IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

US Defense Secretary threatens Iraqi factions: Protecting the Kurdistan Region is a priority

US Defense Secretary threatens Iraqi factions: Protecting the Kurdistan Region is a priority

2026-04-24

Shafaq News – Washington
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed that protecting the Kurdistan Region and confronting pro-Iranian factions is at the heart of the current US strategy, stressing that Washington is closely monitoring attacks targeting the region and Read more…

Crucial hours ahead… The president and the judiciary may announce the name of al-Sudani’s successor: Have the leaders of the framework failed?

Crucial hours ahead… The president and the judiciary may announce the name of al-Sudani’s successor: Have the leaders of the framework failed?

2026-04-24

Shafaq News – Special
Behind the scenes in the homes of the framework leaders, discussions never end. Successive meetings – bilateral and collective – are held by the coordinating forces, where the final details of the battle for the premiership are being plotted, in a scene that seems more like Read more…

A parliamentary message to the framework: No deadline after Saturday, we will choose the prime minister.

A parliamentary message to the framework: No deadline after Saturday, we will choose the prime minister.

2026-04-24

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Mahmoud al-Shammari, a member of the Services Bloc in the Iraqi Parliament, revealed on Thursday evening that members of Parliament intend to collect signatures and send an official letter to the President of the Republic to nominate a suitable person for the position of Prime Minister, in the event that the Coordination Framework does not Read more…

Why does Iraq fail to achieve self-sufficiency despite its resources?

Why does Iraq fail to achieve self-sufficiency despite its resources?

2026-04-24

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq continues to rely heavily on imports to secure its needs for basic and consumer goods, at a time when local production faces accumulating challenges that limit its ability to compete, despite the availability of natural and human resources.

This comes in conjunction with what was revealed in a recent study published Read more…

Reuters: Tanker arrives in Basra to load two million barrels of Iraqi oil

Reuters: Tanker arrives in Basra to load two million barrels of Iraqi oil

2026-04-24

Shafaq News – Middle East
Reuters reported on Friday that a tanker had arrived at Iraq’s Basra port to load two million barrels of crude oil.

The agency said the Comoros-flagged tanker “Helga” is the second tanker to arrive at the southern Basra seaport docks Read more…

Hormuz is not the only reason… Brazil removes Iraq from the list of major oil suppliers to China

Hormuz is not the only reason… Brazil removes Iraq from the list of major oil suppliers to China

2026-04-24

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraq Future Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations reported on Friday that recent data on China’s crude oil imports during the first quarter of 2026 revealed a remarkable strategic shift, with exports from Brazil and Angola recording record increases at the expense of the traditional shares of Iraq and Read more…

Ministry of Electricity: Liquefied gas platform to be completed by early June with a capacity of 750 million cubic feet per day

Ministry of Electricity: Liquefied gas platform to be completed by early June with a capacity of 750 million cubic feet per day

2026-04-24

The Ministry of Electricity announced on Friday the completion date for the liquefied gas platform, confirming that it will be completed at the beginning of June with a capacity of 750 million cubic feet per day. The spokesman for the Ministry of Electricity, Ahmed Moussa, told the official news agency that “work is proceeding at an accelerated pace to complete Read more…

State of Law: No withdrawal for Maliki, and the upcoming meeting is an “opportunity” for maturation.

State of Law: No withdrawal for Maliki, and the upcoming meeting is an “opportunity” for maturation.

4-23-2026

The Information Agency/Baghdad –
Salah Boushi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, denied on Thursday any official move or decision to withdraw the coalition’s leader, Nouri al-Maliki, in favor of current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Boushi told the Information Agency, “Up to this moment, there is no official Read more…

A continuing crisis… The lack of agreement within the coordination framework is delaying the decision on the prime minister’s position.

A continuing crisis… The lack of agreement within the coordination framework is delaying the decision on the prime minister’s position.

4-23-2026

The Coordination Framework failed to hold its anticipated meeting on Wednesday to select the new prime minister. This failure follows a series of unproductive meetings held by the framework in recent days. The framework had been on the verge of announcing its candidate for the position at a meeting last Monday, which was postponed to allow more time to reach a consensus Read more…

Iraqi oil holds above $110

Iraqi oil holds above $110

4-23-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Iraqi oil prices witnessed a decline in sales rates on Thursday, coinciding with the mixed performance of global energy markets. Basra crude maintained higher price levels compared to some Gulf crudes.
Market data monitored by the Information Agency indicated that “Basra Heavy crude recorded Read more…

An oil expert calls for the creation of a “strategic reserve” in Asia instead of pipelines.

