IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

US forces plan to redeploy to Ain al-Asad base in Anbar

US forces plan to redeploy to Ain al-Asad base in Anbar

4-20-2026

Al-Maalomah/Anbar…
A security source in Anbar province revealed on Monday that the United States intends to redeploy its forces to Ain al-Assad Air Base in western Anbar in the coming period.
The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “Security leaks indicate Read more…

Wisdom surrounds Shafaq News with scenarios for the “crucial” framework meeting… and a new name enters the race

Wisdom surrounds Shafaq News with scenarios for the “crucial” framework meeting… and a new name enters the race

2026-04-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
MP Riyad Adai, from the “Hikma” bloc, confirmed that the coordination framework meeting scheduled for Monday evening is still on, suggesting that the prime minister candidate will be decided within the next 24 hours, with a new name being put forward among the scenarios being discussed.

Adai told Shafaq News Agency that the remaining Read more…

Support: The prime ministerial candidate may be outside the three names.

Support: The prime ministerial candidate may be outside the three names.

4-20-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Hassan Fad’am, from the Coordination Framework, confirmed on Monday that the Framework is determined to decide on its candidate for Prime Minister during its meeting today or next Wednesday.

Fadaam told Al-Maalouma that “the coordination framework will hold its meeting today Read more…

Reconstruction and Development: Tonight’s framework meeting is crucial, and there is no alternative to al-Sudani and al-Maliki.

Reconstruction and Development: Tonight’s framework meeting is crucial, and there is no alternative to al-Sudani and al-Maliki.

4-20-2026

The spokesperson for the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, Firas al-Muslawi, revealed on Monday that there are positive indicators for the coordination framework meeting scheduled for this evening. He emphasized the blocs’ commitment to finalizing their candidate for the position of Prime Minister, coinciding with Read more…

MP: There is no draft budget law for 2026… Finance Ministry focuses on controlling spending

MP: There is no draft budget law for 2026… Finance Ministry focuses on controlling spending

4-20-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Ahmed Haji Rashid confirmed on Monday that there is no draft budget law for 2026 at present, indicating that the legal procedures for its preparation will begin in the middle of next year.

Rashid told the Information Agency, “The preparation of the 2026 budget is Read more…

Abdul Hadi: Today’s framework meeting is crucial, and there will be no postponement in announcing the final decision.

Abdul Hadi: Today’s framework meeting is crucial, and there will be no postponement in announcing the final decision.

4-20-2026

Information/Baghdad…
A member of the Coordination Framework, Awda Abdul-Hadi, confirmed on Monday that the meeting of the Coordination Framework forces scheduled for this evening in Baghdad will be decisive, denying any postponement or delay in announcing the final decision.
Abdul-Hadi told Al-Maalouma, “The meeting of the Coordination Framework forces this evening will be final in determining the identity Read more…

Coordination framework: No withdrawals among candidates; final decision to be made this evening.

Coordination framework: No withdrawals among candidates; final decision to be made this evening.

4-20-2026

Information/Special…
A member of the Coordination Framework, Uday Abdul-Hadi, confirmed on Monday that none of the candidates for the position of Prime Minister have withdrawn, indicating that the list of names remains limited to only four candidates.
Abdul-Hadi told Al-Maalouma, “What is being circulated about withdrawals Read more…

A liquidity crisis is putting pressure on Iraq’s finances; a government advisor proposes two options.

A liquidity crisis is putting pressure on Iraq’s finances; a government advisor proposes two options.

2026-04-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The financial advisor to the Iraqi government, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Monday that the country’s public finances are facing a liquidity crisis as a result of declining oil revenues due to the repercussions of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, revealing two main options to address Read more…

United States: Iraqi government-linked entities support militias that threaten Americans

United States: Iraqi government-linked entities support militias that threaten Americans

2026-04-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The US Embassy in Baghdad warned its citizens on Monday of continued security risks in Iraq, despite the reopening of airspace and the resumption of limited commercial flights, urging Americans not to travel to Iraq and to leave immediately if they are already there. It also accused parties linked to the Iraqi government of providing political, financial and operational cover to “Iranian-linked militias.” Read more…

“Within days”… Iraq to resume pumping its oil through the “Kirkuk-Ceyhan” pipeline

“Within days”… Iraq to resume pumping its oil through the “Kirkuk-Ceyhan” pipeline

2026-04-20

Shafaq News – Kirkuk
On Monday, an official source at the North Oil Company revealed that the work of connecting all secondary pumping stations linked to the (K1) and (AT1) stations in Kirkuk has been completed, in a preliminary step to restart the oil pumping system in the next few days via Read more…

Parliamentary Finance Committee: The 2026 budget is linked to the formation of a new government.

