IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Government financial advisor: Iraq’s foreign reserves are within safe levels

Government financial advisor: Iraq’s foreign reserves are within safe levels

8-29-2026

The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed on Saturday that Iraq’s foreign reserves remain at relatively safe levels, noting the importance of monitoring this trend and maintaining the safety margin. Salih told the official news agency that “the International Monetary Fund estimated Iraq’s total reserves at about $79.2 billion for 2026, according to its estimates published in 2025, which is equivalent to about 9.6 months of imports of goods and services,” indicating that Iraq’s foreign reserves are currently close to this level. Read more…

Washington places Taif Sami on its terrorism watch list

Washington places Taif Sami on its terrorism watch list

2026-08-28

Shafaq News – Washington
On Friday, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson announced that the State Department had revoked the visa of former Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami.

According to Johnson, who told Fox News: “While the Biden State Department shamefully celebrated and awarded prizes to foreigners who threaten our nation, the Trump State Department is revoking their visas and ensuring these individuals are kept out of our country.” Read more…

Al-Salihi: Saudi Arabia seized an Iraqi oil pipeline more than 40 years ago

Al-Salihi: Saudi Arabia seized an Iraqi oil pipeline more than 40 years ago

8-28-2026

Al-Maalomah/Baghdad –
Ahmed Abdul Sattar Al-Salehi, a member of the Anbar Alliance, revealed on Friday that Saudi Arabia has been controlling an Iraqi oil pipeline for over 40 years, despite the fact that the Iraqi government funded the entire project.
Al-Salehi told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “All the successive governments that have ruled the country since 2003 have failed to reclaim the Iraqi oil pipeline (Al-Mu’ajiz Port), which was completed in the 1980s with Iraqi funds. To this day, none of these governments have been able to recover the pipeline.” Read more…

Calls for an emergency session to vote on the withdrawal of US and Turkish forces from Iraq

Calls for an emergency session to vote on the withdrawal of US and Turkish forces from Iraq

8-28-2026

Al-Maalomah/Baghdad –
On Thursday, Saleh Hamed Abdul-Razzaq, a member of the United Anbar Alliance, called for an emergency session of Parliament to vote on the expulsion of US and Turkish forces, the cancellation of all security agreements, and non-interference in the country’s internal affairs under any pretext.
Al-Dulaimi told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the central government is not serious about removing US forces from their bases in Iraq, and the talk about their imminent withdrawal is nothing more than a tactical maneuver to disarm the resistance Read more…

What is prompting the framework to refrain from setting a date for the completion of the government cabinet?

What is prompting the framework to refrain from setting a date for the completion of the government cabinet?

8-28-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Ali Hussein, a member of the Coordination Framework, explained the reasons why the Framework did not request a parliamentary session to complete the cabinet of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
Hussein told Al-Maalouma, “There are four political blocs vying for the deputy prime minister positions, and they have submitted their candidates for these posts while the cabinet is still incomplete.” Read more…

An American institute calls for stricter oversight of Basra’s oil exports.

An American institute calls for stricter oversight of Basra’s oil exports.

2026-08-28 06:41

Shafaq News – Special Translation
The conservative American think tank , the Foundation for Defense of Democracies , has called for stricter monitoring and scrutiny of Iraqi oil exports from the port of Basra to ensure that Iran is not benefiting from them.

According to the American Institute, in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency, Basra, as a center for exporting Iraqi oil to the Gulf, now appears busier than it has been since the start of the war between the United States and Iran last February.

He recalled a report by the American website “Bloomberg” that included satellite images of seven tankers capable of loading about 13 million barrels of oil four days earlier, whereas in the weeks prior to that, only one or two tankers Read more…

The framework rejects Al-Zidi’s remarks: No dismissal or resignation of ministers

The framework rejects Al-Zidi’s remarks: No dismissal or resignation of ministers

2026-08-28

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A government source revealed on Thursday that the leaders of the Coordination Framework rejected the withdrawal or resignation of any of the ministers in Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government at the present time, even if the latter had an objection to the performance of one of the ministers.

