IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

The head of the “Ishraqat Kanoun” bloc told Al-Maalouma: Creating new positions hinders parliamentary oversight… and raising the dollar exchange rate is killing the dinar.

The head of the “Ishraqat Kanoun” bloc told Al-Maalouma: Creating new positions hinders parliamentary oversight… and raising the dollar exchange rate is killing the dinar.

10-17-2026

Information / Press Interview…
In light of the rapid political and economic developments in Iraq, there is an urgent need to review the state’s administrative structure and the files of financial and oversight reform. To shed light on these issues, the Information Agency interviewed Dr. Haider al-Mutairi, head of the Ishraqat Kanun parliamentary bloc, who strongly criticized the government’s expansion efforts, describing them as “disguised sectarian quotas.” Al-Mutairi also outlined his bloc’s vision for combating corruption, the reasons for the decline of the local currency, and their firm stance on Read more…

Washington: Corruption hinders investment in Iraq despite promising opportunities

Washington: Corruption hinders investment in Iraq despite promising opportunities

2026-10-17

Shafaq News – Washington
On Friday evening, the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs at the U.S. State Department issued a report on the investment climate in Iraq for 2026, concluding that corruption, bureaucracy, weak financing and security challenges top the list of obstacles to investment, while noting that the energy, agriculture, industry and technology sectors stand out as the most promising opportunities. Read more…

The head of the International Monetary Fund pledges “strong” support for Iraq.

The head of the International Monetary Fund pledges “strong” support for Iraq.

2026-10-17

Shafaq News – Follow-up
The head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, announced on Saturday that the Fund intends to “strongly” support Iraq through a much-needed loan program.

“We will provide Iraq with financial and policy support,” Georgieva explained at a closing press conference of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Bangkok. Read more…

The Islamic Cooperation Council session kicks off in Baghdad, and Al-Zaidi calls for the protection of international trade (Update)

The Islamic Cooperation Council session kicks off in Baghdad, and Al-Zaidi calls for the protection of international trade (Update)

2026-10-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi inaugurated the 52nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, hosted by the capital, Baghdad.

The official spokesperson for the 52nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ambassador Hassanein Kamel, said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the session began with the participation of official Read more…

Iraqi oil production is gradually recovering, reaching 4.4 million barrels per day during the month.

Iraqi oil production is gradually recovering, reaching 4.4 million barrels per day during the month.

2026-10-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Eco Iraq Observatory announced on Saturday that Iraq’s oil production for last September recorded the highest daily rate since the beginning of 2026, at 4.399 million barrels per day.

The observatory said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Iraqi oil production maintained its usual levels during January and February, with an average exceeding Read more…

Washington renews its support for al-Zaidi’s “vision” despite the controversy surrounding the government formation.

Washington renews its support for al-Zaidi’s “vision” despite the controversy surrounding the government formation.

2026-10-17

Shafaq News – Special Translation
The US administration has reaffirmed its support for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in achieving his vision, despite criticisms regarding the completion of the government formation, particularly concerning the position of deputy prime minister, which was obtained by Asaib Ahl al-Haq, according to Voice of America radio .

The American radio station reported, in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency, that the completion of al-Zaidi’s Read more…

More than 17 billion dinars in tax revenues have disappeared from a government bank.

More than 17 billion dinars in tax revenues have disappeared from a government bank.

2026-10-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Saturday the disappearance of sums of money exceeding 17 billion Iraqi dinars, belonging to revenue collection and electronic accounts in one of the government banks.

According to the source speaking to Shafaq News Agency, the Federal Integrity Commission and the Federal Board of Financial Control are required to intervene to investigate the reasons for the disappearance of these funds, review the financial records and Read more…

Iraq imports $70 billion annually, raising concerns about a rentier economy.

Iraq imports $70 billion annually, raising concerns about a rentier economy.

2026-10-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Ministry of Trade affirmed on Saturday that its affiliated entities play a “pivotal role” in implementing the country’s economic policy by regulating commercial activity, maintaining market stability, ensuring fair prices, and guaranteeing the availability of goods to citizens with reliable quality.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Trade, Sattar Al-Jabri, told Shafaq News Agency that “the ministry’s responsibility is not limited to protecting the livelihood of citizens, but extends to Read more…

Expert: Iraq undermines the justification for changing the dollar exchange rate by borrowing from the IMF

Expert: Iraq undermines the justification for changing the dollar exchange rate by borrowing from the IMF

2026-10-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Economic expert Ziad al-Hashemi confirmed on Saturday that Iraq, after submitting a request for loans from the International Monetary Fund, has become the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to take this step, noting that negotiations between the two sides have already begun, amid expectations that the Fund will support Iraq’s access to financing. Read more…

Diyala completes the first phase of the 50,000 free residential land plots project

Diyala completes the first phase of the 50,000 free residential land plots project

10-16-2026

The local government in Diyala announced on Friday the completion of the first phase of the one million free residential plots project, within the province’s allocated share of approximately 50,000 plots, in accordance with directives issued by the federal government.
Diyala Deputy Governor Hassan al-Jubouri told Al-Maalomah that “the local government has formed a central committee to proceed with the implementation of the one million free residential plots project, under which Read more…

The government is not yet complete… Parliament votes on 11 ministers and 3 deputy prime ministers

The government is not yet complete… Parliament votes on 11 ministers and 3 deputy prime ministers

2026-10-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi parliament voted on Thursday evening to approve three deputy prime ministers, including Ali al-Zaidi, and 11 candidates for vacant ministerial posts, including a minister of state.

