IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Al-Zaydi’s advisor: The 2027 budget will be the most difficult for Iraq.

Al-Zaydi’s advisor: The 2027 budget will be the most difficult for Iraq.

9-1-2026

Information / Baghdad..
The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Tuesday that the government is moving towards enacting a new law that regulates borrowing, grants, and sources of funding, while indicating that the salaries of employees are fully secured until the end of 2026.

Saleh told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “Iraq has sufficient mechanisms to finance basic financial obligations, but the 2027 budget will be the most difficult for the country, given the continued Read more…

Parliamentary Finance Committee: No concerns regarding salaries; 2027 budget under preparation

Parliamentary Finance Committee: No concerns regarding salaries; 2027 budget under preparation

9-1-2026

The Information Agency/Baghdad –
Member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Mohammed al-Shammari, revealed on Tuesday that there is ongoing communication between the committee and the Ministry of Finance regarding the date for submitting the 2027 budget draft to Parliament. He predicted it would arrive in Parliament by mid-October, while also reassuring the public about the security of employee salaries.
Al-Shammari told the Information Agency, “There is continuous communication between the Finance Committee and the Ministry of Finance regarding the date for submitting Read more…

US State Department: Iraq has begun a new path under al-Zaidi’s leadership, and we aspire to a strong partnership.

US State Department: Iraq has begun a new path under al-Zaidi’s leadership, and we aspire to a strong partnership.

2026-09-01

Shafaq News – Washington
The US State Department confirmed on Tuesday that Iraq has begun a new path under the leadership of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, in full cooperation with the United States.

A State Department spokesman said, according to a statement from the department’s press office: “As President Trump made clear during his hosting of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi during his historic visit on July 14, the United States strongly supports his vision of ensuring a brighter future for all Iraqis, preventing attacks in or from Iraq, and building a strong and mutually beneficial U.S.-Iraqi partnership.” Read more…

The coordination framework sets the date for completing the government formation and voting on it.

The coordination framework sets the date for completing the government formation and voting on it.

2026-09-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Coordination Framework set a date on Monday for completing the formation of the government and voting on it, while discussing the repercussions of the war in the region and the disruption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The framework stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that it held its regular meeting No. (292), Monday, at the office of the Secretary-General of the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, to discuss the latest developments at the local and international levels. Read more…

Worth $800 million, the US approves the sale of military helicopters to Iraq.

Worth $800 million, the US approves the sale of military helicopters to Iraq.

2026-09-01

Shafaq News – Washington
The US State Department announced that it has approved the sale of $800 million worth of military helicopters to Iraq.

The ministry said in a statement that the prime contractor would be Bell Textron, based in Fort Worth, Texas. Read more…

In a final farewell message, Harris stated that the partnership with Iraq revolves around preserving its sovereignty and supporting its stability.

In a final farewell message, Harris stated that the partnership with Iraq revolves around preserving its sovereignty and supporting its stability.

2026-09-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The US Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad, Joshua Harris, sent a final farewell message to the Iraqis on Tuesday, on the occasion of the end of his mission, in which he affirmed his country’s continued support for Iraq’s sovereignty and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in a way that guarantees the common interests of the two peoples.

Harris said in a video message broadcast by the US Embassy: “It has been an honor to represent the United States Read more…

From the nation’s treasury to hidden accounts: Who is behind the silence surrounding the smuggling of Iraq’s looted funds?

From the nation’s treasury to hidden accounts: Who is behind the silence surrounding the smuggling of Iraq’s looted funds?

2026-09-01 01:35

Duaa Hazzaa Al-Jabri
In Iraq, corruption is no longer just numbers written in audit reports, nor files piled high on institutional shelves until they gather dust over the years. Corruption has become, in its most insidious form, a “financial memory of an entire nation,” a memory that cannot be read in words alone, but through accounts, transfers, real estate, companies, and funds that left their homeland and then learned how to hide behind names that do not tell the whole truth.

Today, when reports speak of an “international committee” tracking corruption funds in Iraq and reviewing the names of political figures and officials, including two former prime ministers, the issue shouldn’t be treated as a mere passing news item Read more…

Contractors in the liberated areas are demanding payment of their dues and warning of project stoppages.

Contractors in the liberated areas are demanding payment of their dues and warning of project stoppages.

2026-09-01

Shafaq News – Anbar
The Iraqi Contractors Union called on the Prime Minister, Parliament, and Minister of Finance on Tuesday to intervene urgently to disburse the outstanding financial dues owed to companies and contractors contracted with the Reconstruction Fund for Liberated Areas, noting that the delay of some of these dues for more than two years has caused financial damage to contractors and threatened their ability to continue implementing projects. Read more…

The Prime Minister directs that private generators be supplied with fuel at a subsidized price.

The Prime Minister directs that private generators be supplied with fuel at a subsidized price.

9-1-2026

Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi directed on Tuesday that private generators be supplied with fuel at a subsidized price for the month of September. The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement that “Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi directed today that private generators be supplied with fuel at a quantity of 40 liters per hour/watt, at a subsidized price of 400 dinars per liter, Read more…

Ministry of Oil: Opening the door for reputable companies to explore exploration blocks

Ministry of Oil: Opening the door for reputable companies to explore exploration blocks

9-1-2026

The Middle Oil Company in the Ministry of Oil announced on Tuesday that it is opening the door for reputable companies to explore exploration blocks, while indicating a move towards reaching an understanding with American companies to develop gas fields in the governorates of Diyala and Anbar. The company’s Director General, Muhammad Yassin Hassan, stated in a statement to the official agency that “the ministry will re-evaluate the partners and exploration blocks,” explaining that “what currently exists are Read more…

The Democrat explains the main obstacles to completing the cabinet.

