IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Oil Price: Iraq has exported 3.4 million barrels per day since the beginning of October

Oil Price: Iraq has exported 3.4 million barrels per day since the beginning of October

10-20-2026

Oilprice.com, a global oil market monitoring network, announced today (Monday, October 19, 2026) that Iraq’s daily oil exports have increased by about 750,000 barrels per day this month.

The network said that Iraq recorded exports during the past month that reached 2.65 million barrels per day, while global markets recorded Iraq’s export of about 3.4 million barrels of oil per day since the beginning of this month. Read more…

Parliamentary desire to pass the oil and gas law… Kurdish interests stand as an obstacle to the legislation

Parliamentary desire to pass the oil and gas law… Kurdish interests stand as an obstacle to the legislation

10-20-2026

Information/Report…
Parliamentary activity continues, with a strong desire among representatives from most provinces to enact the long-delayed and obstructed oil and gas law, which has been stalled for nearly two decades due to disagreements with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on certain clauses. However, the real issue revolves around the interests the Kurds seek to achieve through this law, something Baghdad cannot accept. Meanwhile, political figures assert that the KRG is unwilling to pass the law in order to ensure the continued sale of oil outside of regulations and legal Read more…

Al-Moussawi: Activating the “Where did you get this from?” law is necessary to recover looted funds.

Al-Moussawi: Activating the “Where did you get this from?” law is necessary to recover looted funds.

10-20-2026

Information/Special…
MP Mohammed al-Moussawi, a member of the Coordination Framework, affirmed on Tuesday that protecting public funds and confronting financial and administrative corruption requires decisive measures to prosecute those involved and recover stolen funds. He stressed the necessity of strictly enforcing the “Where did you get this?” law.
In a statement to the Information Agency, al-Moussawi said, “Combating corruption can no longer tolerate hesitation or political favoritism. Rather, it Read more…

Al-Khafaji: Iraq’s non-oil wealth is sufficient to cover salaries and expenses and end the financial crisis.

Al-Khafaji: Iraq’s non-oil wealth is sufficient to cover salaries and expenses and end the financial crisis.

10-20-2026

The head of the ” Idrak ” parliamentary bloc, MP Abdul Hamza al-Khafaji, held the system of financial corruption and mismanagement responsible for the crippling economic and financial crisis plaguing the country. He stressed that the continuation of this crisis hinges on the seriousness with which corruption is eradicated and stolen and squandered funds are recovered.
Al-Khafaji told the Information Agency that “Iraq possesses vast wealth Read more…

Al-Haidari told Al-Maalomah: Restoring the Yanbu pipeline from Saudi Arabia is a national priority.

Al-Haidari told Al-Maalomah: Restoring the Yanbu pipeline from Saudi Arabia is a national priority.

10-20-2026

The Information Agency/Baghdad –
Member of the Parliamentary Oil, Gas, and Natural Resources Committee, Alaa al-Haidari, called on the Iraqi government on Tuesday to take urgent diplomatic and legal action to reopen the file on the Iraqi pipeline extending through Saudi territory to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea (the Miracle Pipeline). He stressed that this project represents sovereign assets and purely Iraqi funds that cannot be relinquished or left neglected. Read more…

A member of parliament reveals major disagreements hindering the appointment of a new Minister of Immigration.

A member of parliament reveals major disagreements hindering the appointment of a new Minister of Immigration.

10-20-2026

Information/Special…
MP Haider Ali confirmed on Tuesday that the allocation of the Ministry of Migration and Displacement post is subject to the criteria of electoral entitlement and parliamentary representation. He explained that the Christian “Soyana” bloc and its allies from other political groups are the most deserving of managing the ministry, according to the election results. Read more…

Iraq inaugurates a system for monitoring ships in its territorial waters.

Iraq inaugurates a system for monitoring ships in its territorial waters.

2026-10-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, the Iraqi Higher Maritime Authority inaugurated the (VTS) system project to monitor the movement of ships and regulate their entry and exit in Iraqi territorial waters, as part of developing maritime control systems and enhancing the efficiency of managing maritime traffic.

The head of the authority, Ali Abdul Latif Al-Tamimi, said in a statement Read more…

Khaled Battal replaces Al-Halbousi as Vice President of the Republic

Khaled Battal replaces Al-Halbousi as Vice President of the Republic

2026-10-20

Shafaq News – Anbar
A source in the Anbar Provincial Council reported on Monday that former Minister of Industry Khalid Battal is a candidate to assume the position of Vice President of the Republic, instead of the head of the “Progress” Alliance, Mohammed al-Halbousi.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the position will go to Battal instead of Halbousi, based on political understandings that were recently put forward. Read more…

Al-Habaniyah is nearing full capacity… Water is returning, tourism and fishermen’s livelihoods are flourishing

Al-Habaniyah is nearing full capacity… Water is returning, tourism and fishermen’s livelihoods are flourishing

2026-10-20

Shafaq News – Anbar
Lake Habbaniyah in Anbar province is nearing a significant recovery in its water health, with rising water levels and increased releases into the tourist city basin. This development reinforces hopes for a decline in the risks of drought that have affected the environment surrounding the lake in recent years, casting a shadow on tourism and the livelihoods of fishermen .

With the water reservoir reaching approximately 2.5 billion cubic meters, out of a total storage capacity of 3.4 billion Read more…

Following Al-Rafidain Bank, Al-Rasheed Bank announces new loans and advances for employees and retirees.

Following Al-Rafidain Bank, Al-Rasheed Bank announces new loans and advances for employees and retirees.

2026-10-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, the state-owned Al-Rasheed Bank announced a package of banking services that includes loans and advances for employees and retirees, as well as other financing services, according to an official letter issued by the bank on October 19, 2026.

