IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

The Prime Minister appoints Alwan as Director of TBI and Al-Hamdani to the Iraqi Development Fund

The Prime Minister appoints Alwan as Director of TBI and Al-Hamdani to the Iraqi Development Fund

8-18-2026

Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi appointed Ali Abdul-Ridha Alwan as Chairman of the Trade Bank of Iraq and Bilal Al-Hamdani as Executive Director of the Development Fund on Tuesday. Aqeel Al-Shuwaili, media expert for the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), stated to the official news agency that “Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi issued an order that included changes to a number of leadership positions in financial and development institutions, including Read more…

The Integrity Commission opens an investigation into $30 million stolen by Al-Halbousi.

The Integrity Commission opens an investigation into $30 million stolen by Al-Halbousi.

8-17-2026

Al-Maalomah/Anbar –
A source in Anbar province revealed on Monday that the Federal Integrity Commission has launched a comprehensive investigation into the theft of over $30 million by Mohammed al-Halbousi during his tenure as governor of Anbar in 2017. The funds were allocated for the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by terrorist operations in the province.
The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “The Federal Integrity Commission has opened a broad investigation into the embezzlement of $30 million by Mohammed al-Halbousi Read more…

Prime Minister’s Advisor: Digital Dinar a promising project to enhance the efficiency of monetary policy

Prime Minister’s Advisor: Digital Dinar a promising project to enhance the efficiency of monetary policy

8-17-2026

The Prime Minister’s advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed on Monday that the digital dinar is a promising strategic project and not a standalone solution to the liquidity crisis. While noting that paying salaries digitally enhances the speed of payments and reduces cash transactions, he explained that the success of the digital dinar depends on expanding banking services and infrastructure. Salih told the official news agency, “The proposal to launch the Iraqi digital dinar is one of the ideas that deserves to be studied within the framework of Iraq’s move Read more…

Al-Zarkoushi: Discussions to complete Al-Zidi’s government have begun, and this week is important, without setting a final date.

Al-Zarkoushi: Discussions to complete Al-Zidi’s government have begun, and this week is important, without setting a final date.

8-17-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Abdul Samad al-Zarkoushi, a member of the Coordination Framework, confirmed on Monday that discussions have begun to finalize the remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali al-Zaidi’s government. He denied reports that the names for the sovereign ministries had been decided.
Al-Zarkoushi explained that “during the past 48 hours, there have been serious discussions and talks among the political forces, particularly the Coordination Framework, to reach a decisive agreement that will ensure a date is set Read more…

MP: Corruption funds are enough to cover employee salaries for years

MP: Corruption funds are enough to cover employee salaries for years

8-17-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Abdul Hamza al-Khafaji affirmed on Monday that the funds wasted or embezzled through corruption cases could have significantly contributed to addressing the financial crisis and securing employee salaries for years.
Al-Khafaji told the Information Agency, “Iraq possesses substantial resources, but corruption and the squandering of public funds have resulted in the loss of enormous sums that could have been used to support the budget and secure citizens’ rights.”
He added, “If the funds stolen by influential entities and parties through corruption cases had been recovered and returned to the state treasury, they would have been sufficient to cover Read more…

“A sick currency” in new clothes… Will removing zeros save the dinar or just beautify the crisis?

“A sick currency” in new clothes… Will removing zeros save the dinar or just beautify the crisis?

8-17-2026

Information / Report…
From time to time, the proposal to remove zeros from the currency and replace them as a solution to end inflation and simplify accounting transactions is raised in Iraqi economic and political circles. With fluctuating exchange rates, the ongoing cash liquidity crisis, and the pressures of public debt, the Iraqi citizen finds himself torn between government promises of stability and the very real fears of inflation. Will changing the local currency and removing its zeros represent a genuine lifeline for the ailing economy, or is it merely a cosmetic measure for a sick currency that will not address the root causes of the structural financial crisis plaguing the country? Read more…

Will removing zeros solve Iraq’s financial crisis?

Will removing zeros solve Iraq’s financial crisis?

