IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

A deficit of 43 trillion dinars: Balancing inflation and the refusal to increase Kurdistan’s share

A deficit of 43 trillion dinars: Balancing inflation and the refusal to increase Kurdistan’s share

11-3-2026

The federal budget is facing a critical financial juncture due to unprecedented inflation in operational spending and a mounting deficit. Economic warnings are mounting about the depletion of the treasury caused by exorbitant privileges granted to special-grade officials and the inflated, unaccounted-for funding of pension and welfare funds. This comes as the Kurdistan Region’s demands for an increased financial allocation have been met with firm rejection from both parliament and the government. Read more…

“Jordan at the forefront”… Al-Waeli: Manipulating the origin of imported goods is killing the Iraqi economy

“Jordan at the forefront”… Al-Waeli: Manipulating the origin of imported goods is killing the Iraqi economy

11-3-2026

Information/Special…
MP Taqi Nasser Al-Waeli, from the “Ishraqat Kanoun” bloc, affirmed on Tuesday that the responsibility for protecting domestic products lies with regulatory bodies to safeguard them from imported goods. He noted that some products enter the country under the guise of being manufactured there, while others falsely claim they are made in Iraq when they are actually imported. Read more…

Iraqi oil company reaches agreements with US-based Chevron regarding the West Qurna-2 oil field contract.

Iraqi oil company reaches agreements with US-based Chevron regarding the West Qurna-2 oil field contract.

2026-11-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem al-Abadi announced on Tuesday that agreements had been reached with US company Chevron to sign a contract for the West Qurna-2 oil field before the end of this year, while talks continue regarding contracts for other fields.

Al-Abadi said in a video statement received by Shafaq News Agency that this came as a continuation of the discussions and negotiations related to the contracts of American companies, Read more…

Al-Mandalawi emphasizes the activation of memoranda of understanding with two American companies in the energy sector.

Al-Mandalawi emphasizes the activation of memoranda of understanding with two American companies in the energy sector.

2026-11-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, stressed on Monday evening the need to finalize and activate the memoranda of understanding with the American companies “Chevron” and “Exxon Mobil” in the field of energy.

The media office of Al-Mandalawi stated Read more…

Iraqi oil exports rise to 3.35 million barrels, driving a recovery in Gulf flows.

Iraqi oil exports rise to 3.35 million barrels, driving a recovery in Gulf flows.

2026-11-03

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Iraq’s oil exports rose by 9.5% during October, reaching 3.35 million barrels per day, approaching pre-war levels, at a time when the most prominent Arab oil-producing countries in the Gulf recorded an overall increase in their shipments, which contributed to strengthening global supplies and reducing pressure on prices. Read more…

Al-Zaydi negotiates with the factions… The Quartet Committee is “displeased”: It may backfire.

Al-Zaydi negotiates with the factions… The Quartet Committee is “displeased”: It may backfire.

2026-11-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, a source familiar with the inner workings of the Quartet Committee tasked with negotiating with the factions revealed that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had intervened in the negotiations by holding separate meetings with some leaders of the groups refusing to hand over weapons. Read more…

The Iraqi government will hold an extraordinary session on Saturday to vote on the 2027 budget.

The Iraqi government will hold an extraordinary session on Saturday to vote on the 2027 budget.

2026-11-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A government source reported on Tuesday that the Iraqi cabinet will hold an extraordinary session next Saturday, chaired by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, to vote on the draft general budget law for 2027.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the session will be dedicated to voting on the draft budget, in preparation for sending it to the House of Representatives for a vote before the end of this year. Read more…

Iraq increases its oil exports via Türkiye to 500,000 barrels per day

Iraq increases its oil exports via Türkiye to 500,000 barrels per day

2026-11-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The energy news website Oilprice.com reported that Iraq has increased its oil exports through the Turkish port of Ceyhan to 500,000 barrels per day, in a move aimed at strengthening crude oil export outlets away from the Strait of Hormuz.

The website reported, in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency, that Iraq has begun transporting Basra crude by truck to the pipeline system in the north of the country. Currently, about Read more…

Following the easing of visa requirements, Damascus confirms the start of a new phase of trade exchange with Iraq.

Following the easing of visa requirements, Damascus confirms the start of a new phase of trade exchange with Iraq.

2026-11-03

Shafaq News – Damascus
On Tuesday, Mohammad Imad Al-Mawlawi, a member of the executive office of the Damascus Countryside Chamber of Commerce, affirmed that the decision to facilitate the granting of visas to traders between Syria and Iraq is an important step to enhance trade and investment exchange and expand partnership opportunities between the two countries, expecting its effects to gradually appear during the coming year. Read more…

The Democratic Party and the Christian and Turkmen blocs are officially calling for a session of the Kurdistan Parliament tomorrow.

The Democratic Party and the Christian and Turkmen blocs are officially calling for a session of the Kurdistan Parliament tomorrow.

2026-11-03

Shafaq News – Erbil
The Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc, the Christian bloc, and the Turkmen Reform Party bloc called on Tuesday for other parliamentary blocs to hold a session on Wednesday morning to activate the Kurdistan-Iraq Parliament.

The head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s parliamentary bloc, Vala Farid, said in a joint press conference with members of parliament Read more…

American message to Baghdad: Iraq is a state sponsor of terrorism if it does not control the weapons of the factions.

