IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Manipulating the Army: Halbousi Uses Military Aircraft for Elections, and the Ministry of Defense Is Complicit in Corruption

Manipulating the Army: Halbousi Uses Military Aircraft for Elections, and the Ministry of Defense Is Complicit in Corruption

8-9-2025

Information / Exclusive..
In a strange scene that sparked controversy, Mohammed al-Halbousi used military aircraft to travel between governorates to meet with his voters, most recently visiting Kirkuk Governorate (only 350 km from Baghdad). He is merely the head of a political party, without holding any official position in the Iraqi state. This raises many questions Read more…

The Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline: Iraq’s lifeline to the Mediterranean via Syria

The Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline: Iraq’s lifeline to the Mediterranean via Syria

2025-08-09 00:06

Shafaq News – Kirkuk
Amidst the region’s geopolitical challenges and fluctuations in global oil markets, talk of the Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline has resurfaced. This project, which for decades remained locked in political and security matters, has resurfaced as a strategic asset that provides Iraq with a vital outlet to the Mediterranean, freeing it from Read more…

A striking discrepancy in the ratios of credit to deposits in Iraqi banks

A striking discrepancy in the ratios of credit to deposits in Iraqi banks

2025-08-09 03:53

Shafaq News – Baghdad
In a recent analysis of Iraqi banking data for 2025, economic expert Munar Al-Obaidi revealed a striking discrepancy in credit-to-deposit ratios among banks, raising questions about the banking sector’s lending mechanisms.

Al-Obaidi explained, in a statement he made today, Saturday, and received by Shafaq News Agency, that banks can be divided into three categories: the first is Read more…

Maliki’s coalition warns of “corrupt candidates” and describes the electoral situation as “chaotic.”

Maliki’s coalition warns of “corrupt candidates” and describes the electoral situation as “chaotic.”

2025-08-09 06:49

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Zuhair al-Jalabi, a leader in Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition, explained on Saturday that the Coordination Framework is not a political alliance in the traditional sense, but rather a coordination effort between large and influential political blocs representing the main Shiite component, given the absence of Read more…

SOMO again denies allegations of oil mixing and smuggling.

SOMO again denies allegations of oil mixing and smuggling.

2025-08-09

The Director General of the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), Ali Nizar, denied on Friday (August 8, 2025) the existence of any oil mixing or smuggling operations in Iraqi ports or territorial waters.

Nizar said in a press statement that “there is no international or local evidence Read more…

Ministry of Planning: More than 700 trillion dinars is the expected revenue in the development plan.

Ministry of Planning: More than 700 trillion dinars is the expected revenue in the development plan.

2025-08-09

The Ministry of Planning announced, today, Saturday, that the total revenues expected to be achieved during the five-year development plan period 2024-2028 will amount to about (710) trillion dinars, as the official spokesman for the Ministry, Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, stated to the official agency, that “the largest proportion of these revenues will come from Read more…

Former MP: The government is sending salaries to corrupt individuals in the region instead of delivering them to employees.

Former MP: The government is sending salaries to corrupt individuals in the region instead of delivering them to employees.

8-8-2025

Al-Maalouma/Baghdad…
Former MP Ghaleb Mohammed criticized the federal government’s procrastination in resolving the issue of localizing salaries for Kurdistan Region employees, stressing that the government sends salaries to corrupt officials in the regional government instead of sending them Read more…

Report recommends a “light, smart, and sustainable” US presence in Iraq to prevent chaos

Report recommends a “light, smart, and sustainable” US presence in Iraq to prevent chaos

2025-08-08 04:23

Shafaq News – Special Translation
The US website Small Wars Journal reported that the United States is capable of engaging in Iraq with a “light, smart, and sustained presence,” even if its priorities focus on Read more…

The government is moving forward to maximize non-oil revenues.

The government is moving forward to maximize non-oil revenues.

08/07/2025

The Prime Minister’s Financial Advisor, Dr. Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, affirmed that the government is proceeding with maximizing non-oil revenues. He explained that the launch of bonuses and promotions falls within the framework of fiscal policy and operational spending, and represents an important step toward achieving Read more…

Finance Committee: Directive to be patient regarding the 2025 budget and prepare for 2026

Finance Committee: Directive to be patient regarding the 2025 budget and prepare for 2026

8-7-2025

Al-Maalouma / Special..
The Parliamentary Finance Committee considered, on Thursday, the government’s delay in submitting the 2025 budget tables to the House of Representatives for approval until now a legal violation.
Committee member Moeen Al-Kadhimi told Al-Maalouma Agency, “The government’s delay in submitting the 2025 budget tables is a legal violation, as Read more…

Al-Sudani grants state lands to his advisors and relatives. A call to the judiciary to strip him of his powers and curb his exploitation of the people’s resources.

