IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Masoud Barzani draws a red line for the framework: no president without resolving the prime ministership issue.

Masoud Barzani draws a red line for the framework: no president without resolving the prime ministership issue.

2026-04-10

Shafaq News – Erbil
Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani confirmed on Friday that he refuses to proceed with the election of the president of the republic without reaching a simultaneous agreement on the candidate for prime minister.

Barzani said Read more…

Oil Price: Two Chinese oil tankers, one carrying Iraqi oil, leave the Strait of Hormuz

Oil Price: Two Chinese oil tankers, one carrying Iraqi oil, leave the Strait of Hormuz

4-9-2026

Information/Translation:
Two Chinese oil tankers carrying Iraqi and Saudi crude oil rushed towards the exit of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, before stopping at the entrance to the strait, in an indication that the Chinese ship owners are apparently testing Read more…

Regardless of the Kurdish agreement, the framework intends to decide on the position of President of the Republic and postpones the nomination of the Prime Minister.

Regardless of the Kurdish agreement, the framework intends to decide on the position of President of the Republic and postpones the nomination of the Prime Minister.

2026-04-09

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The coordinating framework that includes the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq intends to decide on the position of President of the Republic in the House of Representatives session scheduled to be held at the beginning of next week, whether or not an agreement is reached Read more…

Al-Hakim urges the Kurds to decide on a presidential candidate to facilitate the formation of the Iraqi government.

Al-Hakim urges the Kurds to decide on a presidential candidate to facilitate the formation of the Iraqi government.

2026-04-09

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The head of the National State Forces Alliance, Ammar al-Hakim, called on the Kurdish forces on Thursday to agree on a candidate for the position of President of the Republic, stressing that this consensus would “facilitate the task” for the rest of the political forces in completing Read more…

23 years since the fall of Saddam’s regime… What has changed in Iraq?

23 years since the fall of Saddam’s regime… What has changed in Iraq?

2026-04-09

Shafaq News – Baghdad
After 2003, Iraq witnessed unprecedented security, political, economic and media transformations following the fall of the Baath Party regime led by Saddam Hussein.

On April 9, 23 years ago, the entry of American Read more…

US Embassy in Baghdad: Help us stop the attacks

US Embassy in Baghdad: Help us stop the attacks

2026-04-09

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The US Embassy in Iraq called on Thursday for any information about those targeting it in Baghdad and other locations.

The embassy said in a brief statement received Read more…

Iraqi Customs announces Kurdistan Region’s joining the “ASYCUDA” project

Iraqi Customs announces Kurdistan Region’s joining the “ASYCUDA” project

2026-04-08

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Director of the Iraqi Customs Authority, Thamer Qasim Dawood, announced on Wednesday that the Kurdistan Region team has joined the national team for the project to implement the Customs Automation System (ASYCUDA), in a move he considered to reflect the seriousness of the move Read more…

He moved to approve an emergency budget of $40 billion.

He moved to approve an emergency budget of $40 billion.

2026/04/08

In light of the economic and financial challenges and the significant decline in oil revenues as a result of the war and regional conflicts, the Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Dr. Mazhar Muhammad Salih, announced that the government is adopting a series of measures Read more…

Al-Bayati: The meetings of the next 72 hours will determine the direction of the session to elect the President of the Republic.

Al-Bayati: The meetings of the next 72 hours will determine the direction of the session to elect the President of the Republic.

4-8-2026

Information / Baghdad
MP Mohammed Al-Bayati confirmed on Wednesday that the meetings of the next 72 hours will be crucial in determining the direction of the April 11 session dedicated to electing the President of the Republic.

Al-Bayati told Al-Maalomah that “important meetings Read more…

Al-Muslawi: The framework movement is “positive” for deciding on the government candidate, and the presidential deadlock awaits Kurdish consensus.

Al-Muslawi: The framework movement is “positive” for deciding on the government candidate, and the presidential deadlock awaits Kurdish consensus.

