IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Political blocs and al-Zaydi agree to pass the cabinet next Thursday

Political blocs and al-Zaydi agree to pass the cabinet next Thursday

2026-10-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed political source reported on Monday evening that the political blocs and Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi have agreed to pass the cabinet on Thursday.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the leaders of the Coordination Framework agreed with Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi Read more…

Tom Barrack after meeting al-Zaidi: Iraq’s stability is not inherited, it is created by its leaders.

Tom Barrack after meeting al-Zaidi: Iraq’s stability is not inherited, it is created by its leaders.

2026-10-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barrack, praised the leadership of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, stressing that Iraq’s stability, security and prosperity have repercussions for the entire region.

Barak said in a post on the X platform, following his meeting with al-Zaidi, that “the meeting with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi was fruitful,” adding that “stability Read more…

The IMF predicts Iraq’s economy will contract by 16% in 2026 and experience strong growth in 2027.

The IMF predicts Iraq’s economy will contract by 16% in 2026 and experience strong growth in 2027.

2026-10-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that Iraq’s real GDP would contract by 16% in 2026, before growing by 19% in 2027, according to data from the World Economic Outlook report issued in October 2026, at a time when estimates indicate rising inflation and a worsening current account deficit during the current year.

According to the table on the economies of the Middle East and Central Asia in the report, Read more…

Al-Aboudi: America was heading towards bombing and besieging Iraq, and we averted this danger through economic companies.

Al-Aboudi: America was heading towards bombing and besieging Iraq, and we averted this danger through economic companies.

2026-10-13

Shafaq News – Erbil
Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Aboudi revealed on Tuesday that the United States had classified Iraq as one of its enemies and had resolved to launch military strikes and impose a blockade on the country, but Baghdad succeeded in averting this danger by establishing economic partnerships with Washington.

Al-Aboudi said during a dialogue session Read more…

In numbers: Reasons for granting Jordan a preferential price for Iraqi oil, $16 less

In numbers: Reasons for granting Jordan a preferential price for Iraqi oil, $16 less

2026-10-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Energy expert Assem Jihad explained on Tuesday the reason for the Iraqi-Jordanian agreement to export oil at a preferential price that is $16 per barrel lower than the monthly average price of Brent crude.

Jihad explained, during his interview with Shafaq News Agency, that this difference is distributed between transportation costs, differences in the quality of raw materials and fees, in addition to a financial saving for the Jordanian treasury. Read more…

Iraqi Oil: Move to invest in 70 million cubic feet per day of gas to boost electricity production

Iraqi Oil: Move to invest in 70 million cubic feet per day of gas to boost electricity production

2026-10-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Gas Affairs, Izzat Saber Ismail, stressed the importance of expediting the implementation of the associated gas investment project from the Buzurgan, Fakkah and Abu Gharb fields in Maysan Governorate, with a capacity of up to 70 million standard cubic feet per day, with the aim of supplying the national electricity grid and enhancing fuel supplies to power generation stations. Read more…

Damascus aspires to greater cooperation with Kurdistan and sends a “thank you message” to Nechirvan Barzani

Damascus aspires to greater cooperation with Kurdistan and sends a “thank you message” to Nechirvan Barzani

2026-10-13

Shafaq News – Erbil
Najib al-Ghadban, senior advisor to the Syrian Foreign Minister, revealed today that his country aspires to expand the horizons of cooperation and coordination with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, especially in the file of returning refugees, noting that the new Syria has opened a new page in its policy towards internal components and neighboring countries.

Al-Ghadhban told Shafaq News Agency, on the sidelines of his participation in the “Miri Forum” held in Erbil, Read more…

Following the change in the exchange rate, there is a move to pass the salary scale law.

Following the change in the exchange rate, there is a move to pass the salary scale law.

10-13-2026

Parliamentary demands are renewed to proceed with the proposed salary scale law, in light of the repercussions of the change in the dollar exchange rate, and the effects it may have on employees with limited income.

The head of the parliamentary finance committee, MP Uday Awad, said in a statement to the official newspaper that “the proposed salary scale law will be presented soon in the sessions of the House of Representatives, after it was prepared by the (Sadiqun) bloc following its study with specialists in financial and economic affairs.” Read more…

Al-Jurani: Basra’s commercial ports are a wasted economic asset.

Al-Jurani: Basra’s commercial ports are a wasted economic asset.

10-12-2026

Information/Special…
MP Qaisar al-Jurani affirmed on Monday that activating commercial ports in Basra Governorate is an economic necessity to revitalize trade and increase non-oil revenues, in addition to providing job opportunities for the governorate’s residents in the transportation, storage, and services sectors.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Jurani said, “Iraq’s geographical location, and Basra Governorate in particular, gives the country a strategic opportunity to Read more…

Al-Tamimi clarifies the legality and feasibility of paying salaries in dollars instead of dinars.

Al-Tamimi clarifies the legality and feasibility of paying salaries in dollars instead of dinars.

10-12-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Legal expert Ali Al-Tamimi explained the legality and possibility of moving towards paying salaries in Iraq in US dollars instead of Iraqi dinars.

Al-Tamimi told Al-Maalouma, “Iraq does not have any legal basis at present, and its application is Read more…

This week, Al-Hamami reveals details of the session to decide on the nine remaining ministerial portfolios in Al-Zidi’s government.

This week, Al-Hamami reveals details of the session to decide on the nine remaining ministerial portfolios in Al-Zidi’s government.