The source explained to Shafaq News Agency that “the information that some have promoted regarding the resignation of one of the ministers of Ali al-Zaidi’s government Read more…

Without solutions… September 30th is approaching and dialogue dominates the relationship with the factions

Without solutions… September 30th is approaching and dialogue dominates the relationship with the factions

2026-08-28

Shafaq News – Baghdad/Tehran
Only 34 days remain until September 30, 2026, the date set for the end of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq, while the issue of restricting weapons to the state stands before a crucial challenge between a government confirmation of proceeding with the project, advanced dialogues with the factions, and a difference of opinion regarding whether the date represents the end of the deadline for handing over weapons or the beginning of a new phase Read more…

Desert tourism in Iraq: A natural resource awaiting investment

Desert tourism in Iraq: A natural resource awaiting investment

2026-08-28

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi tourism is looking for new ways to diversify the tourism product, including desert tourism, which is still in its early stages, despite Iraq having vast areas and natural and cultural sites that can be a destination for tourists, especially in the governorates of Anbar, Muthanna, Najaf, Karbala and Dhi Qar.

Ali Yassin, spokesman for the Tourism Authority at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, told Shafaq News Agency that desert tourism is still in its initial stage, but it has begun to receive increasing attention Read more…

A parliamentary committee reveals: An Iraqi delegation will head to Iran to negotiate the passage of oil tankers.

A parliamentary committee reveals: An Iraqi delegation will head to Iran to negotiate the passage of oil tankers.

8-28-2026

Member of Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee, MP Ahmed Al-Khazali, revealed on Thursday that an Iraqi delegation of political leaders representing different groups will head to Iran to negotiate the passage of oil tankers.

Al-Khazali said in his interview with the program “Openly,” which is broadcast by Al-Sumaria TV, that “Iraq is facing a clear economic problem as a result of the developments of the war and its Read more…

Al-Zaydi: Corruption is the most serious problem facing Iraq today.

Al-Zaydi: Corruption is the most serious problem facing Iraq today.

2026-08-27

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed on Thursday that corruption is the most serious problem facing Iraq today, and that the government is waging a fierce battle to combat it and dry up its sources.

Al-Zaydi said, during his meeting with the head of the Parliamentary Integrity Committee, Taha Al-Difai, and members of the committee, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, that “the state is based on two fundamental pillars: law and integrity,” Read more…

“A difficult maneuver”: Baghdad between the Turkish-American role and Iranian pressure

“A difficult maneuver”: Baghdad between the Turkish-American role and Iranian pressure

2026-08-27

Shafaq News – Special Translation
Turkey has become more important to Iraq after the US war on Iran, according to the Arab Center in Washington, which also believes that this war has made Baghdad’s long efforts to balance between Iran and the United States more difficult, thus making its relationship with Turkey more valuable. It added that Turkish and American interests in Iraq have become closer to each other, as Ankara and Washington increasingly favor a stronger central government in Baghdad.

The American Institute, in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency, spoke of a “major shift” in Turkish-Iraqi Read more…

Al-Zarkoushi: A movement to change the election law and increase voter turnout

Al-Zarkoushi: A movement to change the election law and increase voter turnout

8-27-2026

Information/Baghdad…
On Thursday, Abdul Samad al-Zarkoushi, a member of the Coordination Framework, acknowledged a strong movement to amend the election law along paths aimed at improving the electoral process and increasing voter turnout from various groups and segments of society.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Zarkoushi explained that “there is a movement within the Coordination Framework to support amending the election law in four or five key areas, focusing on addressing the negative indicators observed Read more…

Agreement reached or permanent disagreement? All eyes are on September to resolve the issue of the Al-Zidi cabinet.

Agreement reached or permanent disagreement? All eyes are on September to resolve the issue of the Al-Zidi cabinet.

