IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

The Zaidi government is knocking on the doors of international dependency and ignoring sovereign alternatives.

The Zaidi government is knocking on the doors of international dependency and ignoring sovereign alternatives.

10-19-2026

The Al – Zaidi government is facing a barrage of political and economic criticism following leaked information about its formal request for a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Observers have described this move as “economic suicide,” the price of which will be paid directly by ordinary citizens.
While the government seeks quick solutions to address the upcoming budget deficit, financial experts believe that turning to international institutions is a misguided and ill-conceived choice, especially given the existence of Read more…

Al-Yassiri: Amending the constitution is a national necessity to eliminate redundant layers and end the quota system.

Al-Yassiri: Amending the constitution is a national necessity to eliminate redundant layers and end the quota system.

10-19-2026

Information/Special…
MP Hayam Al-Yasiri reiterated her call on Monday for fundamental amendments to the Iraqi Constitution, stressing that the current stage requires eliminating all redundant administrative and oversight bodies that drain the state, foremost among them the provincial councils, as well as ending the unproductive practice of power-sharing and quotas. Read more…

Iraq is turning to the IMF for a potential loan of up to $9 billion.

Iraq is turning to the IMF for a potential loan of up to $9 billion.

10-19-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Political and economic affairs researcher Nabil Jabbar al-Tamimi revealed on Monday that Iraq is preparing to borrow between $5 billion and $9 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a precautionary measure to address its severe financial crisis and support the stability of its balance of payments. He emphasized that Iraq is the second most economically Read more…

Daham: The government is bound by the Federal Court’s decisions regarding the election of the four deputies.

Daham: The government is bound by the Federal Court’s decisions regarding the election of the four deputies.

10-19-2026

Information/Special…
Political affairs researcher Mohammed Daham affirmed on Monday that the government is obligated to abide by the decisions issued by the Federal Supreme Court regarding the four MPs elected to the premiership and the legal nature of this election, stressing the necessity of resorting to the constitution to resolve this issue.
Daham told Al-Maalouma that “the Federal Court bears the responsibility Read more…

The Iraqi government has directed the prosecution of those inciting and obstructing the monopoly of weapons, in accordance with the counter-terrorism law.

The Iraqi government has directed the prosecution of those inciting and obstructing the monopoly of weapons, in accordance with the counter-terrorism law.

2026-10-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, the Iraqi government directed that those inciting and obstructing the process of restricting weapons to the state be prosecuted, in accordance with the anti-terrorism law.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency: The government affirms that the freedom of opinion, expression, and media work, which are constitutionally and legally guaranteed, are exercised in the Iraqi national space within the framework of the law, respect for public order, and the rights of citizens, and they may not be used as a means to Read more…

Al-Zaydi resorts to “international crises” to solve Iraq’s problems

Al-Zaydi resorts to “international crises” to solve Iraq’s problems

2026-10-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi discussed finding solutions and dismantling the economic crises with Robert Malley, President of the International Crisis Group and its Middle East Director.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Zaidi received the Honorary President of the International Read more…

Al-Zaydi directs an increase in oil production and assigns his deputy to follow up on the matter.

Al-Zaydi directs an increase in oil production and assigns his deputy to follow up on the matter.

2026-10-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi directed the Ministry of Oil to take practical steps to increase oil production and maximize revenues, in light of the damage inflicted on Iraq by the events taking place in the region.

The directives came during a visit by Al-Zaidi to the Ministry of Oil headquarters in Baghdad, his second since the formation of the government five months ago. During the visit, he chaired a meeting of the ministry’s senior staff, in the presence of the Deputy Read more…

The dollar exchange rate has reached 169,000 dinars in Iraqi markets.

The dollar exchange rate has reached 169,000 dinars in Iraqi markets.

2026-10-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad/Erbil
On Monday morning, the exchange rate of the US dollar recorded a new high in the markets of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region.

A correspondent for Shafaq News Agency said that the price of the dollar rose in the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges in Baghdad to 168,600 dinars for 100 dollars, compared to yesterday, Sunday, when it reached 168,000 dinars for 100 dollars. Read more…

The Minister of Finance directs Al-Rafidain Bank to release employee loans.

The Minister of Finance directs Al-Rafidain Bank to release employee loans.

2026-10-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, Finance Minister Faleh Sari directed the management of Al-Rafidain Bank to release financial loans for employees and facilitate the procedures for obtaining them, with a focus on shortening the time required to complete transactions and simplifying the application steps, in addition to providing the necessary banking facilities for the private sector and enabling its companies to access financing. Read more…

From Baghdad, Washington warns of Iranian attacks and the closure of airspace.

From Baghdad, Washington warns of Iranian attacks and the closure of airspace.

2026-10-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The US Embassy in Iraq on Sunday urged its citizens in the Middle East to exercise caution given the complex security situation, warning of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions.

The embassy stated in a ” security alert ” issued on October 18, 2026, that Americans should monitor the operations of airports and airlines, check the Read more…

The presidential decree appointing Al-Zidi’s deputies and 11 ministers has been issued.

