IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

“Full salary without working hours”: Parliamentary amendment sparks controversy over employee leave

“Full salary without working hours”: Parliamentary amendment sparks controversy over employee leave

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The agreement by the parliamentary legal committee to raise the nominal salary of an employee during long-term leave from 50% to 100% has sparked widespread controversy regarding the financial and administrative implications of the proposal, while its supporters believe it gives the employee greater flexibility.

Meanwhile, experts are raising questions about the cost of paying a salary to an employee who does not perform Read more…

Hours after their meeting with Qaani, a “private meeting” took place between al-Zaydi and leaders within the framework.

Hours after their meeting with Qaani, a “private meeting” took place between al-Zaydi and leaders within the framework.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed political source reported on Tuesday that the leaders of the Coordination Framework held a “private meeting” with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi following a meeting with the commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, General Ismail Qaani.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the meeting is currently being held at Al-Zaydi’s government headquarters, without providing further details.

The meeting came after a meeting held in Baghdad by the commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Ismail Qaani, with leaders of the coordination framework on one hand, and leaders Read more…

Al-Zaydi: We are interested in attracting Korean investments to Iraq

Al-Zaydi: We are interested in attracting Korean investments to Iraq

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi affirmed on Tuesday the government’s interest in attracting more South Korean investments to the country, during his meeting with South Korean Ambassador to Iraq Lee Joon-il.

According to a statement from Al-Zaidi’s office received by Shafaq News Agency, the Korean ambassador delivered to him a written message from the country’s president, Lee Jae-myung, in which he expressed his congratulations on the formation of the government, Read more…

Parliamentary agreement to grant full nominal salary for long-term leave to employees.

Parliamentary agreement to grant full nominal salary for long-term leave to employees.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Member of Parliament’s Legal Committee, MP Mohammed Jassim Al-Khafaji, announced on Tuesday a parliamentary agreement to amend the clause regarding the nominal salary for long-term leave for employees.

Al-Khafaji said in a post on the social networking site Facebook, “The meeting of the legal committee that was held a little while ago witnessed an agreement to amend the clause of the nominal salary for long-term leave to increase it from 50% to 100%, which means Read more…

Despite a US-Iranian green light, a parliamentarian reveals that the Ministry of Oil refused to export crude oil via Iraqi tankers.

Despite a US-Iranian green light, a parliamentarian reveals that the Ministry of Oil refused to export crude oil via Iraqi tankers.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, MP Hayam Al-Yasiri, from the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, accused the Ministry of Oil and the national export company SOMO of refusing to export crude oil via Iraqi tankers belonging to the Ministry of Transport through the Strait of Hormuz, despite obtaining American and Iranian security approvals, speaking of “suspicions of corruption” behind this refusal.

Al-Yasiri told Shafaq News Agency that “the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Communications Read more…

Despite a 10% increase in the money supply, warnings are being issued about “stagnation and hoarding” threatening Iraq’s private sector.

Despite a 10% increase in the money supply, warnings are being issued about “stagnation and hoarding” threatening Iraq’s private sector.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Economic expert Manar Al-Obaidi warned on Tuesday of indicators of stagnation in non-oil GDP and an increase in the money supply in the country, and the resulting negative repercussions on the private sector and the lack of job opportunities in it, calling for the provision of urgent stimulus packages for the commercial and industrial sectors by facilitating the business environment and granting tax and customs exemptions.

In an economic analysis received by Shafaq News Agency, Al-Ubaidi stated, “The Iraqi economy is currently Read more…

“There is no fairness in the distribution of salaries”: A parliamentary proposal to resolve the crisis

“There is no fairness in the distribution of salaries”: A parliamentary proposal to resolve the crisis

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, MP Hayam Al-Yasiri, from the “Reconstruction and Development” bloc, proposed legislation that would require self-financing companies in state ministries to pay the salaries of the remaining ministry employees whose salaries are delayed, describing the proposal as “fair”.

Al-Yasiri said in a press conference followed by Shafaq News Agency that some departments in state ministries receive their employees’ salaries centrally, while others rely on a system of Read more…

Eco Iraq warns against the long leave law: it turns employment into income without work and a cost to the budget.

Eco Iraq warns against the long leave law: it turns employment into income without work and a cost to the budget.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Economic Observatory “Eco Iraq” strongly criticized on Tuesday the proposed law to grant employees long leave, warning that it would turn into an open financial privilege at the expense of the budget and public funds, at a time when the state is suffering from inflation in current spending.

The observatory said in a press statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “the proposed law submitted by the Parliamentary Finance Committee, which allows an employee to take a long leave while receiving 50% of his nominal salary, presents an unbalanced model,” explaining that “the proposal means paying a government salary to an employee who does not perform an actual service to the state, Read more…

Iraq leads OPEC production rise in July

Iraq leads OPEC production rise in July

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
OPEC production rose significantly in July, as Gulf states resumed pumping supplies that had been affected by the war with Iran and the unrest in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iraq recording the largest increase among member states, according to a Reuters survey.

According to the survey, OPEC production, excluding the UAE, rose by about Read more…

Reber Ahmed: Baghdad cannot protect us, and we are in contact with them to supply us with air defense systems.

Reber Ahmed: Baghdad cannot protect us, and we are in contact with them to supply us with air defense systems.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Erbil
On Tuesday, the Interior Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Reber Ahmed, confirmed that the disputes related to the implementation of the ASYCUDA system at border crossings had been resolved, while noting that the region was in contact with the Iraqi Army Chief of Staff regarding obtaining air defense systems to protect fields and facilities.