8-27-2026

Information/Report…
The issue of the government cabinet is being discussed in the political arena, amidst numerous efforts to finalize the candidates for the remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali al-Zaidi’s government. Despite some assertions that no agreement has been reached on the remaining ministries, some parties believe that efforts are ongoing to ensure a vote on the remaining ministerial positions at the beginning of September. However, there is no real guarantee of consensus among all political parties to approve the candidates, as resolving the matter requires political agreement and perhaps even external approval. Read more…

Azm: We will not relinquish the Ministries of Planning and Culture under any political pressure.

Azm: We will not relinquish the Ministries of Planning and Culture under any political pressure.

8-27-2026

The Azm Alliance affirmed on Thursday its full commitment to its electoral and political entitlement to the Ministries of Planning and Culture, emphasizing that these entitlements reflect the will of its supporters and the voters who supported it in the recent parliamentary elections.
Alliance leader Mohammed al-Fahdawi stated that “obtaining the Ministry of Culture represents a political and moral obligation on the part of other political blocs towards the Azm Alliance,” explaining that “mutual trust is the foundation upon which current political action in the country rests.” Read more…

Voting on 9 ministries next week… Will the deadlock over the security ministries be resolved?

Voting on 9 ministries next week… Will the deadlock over the security ministries be resolved?

8-27-2026

The Information Agency/Baghdad…
MP Mohammed Hadi revealed on Thursday that the Parliament is expected to vote on nine ministerial posts next week, noting that some minor disagreements remain regarding several ministries, particularly the security ministries.
Hadi told the Information Agency, “The Parliament will vote next week on nine ministries as part of the process of completing the cabinet,” adding that “political negotiations are ongoing Read more…

Political complications delay the appointment of ministers… and the candidates have not yet reached Al-Zaydi.

Political complications delay the appointment of ministers… and the candidates have not yet reached Al-Zaydi.

8-27-2026

Information/Baghdad…
A parliamentary source revealed on Thursday the depth of the disagreements among political blocs regarding the selection of candidates for the vacant ministerial posts in the cabinet, confirming that the Prime Minister has not yet received the official lists of nominees.
The source told Al-Maalomah that “the disagreements and discussions among the political forces regarding the vacant ministerial portfolios remain complex Read more…

Trillions hoarded in homes… Iraqi banks “starving” in the face of liquidity shortages!

Trillions hoarded in homes… Iraqi banks “starving” in the face of liquidity shortages!

8-27-2026

Information / Baghdad
Several factors are intertwined in Iraq that are behind the liquidity crisis, the repercussions of which have begun to appear in the delay in the disbursement of salaries and financial obligations, at a time when data from the Central Bank of Iraq indicates that there are more than 101 trillion dinars circulating outside banks until the end of June 2026.

While experts believe that keeping these funds outside the banking system Read more…

Iraq signs $500 million in contracts in July, with oil and gas projects leading the way.

Iraq signs $500 million in contracts in July, with oil and gas projects leading the way.

2026-08-27

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq recorded contracts worth a total of $500 million in the oil and gas sector during July, according to data reported by the specialized magazine MEED, making it one of the most prominent countries in the region that witnessed the awarding of new projects, at a time when the value of contracts awarded in the Middle East and North Africa region declined to $20.4 billion, compared to $26.2 billion in June. Read more…

SOMO launches tender to sell Iraqi oil outside the Strait of Hormuz

SOMO launches tender to sell Iraqi oil outside the Strait of Hormuz

2026-08-27

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) issued a tender on Thursday to sell shipments of Basra crude for loading in September from outside the Strait of Hormuz, in the company’s second tender this week, against the backdrop of regional events and the closure of the strait to maritime navigation.

According to a document from SOMO and trade sources who spoke to Reuters, the tender includes shipments that can be loaded via tanker-to-tanker transfers near the Omani coast, with the tender closing on August 28. Read more…