4-8-2026

Information / Baghdad..
The spokesman for the Reconstruction and Building parliamentary bloc, Firas Al-Muslawi, confirmed on Wednesday that there is a “positive” atmosphere and advanced understandings within the coordination framework to resolve the issue of naming a candidate for prime minister, indicating that Read more…

Among them is the Oil and Gas Committee… The House of Representatives votes on a number of parliamentary committees

Among them is the Oil and Gas Committee… The House of Representatives votes on a number of parliamentary committees

4-8-2026

The Iraqi Parliament voted today, Wednesday, on several parliamentary committees, including the Oil, Gas, and Natural Resources Committee.
The Parliament’s Media Office stated in a press release Read more…

After a 40-day suspension, Iraq resumes air traffic and reopens its airspace starting today.

After a 40-day suspension, Iraq resumes air traffic and reopens its airspace starting today.

2026-04-08

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority announced on Wednesday the reopening of Iraqi airspace and all airports to air traffic.

Bankin Rikani, the acting head of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority, said Read more…

Optimistic estimates: Iraqi oil production to recover to 4 million barrels in 6 months

Optimistic estimates: Iraqi oil production to recover to 4 million barrels in 6 months

2026-04-08

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Economic expert Mohammed Al-Hassani confirmed on Wednesday that Iraq possesses the technical and logistical capabilities to restore its previous oil production levels within a record time, based on the limited damage inflicted Read more…

Presidential election session: Al-Hikma expects a change in the landscape, while the Kurdistan Alliance links participation to consensus.

Presidential election session: Al-Hikma expects a change in the landscape, while the Kurdistan Alliance links participation to consensus.

2026-04-08

Shafaq News – Baghdad
MP Zaidoun Al-Nabhani, from the Al-Hikma Movement, stressed on Wednesday the importance of the House of Representatives session scheduled for Saturday, April 11, considering that it may change the political landscape by Read more…

The Minister of Finance chairs a meeting to implement the ASYCUDA system in Kurdistan and unify customs procedures.

The Minister of Finance chairs a meeting to implement the ASYCUDA system in Kurdistan and unify customs procedures.

2026-04-08

Finance Minister Taif Sami chaired a meeting on Wednesday (April 8, 2026) to implement the ASYCUDA system in Kurdistan and unify customs procedures.

The ministry said in a statement that “Finance Minister Taif Sami today Read more…

American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad released

American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad released

2026-04-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Kataib Hezbollah announced on Tuesday the release of American journalist Shelley Kittleson, who was kidnapped in the Iraqi capital Baghdad a week ago, and instructed her to Read more…

The Ministry of Transport announces the imminent opening of the submerged tunnel.

The Ministry of Transport announces the imminent opening of the submerged tunnel.

2026/04/07

The Ministry of Transport announced the imminent launch of the submerged tunnel within the Grand Faw Port project.
In a press statement, the director of the ministry’s media office, Maitham Al-Safi, said that the tunnel works have reached their final stages, as it is currently Read more…

Data: Iraq did not buy gold in 2026

Data: Iraq did not buy gold in 2026

2026-04-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The latest official global gold reserves data for April 2026 shows that Iraq has not recorded any gold purchases since the beginning of 2026, while maintaining its position in the global ranking.

Iraq ranked 28th globally and third in the Arab world during Read more…

Shafaq News investigates: The stumbling of the tenth Iraqi government exposes a “structural crisis” that has persisted for years.

Shafaq News investigates: The stumbling of the tenth Iraqi government exposes a “structural crisis” that has persisted for years.

2026-04-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq has been in a state of “blatant constitutional violation” for 69 days since the election of the President of the Republic, and then the appointment of the tenth Iraqi Prime Minister since 2003, amid political and popular aspirations awaiting the parliament session on April 11 (in 4 days), which is supposed to Read more…

An oil pipeline exploded north of Kirkuk due to pumping pressure.

An oil pipeline exploded north of Kirkuk due to pumping pressure.

2026-04-07

Shafaq News – Kirkuk
A security source reported on Tuesday that an explosion occurred in an oil pipeline in the southern Bai Hassan area, north of Kirkuk province, due to excessive pressure during pumping operations, raising concerns about the recurrence of such incidents in oil infrastructure.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the explosion caused Read more…