The presidential decree appointing Al-Zidi’s deputies and 11 ministers has been issued.

2026-10-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The President of the Republic issued a presidential decree appointing the Deputy Prime Ministers and 11 Ministers, after Parliament voted on them.

The Republican Decree, which was received by Shafaq News Agency and bears the date of October 18, states: Based on the provisions of Article 73, Paragraph Seven, and Article 76, Paragraph Four of the Constitution, and based on the approval of the House of Representatives by an absolute majority to grant confidence to the Deputy Prime Ministers Read more…

Iraq is absent from the list of major holders of US Treasury bonds.

Iraq is absent from the list of major holders of US Treasury bonds.

2026-10-19

Shafaq News – Washington
Data from the US Treasury Department for August 2026 showed that Saudi Arabia and the UAE were among the top holders of US bonds, while Iraq was absent from the list. Read more…

Erbil: 1700 plots of land distributed to government employees

Erbil: 1700 plots of land distributed to government employees

2026-10-19

Shafaq News – Erbil
The Kurdistan Regional Government announced on Monday the distribution of 1,700 new plots of land to employees within the Erbil Governorate.

The Minister of Municipalities and Tourism in the regional government, Sasan Awni, said in a press conference attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, that “since the implementation of the decision to distribute land among employees according to the procedures followed since July of last year, 40,000 plots of land have been Read more…

Expert: Water reserves in Iraq have increased to 34 billion cubic meters

Expert: Water reserves in Iraq have increased to 34 billion cubic meters

10-18-2026

Information/Special…
Economic expert Jalil al-Lami confirmed on Sunday that the increase in water inflows into Iraq as a result of rains and floods represents a significant economic and agricultural opportunity. However, he added that it also presents the government with a real test: how to translate this abundance into actual agricultural production instead of allowing the water to flow by without optimal utilization. Read more…

Iraq opens its first satellite ground station to enhance “digital sovereignty”

Iraq opens its first satellite ground station to enhance “digital sovereignty”

2026-10-18

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday evening, Iraqi Minister of Communications Mustafa Sanad inaugurated the first Iraqi ground station for satellite communications in the capital, Baghdad, in a move he said comes within the framework of strengthening digital sovereignty and developing the communications infrastructure in the country. Read more…

Al-Fatlawi speaks about steps to raise the value of the Iraqi dinar.

Al-Fatlawi speaks about steps to raise the value of the Iraqi dinar.

10-18-2026

Information/Special…
MP Shaima al-Fatlawi stressed on Sunday the necessity of adopting an economic and monetary policy aimed at protecting the Iraqi dinar and restoring its purchasing power, noting that the decline in the value of the local currency over the past years has negatively impacted the living conditions of citizens.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Fatlawi said, “The government should have worked to preserve and strengthen the value of the Iraqi dinar, as other countries have done to maintain the stability of their currencies, instead of resorting to measures Read more…

Al-Mayahi: The budget is still in the government’s drawers, and the figures being circulated are mere speculation.

Al-Mayahi: The budget is still in the government’s drawers, and the figures being circulated are mere speculation.

10-18-2026

The head of the Al-Bayan parliamentary bloc, Abdul Amir Al-Mayahi, confirmed on Sunday that the draft federal budget law has not yet reached the Council of Representatives. He denied that it had been voted on within the Council of Ministers, stating that the figures and financial allocations circulating regarding it are not based on officially announced data. Al-
Mayahi told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “The general budget is still with Read more…

The Central Bank announces that the US Treasury has lifted restrictions on a number of exchange companies.

The Central Bank announces that the US Treasury has lifted restrictions on a number of exchange companies.

10-18-2026

The Central Bank of Iraq announced on Sunday that the US Treasury Department has lifted restrictions on a number of Iraqi exchange companies.
In a statement received by Al-Maalomah News Agency, the bank said, “The US Treasury Department has lifted restrictions on a number of Iraqi exchange companies after verifying that they meet the compliance standards adopted by the Central Bank of Iraq, allowing them Read more…

Iraq signs memoranda of understanding with Bangladesh and Kazakhstan to enhance diplomatic and political cooperation.

Iraq signs memoranda of understanding with Bangladesh and Kazakhstan to enhance diplomatic and political cooperation.

2026-10-18

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that Minister Fuad Hussein signed two memoranda of understanding with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Humayun Kabir, to enhance diplomatic and political cooperation between the two countries.

This came during a meeting between the two ministers on Saturday evening, on the sidelines of the 52nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, held in Baghdad. Read more…

Araghchi to Al-Zaidi: America obstructed diplomacy and caused a lack of maritime security in the region

Araghchi to Al-Zaidi: America obstructed diplomacy and caused a lack of maritime security in the region

2026-10-18

Shafaq News – Tehran / Baghdad
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that the United States has obstructed diplomacy and caused insecurity in navigation in the Gulf region as a result of the military operations it launched against Iran since last February.

This came during his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi Read more…