IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Economist: Solving the dollar exchange rate crisis requires restoring balance between supply and demand.

Economist: Solving the dollar exchange rate crisis requires restoring balance between supply and demand.

1-31-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Economic expert Manar al-Ubaidi confirmed on Saturday that the dollar exchange rate has become the most relied-upon economic indicator for Iraqis, given the weak confidence in official indicators such as inflation, unemployment, and GDP, due to a lack of transparency and unclear calculation mechanisms.
Al-Ubaidi stated in a Facebook post, reviewed by the Information Agency, that “changes in the dollar exchange rate do not necessarily reflect Read more…

Expectations of a postponement of tomorrow’s session… Political analyst warns of a “coup de grâce” to constitutional timelines

Expectations of a postponement of tomorrow’s session… Political analyst warns of a “coup de grâce” to constitutional timelines

1-31-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Political analyst Hazem Hamad suggested on Saturday that the parliamentary session to elect the president of the republic, scheduled for Sunday, would be postponed until further notice. He warned that continued Kurdish “stubbornness” could plunge the entire political process into its most severe deadlock in years. Read more…

The coordination framework relies on Trump changing his stance on Maliki’s veto.

The coordination framework relies on Trump changing his stance on Maliki’s veto.

2026-01-31 05:54

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The coordinating framework, which includes Shiite political forces, is counting on the possibility of a change in the United States’ position regarding the framework’s candidate for forming the government, Nouri al-Maliki, in light of regional developments and efforts to spare Iraq the repercussions Read more…

Eco Iraq: Presidential salaries consume 11.5% of employee funds

Eco Iraq: Presidential salaries consume 11.5% of employee funds

2026-01-31

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Eco Iraq Observatory announced on Saturday that the salaries of the three presidencies in Iraq (the Presidency of the Republic, Parliament, and Council of Ministers) represent about 11.5% of the total salaries of state employees, describing these salaries as “high and unjustified” compared to Read more…

Dollarization and the parallel market control the exchange rate in Iraq.

Dollarization and the parallel market control the exchange rate in Iraq.

2026-01-31

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Economic expert Manar Al-Obaidi confirmed on Saturday that the dollar exchange rate in Iraq has become the only economic indicator that citizens trust, given the lack of confidence in other official indicators such as inflation, unemployment, and Read more…

Indirect communication between Tehran and Washington through third parties

Indirect communication between Tehran and Washington through third parties

2026-01-31 00:26

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi revealed on Saturday that there are indirect channels of communication with the United States through third parties, while emphasizing that his country is open to any negotiation process based on Read more…

Challenges that have not ended… What comes after Iraq’s removal from the “grey list”?

Challenges that have not ended… What comes after Iraq’s removal from the “grey list”?

2026-01-31 01:30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq has witnessed a tangible improvement in its international security ranking after the Ministry of Interior recently announced that the country has been removed from the list of high-risk countries and moved up to the list of countries with stable security, which observers considered an important Read more…

Iraq will be among the world’s largest gold buyers in 2025.

Iraq will be among the world’s largest gold buyers in 2025.

2026-01-31 02:41

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq has entered the list of the largest central banks purchasing gold during the past year, according to data issued by the World Gold Council, in a move that reflects the country’s trend towards strengthening its reserves Read more…

The president and Maliki’s fate are on the agenda on the eve of the parliamentary session.

The president and Maliki’s fate are on the agenda on the eve of the parliamentary session.

2026-01-31 03:27

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The coordinating framework, which includes Shiite political forces, intends to hold an important meeting on Saturday evening to discuss the files of the presidency and the prime ministership.

A political source told Shafaq News Agency that “a meeting of the leaders Read more…

Al-Maliki on his appointment as Prime Minister: We will proceed and we will not back down

Al-Maliki on his appointment as Prime Minister: We will proceed and we will not back down

2026-01-31 03:30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, affirmed his commitment to running for the position of Prime Minister in the next Iraqi government, despite the explicit rejection of this by US President Donald Trump.

This came in response to questions from journalists Read more…

With or without Maliki, Iranian influence will remain in the new government.

With or without Maliki, Iranian influence will remain in the new government.

