IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

The Friday prayer leader of Najaf warns of “foreign threats” and urges Shiites to decide on the prime minister’s position.

The Friday prayer leader of Najaf warns of “foreign threats” and urges Shiites to decide on the prime minister’s position.

2026-04-17

Shafaq News – Najaf
On Friday, the Friday prayer leader of Najaf, Sadr al-Din al-Qubanchi, urged Shiite forces to expedite the nomination of their candidate for the position of Prime Minister and to proceed with Read more…

A deputy reveals the map of the division within the Coordination Framework between the Sudanese and Maliki factions.

A deputy reveals the map of the division within the Coordination Framework between the Sudanese and Maliki factions.

4-16-2026

Information / Follow-up…
Member of Parliament Murtada Al-Ibrahimi revealed today, Thursday, the map of alliances and political changes within the coordination framework regarding the file of naming the candidate of the largest bloc, stressing the existence of a division between three fronts that support Al-Maliki and Read more…

Al-Dhari: Sunni forces clarify their position regarding Nouri al-Maliki, the candidate of the Coordination Framework for Prime Minister

Al-Dhari: Sunni forces clarify their position regarding Nouri al-Maliki, the candidate of the Coordination Framework for Prime Minister

4-16-2026

Al-Maalomah/Anbar…
A leader in the Azm Alliance, Mohammed al-Dhari, revealed today, Thursday, that Sunni forces, with the exception of the head of the Taqaddum Alliance, Mohammed al-Halbousi, do not oppose the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki, the Read more…

The framework is facing the zero hour… Will it decide on its candidate for the premiership next Saturday, or will the deadline be extended for the remaining ten days?

The framework is facing the zero hour… Will it decide on its candidate for the premiership next Saturday, or will the deadline be extended for the remaining ten days?

4-16-2026

Information / Report ..
Political and popular circles are turning their attention to the anticipated meeting of the Coordination Framework forces next Saturday, amid urgent questions about whether this meeting will represent the coup de grâce to end the deadlock in the prime ministership file, or whether it will Read more…

Source: Al-Halbousi spent $160 million to prevent the election of Barzani’s candidate for the presidency.

Source: Al-Halbousi spent $160 million to prevent the election of Barzani’s candidate for the presidency.

4-16-2026

Information/Baghdad…
A source in Anbar province revealed on Thursday that Mohammed al-Halbousi, head of the Progress Alliance, spent more than $160 million to prevent the election of Masoud Barzani’s candidate for the presidency.
The source told the Information Agency that “Mohammed al-Halbousi turned Read more…

The framework intensifies its discussions before Saturday’s decision… Al-Badri and Al-Sudani are the most likely candidates for the premiership.

The framework intensifies its discussions before Saturday’s decision… Al-Badri and Al-Sudani are the most likely candidates for the premiership.

2026-04-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The leadership of the Coordination Framework, which includes the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq, is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting on Saturday at the home of Ammar al-Hakim, head of the National State Forces Alliance, to choose a candidate for the position of Prime Minister, especially Read more…

A $55 billion project to bypass the Strait of Hormuz… and Iraq is at the heart of the plan.

A $55 billion project to bypass the Strait of Hormuz… and Iraq is at the heart of the plan.

2026-04-16

Shafaq News – Middle East
Gulf states, including Iraq, are considering building an alternative oil pipeline network to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, at an estimated cost of $55 billion, amid escalating geopolitical risks, according to an analysis published by Read more…

Exclusive: Maliki and Sudani resort to the 8/12 formula to resolve the prime ministerial candidate crisis

Exclusive: Maliki and Sudani resort to the 8/12 formula to resolve the prime ministerial candidate crisis

2026-04-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A source within the coordination framework revealed on Thursday the nature of the initial understandings reached regarding the selection of the next Prime Minister, indicating that the candidate who obtains two-thirds of the votes of the framework’s leaders wins the position, which requires Read more…

In numbers… Iraq is among the most stable Arab countries in terms of inflation rate in 2026

In numbers… Iraq is among the most stable Arab countries in terms of inflation rate in 2026

2026-04-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The International Monetary Fund’s 2026 forecast, released on Thursday, revealed a clear divergence in inflation rates among Arab countries, with Iraq maintaining a moderate level of around 3%, placing it among the most relatively stable Read more…

SOMO Company: Loading of Iraqi oil at the Banias port onto tankers for export to European markets has begun.

SOMO Company: Loading of Iraqi oil at the Banias port onto tankers for export to European markets has begun.

