IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Exclusive: A comprehensive assessment of Iraqi bank management paves the way for anticipated restructuring.

Exclusive: A comprehensive assessment of Iraqi bank management paves the way for anticipated restructuring.

2026-08-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Saturday that there is a government trend to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of the administrations of state-owned banks, while exploring the possibility of making administrative changes in a number of banks, due to their “weak” contribution in supporting the government and citizens under the current financial circumstances.

According to the source who spoke to Shafaq News Agency, government banks are facing criticism regarding their Read more…

Iraq plans to increase tourism’s contribution: 10 million visitors and 1.5 million jobs

Iraq plans to increase tourism’s contribution: 10 million visitors and 1.5 million jobs

2026-08-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Tourism and Antiquities Authority in the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation, organized a workshop on Saturday to prepare a national strategy for the development of the Iraqi tourism sector until the year 2035, with the participation of a group of officials, stakeholders and academics.

Matthias Bach, head of the Economic Transformation Promotion Department at the German Agency for International Cooperation, noted in his speech during the workshop, which was attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, that “Iraq has amazing tourist sites, from ancient heritage and modern landmarks side by side, Read more…

Christians in Iraq: Two thousand years of presence and an inherent right to participate in decision-making.

Christians in Iraq: Two thousand years of presence and an inherent right to participate in decision-making.

2026-08-15 05:04

Dr. Duha Al-Sadkhan
The question is not: What should we give to Christians in Iraq?
But the question is: what remains of their historical right in a homeland of which they were and still are an integral part of its history and civilization?

When we speak of Iraqi Christians, we are not speaking of a group that migrated to Iraq in modern times, nor of a community that came from outside the region. We are speaking of a religious and cultural component that has been linked to Mesopotamia since the early centuries AD, and has become an integral part of Iraq’s social, cultural, religious, and political history for nearly two thousand years. Read more…

A political move is expected to fill nine vacant ministerial positions in the Al-Zidi government.

A political move is expected to fill nine vacant ministerial positions in the Al-Zidi government.

8-14-2026

Information/Baghdad..
Abdel Samad Al-Zarkoushi, a member of the coordinating framework, confirmed on Friday that next week will witness escalating activity among political forces to resolve the nine ministerial portfolios in Ali Al-Zidi’s government.

Al-Zarkoushi explained in his interview with Al-Maalouma that “next week will witness escalating activity through meetings and communications between various political forces, including Read more…

Al-Fatlawi reveals the reasons for the delay in filling the vacant positions in Al-Zaidi’s government.

Al-Fatlawi reveals the reasons for the delay in filling the vacant positions in Al-Zaidi’s government.

8-14-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Ali al-Fatlawi, a member of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, revealed the reasons for the delay in filling the vacant ministerial positions in al-Zaidi’s government, stressing the importance of expediting the process and presenting alternative candidates to ensure the remaining ministries are approved.
Al-Fatlawi told Al-Maalouma, “Some political blocs have submitted candidates for the vacant ministerial portfolios in al-Zaidi’s cabinet, providing an alternative in case the first candidate is rejected. This has created a problem among the political blocs.” Read more…

Former MP: The Popular Mobilization Forces will have a law passed in parliament in the coming days

Former MP: The Popular Mobilization Forces will have a law passed in parliament in the coming days

8-14-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Hussein Ali confirmed that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) will have its own law, as Parliament moves towards enacting a PMF law, despite some external messages regarding this legislation.
Ali told Al-Maalouma, “The PMF law, which is expected to be passed in the coming days, has not faced any external comments or negative messages from the US administration, despite attempts to obstruct its passage during the previous parliamentary session.” He added, “There are some messages Read more…

Al-Zaydi directs border crossings to operate on self-financing and emphasizes combating corruption.

Al-Zaydi directs border crossings to operate on self-financing and emphasizes combating corruption.

2026-08-14

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Friday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed the Border Ports Authority to operate on a self-financing system through tax and customs fees, while stressing the need to combat corruption.