This came during the 26th session held by Parliament, chaired by Speaker Hebat Al-Halbousi, and attended by 261 members of parliament.

The media office of the House of Representatives said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the members of the council voted on the deputy prime ministers, namely Mohsen Ali Akbar Al-Mandalawi, Read more…

Framework: Completing the formation of the government is a step towards strengthening political stability.

Framework: Completing the formation of the government is a step towards strengthening political stability.

2026-10-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Coordination Framework on Thursday welcomed the completion of the government formation and the obtaining of the confidence of the House of Representatives for the Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers, wishing them success in assuming their national responsibilities and serving the people of Iraq.

The framework confirmed, in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, that the completion of the government Read more…

High-level Iraqi presence at the Washington arms exhibition to develop and equip the army’s capabilities

High-level Iraqi presence at the Washington arms exhibition to develop and equip the army’s capabilities

2026-10-16

Shafaq News – Washington / Baghdad
The Commander of the Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Qasim Muhammad Saleh Al-Muhammadi, attended the American Defense Weapons Exhibition in Washington on Friday.

The Iraqi Ministry of Defense stated in a statement that Lieutenant General Al-Muhammadi met on the sidelines of his attendance at the exhibition with a group of leaders of the ground forces of the world’s countries, where he was briefed on the latest technologies, Read more…

Following the completion of the cabinet, the Iraqi Communist Party calls for a popular movement against sectarian power-sharing.

Following the completion of the cabinet, the Iraqi Communist Party calls for a popular movement against sectarian power-sharing.

2026-10-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Friday, the Iraqi Communist Party called on national and democratic political forces, popular forces, unions, federations and protest movements to unite and build the broadest peaceful popular movement for change, and to confront the monopoly of power and wealth.

The Political Bureau of the Iraqi Communist Party stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “after more than five months of disruption and conflict over quotas and Read more…

The Iraqi Development Bank rejects US Treasury accusations: This is a reputation issue.

The Iraqi Development Bank rejects US Treasury accusations: This is a reputation issue.

2026-10-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The International Development Bank for Investment and Finance rejected on Friday what it described as “accusations by the US Treasury,” stressing that it is dealing with developments related to this matter with the utmost seriousness, responsibility and transparency.

The administration stated in a statement Read more…

Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers take the constitutional oath

Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers take the constitutional oath

10-16-2026

On Thursday, the Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers took the constitutional oath before the House of Representatives.

On Thursday evening, the House of Representatives voted to complete the cabinet. Read more…

The US Treasury imposes sanctions on the International Development Bank

The US Treasury imposes sanctions on the International Development Bank

10-16-2026

The US Treasury Department announced on Thursday (October 15, 2026) that it had imposed economic sanctions on the Iraqi International Development Bank, stating that the bank “facilitated access to US dollars for Iran in violation of the economic sanctions imposed on it.”

The official report issued via the Treasury website confirmed that the bank registered in Iraq “contributed to delivering dollars to Iran and misused the dissolved currency auction to finance Read more…

The government’s measures to reduce the number of advisors and streamline spending are an important step towards supporting public financial management.

The government’s measures to reduce the number of advisors and streamline spending are an important step towards supporting public financial management.

10-16-2026

As part of efforts to rationalize spending and enhance the efficiency of public finance management, Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi affirmed that “the Deputy Prime Ministers will perform their duties without salaries or financial allowances,” noting that “their appointment will not require new appointments, but rather they will be assigned through nomination from the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers or the ministries, as needed.”

Al-Zaydi also explained that “based on the provisions of Read more…

A deputy reveals a political agreement to vote on al-Zidi’s deputies and ministers as a “single package”.

A deputy reveals a political agreement to vote on al-Zidi’s deputies and ministers as a “single package”.

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, Ali Al-Azirjawi, a member of the State of Law bloc, revealed that there is a political agreement to vote on the deputy prime ministers and the vacant and newly created ministries as a “single package”.

Al-Azirjawi explained to Shafaq News Agency that “the session is proceeding today and will be held within the next hour, and there is no disagreement between the political blocs.” Read more…

Ahead of the session, MPs announce their refusal to vote on creating new ministries in the government.

Ahead of the session, MPs announce their refusal to vote on creating new ministries in the government.

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A group of members of the House of Representatives announced on Thursday their rejection of creating the positions of deputy prime ministers or creating ministries “based on partisan quotas at a time of responsibility to rationalize spending,” as they put it.

MP Haider Al-Mutairi said during a press conference held at the parliament Read more…