8-17-2026

The Information/Baghdad –
Iraqi MP Murtadha al-A’ajibi, a member of the Iraqi Foundation Coalition, confirmed on Monday that talk of removing zeros from the Iraqi currency remains merely a proposal under discussion, indicating that there are no current government efforts or plans to implement it.
Al-A’ajibi told Al-Ma’louma, “The talk about removing zeros from the Iraqi currency is simply a proposal being discussed, and there are currently no government efforts or actual plans to implement this step.” He clarified that “the matter has not yet reached the stage of implementation procedures.” Read more…

Honorable results for Iraq in the Egypt International Motorsport Championship

Honorable results for Iraq in the Egypt International Motorsport Championship

8-17-2026

Information/ Baghdad..
The Iraqi national team succeeded in achieving distinguished and honorable results in the Egypt and Middle East Auto Championship.

The head of the Iraqi Federation for Motorsports, Farouk Al-Rubaie, said in a statement to Al-Maalouma Agency that “the Iraqi national motorsports team achieved a remarkable accomplishment by winning the top three positions in the Egyptian and Middle Eastern Motorsports Championship, as the racer Hassouni Malek won first place, while Abdullah Munjid came in second place, and Ahmed Al-Bayati came in third.” Read more…

Al-Rasheed Bank denies any connection to the ghost employees in the Ministry of Electricity

Al-Rasheed Bank denies any connection to the ghost employees in the Ministry of Electricity

2026-08-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, Al-Rasheed Bank denied any connection to the case of ghost employees in the Ministry of Electricity, stressing that it receives the lists ready from the ministry and its only task is to disburse salaries.

The bank said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “any connection of the bank to the issue of disbursing salaries of fictitious employees in the Ministry of Electricity is incorrect, and that the procedures for settling salaries are carried out in accordance with the approved official procedures and based on original lists received Read more…

Al-Zaydi to the Ministry of Oil: I don’t want excuses… I want results within a week

Al-Zaydi to the Ministry of Oil: I don’t want excuses… I want results within a week

2026-08-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi called on the Ministry of Oil to find urgent solutions to the repercussions of the oil export crisis, stressing that he wants to see tangible results within a week, and emphasizing that every barrel of oil that is not sold represents a delay in salaries or public services and a loss to the state treasury.

Al-Zaydi said in a statement during his meeting with the Ministry of Oil today, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, that “there are many excuses, but we cannot keep making excuses. We must find solutions. Solutions must Read more…

Maliki’s coalition proposes separating the date of the American withdrawal from the issue of arms control.

Maliki’s coalition proposes separating the date of the American withdrawal from the issue of arms control.

2026-08-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A source within the coordination framework revealed on Sunday a proposal submitted by the State of Law Coalition, led by Nouri al-Maliki, to separate the date of the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq from the issue of dismantling weapons, within the framework of a vision that is still “under study”.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the State of Law Coalition submitted a proposal to “separate the date of the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq from the issue of disarming weapons,” explaining that the main idea revolves around separating the two issues by a period of time, even if it is short, with Read more…

Removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar: monetary reform or cosmetic makeover?

Removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar: monetary reform or cosmetic makeover?

2026-08-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Talk has resurfaced about the project to remove zeros from the Iraqi dinar, after years of it remaining under study, amid a liquidity crisis facing the government and pressure on financing expenditures and salaries, and in light of a broader discussion about looted funds and the size of the cash circulating outside the banking system.

Supporters argue that renaming the currency could simplify transactions and help regulate cash, while economists warn against turning it into a cure for a financial crisis that the new figures cannot address. Read more…

Late-night meeting of the four presidencies to discuss three “serious” issues in Iraq

Late-night meeting of the four presidencies to discuss three “serious” issues in Iraq

2026-08-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The four presidencies will hold an important meeting this evening, Monday, focusing on the issue of limiting weapons and options for confronting factions that refuse to disarm after the September 30 deadline.

According to an informed source who spoke to Shafaq News Agency, the meeting to be held between Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi, Speaker of Parliament Hebat al-Halbousi, President Nizar Amidi, and Head of the Supreme Judicial Council Faiq Zaidan will focus on two issues: first, restricting weapons, and second, continuing the fight against corruption and ensuring Read more…

Kurdistan Finance Ministry announces arrival of July salary funds: distribution will begin soon.

Kurdistan Finance Ministry announces arrival of July salary funds: distribution will begin soon.