Ahmed said, during a speech he delivered at an exhibition held by the Zeravani forces command about the Anfal of the Barzani people, which was attended by Shafaq News Agency, that the Asikoda file was discussed extensively, Read more…

Exclusive: Iraqi government draws up roadmap to save salaries; Hormuz alternative ready

Exclusive: Iraqi government draws up roadmap to save salaries; Hormuz alternative ready

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s financial and economic advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, explained the reasons for the government’s continued assurances regarding securing employee salaries in light of the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis and the halt in oil exports.

Saleh told Shafaq News Agency: “In line with the Iraqi government’s confirmation on every occasion that the salaries of employees and retirees are secure and not at risk, despite Read more…

Exclusive: Qaani draws a red line in Baghdad: No limit on the weapons of the factions, and no clash with the state.

Exclusive: Qaani draws a red line in Baghdad: No limit on the weapons of the factions, and no clash with the state.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Ismail Qaani, drew a red line against handing over weapons to the state by Iraqi factions, and stressed the need to avoid armed confrontation with security forces, during a visit he made to the capital, Baghdad, before returning to Tehran.

An informed source told Shafaq News Agency that Qaani held a series of meetings yesterday with Iraqi political and security leaders, including leaders in the coordination framework and armed factions, to discuss the issue Read more…

With zero barrels… Iraq is off the list of the largest crude oil suppliers to America during July

With zero barrels… Iraq is off the list of the largest crude oil suppliers to America during July

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Washington
Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Tuesday showed that average U.S. imports of Iraqi crude oil were zero barrels per day during July 2026, according to the latest published data.

According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, the weekly average for the four weeks ending July 31, 2026, shows that the United States did not record any Read more…

With Saudi support, Iraqi border crossings discuss with a Turkish delegation increasing transit to one million trucks annually.

With Saudi support, Iraqi border crossings discuss with a Turkish delegation increasing transit to one million trucks annually.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Border Ports Authority discussed on Tuesday with a high-level official Turkish delegation the possibility of increasing the transit rate for goods crossing between the two countries with the support of Saudi Arabia.

This came during a meeting between the head of the Border Ports Authority, Lieutenant General Omar Adnan Al-Waili, and the delegation headed by Barak Akan, Director General for European Union Affairs and Foreign Relations at the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Read more…

Car sales in Iraq plummeted by 28.6% during the first half of 2026.

Car sales in Iraq plummeted by 28.6% during the first half of 2026.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Car sales in Iraq recorded a significant decline of 28.6% during the first half of 2026, registering 59,264 cars, compared to the same period last year, according to a report by Focus2move, a website specializing in global car market data.

According to the report seen by Shafaq News Agency, Kia topped the market with a 28% share despite a 27.8% decrease in sales, followed by Toyota with Read more…

Plans to increase production to 300 million cubic feet… Iraqi oil seeks optimal investment in the Ajil gas field

Plans to increase production to 300 million cubic feet… Iraqi oil seeks optimal investment in the Ajil gas field

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Extraction Affairs, Taseer Azizi, affirmed on Tuesday the importance of supporting optimal investment plans for gas produced from the Ajil field, within its programs aimed at developing oil fields, increasing crude oil production, maximizing associated gas investment, and supplying the energy and industry sectors with available quantities.

This came during a technical meeting chaired by Aziz, and attended by the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Gas Read more…

Exclusive: Al-Zaydi is considering sweeping changes in the leadership of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Exclusive: Al-Zaydi is considering sweeping changes in the leadership of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Informed sources reported on Tuesday that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi is considering making sweeping changes to senior positions within the Popular Mobilization Forces in the coming period, amid political pressure surrounding the issue.

Sources told Shafaq News Agency that the changes under consideration may include senior leadership positions in the organization, including the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces and the chief of staff of the organization, in addition to Read more…

Al-Zaydi calls on MPs to play their role in combating corruption: There are no red lines.

Al-Zaydi calls on MPs to play their role in combating corruption: There are no red lines.

2026-08-10

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi affirmed on Monday that the electricity file will receive “exceptional” attention. While calling on MPs to exercise their oversight role in supporting the government’s efforts to combat corruption and dry up its sources, he stressed that there are “no red lines” in pursuing corrupt individuals.

This came according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Office, which was received Read more…

The cabinet shortage weakens the government… the original members are absent, the proxies remain, and the tasks are substandard!

The cabinet shortage weakens the government… the original members are absent, the proxies remain, and the tasks are substandard!

8-10-2026

Information / Special..
The spokesman for the State of Law Coalition, MP Aqeel Al-Fatlawi, confirmed today, Monday, that completing the cabinet is of great importance, especially in light of the security and financial challenges that the country is going through during the current stage.

Al-Fatlawi told Al-Maalouma that “some important ministries need permanent ministers, especially the Ministries of Interior and Defense, which necessitates resolving the issue of their vacancies and not continuing to manage them by proxy in order to carry out Read more…

Exclusive: US warning: Factions’ refusal to surrender weapons could push Iraq into civil war

Exclusive: US warning: Factions’ refusal to surrender weapons could push Iraq into civil war

2026-08-10

Shafaq News – Washington
Mustafa Hashim
Former Pentagon official David Des Roches said on Monday that the Iraqi government’s setting a September deadline for the factions to hand over their weapons was a “positive step,” while noting that the factions’ refusal to hand over their weapons could push Iraq into a civil war.

Des Roches, who has held several positions, most notably Director of Operations for the North Atlantic Treaty Read more…