IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Iraqi Observatory: 4 alternative routes for oil exports instead of Hormuz

Iraqi Observatory: 4 alternative routes for oil exports instead of Hormuz

2026-08-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, the Economic Affairs Observatory “Eco Iraq” proposed adopting four strategic routes for oil export pipelines, with the aim of diversifying export outlets and reducing Iraq’s dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, in light of the repercussions of the war in the region and the cessation of Iraqi oil exports through the strait .

The observatory stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Iraq is among the countries most Read more…

Through various channels, Al-Sadr continues to support Al-Zaydi’s efforts to “monopolize weapons” in Iraq.

Through various channels, Al-Sadr continues to support Al-Zaydi’s efforts to “monopolize weapons” in Iraq.

2026-08-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A senior official in the political body of the Shiite National Movement revealed on Sunday that the movement’s leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, supports Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi’s steps aimed at restricting weapons to the state, stressing the continuation of communication to follow up on developments in the file and to work on overcoming obstacles that may hinder its implementation.

The official told Shafaq News Agency that “communication between al-Sadr and the government is taking place Read more…

Iraq ranks 61st globally in terms of the highest “minimum wage” according to purchasing power parity.

Iraq ranks 61st globally in terms of the highest “minimum wage” according to purchasing power parity.

2026-08-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq ranked 61st globally out of 130 countries in the ranking of the minimum monthly wage after adjusting for purchasing power parity, recording $626 per month, according to a report published by Visual Capitalist.

The ranking, which Shafaq News Agency reviewed, takes into account the differences in price levels and living costs between countries, with the aim of measuring the actual purchasing power of the minimum wage and making the comparison between countries more accurate. Read more…

Without pillars or an engineer… Removing the American veto clauses brings the Popular Mobilization Forces closer to restructuring and retirement.

Without pillars or an engineer… Removing the American veto clauses brings the Popular Mobilization Forces closer to restructuring and retirement.

2026-08-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Sunday that the draft laws on the structure of the Popular Mobilization Forces and on service and retirement will soon be referred to the Iraqi Parliament, after the removal of a number of controversial clauses that were subject to an American veto.

According to the source, who spoke to Shafaq News Agency, there is an American veto on some clauses of the Popular Mobilization Forces laws, and therefore the two drafts will be referred in their final form to the House of Representatives, in preparation for starting the procedures Read more…

Exclusive: A meeting of the coordination framework is expected to discuss the completion of the cabinet.

Exclusive: A meeting of the coordination framework is expected to discuss the completion of the cabinet.

2026-08-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, Iraqi parliament member Mohammed Abu Al-Eis revealed that a meeting of the Coordination Framework forces is expected in the coming days to discuss completing the formation of the cabinet.

Abu Al-Eis told Shafaq News Agency that the framework forces have not set a specific date for completing the cabinet, and everything mentioned in this regard is speculation and not true.

Abu Al-Eis explained that “the political blocs submitted the names of the candidates for the ministerial cabinet, Read more…

The Prime Minister’s advisor: The new budget makes public funds a tool for measuring feasibility and impact.

The Prime Minister’s advisor: The new budget makes public funds a tool for measuring feasibility and impact.

8-30-2026

The Prime Minister’s advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Sunday that the program budget represents a shift from financing spending to financing results. He explained that the new budget makes public money a tool for measuring feasibility and impact. Saleh told the official agency, “The program budget essentially means a shift from financing spending to financing results. This shift reflects the essence of the program and performance budget, which seeks to make public money a tool for measuring feasibility, not just a number in spending tables.” Read more…

MP proposes exit from rentier economy

MP proposes exit from rentier economy

8-29-2026

Information/Special…
MP Mohammed al-Bayati stressed on Saturday the necessity of developing a roadmap to raise non-oil revenues to at least 30%, in order to create a balance and move away from a rentier economy.
Al-Bayati explained to Al-Maalouma that “Iraq relies on crude oil exports for up to 90% of its state treasury revenue to cover salaries and other operational and investment expenses,” noting that “reliance on a rentier economy carries significant risks, something we have been warning about for years.”
He added that “there is a need to develop a roadmap that guarantees Read more…

The parliamentary transport committee is activating the development road and Faw port files.