10-12-2026

Information/Special…
Former MP and State of Law Coalition member, Arif al-Hamami, confirmed on Monday that the session to decide on the nine remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali al-Zaidi’s government will be held this week.
Al-Hamami explained to Al-Maalouma that “through consultations, meetings, and dialogues among various political forces, including the Coordination Framework, the direction is towards holding a session of Parliament this week Read more…

Security forces raided money exchange offices in Anbar in search of speculators.

Security forces raided money exchange offices in Anbar in search of speculators.

10-12-2026

Al-Maalomah/Anbar…
A security source in Anbar province reported on Monday that security forces raided several currency exchange offices in Fallujah in search of individuals manipulating the dollar exchange rate.
The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “Security forces raided several currency exchange offices in Fallujah following information indicating the presence of individuals manipulating the official dollar exchange rate in a move that could affect the stock market for profit.” Read more…

Al-Shammari speaks about urgent steps to revive the economy and revitalize the markets.

Al-Shammari speaks about urgent steps to revive the economy and revitalize the markets.

10-12-2026

Information/Special…
Maysar al-Shammari, a leader in the Hikma Movement, emphasized on Monday the necessity of adopting economic diversification and activating the five pillars of agriculture, industry, technology, investment, and energy. He pointed out that these demands have been raised for years, but require practical steps for implementation.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Shammari said, “Iraq needs to diversify its Read more…

Agreement reached on eight ministries, but disagreement persists on the ninth… Uncertainty surrounds the fate of the nominee for the Ministry of Migration and Displacement.

Agreement reached on eight ministries, but disagreement persists on the ninth… Uncertainty surrounds the fate of the nominee for the Ministry of Migration and Displacement.

10-12-2026

Information/Baghdad…
An informed source revealed on Monday that disagreements over the nominee for the Ministry of Migration and Displacement remain unresolved, anticipating a postponement of the vote if it is presented along with the other eight ministerial posts.
The source explained to Al-Maalouma that “agreements have been reached on eight of the remaining nine ministerial portfolios in Ali al-Zaidi’s government, Read more…

Nechirvan Barzani: We are not the ones who “expelled” the American forces, and Baghdad and Kurdistan need air cover.

Nechirvan Barzani: We are not the ones who “expelled” the American forces, and Baghdad and Kurdistan need air cover.

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Erbil
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani confirmed on Monday that the region did not “expel” US forces, while stressing the need for air cover for Baghdad and Erbil.

This came during his participation in a special dialogue session within the activities of the “Miri” Forum held in Erbil.

Barzani stated during his speech: “The American forces and other forces that came to Iraq when ISIS emerged in 2014 came at the invitation of the Iraqi government and in accordance with an official letter. Read more…

Al-Zaydi reiterates the need to control currency exchange rates and prevent “speculation”.

Al-Zaydi reiterates the need to control currency exchange rates and prevent “speculation”.

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Nineveh
On Monday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi reiterated his commitment to controlling currency exchange rates in the country, preventing speculation, and eliminating price discrepancies between the official and parallel rates.

Al-Zaydi said during a meeting held at the Nineveh Governorate headquarters that “the government is proceeding with the implementation of its Read more…

Exclusive: Iraq is considering broad austerity measures, including merging agencies and reviewing officials’ salaries.

Exclusive: Iraq is considering broad austerity measures, including merging agencies and reviewing officials’ salaries.

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A government source revealed on Monday that there is a move to include broad measures to control public spending and rationalize expenditures within the draft federal budget law for 2027, including studying the merger of some independent bodies, and reviewing the salaries of certain categories and the pensions of some officials, as part of government efforts to address the financial crisis facing the country.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the government team assigned by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to Read more…

Al-Zidi to Total and Conoco: We want to invest in gas and stop importing it completely

Al-Zidi to Total and Conoco: We want to invest in gas and stop importing it completely

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi discussed with delegations from the French company Total Energies and the American company ConocoPhillips the mechanisms for investing in oil and associated gas in the Ibn Omar field in Basra Governorate, and setting time limits for increasing production in the field and the rest of the oil fields.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Al-Zaidi received the CEO of Total Energies, Patrick Pouyanné, and the CEO of ConocoPhillips, Andy O’Brien, and their accompanying Read more…

Procedures for verifying the academic credentials of all state officials

Procedures for verifying the academic credentials of all state officials

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, MP Mohammed Al-Khafaji revealed a move to audit the academic credentials of all state officials.

Al-Khafaji said in a post on social media that an official letter issued by the administrative department of the House of Representatives requires members of the council to submit their graduation documents for the three educational stages: primary, intermediate and preparatory, for the purpose of auditing. Read more…

Raising the exchange rate is not the alternative to overcoming the crisis.

Raising the exchange rate is not the alternative to overcoming the crisis.

2026-10-12

Majed Zeidan
Last week, the government changed the exchange rate by devaluing the dinar by 15.17%, bringing it to 1520 per 100 dollars. This came after assurances and obfuscations from senior officials that the exchange rate was fixed, that there was no intention to change it, that salaries were guaranteed, and that there were no problems in the national economy. However, leaks revealed that the coordination framework and the government had been holding continuous discussions and exploring alternatives for over a month. This provided an opportunity for some close to decision-making centers to accumulate dollars from the market and get rid of dinars, which was the reason for the continued high exchange rate. Whether the price rises or falls, they profit Read more…