American message to Baghdad: Iraq is a state sponsor of terrorism if it does not control the weapons of the factions.

2026-11-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Well-informed political sources reported on Tuesday that the acting US ambassador to Iraq, Steven Fagin, had delivered direct messages in recent days to government and political figures, confirming that Washington is monitoring steps to restrict weapons to the state.

According to sources who spoke to Shafaq News Agency, Fagen warned that failure to comply with the pledges and failure to put in place a concrete plan to end the presence of weapons outside Read more…

Calls for the Ministry of Finance to intervene: The difficulty in applying for “Rafidain” loans through the application opens the door to exploitation.

Calls for the Ministry of Finance to intervene: The difficulty in applying for “Rafidain” loans through the application opens the door to exploitation.

2026-11-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A number of employees and retirees called on Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari and members of the House of Representatives, especially the Parliamentary Finance Committee, to intervene urgently to address the difficulties facing applications for bank loans issued by Rafidain Bank, and to find solutions that ensure that those entitled to them can access them without complications. Read more…

Parliamentary Integrity Committee: We will open the file on investment exceptions granted by the Sudanese government.

Parliamentary Integrity Committee: We will open the file on investment exceptions granted by the Sudanese government.

2026-11-02

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, Hamid Al-Fatlawi, a member of the Parliamentary Integrity Committee, revealed that the committee intends to open files related to the exceptions granted during the previous government headed by Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and violations in the estimates of the costs of investment projects, indicating that oversight efforts will continue to uncover corruption files in the coming days. Read more…

How can Iraq recover its funds from abroad? A legal expert explains.

How can Iraq recover its funds from abroad? A legal expert explains.

11-2-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Legal expert Ali Jaber al-Tamimi explained how Iraq can recover its smuggled funds abroad and the mechanisms in place to ensure their return and use within the country.
Al-Tamimi told Al-Maalouma, “The 2003 Anti-Money Laundering Convention, specifically regarding the recovery of smuggled funds, outlines the process for recovering these funds in Articles 55 and 56. Iraq ratified this convention in 2007 under Law No. 35 of 2007.” Read more…

Al-Bayati: The figures for the 2027 budget deficit and borrowing are still unknown.

Al-Bayati: The figures for the 2027 budget deficit and borrowing are still unknown.

11-2-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Mohammed al-Bayati revealed on Monday that the true size of the 2027 budget deficit and the initial estimates for external or internal borrowing remain unknown. He indicated that all current discussions are mere speculation.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Bayati explained, “The true size of the 2027 budget deficit and the initial estimates for external or internal borrowing are still unknown.” He added, “Everything currently circulating is speculation Read more…

The battle for security positions: Al-Halbousi’s ambitions for the intelligence services clash with widespread political rejection.

The battle for security positions: Al-Halbousi’s ambitions for the intelligence services clash with widespread political rejection.

11-2-2026

Information / Baghdad…
An informed parliamentary source revealed on Monday that the “Progress” party, headed by Mohammed al-Halbousi, is exerting intense political pressure to secure the position of head of the National Intelligence Service. The source confirmed that this move is facing widespread and categorical rejection from various political forces. Read more…

Economist: Addressing the budget deficit begins with reducing expenditures and pursuing ghost employees.

Economist: Addressing the budget deficit begins with reducing expenditures and pursuing ghost employees.

11-2-2026

Al-Maalomah/Anbar…
Economic expert Rashid al-Saadi affirmed on Monday that addressing the government’s budget deficit requires well-considered steps, avoiding impulsive and ill-conceived measures. He warned that continuing current financial policies could exacerbate the economic crisis and disproportionately affect segments of society. Read more…

Parliamentary Investment Committee: Non-oil revenues exceeded 8 trillion dinars during the past months

Parliamentary Investment Committee: Non-oil revenues exceeded 8 trillion dinars during the past months

11-2-2026

Information/Special…
Member of the Parliamentary Investment and Finance Committee, Muhammad Jabbar al-Shammari, confirmed on Monday that there is a real possibility of generating 30 trillion Iraqi dinars in non-oil revenues after including these estimates in the 2027 general budget.
Al-Shammari told Al-Maalouma, “The figure set by the government in the budget, estimated at 30 trillion dinars as non-oil revenues, is feasible Read more…

Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt are exploring oil and export projects via the Red and Mediterranean Seas.

Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt are exploring oil and export projects via the Red and Mediterranean Seas.

2026-11-02

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, the tripartite Iraqi-Jordanian-Egyptian cooperation team discussed the technical and operational details of the crude oil export pipeline project (Basra-Haditha), in addition to joint projects in the oil, energy and petrochemical sectors. Read more…

For the first time, Iraqi oil exports via Ceyhan, Turkey, reach 500,000 barrels per day.

For the first time, Iraqi oil exports via Ceyhan, Turkey, reach 500,000 barrels per day.

2026-11-02

Shafaq News – Kirkuk
Three oil sources in the production, pipeline and export sectors of the state-owned North Oil Company, affiliated with the Ministry of Oil, revealed on Sunday evening that the total exports of Iraqi oil through the Turkish port of Ceyhan have increased to 500,000 barrels per day, coming from the Kirkuk, Basra and Kurdistan Region fields, in an increase that is the first of its kind since the resumption of export operations through the oil transport system towards Turkish territory. Read more…