IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Exclusive: MP expects cabinet meeting to be postponed for several hours

Exclusive: MP expects cabinet meeting to be postponed for several hours

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Independent MP Abdul Hamza Al-Khafaji predicted on Thursday that the session to complete the government cabinet would be postponed for several hours.

Al-Khafaji told Shafaq News Agency that the number of members of parliament currently present inside the hall has reached 110. Read more…

Al-Zarkoushi reveals disagreements threatening two ministries and keeping the door open for postponement.

Al-Zarkoushi reveals disagreements threatening two ministries and keeping the door open for postponement.

10-15-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Member of the Coordination Framework, Abdul Samad al-Zarkoushi, confirmed on Thursday the existence of political disagreements regarding two ministries, which may lead to postponing their resolution in the parliamentary session this evening.
Al-Zarkoushi explained to Al-Maalouma that “the parliamentary session will be held this evening with a legal quorum, given the political consensus Read more…

Al-Dulaimi demands that the Al-Zaidi government reclaim the “Al-Mu’ajiz oil port” seized by Saudi Arabia.

Al-Dulaimi demands that the Al-Zaidi government reclaim the “Al-Mu’ajiz oil port” seized by Saudi Arabia.

10-15-2026

Al-Maalomah/Baghdad –
Raed Abdullah al-Dulaimi, a member of the Anbar Alliance, called on the government of Ali Faleh al-Zaidi on Thursday to reclaim the Iraqi oil pipeline running through Saudi Arabia and onward to other countries. The pipeline has been under Saudi control for over 40 years, despite the fact that all construction costs were borne by the Iraqi government.
Al-Dulaimi told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “There are parliamentary demands to open an investigation into the theft of the Iraqi oil pipeline Read more…

The “Idrak” bloc told “Al-Maalouma”: We will hold the government to its program and hold it accountable every six months.

The “Idrak” bloc told “Al-Maalouma”: We will hold the government to its program and hold it accountable every six months.

10-15-2026

The head of the Idrak parliamentary bloc, Abdul Hamza al-Khafaji, affirmed on Thursday the parliament’s determination to compel the government to officially submit its program and to hold regular sessions every six months to question and host the government before the parliament. He stressed that the current parliamentary sessions will not allow a repeat of past experiences where government programs became mere words on paper without Read more…

Al-Moussawi reveals behind-the-scenes details of today’s session: ongoing disagreements and the possibility of postponing some names.

Al-Moussawi reveals behind-the-scenes details of today’s session: ongoing disagreements and the possibility of postponing some names.

10-15-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Mukhtar al-Moussawi confirmed on Thursday that postponing the decision on some ministerial portfolios during today’s parliamentary session is very likely, given the ongoing political disagreements over several ministries.
Al-Moussawi explained to Al-Maalouma that “the parliamentary session scheduled for this evening to vote on nine ministerial portfolios in Ali al-Zaidi’s government, as well as the four deputy prime ministers, is set to take place.” Read more…

Parliamentary source: Political understandings and disagreements regarding some portfolios during the parliamentary session

Parliamentary source: Political understandings and disagreements regarding some portfolios during the parliamentary session

10-15-2026

Information/Baghdad…
A parliamentary source revealed on Thursday that political understandings and disagreements arose regarding certain ministerial portfolios during today’s parliamentary session.
The source told the Information Agency that “mutual political agreements were reached between the State of Law bloc, the Sadiqun bloc, the Hikma Movement, and the Kurdistan Democratic Party to pass the candidates of the parties in agreement within parliament.” Read more…

Azm announces the names of his nominees for the Ministries of Planning and Culture

Azm announces the names of his nominees for the Ministries of Planning and Culture

10-15-2026

The Azm Alliance announced on Thursday its nominees for the Ministry of Planning, Qutaiba Ghazi, and the Ministry of Culture, Yassin Al-Ithawi. A statement from the alliance, received by the Al-Maalomah News Agency, said, “In fulfillment of political and electoral obligations and to complete the formation of the government, the Azm Alliance announces the nomination Read more…

Reconstruction: 45 water desalination projects cover 86% of Iraq, and we need 500 billion to complete 10 new ones.

Reconstruction: 45 water desalination projects cover 86% of Iraq, and we need 500 billion to complete 10 new ones.

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, Hussein Al-Moussawi, Director of the Water Department at the Ministry of Construction and Housing, revealed that more than 45 water desalination projects have been launched in the Iraqi governorates, bringing the percentage of those served to 86% across Iraq. He pointed out the need for 500 billion dinars to complete and import the necessary equipment to open 10 new projects. Read more…

The parliament’s leadership is holding a meeting prior to the start of the session to complete the government cabinet.

The parliament’s leadership is holding a meeting prior to the start of the session to complete the government cabinet.

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi parliament’s presidency announced on Thursday that a meeting had begun prior to holding a session to complete the government cabinet.

The House of Representatives’ media office said in a statement: The House of Representatives’ leadership is holding a meeting before the session to vote on the candidates for deputy prime ministers and Read more…

“A serious constitutional violation”: Objection to the ban on press coverage of the parliamentary session

“A serious constitutional violation”: Objection to the ban on press coverage of the parliamentary session

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Two press freedom organizations condemned on Thursday the House of Representatives’ decision to prevent the media from covering the session to vote on completing the cabinet and the deputy prime ministers, considering it a restriction on journalistic work and a violation of the principle of open sessions.

