IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

The era of raised hands is over… Parliament enters the era of electronic voting.

The era of raised hands is over… Parliament enters the era of electronic voting.

5-20-2026

The adoption of electronic voting technology in the Iraqi Parliament represents a strategic step towards enhancing the freedom of expression of representatives and ending the skepticism and controversy that have long accompanied the manual counting and sorting of crucial legislation.
The Iraqi Parliament is entering a new phase with the initiation of efforts to adopt electronic voting technology, a move aimed at bolstering transparency Read more…

Al-Khafaji: Washington controls exchange rates and exploits oil revenues to impose its will on Baghdad.

Al-Khafaji: Washington controls exchange rates and exploits oil revenues to impose its will on Baghdad.

5-20-2026

Information/Special..
Member of Parliament Miqdad al-Khafaji confirmed on Wednesday that the United States of America holds the reins of the Iraqi economy and directly controls the dollar exchange rates, indicating that the mechanism for supplying oil funds gives Washington the power to impose its will on Baghdad.

Al-Khafaji told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “Iraq is experiencing accumulated economic crises, the most prominent of which is the financial Read more…

The coordination framework denies the “single basket” agreement to pass the remaining portfolios

The coordination framework denies the “single basket” agreement to pass the remaining portfolios

5-20-2026

Information/Special…
Member of the Coordination Framework, Uday Abdul-Hadi, denied on Wednesday the existence of an agreement to pass the remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali al-Zaidi’s government according to the “single package” principle.
Abdul-Hadi told Al-Maalouma that “the understandings reached in recent days focused on proceeding with the completion of the remaining ministerial Read more…

Based on the Federal Court’s decision, a parliamentary request was submitted to Al-Zidi to cancel the decisions of the “caretaker government”.

Based on the Federal Court’s decision, a parliamentary request was submitted to Al-Zidi to cancel the decisions of the “caretaker government”.

2026-05-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Member of the Legal Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, MP Mohammed Jassim Al-Khafaji, revealed on Wednesday that an official letter was sent to Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, demanding a review of the decisions and cancellation of the contracts taken by the previous government headed by Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, after it became a caretaker government.

According to the document issued by the MP’s office, which was obtained by Shafaq News Agency, the request was Read more…

The UAE condemns the attack on the Barakah nuclear power plant: Baghdad is urged to immediately cease its attacks.

The UAE condemns the attack on the Barakah nuclear power plant: Baghdad is urged to immediately cease its attacks.

2026-05-20

Shafaq News – Abu Dhabi
The UAE on Wednesday condemned in the strongest terms what it called “treacherous terrorist attacks” by drones coming from Iraqi territory, which targeted the Barakah nuclear power plant, while demanding that Baghdad stop the “attacks” immediately.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, expressed “the UAE’s strongest condemnation and absolute rejection of the heinous terrorist attacks Read more…

Oil Minister to Al-Zidi: Gas flaring to end by late 2029; agreement with the region is a major achievement

Oil Minister to Al-Zidi: Gas flaring to end by late 2029; agreement with the region is a major achievement

2026-05-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi confirmed on Wednesday to Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi that the ministry is proceeding with associated gas investment projects to end its flaring in Iraq by the end of 2029, pledging to intensify efforts to secure financial revenues from exports and activate export outlets, as well as provide oil derivatives to citizens despite the current Read more…

For the fourth consecutive month, Iraq continues to suspend oil exports to Jordan amid anticipation of a renewed agreement.

For the fourth consecutive month, Iraq continues to suspend oil exports to Jordan amid anticipation of a renewed agreement.

2026-05-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Wednesday that Iraqi crude oil exports to Jordan have remained halted for the fourth consecutive month, according to data from the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company SOMO.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that data issued by SOMO showed that Iraq did not export any quantities of crude oil to Jordan during the first Read more…

Dissidents from the Sudanese party form the “National Declaration Alliance” to support the framework.

Dissidents from the Sudanese party form the “National Declaration Alliance” to support the framework.

2026-05-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The “National Contract Alliance” and the “Sumerian Movement,” along with a number of other MPs who defected from the “Reconstruction and Development” coalition led by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, announced on Wednesday the formation of the “National Statement Alliance,” affirming its support for the government and the unity of the coordinating framework.

A statement issued by the new alliance, and received by Shafaq News Agency, stated that the signatory forces Read more…

Two oil tankers carrying 4 million barrels of Iraqi crude have crossed the Strait of Hormuz.

Two oil tankers carrying 4 million barrels of Iraqi crude have crossed the Strait of Hormuz.