Al-Zaydi visited the headquarters of the Border Ports Authority in the capital, Baghdad, where he met with the directors of the border ports and their employees via video conference, praising their efforts and their role in protecting the country’s sovereignty and Read more…

Al-Zidi discusses with Al-Maliki combating corruption and restricting weapons to the state.

Al-Zidi discusses with Al-Maliki combating corruption and restricting weapons to the state.

2026-08-14

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi discussed with Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, the issues of combating corruption, restricting weapons to the state, and other political and regional matters.

Al-Zaydi’s media office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Zaydi received Al-Maliki, and the meeting witnessed discussions on a number of political and national files and issues, most notably the completion of the formation of the cabinet, in a way that supports Read more…

US military expert: Counter-terrorism forces and Peshmerga are capable of maintaining security after the withdrawal

US military expert: Counter-terrorism forces and Peshmerga are capable of maintaining security after the withdrawal

2026-08-14

Shafaq News – Washington
Mustafa Hashim
On Friday, Rafael Cohen, director of the Strategy and Doctrine Program at the RAND Corporation, a military research institution, affirmed that the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service and the Peshmerga forces possess sufficient experience and training to lead battles on the ground, while also noting the existence of logistical and political challenges that may affect overall military performance as the American combat role declines.

Cohen, a U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant colonel who previously served two combat tours in Iraq, told Shafaq News Read more…

Exclusive: Details of an Iraqi-Saudi-American meeting dominated by factions and al-Zaidi’s movements

Exclusive: Details of an Iraqi-Saudi-American meeting dominated by factions and al-Zaidi’s movements

2026-08-14

Shafaq News – Baghdad/Riyadh
Two Iraqi and Saudi diplomatic sources revealed on Friday details of a meeting held the previous evening in Riyadh, which included delegations from Iraq and Saudi Arabia and representatives of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), to discuss security developments and the issue of armed factions in Iraq.

The Iraqi diplomatic source told Shafaq News Agency that the meeting addressed the latest developments regarding the factions and the options available for dealing with them, without revealing the nature of those options or any further details about them. Read more…

Three giant oil tankers have docked at the port of Basra to load 6 million barrels of Iraqi crude.

Three giant oil tankers have docked at the port of Basra to load 6 million barrels of Iraqi crude.

2026-08-14

Shafaq News – Basra
A source at the Iraqi Ports Company reported on Friday that three giant foreign oil tankers had docked at the port of Basra.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the loading capacity of each of those tankers is two million barrels, and it is hoped that the Ministry of Oil will begin the loading operations and export a total of 6 million barrels of crude.

The source added that a fourth, smaller tanker is expected to arrive at the port Read more…

The largest desert region in Iraq, Rutba, offers industrial, tourism, and agricultural investment opportunities.

The largest desert region in Iraq, Rutba, offers industrial, tourism, and agricultural investment opportunities.

2026-08-14

Shafaq News – Anbar
The mayor of Rutba in Anbar, Imad al-Dulaimi, confirmed on Friday that the western desert in the province represents a “promising area for investment” in the agriculture, livestock, minerals and energy sectors, noting that security stability, the opening of border crossings and the availability of water sources are essential factors for stimulating investment in the region.

Al-Dulaimi told Shafaq News Agency that “the western desert of Iraq, the largest part of which lies within the borders of the Rutba district, extends over an area of ​​approximately 90,000 square kilometers, and is characterized by Read more…

Parliamentary Finance Committee: The Ministry of Finance has begun preparing the 2027 budget.

Parliamentary Finance Committee: The Ministry of Finance has begun preparing the 2027 budget.

