IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Once again, a “liquidity crisis” delays funding for employee salaries for September.

Once again, a “liquidity crisis” delays funding for employee salaries for September.

2026-09-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Monday that the funding for employee salaries for the current month of September has not been released despite its near end, noting that no ministry has received funding for its employees’ salaries so far.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the delay in salary payments witnessed in previous months is recurring this month due to the failure to Read more…

Iraqi factions on the table… Trump brings together al-Zaidi and Arab leaders in New York

Iraqi factions on the table… Trump brings together al-Zaidi and Arab leaders in New York

2026-09-21

Shafaq News – Special Translation
Iraq is preparing to participate in an upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Arab and Gulf officials in New York, at a time when attention is focused on the repercussions of the US-Iran war and the future of relations with Tehran, coinciding with the near end of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq, and the return of the issue of weapons of armed factions supported by Iran to the forefront of regional and international Read more…

Al-Awadi from Salah al-Din: We are proceeding with restricting weapons to the state and taking over the security file in the provinces.

Al-Awadi from Salah al-Din: We are proceeding with restricting weapons to the state and taking over the security file in the provinces.

2026-09-21

Shafaq News – Salah al-Din
Iraqi Interior Minister Hussein al-Awadi confirmed on Monday that the government is proceeding with the implementation of the decision to restrict weapons to the state and official security forces, noting that procedures related to this file will continue during the coming months, in conjunction with the ministry’s preparations to take over the security file in all governorates. Read more…

Kurdistan Presidency: Baghdad is responsible for protecting oil facilities after September 30

Kurdistan Presidency: Baghdad is responsible for protecting oil facilities after September 30

2026-09-21

Shafaq News – Erbil
On Monday, the spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Presidency, Dilshad Shahab, confirmed that the federal government will bear a great responsibility for defending Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, after September 30, particularly in the airspace, noting that protecting the region’s oil facilities is part of this responsibility. Read more…

Since 1990, Iraq has ranked 154th globally in per capita growth.

Since 1990, Iraq has ranked 154th globally in per capita growth.

2026-09-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq ranked 154th globally out of 176 countries in the ranking of countries where per capita real GDP achieved the fastest growth during the period from 1990 to 2025, recording an increase of 14%, according to a ranking published by the Canadian website Visual Capitalist, which specializes in economics and data.

According to the classification seen by Shafaq News Agency, Iraq’s per capita GDP, calculated according to Read more…

Banning advisors’ statements: a restriction on access to information or “discipline”?

Banning advisors’ statements: a restriction on access to information or “discipline”?

2026-09-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Political and media specialists in Iraq confirm that regulating government media discourse can reduce conflicting official statements and positions, but they pointed out that the nature and limits of this unification procedures can affect the scope of dialogue and sources of information.

On Saturday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi directed that all advisors and Read more…

From a dinar that could buy the world… to a dollar that buys Iraq

From a dinar that could buy the world… to a dollar that buys Iraq

9-21-2026

Amer Al-Omran
Today, the Iraqi stands before the history of his dinar as one stands before an old photograph of a house he once lived in; he contemplates its features, searches for something familiar, then returns to the present and finds that the place is the same place, but things have lost much of their meaning.

In 1975, one US dollar was worth approximately 0.295 Iraqi dinars, meaning one dinar was worth more than three dollars at the nominal exchange rate at the time. Today, one dollar requires approximately Read more…

The Iraqi dinar between strong reserves and a crisis of confidence: Will the dollar’s turmoil turn into wider economic pressures?

The Iraqi dinar between strong reserves and a crisis of confidence: Will the dollar’s turmoil turn into wider economic pressures?

9-21-2026

Researcher Shatha Khalil*
The significance of the Central Bank of Iraq’s recent statement lies not only in its reaffirmation of the country’s sufficient foreign currency reserves, but also in its timing and what it reveals about the nature of the pressures facing the Iraqi economy. On September 19, 2026, the Central Bank confirmed its ability to meet the demand for foreign currency to finance foreign trade, settle bank card transactions, and provide dollars to Read more…

Exceptional measures at Harir base… A new American convoy departs Erbil

Exceptional measures at Harir base… A new American convoy departs Erbil

9-20-2026

Information/Erbil…
Informed sources revealed on Sunday that exceptional security measures have been imposed around the Harir base near Erbil, coinciding with the departure of a new convoy of US forces as part of the withdrawal of their forces before September 30.

The sources explained to Al-Maalomah that “Al-Harir base witnessed, at the early hours of dawn, exceptional security measures, coinciding with helicopters flying overhead Read more…

The decision on the vacant ministerial positions has been postponed until next month.

The decision on the vacant ministerial positions has been postponed until next month.

9-20-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Member of Parliament Ghalib Muhammad suggested that the decision on the vacant ministerial positions in Al-Zidi’s government would be delayed until next month, noting that there were internal and external factors that were the reason for the delay in completing the government throughout the past period.