The parliamentary transport committee is activating the development road and Faw port files.

8-29-2026

The Information Agency/Baghdad –
Rafiq al-Salihi, a member of the Parliamentary Transportation and Communications Committee, confirmed on Saturday that the committee is working to activate several strategic files related to the transportation sector, most notably the Development Road project and the Grand Faw Port, in addition to monitoring the status of the land, sea, and air transport sectors, as well as railways, ports, and Iraqi Airways.
Al-Salihi told the Information Agency, “The committee is monitoring the Ministry of Transportation’s work plan Read more…

A member of parliament reveals a “surprise”: Saudi Arabia has no objection to the reactivation of the completed Iraqi oil pipeline on the Red Sea.

A member of parliament reveals a “surprise”: Saudi Arabia has no objection to the reactivation of the completed Iraqi oil pipeline on the Red Sea.

8-29-2026

Baghdad-Mail
Member of Parliament Amer Abdul-Jabbar stated on Saturday that Saudi Arabia does not object to the re-establishment of the Iraqi oil pipeline on the Red Sea, which was built in the 1980s.

Abdul-Jabbar said in a statement followed by “Mail” that “Iraq has an oil pipeline with Saudi Arabia that was completed in the 1980s. It is an Iraqi pipeline and was built with Iraqi money at a cost of $2.6 billion,” indicating that “oil was loaded from it at the end of the 1980s, but it was confiscated after 1991 by the Saudi side.” Read more…

Al-Zidi’s cabinet is nearing completion; Parliament prepares to vote on nine ministerial portfolios.

Al-Zidi’s cabinet is nearing completion; Parliament prepares to vote on nine ministerial portfolios.

8-29-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Najat Al-Tai, a leader in the Al-Azm Alliance, confirmed on Saturday that the vote on the remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali Al-Zidi’s government will be decided during the next week or the week after at the latest, while she indicated that her alliance had submitted its candidates for two ministries that it was entitled to.

Al-Ta’i explained in her interview with Al-Ma’louma that “the recent meetings that brought together representatives Read more…

Diyala settles the debate regarding the submerged dam… a project that residents have been waiting for for years.

Diyala settles the debate regarding the submerged dam… a project that residents have been waiting for for years.

8-29-2026

Information/Diyala…
The Diyala Provincial Council denied on Saturday that the Ministry of Water Resources had abandoned the idea of ​​building a submerged dam on the Diyala River, which represents a hope that the people have been waiting for for more than half a century.

Council Chairman Omar Al-Karawi explained to Al-Maalouma that “the news reported by some websites regarding the Ministry of Water Resources abandoning the idea of ​​building a submerged dam on the Diyala River is inaccurate, and we deny it completely,” stressing that “the Ministry sent a committee Read more…

Post-Cabinet: MP sets date for deciding on deputy prime ministers

Post-Cabinet: MP sets date for deciding on deputy prime ministers

8-29-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Hamid Abbas confirmed on Saturday that the issue of deputy prime ministers has not yet been resolved, indicating that it will be decided after the completion of the cabinet.
Abbas told the Information Agency, “The issue of deputy prime ministers has not been resolved at this moment,” noting that “the matter will be postponed until after the cabinet is finalized.”
He added, “The current focus is on filling the vacant ministerial positions and Read more…

Exclusive: General blackout of all privately owned generators in Iraq at the beginning of September

Exclusive: General blackout of all privately owned generators in Iraq at the beginning of September

2026-08-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The head of the Baghdad Generators Association, Dhargham Al-Shuwaili, confirmed on Saturday that generator owners intend to shut down all generators in Iraq at the beginning of next month, in protest against the failure to implement Prime Minister Ali Al-Zubaidi’s directives regarding supporting them.

