and imports most Read more…

The Democratic Party: Al-Halbousi outperformed artificial intelligence in counting votes to pass Al-Zidi’s government ministers.

The Democratic Party: Al-Halbousi outperformed artificial intelligence in counting votes to pass Al-Zidi’s government ministers.

5-20-2026

Information / Exclusive…
A member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Ribin Salam, revealed on Wednesday the existence of a “broad and strong parliamentary alliance aimed at impeaching the current Speaker of Parliament, Hebat al-Halbousi,” due to what he described as serious concerns documenting his failure to manage the session to grant confidence to al-Zaidi’s government.
Salam told the Information Agency that “there are multiple objections Read more…

Al-Fatlawi: The dismissal of Al-Halbousi must be based on clear violations to justify it.

Al-Fatlawi: The dismissal of Al-Halbousi must be based on clear violations to justify it.

5-20-2026

Information/Special..
Ali Al-Fatlawi, a member of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, confirmed on Tuesday that any step related to the dismissal of the head of the parliamentary bloc of the Progress Party, Hebat Al-Halbousi, must be based on clear legal and constitutional standards, far from favoritism or political understandings.

Al-Fatlawi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “the law must be applied to everyone without exception, whether Read more…

A member of parliament warns of an economic catastrophe threatening Iraq.

A member of parliament warns of an economic catastrophe threatening Iraq.

5-20-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Adel Al-Mahalawi warned on Wednesday of the seriousness of the current economic situation in the country, describing the crisis as “major” due to the tensions and rapidly evolving circumstances in the region.
Al-Mahalawi told the Information Agency that “Iraq is going through a dangerous economic juncture that requires exceptional measures to protect it Read more…

Jassem: The current government was created by American will and with Trump’s approval.

Jassem: The current government was created by American will and with Trump’s approval.

5-20-2026

The head of the Conscious Elites Gathering, Hussein Ali Jassim, described the current government on Wednesday as a direct product of American directives and Trump’s approval. He asserted that the pressures exerted by Washington on the political scene prevent this cabinet from achieving any tangible progress in restoring national sovereignty or freeing Iraqi funds seized from foreign control. Read more…

No red lines… Parliamentary Integrity Committee vows to expose big names in the theft of the century

No red lines… Parliamentary Integrity Committee vows to expose big names in the theft of the century

5-20-2026

The Information/Baghdad…
Member of the Parliamentary Integrity Committee, Ahmed al-Shammari, revealed on Wednesday that there is close parliamentary and oversight activity underway to reopen the infamous “Steal of the Century” case in the coming days. He emphasized the determination to pursue and expose all names and figures involved in this major economic crime without any red lines.
Al-Shammari told the Information Agency, “The coming days will witness Read more…

The State of Law coalition is moving to challenge the vote on the government.

The State of Law coalition is moving to challenge the vote on the government.

5-20-2026

The State of Law Coalition parliamentary bloc revealed on Wednesday its imminent legal action to file a formal appeal with the Federal Supreme Court regarding the constitutional and procedural violations that occurred during the vote on the government program and the formation of the cabinet. MP Ibtisam al -Hilali, a member of the bloc, told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the session to grant confidence to the government and the ministerial program was conducted in a manner that violated proper constitutional Read more…

Shaalan: The parliament’s leadership is responsible for obstructing the formation of the government.

Shaalan: The parliament’s leadership is responsible for obstructing the formation of the government.

5-20-2026

Information / Baghdad…
MP Ali Shaalan pointed out on Wednesday a decline in the performance of the Speaker of Parliament during some recent periods, considering this stumbling block to have contributed to delaying the resolution of a number of scheduled issues within the parliament.

Shaalan told the Information Agency, “The Speaker of Parliament has not succeeded on several occasions in managing some sessions as required,” Read more…

Al-Zidi directs the increase of oil exports and the diversification of export outlets.

Al-Zidi directs the increase of oil exports and the diversification of export outlets.

5-20-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed officials on Wednesday to follow up on the issue of increasing oil exports and diversifying export routes.
The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a press release received by the Information Agency that “Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi visited the Ministry of Oil headquarters in Baghdad today, where he chaired a meeting with senior Read more…