IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

What does Washington want from the Kurdistan Region?

What does Washington want from the Kurdistan Region?

2026-09-22 03:09

Dr. Ahmed Fateh Mohammed
A closer, more strategic analysis of US Chargé d’Affaires Steven Fagin’s visit to Erbil and his meetings with Kurdistan Region leaders reveals that its significance cannot be confined to the protocol statements issued by the two ruling parties (the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan). This visit transcends standard diplomatic norms, revealing a structural shift in US strategy Read more…

Yarallah, after unifying the Peshmerga: Integration with the Iraqi army strengthens the national defense system.

Yarallah, after unifying the Peshmerga: Integration with the Iraqi army strengthens the national defense system.

2026-09-22

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, Iraqi Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, stressed the importance of continued coordination, cooperation and integration between the Iraqi armed forces and the Peshmerga forces, emphasizing that they are an integral part of the national defense system.

In a statement issued on the occasion of the announcement of the unification Read more…

Besmaya station preparation: Oil Ministry announces investment in 25 million cubic feet of gas from the East Baghdad field

Besmaya station preparation: Oil Ministry announces investment in 25 million cubic feet of gas from the East Baghdad field

2026-09-22

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Gas Affairs, Izzat Saber Ismail, announced on Tuesday the completion and operation of a unit for processing associated gas in the East Baghdad/Southern Region field, with a capacity of 25 million standard cubic feet per day (25 million cubic feet per day), as part of the Ministry’s plans to maximize the investment in associated gas and reduce Read more…

National Security Advisor confirms to Fagen: We are proceeding with the implementation of the state’s monopoly on weapons.

National Security Advisor confirms to Fagen: We are proceeding with the implementation of the state’s monopoly on weapons.

2026-09-22

Shafaq News – Baghdad
National Security Advisor Qasim al-Aboudi affirmed on Tuesday the Iraqi government’s commitment, under the leadership of Ali al-Zaidi, to implementing the government program, particularly restricting weapons to the state, during his meeting with the US Chargé d’Affaires to Iraq, Steven Fagin.

The National Security Advisor’s office said Read more…

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announces the launch of the first batch of “Starlink” devices in Iraq within days.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announces the launch of the first batch of “Starlink” devices in Iraq within days.

9-22-2026

The Media and Communications Commission announced on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) that the first batch of Starlink devices will be launched for users in Iraq in the next few days, after the completion of all customs procedures and tax transactions.

The commission stated in a statement issued by the Media and Government Communication Office that it continues to follow up on the issue of the company’s suspended shipments of devices Read more…

The Parliamentary Finance Committee hosts the Association of Private Banks to discuss the banking sector.

The Parliamentary Finance Committee hosts the Association of Private Banks to discuss the banking sector.

9-22-2026

The Parliamentary Finance Committee hosted the Association of Private Banks on Tuesday to discuss the banking sector, as the official agency reported that “the Parliamentary Finance Committee held a workshop entitled (The Iraqi Banking Sector: Evaluation, Modernization, and Reform).

She added that “the committee hosted the Association of Private Banks during the workshop,” and also mentioned that “the Parliamentary Finance Committee Read more…

Al-Kinani: Washington has set 10 points for the continued transfer of Iraqi funds

Al-Kinani: Washington has set 10 points for the continued transfer of Iraqi funds

9-21-2026

Information/Special…
Economic and strategic expert Nasser al-Kinani revealed on Monday that the United States has set ten conditions for the continued transfer of Iraqi funds, including the surrender of weapons. He emphasized that these funds belong to Iraq and are not a US grant.
Speaking to the Information Agency, al-Kinani stated, “The United States has set ten conditions for the continued transfer of funds to Iraq, including Read more…

Jassem Mohammed: Postponing parliamentary sessions may change the cabinet nominees.

Jassem Mohammed: Postponing parliamentary sessions may change the cabinet nominees.

9-21-2026

The Secretary-General of the Turkmen Islamic Union, Jassim Mohammed, revealed on Monday that the continued postponement of parliamentary sessions could affect the nominations for the cabinet. He explained that the delays might impact the chances of some nominees being approved during the voting sessions.
Mohammed told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “Every postponement of parliamentary sessions could create a delay in finalizing the cabinet nominees, Read more…

In the presence of Al-Zaydi, the Coordination Committee opens files on government vacancies, European outcomes, and the New York visit.

In the presence of Al-Zaydi, the Coordination Committee opens files on government vacancies, European outcomes, and the New York visit.

2026-09-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday evening, the Coordination Framework held its periodic meeting in the presence of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi to discuss the latest national and regional developments, foremost among them the completion of the government formation.

According to an official statement issued after the meeting Read more…

35% of oil shipments departing through the Strait of Hormuz are Iraqi.

35% of oil shipments departing through the Strait of Hormuz are Iraqi.

2026-09-21

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Data from Kpler showed a decline in shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz last week, with the number of vessels transiting the vital waterway for the region’s oil exports continuing to fall.

The data showed that Saudi Arabia accounted for about half of these exports, while Iraq’s share was 35% of the total crude oil shipments that left the strait Read more…

The secrets of September 30th that will forcibly reshape the map of the Middle East

The secrets of September 30th that will forcibly reshape the map of the Middle East

2026-09-20 23:31

Venus Baban
September 30, 2026, does not represent a traditional military withdrawal of the international coalition, but rather a pivotal geostrategic turning point for redrawing the rules of deterrence and financial balances in the Middle East. We are facing a new security architecture that moves the actors from managing the land to controlling alternative economic networks and corridors amidst the escalating maritime straits war.

Behind the scenes of the lightning diplomacy: The secrets of Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s trip to Washington Read more…

Warning of a “deep recession” in Iraq as trade and finance decline

Warning of a “deep recession” in Iraq as trade and finance decline

2026-09-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, economist Manar Al-Obaidi warned of signs of a significant decline in Iraqi economic activity, particularly in the commercial sector, indicating that the decline in the Central Bank’s foreign currency sales, the decrease in imports, and the decline in bank financing could push the economy into a more pronounced Read more…

Masrour Barzani: Unifying the Peshmerga is a historic day for Kurdistan

Masrour Barzani: Unifying the Peshmerga is a historic day for Kurdistan

2026-09-21

Shafaq News – Erbil
Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani confirmed on Monday that the process of unifying the Peshmerga forces under the umbrella of the Ministry of Peshmerga and with a single structure “has been successfully completed” and that this is a historic day for Kurdistan, stressing the importance of strengthening and developing its military and defense capabilities in accordance with international Read more…

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…