2026-08-17

Shafaq News – Erbil
The Ministry of Finance in the Kurdistan Region announced on Monday that the funds for July salaries have arrived, confirming that they will be distributed soon.

The ministry said in a statement: “The funding for the salaries of July, amounting to (830,782,000,000) eight hundred and thirty billion, seven hundred and eighty-two million dinars, has been officially deposited as funding for the salaries of employees and salary recipients in the region for the month of July, into the bank account of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of the Kurdistan Regional Government at the Erbil branch of the Central Bank of Iraq.” Read more…

Nechirvan Barzani condemns the targeting of the Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister’s office and sends a message to Baghdad.

Nechirvan Barzani condemns the targeting of the Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister’s office and sends a message to Baghdad.

2026-08-17

Shafaq News – Erbil
On Monday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani condemned the attack targeting the office of the region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and addressed a message to the federal government in Baghdad.

According to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, Barzani condemned in the strongest terms the attacks that targeted, this morning, the office of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, and the residence of the head of the Protection Agency (Security), stressing that “these attacks are completely unacceptable and constitute a dangerous escalation.” Read more…

“Empty promises” under 50 degrees: A British report reviews the reality of electricity in Iraq

“Empty promises” under 50 degrees: A British report reviews the reality of electricity in Iraq

2026-08-17

Shafaq News – Translation
Unless the fundamental problem of state absence and the dominance of corruption is addressed, any talk of tackling Iraq’s electricity catastrophe in 2027 remains just another act in a long play whose ending the audience knows before the curtain rises.

This is what the British website ” Middle East Monitor ” concluded , in an article titled “Iraq’s Electricity Crises: 50 Degrees of Cooling (Empty) Promises,” translated by Shafaq News Agency, saying that you can replace the name of the current Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, with any Prime Minister since 2003, and nothing will change in meaning or result. Read more…

Al-Zaidi directs oil companies to work 24 hours a day to increase production and exports.

Al-Zaidi directs oil companies to work 24 hours a day to increase production and exports.

2026-08-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed on Monday that oil companies operate 24 hours a day to ensure the sustainability and increase of production and export operations, in light of a significant decline in Iraqi oil exports due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

During an expanded meeting of the Ministry of Oil, Al-Zaydi stressed, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, the importance of expediting practical solutions to deal with the repercussions of the crisis, through the rehabilitation and development of oil pipelines, and contracting with Read more…

The Ministry of Planning held a preliminary meeting to discuss the proposed investment budget for 2027.

The Ministry of Planning held a preliminary meeting to discuss the proposed investment budget for 2027.

8-17-2026

The Ministry of Planning held a preliminary meeting Sunday (August 16, 2026), to discuss preparations for the 2027 investment budget proposals, chaired by the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Technical Affairs, Maher Hammad Johan.

The ministry said in a statement that “the meeting comes as a prelude to the launch of discussions on the annual investment budget, according to a timetable extending from August 16 to 31, 2026, to discuss proposals from ministries, governorates and entities Read more…

Dozens of lawyers are trying to avoid imprisonment… Source: The judiciary has closed the door on bail for al-Samarrai and Abu Mazen until investigations are completed.

Dozens of lawyers are trying to avoid imprisonment… Source: The judiciary has closed the door on bail for al-Samarrai and Abu Mazen until investigations are completed.

8-16-2026

Information / Special..
An informed source revealed today, Sunday, that figures accused of corruption, who are currently in prison after being arrested in recent government campaigns, are making intensive efforts to obtain judicial decisions that would allow them to be released on bail.

The source told Al-Maalomah that “Muthanna al-Samarrai and Ahmed al-Jubouri (Abu Mazen) have hired a large number of lawyers to work on the possibility of getting them out of prison Read more…

Finance Minister: Iraq is moving towards approving its first program and performance budget.

Finance Minister: Iraq is moving towards approving its first program and performance budget.

8-16-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Finance Minister Faleh Sari confirmed on Sunday that Iraq is moving towards approving its first program and performance-based budget in its history.
The ministry said in a statement received by the Information Agency that “the Finance Minister confirmed during his meeting with the British Ambassador that Iraq is moving towards approving its first program and performance-based budget in its history, according to a new methodology in managing Read more…