8-14-2026

The Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed on Friday that the Ministry of Finance has begun preparing the 2027 budget. The committee also indicated that the Grants and Borrowing Law will be presented to Parliament next week. Committee member Ikhlas al-Dulaimi stated to the official news agency that “during the committee’s visit to the Prime Minister, several issues were agreed upon, including the agreement to send the 2027 budget.” She added that “the Finance Committee has taken upon itself the task of legislating the Grants and Borrowing Law, and an agreement has been reached with the government Read more…

Financial advisor: The government has developed plans aimed at increasing non-oil revenues to 45%

Financial advisor: The government has developed plans aimed at increasing non-oil revenues to 45%

8-14-2026

The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed on Friday that the government’s economic direction focuses on transitioning from a rentier economy that relies on the distribution of oil revenues to a productive economy, by strengthening the role of the private sector, diversifying revenue sources, and financing infrastructure projects. Salih told the official news agency that “Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi’s economic vision stems from identifying two fundamental issues: first, the weak role of the private sector in productive activity, and second, the weakness of Read more…

Ministry of Oil: Our oil exports since the beginning of August have reached two million barrels per day

Ministry of Oil: Our oil exports since the beginning of August have reached two million barrels per day

8-14-2026

Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair announced on Friday the opening of the central gas processing plant in the Al-Faihaa oil field. He also noted that four oil tankers are currently carrying Iraqi crude for export. He confirmed that oil exports have reached two million barrels per day since the beginning of August. Khudair stated in a joint press conference with Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani that “the ministry is proceeding with the implementation of service and community projects in the oil-producing areas, in coordination with the local government and the representatives of Basra Governorate,” pointing out that “the investment of oil and gas Read more…

Head of the Integrity Commission: There is no safe haven for looted funds or those wanted for justice.

Head of the Integrity Commission: There is no safe haven for looted funds or those wanted for justice.

8-14-2026

The head of the Federal Integrity Commission, Mohammed Ali Al-Lami, confirmed on Thursday that there is no safe haven for looted funds or those wanted for justice, while indicating that the hand of justice is stronger than attempts to hide and smuggle funds, and that coordination between Baghdad and Ankara is sufficient to narrow the spaces for those wanted.

The head of the commission, Mohammed Ali Al-Lami, said in a statement that “Iraq and Turkey are moving towards Read more…

Following an Iraqi-Saudi security meeting, Khalid bin Salman stated: “We will always stand with Baghdad.”

Following an Iraqi-Saudi security meeting, Khalid bin Salman stated: “We will always stand with Baghdad.”

2026-08-13

Shafaq News – Riyadh
Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman affirmed on Thursday that the Kingdom will always stand with Iraq to “support its security, stability, development and prosperity,” for the benefit of Iraq and its people.

Bin Salman said in a statement carried by Shafaq News Agency: “I met with the Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Abdul-Amir Al-Shammari, and we reviewed Saudi-Iraqi relations in the military and defense Read more…

Intensive efforts to join the World Trade Organization

Intensive efforts to join the World Trade Organization

2026/08/13

Iraq has made significant progress in its bid to join the World Trade Organization, after completing a number of key files related to goods and services and responding to questions from member states, in preparation for holding the fourth meeting of the working group on Iraq’s accession to the organization.

The official spokesman for the Ministry of Trade, Mohammed Hanoun, said that a delegation from the ministry visited the headquarters of the World Trade Organization last July, and held a Read more…

Political anticipation is high for the formation of al-Zidi’s cabinet within the next two weeks.

Political anticipation is high for the formation of al-Zidi’s cabinet within the next two weeks.

8-13-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Hassan Fad’am confirmed on Thursday that political and public circles are anticipating the completion of the cabinet within the next two weeks, noting that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi pledged to finalize his ministerial portfolios during the recent meeting of the State Administration Coalition.
Fad’am told Al-Ma’louma, “The recent meeting of the State Administration Coalition, attended by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, emphasized the need to expedite the completion Read more…

Al-Yassiri reveals the circumstances surrounding the ban on Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

Al-Yassiri reveals the circumstances surrounding the ban on Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

8-13-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Hayam al-Yasiri revealed on Thursday a dispute between the Ministry of Oil and the Iraqi Maritime Transport Company regarding the mechanism for exporting Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz. She indicated that certain parties have raised the issue of an investor allegedly obstructing oil exports.
Al-Yasiri told the Information Agency, “There is a disagreement between the Ministry of Oil and the Iraqi Maritime Transport Company regarding the mechanism for exporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz, and an issue has been raised concerning an investor who is preventing Iraqi oil exports.” Read more…