According to a document issued by the bank Read more…

To boost oil production in Kurdistan, Gulf Keystone and Shamaran merge in a $600 million deal.

To boost oil production in Kurdistan, Gulf Keystone and Shamaran merge in a $600 million deal.

2026-10-20

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Gulf Keystone Petroleum, listed on the London Stock Exchange, announced on Tuesday that it has agreed to merge with Norway’s Shamaran Petroleum in a $601 million share swap deal, to create one of the largest oil producers in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Under the agreement, Shamaran shareholders will receive 0.07533958 Gulf Keystone shares for each share they own in the Norwegian company, with shareholders of both companies, after Read more…

The American gamble backfires in Iraq… Al-Zaidi weakens Trump’s campaign against the factions with a “new card”

The American gamble backfires in Iraq… Al-Zaidi weakens Trump’s campaign against the factions with a “new card”

2026-10-20

Shafaq News – Special Translation
The American bet on Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi collapsed after he agreed to empower pro-Iranian factions within the government apparatus, according to an analysis by the Middle East Forum , which indicated that what is happening is the opposite of Washington’s expectations of al-Zaidi.

The American Institute explained in a report Read more…

A movement to remove officials and general managers who have exceeded 4 years in Iraqi state institutions

A movement to remove officials and general managers who have exceeded 4 years in Iraqi state institutions

2026-10-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Tuesday that there are a number of holders of special grade positions and general managers in ministries and state departments who have spent more than four years in their job positions, which calls for a review of the status of these positions in light of the laws and directives in force regarding the rotation of responsibilities and the conduct of administrative transfers. Read more…

Al-Badri from Doha: Our vision is based on limiting weapons and Iraq’s neutrality from competing axes.

Al-Badri from Doha: Our vision is based on limiting weapons and Iraq’s neutrality from competing axes.

2026-10-20

Shafaq News – Doha
The head of the National Security Service, Bassem al-Badri, confirmed on Tuesday that Iraq’s vision is based on restricting weapons to the state and distancing the country from the politics of competing regional and global axes.

This came in a speech he delivered on the sidelines of his participation in the Global Security Forum held in the Qatari capital, Doha, under the slogan “The Future of Alliances,” and in the presence of security leaders, officials and decision-makers from about 100 countries. Read more…

Parliamentarian: Prices have risen by 30%… and the government has failed to control the exchange rate.

Parliamentarian: Prices have risen by 30%… and the government has failed to control the exchange rate.

2026-10-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, MP Duha al-Sadkhan, from the “National Approach” bloc, said that the government has failed to control the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar in the parallel market, which has affected the prices of various goods, especially food, fruits, vegetables, medicines, and basic necessities for citizens.

Al-Sadkhan told Shafaq News Agency that food prices have increased by about 30%, which has affected citizens, especially those with daily income. Read more…

Baghdad Governor: 192,000 plots allocated to Baghdad under the Al-Zaidi initiative; applications will be accepted soon.

Baghdad Governor: 192,000 plots allocated to Baghdad under the Al-Zaidi initiative; applications will be accepted soon.

10-20-2026

Baghdad Governor Atwan al-Atwani announced on Tuesday that the capital’s share of the initiative to distribute one million residential plots free of charge to citizens, launched by Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi, amounts to about 192,000 plots. He confirmed that preparations have begun to meet the necessary requirements for implementing the initiative and to identify a number of sites designated for this purpose. Al-Atwani told the official news Read more…

Samsung signs strategic partnership to expand digital solutions in Iraq

Samsung signs strategic partnership to expand digital solutions in Iraq

10-19-2026

Baghdad-Mail
Samsung Electronics Levant and Asiacell signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at expanding their cooperation in Iraq, and making Samsung devices, services and technological solutions more widely available to individuals and companies.

Under this strategic partnership, Samsung devices will be available through Asiacell’s channels dedicated to individuals and the business sector, through specialized programs that give subscribers greater flexibility in purchasing and a wider range of options. Read more…

The Christian alliance demands a ministerial portfolio for its constituents based on merit, not quotas.

The Christian alliance demands a ministerial portfolio for its constituents based on merit, not quotas.

2026-10-19

Shafaq News – Erbil
The Christian Alliance called on Monday evening for the preservation of their legal and constitutional rights in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, stressing the need for ministerial portfolios allocated to the components to be based on competence and academic qualifications, not political quotas.

This came during a meeting held by the Christian Alliance in the city of Erbil, attended by representatives of various Christian groups (Chaldeans, Syriacs, Assyrians, and Armenians). Read more…

An economist warns of ballooning government spending and calls for a 25% reduction.

An economist warns of ballooning government spending and calls for a 25% reduction.

10-19-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Economic expert Nasser al-Kinani warned on Monday of the increased financial burden on the budget due to the growing number of requests submitted by ministries and state institutions for inclusion in next year’s budget.
Al-Kinani told Al-Maalouma, “Each ministry has submitted a list of its budget needs to the government. The Ministry of Planning is responsible for reviewing these lists and allocating funds to each ministry according to its specific requirements. The same applies to the provinces and the Kurdistan Region.” Read more…

Parliament threatens to summon Al-Zidi and the Central Bank Governor over dollar instability

Parliament threatens to summon Al-Zidi and the Central Bank Governor over dollar instability

10-19-2026

Information / Baghdad –
Member of Parliament Ahmed al-Moussawi warned on Monday of the continued fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate on the parallel market, stressing that Parliament intends to summon Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and the Governor of the Central Bank if they fail to control the markets within a short period.
Al-Moussawi told the Information Agency, “The exchange rate of the US dollar Read more…