An oil expert calls for the creation of a “strategic reserve” in Asia instead of pipelines.

4-23-2026

Information / Baghdad…
Oil expert Hamza al-Jawahiri called on the government Thursday to focus on establishing large oil storage facilities in “guaranteed” consumer countries like China and India, instead of wasting funds on new export pipeline projects.
Al-Jawahiri told the Information Agency that “oil pipeline projects are always hostage to Read more…

Friday’s decisive turning point… Will the coordination framework succeed in forming the government?

Friday’s decisive turning point… Will the coordination framework succeed in forming the government?

4-23-2026

The Coordination Framework finds itself today facing its most difficult political test since its formation, as all eyes turn to the “Decisive Friday,” designated as a turning point to end the political deadlock and pass the stalled constitutional entitlements.
This test is not limited to the ability of Read more…

AFP: Washington is using Iraqi oil revenues to pressure Baghdad

AFP: Washington is using Iraqi oil revenues to pressure Baghdad

4-23-2026

The Information Agency/Translation:
A report by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Thursday confirmed that the United States is using Iraqi oil revenues to pressure Baghdad.
The report, translated by the Information Agency, stated that “the Trump administration has blocked a cash shipment of nearly $500 million to Iraq in an attempt to Read more…

To boost investment and streamline processes, Iraq launches an online platform for registering businesses.

To boost investment and streamline processes, Iraq launches an online platform for registering businesses.

2026-04-23

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, Trade Minister Atheer Dawood Al-Ghurairi announced the launch of an integrated electronic platform belonging to the Companies Registration Department, considering this step a fundamental pillar for automating procedures and accelerating the completion of Read more…

The Iraqi parliament’s legislative session has been extended for an additional month (update).

The Iraqi parliament’s legislative session has been extended for an additional month (update).

2026-04-23

Shafaq News – Baghdad
MP Ibtisam Al-Hilali, from the State of Law bloc, revealed on Thursday that there is an agreement between the Speaker of Parliament and the heads of political blocs to extend the current legislative session for an additional month.

Al-Hilali told Shafaq News Agency that “there is an agreement between Read more…

Due to the violation of Iraqi sovereignty, the Iranian Kurdish opposition is demanding international protection after 21 people were killed.

Due to the violation of Iraqi sovereignty, the Iranian Kurdish opposition is demanding international protection after 21 people were killed.

2026-04-23

Shafaq News – Sulaymaniyah
The alliance of Kurdish political forces opposed to the regime in Tehran strongly condemned on Thursday the drone and missile attacks carried out by Iran against its members and fighters inside the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, considering them to be an attempt to cover up what it described as Read more…

The coordinating framework postpones its meeting to Friday.

The coordinating framework postpones its meeting to Friday.

2026-04-22

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The coordinating framework that brings together the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq announced on Wednesday evening that it has postponed its meeting to decide on a candidate for the premiership until next Friday.

The framework stated in a brief statement received by Shafaq News Agency Read more…

No exceeding the constitutional deadline… Intense political activity to produce a consensus candidate for Prime Minister

No exceeding the constitutional deadline… Intense political activity to produce a consensus candidate for Prime Minister

4-22-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Political parties within the Coordination Framework are working to finalize the selection of the Prime Minister and announce his name within the 15-day constitutional deadline, which expires next Sunday. The Framework continues its political efforts among various parties to reach a consensus candidate who enjoys broad support and acceptance for the position. This will be achieved either through a vote by the Framework’s leaders or by allowing Read more…

Reconstruction Coalition: The framework will decide the prime ministerial candidate today… Al-Sudani is the most likely candidate

Reconstruction Coalition: The framework will decide the prime ministerial candidate today… Al-Sudani is the most likely candidate

4-22-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Nasser al-Awadi, from the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, revealed today, Wednesday, the date on which the Coordination Framework will finalize its prime ministerial candidate, confirming that Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is the frontrunner for the position.
Al-Awadi told the Information Agency that “the forces of the Coordination Read more…

Al-Dulaimi: Shiite-Sunni agreement on choosing Maliki for Prime Minister

Al-Dulaimi: Shiite-Sunni agreement on choosing Maliki for Prime Minister

4-22-2026

Al-Maalomah/Anbar…
Abdul Sattar Ahmed al-Dulaimi, a leader in the United Anbar Alliance, revealed on Wednesday that there is near-unanimity among Sunni and Shia factions to endorse Nouri al-Maliki, the candidate of the Coordination Framework, Read more…