Mohammed told Al-Maalomah that “the resolution of the remaining ministries Read more…

There is no security with a foreign presence… Iraq is moving towards regaining its sovereign decision-making power.

There is no security with a foreign presence… Iraq is moving towards regaining its sovereign decision-making power.

9-20-2026

Information/Report…
Some biased political parties that support the presence of the occupier continue to issue statements and warnings about the destabilization of security and stability after the American military withdrawal from Iraq. This comes at a time when many political parties and competent authorities confirm that the security forces, in all their branches, have been Read more…

Vacant ministries await resolution… Movement within the framework to propose new candidates

Vacant ministries await resolution… Movement within the framework to propose new candidates

9-20-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Alaa Sabah revealed on Sunday that there is intensive political activity within the Coordination Framework forces aimed at finalizing the nomination of candidates for the vacant ministerial portfolios in the government in preparation for presenting them to Parliament.

Sabah told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the forces of the Coordination Framework are intensifying their meetings and internal understandings to Read more…

Discounted oil and customs exemptions… What did Jordan offer in return for Iraqi concessions?

Discounted oil and customs exemptions… What did Jordan offer in return for Iraqi concessions?

9-20-2026

Information / Report
While the Iraqi street faces accumulating economic and living challenges, the issue of oil and trade relations between Baghdad and Amman has resurfaced, sparking a massive wave of popular and political astonishment and condemnation.

The criticism centers on the insistence of successive governments on granting the Jordanian side extensive customs exemptions and major economic privileges, allowing it to obtain Iraqi oil at preferential prices that are almost free, without any tangible return that serves the Iraqi Read more…

Al-Moussawi calls for the US Federal Reserve to lift its control over Iraqi oil sales.

Al-Moussawi calls for the US Federal Reserve to lift its control over Iraqi oil sales.

9-20-2026

Information/Special…
MP Mukhtar al-Moussawi called on Sunday for lifting the US Federal Reserve’s control over Iraqi oil sales, noting that the oil revenue file represents a pressure tactic that has been used repeatedly against Iraq.
Al-Moussawi explained to Al-Maalouma that “the established procedure dictates that the proceeds from Iraqi oil sales are deposited in dollars into accounts at the US Federal Reserve before reaching Read more…

Key Card confirms a halt in electronic payment operations

Key Card confirms a halt in electronic payment operations

2026-09-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Key Card, the company responsible for electronic payment cards, issued a statement on Sunday confirming that some outages had occurred and that it was working to resolve them.

The company said in a statement: We would like to assure Key card users that your cards are operating normally inside and outside Iraq, with some limited Read more…

Masrour Barzani calls for the confiscation of weapons and the activation of the Kurdistan Parliament to form the new government.

Masrour Barzani calls for the confiscation of weapons and the activation of the Kurdistan Parliament to form the new government.

2026-09-20

Shafaq News – Erbil
Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani renewed on Sunday his support for the process of restricting weapons to the state throughout Iraq, while calling on boycotting members of the regional parliament to end their boycott and carry out their legislative duties in preparation for the formation of the new government. Read more…

Al-Zaidi and world leaders in New York: The Middle East and artificial intelligence top the agenda at the United Nations meetings.

Al-Zaidi and world leaders in New York: The Middle East and artificial intelligence top the agenda at the United Nations meetings.

2026-09-20

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Around 130 heads of state and government are participating in the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York this week, amid anticipation of US President Donald Trump’s attendance for the second year in a row, and at a time when the widening scope of conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, along with the risks Read more…

The Federal Court postpones its decision on the formation of the Kurdistan government until October 26.

The Federal Court postpones its decision on the formation of the Kurdistan government until October 26.

2026-09-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Federal Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority in Iraq) decided on Sunday to postpone consideration of the case concerning the formation of the new government of the Kurdistan Region until next month.

According to the information received, the court has set October 26 as the new date for holding the session dedicated to this matter.

The decision to postpone comes in conjunction with what was announced yesterday, Saturday, by Ali Hama Salih, Read more…

Iraq’s domestic public debt exceeds 109 trillion dinars by the end of July

Iraq’s domestic public debt exceeds 109 trillion dinars by the end of July

2026-09-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Data from the Central Bank of Iraq showed that total domestic public debt rose to about 109.5 trillion dinars by the end of July 2026, compared to about 90.5 trillion dinars at the end of 2025, an increase of about 19 trillion dinars, or 21%, during seven months.

According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, domestic public debt rose from Read more…

Al-Rasheed launches loans for purchasing renewable energy systems

Al-Rasheed launches loans for purchasing renewable energy systems

2026-09-20

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, Al-Rasheed Bank announced the launch of loans for the purchase of renewable energy and solar energy systems, financed by the Central Bank of Iraq, with a maximum limit of 30 million dinars.

The bank stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the loans include citizens and employees, and are granted with a total interest rate of 3% Read more…