2026-04-16

The State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) announced on Thursday that it has begun loading Iraqi oil at the port of Banias onto tankers for export to European markets, stressing that it is working to find other outlets to maximize Iraqi exports. The company’s general manager, Ali Nizar, stated that “today the first tanker of Iraqi black oil, which was unloaded at Read more…

The first shipments of Iraqi fuel oil have begun being unloaded at the Banias terminal in preparation for export.

The first shipments of Iraqi fuel oil have begun being unloaded at the Banias terminal in preparation for export.

2026-04-15

The Syrian Petroleum Company announced the start of unloading the first shipments of Iraqi fuel oil at the Banias terminal in preparation for exporting it.

The company confirmed that this process represents an important Read more…

A third candidate looms on the horizon… The Supreme Council reveals the behind-the-scenes details of the framework’s division between Maliki and Sudani.

A third candidate looms on the horizon… The Supreme Council reveals the behind-the-scenes details of the framework’s division between Maliki and Sudani.

2026-04-15

A member of the political bureau of the Supreme Islamic Council, Amin al-Ghazi, revealed on Wednesday (April 15, 2026) the outlines of the division within the coordination framework regarding the selection of the next prime minister.

Al-Ghazi explained in a press statement that “the framework is still divided Read more…

“Important” understandings regarding the premiership postpone the framework meeting to Saturday

“Important” understandings regarding the premiership postpone the framework meeting to Saturday

2026-04-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The coordinating framework decided on Wednesday evening to postpone its meeting scheduled for tonight until next Saturday after reaching “important” understandings regarding the leadership of the government.

A source close to the framework told Shafaq News Agency that “the leaders Read more…

Reconstruction and Development: The government’s nominee is likely to be decided within two days.

Reconstruction and Development: The government’s nominee is likely to be decided within two days.

4-15-2026

Al-Maalomah/Baghdad…
Ali al-Fatlawi, a leader in the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, indicated on Wednesday that the Coordination Framework is likely to reach a final agreement on the next prime minister during its meetings today or tomorrow. He also confirmed that there are no discussions regarding the reinstatement of the vice-presidential positions.

Al-Fatlawi told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “The leaders of the Coordination Framework have a serious Read more…

Coordination framework: Saturday’s meeting will decide the prime ministerial candidate.

Coordination framework: Saturday’s meeting will decide the prime ministerial candidate.

4-15-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Abdul Samad al-Zarkoushi, a member of the Coordination Framework, confirmed on Wednesday that next Saturday’s meeting will officially decide on the candidate for the next prime minister.

Al-Zarkoushi told Al-Maalouma, “The forces within the Coordination Framework are determined Read more…

Al-Saadawi: The decision regarding the premiership rests on two names…no alternatives have been proposed.

Al-Saadawi: The decision regarding the premiership rests on two names…no alternatives have been proposed.

4-15-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Member of the Reconstruction and Development Committee, Abdul Hadi al-Saadawi, revealed on Wednesday that the competition for the premiership has narrowed down to only two names, ruling out the possibility of any “compromise candidates” at this stage. Read more…

The moment of truth is approaching… Conflicting visions within the framework threaten to derail the government’s plans.

The moment of truth is approaching… Conflicting visions within the framework threaten to derail the government’s plans.

4-15-2026

Information / Report…
The corridors of the Coordination Framework continue to witness intense political activity, accompanied by clear conflicting positions and visions. This has become the “most difficult obstacle” preventing the final announcement of the candidate for the new prime minister.
Despite optimistic statements from some leaders about an imminent Read more…

The IMF predicts Iraq’s economy will contract by 6.8% due to shipping risks and rising inflation.

The IMF predicts Iraq’s economy will contract by 6.8% due to shipping risks and rising inflation.

2026-04-15

Shafaq News/Baghdad
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted on Wednesday that the Iraqi economy will experience a significant contraction during 2026, amid escalating repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East and continued pressure on Read more…

Despite the Hormuz blockade, giant tankers are heading to Basra ports, and Iraqi crude oil is flowing to markets.

Despite the Hormuz blockade, giant tankers are heading to Basra ports, and Iraqi crude oil is flowing to markets.

2026-04-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Giant oil tankers continue their journeys to Iraqi ports to load crude shipments, despite escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the tightening of the US embargo on ships linked to Iran, in an indication of the continued global demand for Iraqi oil Read more…

Mahbouba confirms Shafaq News’ report on Al-Badri… and questions the future of Al-Maliki and the framework

Mahbouba confirms Shafaq News’ report on Al-Badri… and questions the future of Al-Maliki and the framework

2026-04-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Qusay Mahbouba, a leader in the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, confirmed what Shafaq News had published regarding the proposal of Basim al-Badri as a compromise candidate within the coordination framework for the position of the next Prime Minister, questioning the implications Read more…