Al-Sudani grants state lands to his advisors and relatives. A call to the judiciary to strip him of his powers and curb his exploitation of the people’s resources.

8-7-2025

Information / Special ..
“In a controversial move, Al-Sudani granted approvals to distribute residential land to his advisors and relatives, depriving the poor and deserving of their rights in a suspicious distribution policy.
This move has sparked widespread controversy in Iraq, where the government headed by Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani continues to implement residential land Read more…

Government accused of turning a blind eye to corruption at the Iraqi General Ports Company

Government accused of turning a blind eye to corruption at the Iraqi General Ports Company

8-7-2025

Al-Maalouma / Baghdad..
The head of the Parliamentary Committee No. 160, MP Yasser Al-Husseini, accused the government on Thursday of ignoring serious corruption files in the General Company for Iraqi Ports.
Al-Husseini told Al-Maalouma Agency, “The government knows the extent of corruption in Iraqi ports, but it is not taking any action Read more…

Oil expert: US “No Iranian Energy” law will put Iraq in a serious crisis

Oil expert: US “No Iranian Energy” law will put Iraq in a serious crisis

2025-08-07 01:03

Shafaq News – Basra
Iraq faces serious energy challenges amid mounting US pressure and accusations of widespread smuggling, including of Qayyarah oil and black oil via seaports. This could directly impact the country’s energy stability and threaten its regional and international relations.

Oil expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi told Shafaq News Agency, “Iraq is under significant Read more…

Worth thousands of dollars, the most expensive bag of rice in Kirkuk’s history was returned to its owner after being purchased by chance.

Worth thousands of dollars, the most expensive bag of rice in Kirkuk’s history was returned to its owner after being purchased by chance.

2025-08-07 01:55

Shafaq News – Kirkuk
A citizen in Kirkuk Governorate was able to find a large sum of money, exceeding 25 million Iraqi dinars, Read more…

Iraq exports more than 8 million barrels of oil to the US in July.

Iraq exports more than 8 million barrels of oil to the US in July.

2025-08-07 02:19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The U.S. Energy Information Administration announced on Thursday that Iraq’s crude oil exports to the United States exceeded 8 million barrels during July.

The administration stated in a table seen by Shafaq News Agency that Iraq exported 8.370 million barrels of oil to the United States in July, up from Read more…

The Iraqi Electricity Corporation announces achieving the “highest production in the country’s history”: 28,000 megawatts.

The Iraqi Electricity Corporation announces achieving the “highest production in the country’s history”: 28,000 megawatts.

2025-08-07 02:28

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadhil announced on Thursday that Iraq had achieved an unprecedented record of 28,000 megawatts of power production, the first time in the country’s history.

“Despite the challenges, we have reached peak production thanks to Read more…

Exclusive: The Coordination Framework agrees on the “necessity” of the US presence and reveals messages from Maliki and Hakim.

Exclusive: The Coordination Framework agrees on the “necessity” of the US presence and reveals messages from Maliki and Hakim.

2025-08-06 07:54

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Rahman al-Jazairi, a leader in the Coordination Framework, confirmed on Wednesday that the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq on the scheduled date is “unrealistic,” noting that renewing the security agreement between Baghdad and Washington is “a strongly considered option” after Read more…

Economist: The Ministry of Finance is currently unable to submit the draft budget, and identifies the reasons.

Economist: The Ministry of Finance is currently unable to submit the draft budget, and identifies the reasons.

2025/08/06

Economic expert Rashid Al-Saadi confirmed that the Iraqi economy faces a number of challenges that hinder its stability, most notably those related to the region, in addition to corruption issues and its connection to the US Federal Reserve.
Al-Saadi told Al Furat News Agency that “the Ministry of Finance is currently unable Read more…

Al-Sudani: The Faw investment refinery will be a turning point in the oil industry.

Al-Sudani: The Faw investment refinery will be a turning point in the oil industry.

8-6-2025

Al-Maalouma/Baghdad..
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stressed on Wednesday the economic importance of the Faw investment refinery project, noting that it will be a turning point in the oil industry.
The Prime Minister’s media office said in a statement Read more…

Between incompetence and misconduct… Is the end of Al-Mashhadani’s presidency approaching?

Between incompetence and misconduct… Is the end of Al-Mashhadani’s presidency approaching?

8-6-2025

Information/Report
Amid a tense political climate and growing divisions among parliamentary blocs, Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani faces widespread criticism within parliament, amid accusations of inability to manage sessions and public calls for his dismissal.

The legislative establishment is experiencing a state of near-total paralysis Read more…