Parliamentary Finance Committee: The 2026 budget is linked to the formation of a new government.

2026-04-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Finance Committee in the Iraqi Parliament confirmed on Monday that voting on the 2026 budget law is linked to the formation of the next government, the government program, and the speed with which it is sent Read more…

Following the “cloud theft” controversy, an Iraqi MP calls for discussions on climate warfare with experts.

Following the “cloud theft” controversy, an Iraqi MP calls for discussions on climate warfare with experts.

2026-04-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
MP Abdullah Al-Khaigani commented on Monday on the controversy sparked by his previous statements regarding “cloud theft,” announcing his intention to discuss what he described as “climate wars” with specialists and experts in this field.

Al-Khaigani told Shafaq News Agency that there would be discussions with climate experts regarding what he called “geological engineering” and “atmospheric modification weapons,” which Read more…

Deputy: The framework is determined to hold a meeting on Monday, and if it is postponed, it will be the last one.

Deputy: The framework is determined to hold a meeting on Monday, and if it is postponed, it will be the last one.

2026-04-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
MP Ahmed Salem Al-Saadi, from the Al-Hikma bloc, said on Sunday that the coordinating framework is determined to hold the next meeting to decide on the candidate for prime minister, and if it is postponed, “it will be the final postponement.”

Al-Saadi told Shafaq News Agency that “the next 72 hours will be crucial Read more…

The Sudanese coalition responds to the “call”: Proceeding with al-Maliki’s nomination will put us in front of a complex crisis.

The Sudanese coalition responds to the “call”: Proceeding with al-Maliki’s nomination will put us in front of a complex crisis.

2026-04-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Reconstruction and Development Coalition, led by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, responded on Sunday to a statement by the Islamic Dawa Party, which confirmed that its Secretary-General, Nouri al-Maliki, remains the Coordination Framework’s candidate for the premiership.

Coalition leader Khalid Walid told Shafaq News Agency that Read more…

America supports whoever serves its interests… Divisions over the prime minister with the option of a compromise candidate being floated

America supports whoever serves its interests… Divisions over the prime minister with the option of a compromise candidate being floated

4-19-2026

The picture remains unclear regarding who will assume the premiership in the next phase due to divisions within the coordinating body and the lack of agreement on a specific candidate. This is attributed to external pressures and interventions, particularly from the United States, which supports figures who Read more…

MP: Monday’s meeting will be decisive in resolving the political crisis and forming the government

MP: Monday’s meeting will be decisive in resolving the political crisis and forming the government

4-19-2026

Al-Maalomah/Baghdad…
MP Mukhtar al-Youssef, from the Badr parliamentary bloc, revealed on Sunday the real reasons behind the postponement of the coordination framework meeting dedicated to deciding on a prime ministerial candidate. He confirmed that the postponement came in response to a direct Read more…

Currency printing in Iraq: Between financial need and economic risks to the dinar

Currency printing in Iraq: Between financial need and economic risks to the dinar

4-19-2026

Information/Report…
Concerns are mounting in Iraqi economic circles about the possibility of the government resorting to printing money without real backing in gold or dollar reserves. Experts describe this as an “unsound option” due to its direct negative impact on the value of the national currency and Read more…

Al-Saadi: The connection to the US Federal Reserve reflects a flaw in financial management.

Al-Saadi: The connection to the US Federal Reserve reflects a flaw in financial management.

4-19-2026

Information/Special..
Economic expert Rashid Al-Saadi confirmed today, Sunday, that the connection with the US Federal Reserve reflects a flaw in the management of money and requires reform, not a break.

Al-Saadi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “Iraq’s continued involvement Read more…

Bloomberg: Commercial shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has completely stopped.

Bloomberg: Commercial shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has completely stopped.

2026-04-19

Shafaq News – Middle East
Bloomberg reported on Sunday that tracking data showed commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had completely stopped.

The agency stated that the halt came after the slight increase witnessed on Read more…

With a “limited” agenda, the framework sets Monday as the date for deciding on the candidate for Prime Minister.

With a “limited” agenda, the framework sets Monday as the date for deciding on the candidate for Prime Minister.

2026-04-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, the General Secretariat of the Coordination Framework called on the framework’s forces to hold a meeting on Monday at the office of the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, stressing that the agenda is limited to Read more…