2026-01-31 04:35

Shafaq News – Special Translation
Despite the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki to form the new government, the American magazine ” National Interest ” considered that this does not necessarily mean that he will assume the position, noting also that even if another figure comes, the next Iraqi government will not get rid of Iranian influence through Read more…

A government advisor rules out a drop in gold prices in Iraq during 2026, and identifies the reasons.

A government advisor rules out a drop in gold prices in Iraq during 2026, and identifies the reasons.

2026-01-30

The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed today, Friday (January 30, 2026), that a significant drop in gold prices in Iraq during 2026 is unlikely.

Saleh told the official agency that “gold prices are unlikely to fall significantly this year, as the strongest trend is towards Read more…

Economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi outlines a roadmap for liberating Iraq’s funds.

Economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi outlines a roadmap for liberating Iraq’s funds.

2026-01-30

Iraqi economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi outlined the complex financial relationship between Baghdad and Washington, indicating that the solution is primarily “political” and requires courage to settle outstanding historical debts.

Roots of Control

Al-Marsoumi explained that the United States has effectively controlled Iraqi Read more…

A new berth at the northern port of Umm Qasr receives its first international ship

A new berth at the northern port of Umm Qasr receives its first international ship

2026-01-30 06:40

Shafaq News – Basra
On Friday, one of the berths at the northern port of Umm Qasr officially became operational, receiving its first ship, in a move that embodies a qualitative leap in the capabilities of Iraqi ports and strengthens their position on the regional and international maritime transport map.

Mohammed Taher, assistant director of the Umm Qasr North Port, Read more…

The Presidency: No agreement reached, and Parliament prepares to resolve the issue.

The Presidency: No agreement reached, and Parliament prepares to resolve the issue.

1-30-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Burhan Sheikh Raouf, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), confirmed the lack of agreement between the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on a consensus candidate for the presidency.
Sheikh Raouf told Al-Maalouma, “The PUK’s doors are open for understanding and Read more…

Political parties paid $35 million to a company to publish Trump’s tweet against al-Maliki’s nomination

Political parties paid $35 million to a company to publish Trump’s tweet against al-Maliki’s nomination

1-30-2026

Information/Anbar
An official source in Anbar province revealed on Friday that the publication of former US President Donald Trump’s tweet in which he expressed his rejection of the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki, the Coordination Framework’s candidate, for the premiership, cost political parties hostile to al-Maliki about $35 million.

The source explained Read more…

Western report: Maliki’s return and Khamenei’s assassination could restructure the political system in Iraq

Western report: Maliki’s return and Khamenei’s assassination could restructure the political system in Iraq

2026-01-30

Shafaq News – Special Translation
A US report warned that Nouri al-Maliki assuming the premiership and the overthrow of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei could ultimately lead to a restructuring of the political system in Iraq.

A report by the US-based Al-Monitor website, translated by Read more…

Trump’s envoy to Iraq responds to rumors of his dismissal: They are fueled by militia networks.

Trump’s envoy to Iraq responds to rumors of his dismissal: They are fueled by militia networks.

2026-01-30

Shafaq News – Washington / Baghdad
Mark Savaya, the US president’s special envoy to Iraq, strongly denied rumors of his dismissal, according to a report published Friday by Amberin Zaman, senior correspondent for the US website “Al-Monitor”.

Zaman quoted Savaya in a post on the “X-Twitter” platform (formerly) as saying, Read more…

Al-Qabbani: Trump is “rude,” and the coordinating framework faces two options regarding the nomination of the prime minister.

Al-Qabbani: Trump is “rude,” and the coordinating framework faces two options regarding the nomination of the prime minister.

2026-01-30 03:14

Shafaq News – Najaf
The Friday prayer leader of Najaf, Sadr al-Din al-Qubanchi, directed harsh criticism at US President Donald Trump for refusing to nominate Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, for the position of Prime Minister, considering that the Shiite coordination framework is now faced with two options, and no third, Read more…

Monetary and financial measures to control the market and protect the Iraqi dinar

Monetary and financial measures to control the market and protect the Iraqi dinar

2026/01/29

As part of the government’s efforts to regulate the market and enhance monetary stability, the relevant financial institutions continue to implement a package of integrated policies aimed at protecting the exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar and reducing the impact Read more…