The Democrat explains the main obstacles to completing the cabinet.

8-31-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Wafa Muhammad Karim, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), explained the main obstacles that prevented the completion of Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet in recent days, noting that the problems relate to three ministries in addition to some issues between political blocs.
Karim told Al-Maalouma, “The cabinet is awaiting political consensus in order to proceed with its completion and the approval of all nominees, who may be voted on as a single package in one vote.” Read more…

Al-Jalabi: Political animosity against Maliki is behind the failure to complete Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

Al-Jalabi: Political animosity against Maliki is behind the failure to complete Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

8-31-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former Minister Zuhair al-Jalabi confirmed that political animosity has arisen from some blocs against Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, after he withdrew his candidacy for prime minister and gave the position to Ali al-Zaidi.
Al-Jalabi told Al-Maalouma, “The move to appoint young figures to ministerial positions is not the right approach, as such positions require sufficient Read more…

Between external borrowing and removing zeros… the government faces difficult choices to address the financial crisis.

Between external borrowing and removing zeros… the government faces difficult choices to address the financial crisis.

8-31-2026

Information/Report…
As pressure mounts on Iraq’s public finances, a range of options for addressing the liquidity crisis are resurfacing. These include resorting to external borrowing and restructuring the local currency. Parliamentary sources confirm that the project to remove zeros from the currency has not yet entered the implementation phase, while economists discuss the possibility of securing a substantial external loan to provide liquidity and bolster reserves.
This comes amidst ongoing challenges related to public spending and the heavy reliance on oil revenues, meaning Read more…

When will the removal of zeros begin? A member of parliament sets a date for the project’s implementation.

When will the removal of zeros begin? A member of parliament sets a date for the project’s implementation.

8-31-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Murtadha Afween confirmed on Monday that the project to remove zeros from the Iraqi currency has not yet moved to the implementation phase, indicating that the project does not represent a direct solution to the crises plaguing the Iraqi economy.
Afween told the Information Agency that “the issue of removing zeros from the currency has not yet reached the implementation phase,” explaining that Read more…

ISIS buries money and gold in the deserts of Iraq and Syria

ISIS buries money and gold in the deserts of Iraq and Syria

8-31-2026

The Information Agency/Translation:
A joint investigation published by the American magazine The New Line on Monday revealed that the ISIS terrorist organization resorted to hiding its financial assets underground in the deserts of Syria and Iraq in its final days, and that an operation is underway to uncover them.
The report, translated by the Information Agency, stated that “as the ISIS terrorist organization sensed its imminent demise, it rushed to hide tens of millions of dollars in well-ventilated underground chambers scattered throughout the areas it controlled in Iraq and Read more…

A complete shutdown of private generators in most neighborhoods of Ramadi

A complete shutdown of private generators in most neighborhoods of Ramadi

8-31-2026

Al-Maalomah/Anbar…
Owners of private generators in Ramadi, Anbar province, halted electricity supply to most residential areas on Monday until they receive their allocated share of kerosene and are exempted from taxes imposed on generator operation.
Saleh Raed al-Dulaimi, one of the generator owners, told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “Private generator owners in Ramadi stopped supplying electricity to most residential areas because the local government has failed to fulfill its obligations Read more…

The Union: We are open to dialogue and reject the formation of a regional government based on a policy of unilateralism and exclusion.

The Union: We are open to dialogue and reject the formation of a regional government based on a policy of unilateralism and exclusion.

8-31-2026

Information / Special..
Burhan Sheikh Raouf, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, confirmed on Monday that the Patriotic Union welcomes any initiatives aimed at ending the political deadlock in the Kurdistan Region, stressing the party’s readiness to hold meetings at any time and reach a consensus formula to form a balanced national government.

Sheikh Raouf told Al-Maalouma, “Our doors are open and our hands are extended for dialogue in order to reach a formula for forming a national, consensual, and balanced government that leads the Kurdistan Region and ensures Read more…

Weapons control and cabinet formation: key topics of discussion at this evening’s framework meeting

Weapons control and cabinet formation: key topics of discussion at this evening’s framework meeting

2026-08-31

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, Firas Al-Muslawi, spokesman for the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, revealed the main points of the coordination framework in its periodic meeting to be held in the evening.

Al-Muslawi told Shafaq News Agency that “the meeting will focus on candidates for the vacant ministries to complete the government cabinet, especially since it is a prior agreement between the framework forces, and the framework has become close to the stage of deciding on its ministerial candidates, provided that Read more…

“Transnational” corruption: Iranian fraud to drain Iraq’s funds

“Transnational” corruption: Iranian fraud to drain Iraq’s funds

2026-08-31

Shafaq News – Special Translation
The Middle East Forum Institute spoke of a widespread, cross-border embezzlement mechanism that drains Iraqi state funds into the pockets of diaspora communities in the United States and the West, serving the goals of the Iranian regime.

The American Institute stated in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency that when former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi first revealed the extent of the “ghost soldiers” phenomenon that Read more…

Iraq’s internal debt exceeds 106 trillion dinars as of late June

Iraq’s internal debt exceeds 106 trillion dinars as of late June

2026-08-31

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Financial data issued by the Central Bank of Iraq showed that the volume of Iraq’s internal public debt rose to 106.072 trillion dinars at the end of June 2026, compared to 103.179 trillion dinars at the end of last May, an increase of 2.893 trillion dinars in one month.

According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, domestic debt rose from 90.515 trillion dinars at the end of 2025 to Read more…