Al-Shuwaili told Shafaq News Agency that “the measure comes in protest against the failure to implement the directives of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi regarding support for generator owners.” Read more…

Exclusive from Washington: Withdrawal allowance from Iraq to be “reduced” on September 30

Exclusive from Washington: Withdrawal allowance from Iraq to be “reduced” on September 30

2026-08-29

Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
A senior White House official said on Saturday that the United States and its coalition partners will reduce their military missions in Iraq by September 30, at the direction of President Donald Trump.

The official told Shafaq News Agency that this reduction reflects the shared success in fighting ISIS and represents a move towards a permanent bilateral security partnership between Baghdad and Washington, in accordance with American national interests, the Iraqi constitution, and the Strategic Framework Agreement between the two countries. Read more…

The Democratic Party avoids the option of early elections and urges the activation of the Kurdistan Parliament.

The Democratic Party avoids the option of early elections and urges the activation of the Kurdistan Parliament.

2026-08-29

Shafaq News – Erbil
The official spokesman for the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Mahmoud Mohammed, confirmed on Saturday that his party seeks to follow an approach that prevents going towards early elections in the Kurdistan Region, stressing the need to expedite the activation of the parliament’s work and proceed with forming the new government.

The Kurdistan Region held its parliamentary elections in October 2024 after a two-year postponement, with Read more…

Factories shut down and contracts stalled: A research center lays out a roadmap to save Iraqi industry.

Factories shut down and contracts stalled: A research center lays out a roadmap to save Iraqi industry.

2026-08-29

Shafaq News – Special Translation
Iraq needs genuine industrial reform to build a state, because success is not measured by the number of contracts, committees and employees, but rather, according to the Amman-based “ Center for Links for Research and Strategic Studies ” institute, by answering questions such as: How many factories have been revived? How many real job opportunities have we created? How much investment have we attracted? How much technology have we transferred? How much import have we replaced with real Iraqi production? How many dollars have we added to Iraq’s exports? Read more…

An Iraqi minister attributes the housing crisis to corruption: 300 properties and orchards are controlled by two individuals, one of whom is Al-Jumaili.

An Iraqi minister attributes the housing crisis to corruption: 300 properties and orchards are controlled by two individuals, one of whom is Al-Jumaili.

2026-08-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Minister of Communications Mustafa Jabbar Sand attributed the housing crisis in the country on Saturday to widespread corruption, real estate hoarding, and the acquisition of real estate assets by influential people, noting that just two people own more than 300 properties and orchards.

Sand said in a post on social media that “the assistant director of the Real Estate Registration Department in Salah al-Din Governorate owns 95 properties, while the detained defendant Adnan al-Jumaili owns 210 properties and orchards,” indicating that these acquisitions by only two people reflect Read more…

The Minister of Oil directs the acceleration of the signing of the contract for the strategic pipeline project for export outlets in Iraq.

The Minister of Oil directs the acceleration of the signing of the contract for the strategic pipeline project for export outlets in Iraq.

2026-08-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi directed on Saturday that procedures for the strategic export pipeline project be expedited and that technical and commercial discussions be intensified to reach the contract signing stage as soon as possible, during an expanded meeting that included senior leaders in the ministry.

A statement from the ministry said that the meeting was attended by the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Read more…

Al-Zaydi: We directed the exposure of corrupt individuals and the activation of the law rewarding informants.

Al-Zaydi: We directed the exposure of corrupt individuals and the activation of the law rewarding informants.

2026-08-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
During his visit on Saturday to the headquarters of the Federal Integrity Commission, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi directed the activation of the law rewarding informants about corruption cases, the strengthening of monitoring border crossings, and the exposure of corrupt individuals, stressing the need to submit monthly and quarterly reports on the progress of combating corruption and the level of achievement. Read more…

A meeting is expected between the Democratic Party and the National Union to overcome differences.

A meeting is expected between the Democratic Party and the National Union to overcome differences.

8-29-2026

The spokesman for the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Mahmoud Mohammed, announced that a meeting is expected to be held “in the near future” between his party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, to discuss and examine points of disagreement between the two sides at the dialogue table. Mohammed confirmed, in a press statement, the continuation of contacts and mutual visits between the two parties, noting that other political parties have made strenuous efforts to bring viewpoints closer and prepare the atmosphere Read more…