The Iraqi Association for the Defense of Journalists’ Rights said in a statement Read more…

Stagnation and protests… The US dollar paralyzes Baghdad markets

Stagnation and protests… The US dollar paralyzes Baghdad markets

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The main markets in the capital, Baghdad, are still experiencing an almost complete standstill in buying and selling activity, since the Iraqi government announced last Wednesday (October 7) a change in the exchange rate of the US dollar against the local currency.

A correspondent for Shafaq News Agency said that the Al-Shourja area and Al-Rashid Street appeared almost empty of shoppers, coinciding with a protest organized by a number of citizens rejecting the decision to change the dollar exchange rate. Read more…

450,000 barrels and 500 million cubic meters of gas per day… Oil Minister announces the goals of the Kirkuk Fields Operating Authority

450,000 barrels and 500 million cubic meters of gas per day… Oil Minister announces the goals of the Kirkuk Fields Operating Authority

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi oversaw on Thursday the transfer of operations from the North Oil Company and the North Gas Company to the Joint Operating Authority for the four Kirkuk fields (Kirkuk, Bai Hassan, Khabbaz and Jambur), as part of the government and ministry’s plans and strategy to develop the oil and gas industry.

The process took place via closed-circuit television, during which the minister confirmed that this contract is Read more…

The Kurdistan Democratic Party officially announces its candidates for the vacant ministerial positions in the al-Zaidi government.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party officially announces its candidates for the vacant ministerial positions in the al-Zaidi government.

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The official spokesperson for the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc in the Iraqi Parliament, Dana Abdulghaffar Aziz, announced today, Thursday, that the bloc has nominated Fares Sheikh Sadiq Barifkani for the position of Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, and Ribaz Mohammed Abdullah Mohammed (Ribaz Hamlan) for the position of Minister of Construction and Housing.

Aziz confirmed in an official statement that this nomination came within the positions allocated to the Kurdistan Read more…

The Minister of Communications announces the launch of the first Iraqi satellite ground station in Baghdad.

The Minister of Communications announces the launch of the first Iraqi satellite ground station in Baghdad.

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Communications Minister Mustafa Sand announced on Thursday the launch of the first Iraqi satellite ground station (Teleport) in the capital, Baghdad, next Sunday. The station is dedicated to dealing with satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO). He considered this project to be a consolidation of the ministry’s vision to achieve Iraqi digital sovereignty. Read more…

The Minister of Finance discusses with the World Bank the financing of strategic projects and support for economic reforms.

The Minister of Finance discusses with the World Bank the financing of strategic projects and support for economic reforms.

10-15-2026

Finance Minister Falih Sari met on Thursday with the World Bank Group’s Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Ousmane Dione, to discuss financing strategic projects and supporting economic reforms in Iraq. A ministry statement said that “Finance Minister Falih Sari met in the Thai capital, Bangkok, with the World Bank Group’s Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Ousmane Dione, in the presence of the Central Bank Governor, Nizar Nasser Hussein, on the sidelines of the annual meetings Read more…

An economist expresses surprise: The government raises prices while asking merchants not to raise them.

An economist expresses surprise: The government raises prices while asking merchants not to raise them.

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi expressed surprise at the demand for merchants not to raise the prices of their goods following the devaluation of the dinar, at a time when government institutions are raising the prices of their services.

Al-Marsoumi said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “It is strange that we ask merchants not to raise the prices of their goods as a result of the devaluation of the dinar, while Read more…

Flights between Iraq and Kuwait have resumed after being suspended due to regional tensions.

Flights between Iraq and Kuwait have resumed after being suspended due to regional tensions.

2026-10-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced on Thursday the reopening of air routes between Iraq and Kuwait, which had recently been suspended due to security developments and regional tensions.

The ministry explained in an official statement that the technical efforts resulted in reaching operational arrangements, under the supervision of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and in cooperation with the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Read more…

The Sadiqun bloc announces the creation of three new ministries, including Digital Economy and Governance.

The Sadiqun bloc announces the creation of three new ministries, including Digital Economy and Governance.

10-15-2026

The Sadiqun parliamentary bloc announced on Thursday the creation of three new ministries, including the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Governance. It indicated that the candidates for the Ministries of Planning and Migration have not yet been decided. MP Riyad al-Tamimi told the official news agency that “the newly created ministries are the Ministry of Tourism, which has been decided for Ali al-Dakhili, the Ministry of State for Minorities Affairs, which has been decided for Read more…

An economist speaks about investment: “Iraq is a hostile environment.”

An economist speaks about investment: “Iraq is a hostile environment.”

10-14-2026

Information/Special…
Economic expert Dirgham Muhammad Ali affirmed on Wednesday that reviving the Iraqi economy requires fundamental changes to existing laws and the removal of obstacles facing industrialists and investors. This would facilitate their acquisition of investment licenses and encourage the expansion of productive activity.
Ali told Al-Maalouma that “improving the economic situation cannot be Read more…

After a hiatus of more than half a century, the Iraqi maritime line resumes its voyages.

After a hiatus of more than half a century, the Iraqi maritime line resumes its voyages.

14/10/2026

Baghdad – From Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates to Umm Qasr port in Basra , the Iraqi maritime carrier is preparing to return to regional trade routes, via a trial voyage expected to transport about 500 containers of various cargoes.

This move returns Iraqi ships to a shipping route they have been cut off from since the mid-1960s, and presents them with a test that goes beyond sailing to the ability to compete and continue in turbulent regional conditions. Read more…