2026-05-20

Two oil tankers carrying Iraqi crude oil have left the Strait of Hormuz, in a development that strengthens hopes for the stability of oil exports from Iraq, after the strait remained closed to commercial ships for a long time. According to maritime navigation data, two Chinese oil tankers carrying about 4 million barrels of Iraqi crude oil crossed the strait at Read more…

Al-Dhari: Collecting the signatures of 135 MPs to oust Al-Halbousi and dismiss him

Al-Dhari: Collecting the signatures of 135 MPs to oust Al-Halbousi and dismiss him

5-19-2026

Al-Maalomah/Anbar –
On Tuesday, Mohammed Dhari al-Dulaimi, a leader in the Azm Alliance, revealed that more than 135 MPs from the Coordination Framework, Sunni forces, and Kurdish groups have signed a petition to oust the current Speaker of Parliament, Haibat al-Halbousi. The petition alleges that al-Halbousi has turned Parliament into a tool for settling scores Read more…

The Iraqi government suspends work for five days on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

The Iraqi government suspends work for five days on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

2026-05-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi government decided on Tuesday to suspend official working hours for 5 days during the coming week.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the Council decided to suspend official working hours in all Read more…

Completion of the first section of the Development Road project

Completion of the first section of the Development Road project

2026/05/19

The Ministry of Transport announced the completion of the first section of the Development Road project in Basra Governorate, coinciding with the registration of more than a thousand international transport trips under the TIR system during March. These two indicators reflect the increasing pace of work in the transport sector and the strengthening of international trade Read more…

Political consensus paves the way for the passage of the oil and gas law.

Political consensus paves the way for the passage of the oil and gas law.

2026/05/19

The Iraqi Parliament is preparing to introduce the draft oil and gas law in the coming period, amid indications of a political consensus among most blocs to pass it. MP Adel al-Mahalawi, from the Progress Bloc, told Al-Sabah newspaper that the law will be presented to Parliament soon after political understandings are reached. He explained that Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi has expressed Read more…

Al-Marawi: The Speaker of Parliament counted the votes of the ministries in a “your eye is your scale” manner.

Al-Marawi: The Speaker of Parliament counted the votes of the ministries in a “your eye is your scale” manner.

5-19-2026

Information / Exclusive…
On Monday, Salah al-Marawi, a member of the Azm Alliance, revealed a movement within the Iraqi Parliament aimed at impeaching Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi, citing his failure to manage the session granting confidence to the government.
Al-Marawi told Al-Maalouma that “dismissing al-Halbousi is one of the options being considered by the Azm Alliance in the coming period, in addition to other Read more…

Maliki’s coalition, comprising 150 members, sets a date for announcing the “Alliance of the Strong”

Maliki’s coalition, comprising 150 members, sets a date for announcing the “Alliance of the Strong”

5-19-2026

Al-Maalomah/Baghdad –
Ibrahim al-Sakini, a member of the State of Law Coalition, revealed on Tuesday that there is a political and parliamentary move to officially announce the formation of the “Alliance of the Strong” immediately after the Eid holiday. He confirmed that the new alliance will adopt a political opposition approach within parliament.
Al-Sakini told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “The movement is ongoing and Read more…

A leader in the Development and Reconstruction Coalition denies its collapse after the recent withdrawals.

A leader in the Development and Reconstruction Coalition denies its collapse after the recent withdrawals.

5-19-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Mohammed Al-Khalidi, a leader in the Development and Reconstruction Coalition, denied on Tuesday what had been reported about the collapse of the coalition after a series of withdrawals in the past 72 hours.

Al-Khalidi told Al-Maalouma that “the Development and Reconstruction Coalition remains cohesive, and the withdrawals that occurred Read more…

State of Law sets date for filling vacant ministerial posts

State of Law sets date for filling vacant ministerial posts

5-19-2026

The Information Agency / Baghdad –
On Tuesday, Ali al-Zirjawi, a member of parliament from the State of Law Coalition, confirmed that the Council of Representatives intends to vote on the vacant ministerial portfolios immediately after the Eid holiday. He indicated that parliament is committed to supporting Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government and monitoring the implementation of Read more…

Sarout: A political crisis looms if the cabinet formation is not finalized after the Eid holiday.

Sarout: A political crisis looms if the cabinet formation is not finalized after the Eid holiday.

5-19-2026

Information/Special…
Former MP Abbas Sarout confirmed on Monday that a political crisis is looming on the Iraqi scene if the cabinet formation of Ali al-Zaidi’s government is not finalized after the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Sarout told Al-Maalouma, “The session to vote on Ali al-Zaidi’s government included the failure to vote on a number of ministerial portfolios, including sovereign ones, which raises many questions.” He pointed out that Read more…

Legally: The Federal Court has the final say in the confidence vote session.

Legally: The Federal Court has the final say in the confidence vote session.

5-19-2026

Information / Special..
Legal researcher Ali Al-Tamimi confirmed on Tuesday that “the Iraqi constitution outlines the legal path for addressing objections related to the legal quorum and the mechanism for counting votes in the session to grant confidence to the government,” indicating that “the decision on these disputes is up to the Supreme Federal Court based on Article (93) of the constitution.”

Al-Tamimi told Al-Maalouma that “any objecting party has the right to file a lawsuit before the Federal Court and Read more…

Internet restrictions are driving Iranians to buy Iraqi SIM cards at exorbitant prices in border areas.

Internet restrictions are driving Iranians to buy Iraqi SIM cards at exorbitant prices in border areas.

2026-05-19

Shafaq News – Special Translation
Strict restrictions on the internet within Iran have led to the emergence of an active black market for Iraqi mobile phone company SIM cards in the western border regions of the country, where Iranian citizens and professionals resort to buying them at high prices to conduct their business and access the global network without blocking.

Hamshahri Online published a report, translated by Shafaq News Agency, indicating that during a field tour along Read more…