IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Exclusive: Al-Zaydi’s advisor reveals the government’s options for overcoming the salary crisis.

Exclusive: Al-Zaydi’s advisor reveals the government’s options for overcoming the salary crisis.

2026-08-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, the financial and economic advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaydi, revealed the mechanisms for confronting the financial crisis and ensuring the payment of employee salaries during the coming period.

Saleh told Shafaq News Agency that “the continuation of the war until the beginning of next year, and the potential impact on oil exports that will accompany it, may push the government to continue to rely on a mix of financing tools, including internal and external borrowing, especially if the borrowing law currently before the House of Representatives is approved, given its importance Read more…

Iraq officially enters a state of financial hardship

Iraq officially enters a state of financial hardship

2026-08-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi economic researcher Ziad al-Hashemi said on Friday that Iraq has “officially” entered a state of (financial hardship), the government is going through its worst period, and the people are waiting to receive their financial entitlements.

Al-Hashemi explained in a post on the “X” platform, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, that “it is not surprising that the Iraqi government finally admits the shortage of liquidity in its treasury, after many months of stubbornness, denial and obstinacy, and after the continuous Read more…

Eco Iraq: 81% of the budget goes to salaries and 6% to investment

Eco Iraq: 81% of the budget goes to salaries and 6% to investment

2026-08-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Eco Iraq Observatory announced on Saturday that salaries for employees, retirees, and social welfare allowances alone account for 81% of the total general budget, compared to only 6% for the investment budget .

The observatory stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “the operational budget, which includes salaries, asset maintenance and grants, represents about 94% of the state’s total expenditures,” indicating that “salaries, wages, pensions and social welfare allowances account for about 81% of the total general budget .” Read more…

Kirkuk joins the “Turkish world” and Erdogan’s deputy considers it “the homeland of the Turkmen”

Kirkuk joins the “Turkish world” and Erdogan’s deputy considers it “the homeland of the Turkmen”

2026-08-01

Shafaq News – Kirkuk
The deputy chairman of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party, Kürşad Zorlu, announced that Kirkuk province has officially joined the “Union of Turkish World Municipalities” during a meeting held by the union in the Turkish city of Karaman.

Zorlu said that Kirkuk’s membership was definitively approved during the meeting held yesterday, Friday, considering that the step will open the way for expanding cooperation Read more…

Diyala: Delayed salaries revive “debt ledgers” and paralyze market activity

Diyala: Delayed salaries revive “debt ledgers” and paralyze market activity

2026-08-01

Shafaq News – Diyala
With the delay in paying salaries in most state institutions, the last days of the month have turned into a heavy waiting period for thousands of families who depend on a fixed government income, while the effects of the crisis have begun to go beyond homes to be reflected in the markets, where purchasing activity has declined and requests for selling on credit have increased, amid fears that the current delay will turn into a recurring pattern during the coming months.

In the markets of Baquba, the capital of Diyala Governorate, shop owners do not need an official announcement to know whether salaries have been released or not, as the movement of shoppers reveals this quickly. Read more…

Ministry of Oil: Tripartite agreement to resume exports via Ceyhan with a capacity of 750,000 barrels per day

Ministry of Oil: Tripartite agreement to resume exports via Ceyhan with a capacity of 750,000 barrels per day

8-1-2026

The Ministry of Oil announced on Saturday the objectives of its minister’s visit to Turkey at the head of a government delegation, indicating that the aim of the visit is to conclude a one-year agreement to sustain oil exports through the Ceyhan port. The spokesman for the Ministry of Oil, Salim al-Rikabi, told the official agency that “a high-level Iraqi delegation headed by the Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil, Basim Muhammad Khudair, went to Turkey to sign a temporary agreement for one year, as a prelude to concluding a comprehensive and long-term agreement Read more…

Ministry of Oil: Agreement signed for transporting and loading Iraqi crude oil via the Ceyhan pipeline

Ministry of Oil: Agreement signed for transporting and loading Iraqi crude oil via the Ceyhan pipeline

8-1-2026

Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair is heading to the Republic of Turkey today, Saturday, to sign an agreement for the transport and loading of Iraqi crude oil via the Ceyhan pipeline. The Ministry of Oil stated in a statement published by the official agency that “the Minister of Oil is heading to Turkey Read more…

Iraq plans to increase its electricity production to 35,000 megawatts.

Iraq plans to increase its electricity production to 35,000 megawatts.

7-31-2026

Information/Baghdad
The Ministry of Electricity announced on Friday a plan of two tracks and five axes to add 7,000 megawatts and raise production to 35,000 by 2030.

The spokesman for the Ministry of Electricity, Ahmed Turki, said that “the ministry’s plan within the government program aims to add about 7,000 megawatts to the national grid, to reach a production of 35,000 megawatts by 2030,” noting that “the plan comes within the government program, and aims to increase production capacities through 5 axes that include expanding Read more…

“Living with parents”: An emergency solution that plagues couples in Iraq

“Living with parents”: An emergency solution that plagues couples in Iraq

2026-07-31

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Economic conditions and high rental prices are pushing many young Iraqis who are about to get married or who are newly married to live with their families, due to their inability to rent independent homes.

Over time, social, psychological, and familial problems associated with this type of housing emerge, particularly given the limited space of the homes. Many houses in the capital, Baghdad, range between 50 and 100 square meters, an area that, according to citizens, is insufficient to accommodate an additional family. Read more…

A former deputy confirms there are understandings regarding the timing of finalizing the cabinet and the American withdrawal.

A former deputy confirms there are understandings regarding the timing of finalizing the cabinet and the American withdrawal.

7-31-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Hussein Ali confirmed the existence of political understandings regarding the timelines for finalizing the cabinet and the American withdrawal from Iraq, noting optimism for achieving positive results in the coming days.
Ali told Al-Maalouma, “Iraq has set important timelines related to finalizing the cabinet, in addition to the American withdrawal from Iraqi territory. In return, Washington has set conditions for Baghdad to withdraw its forces Read more…

Al-Sarraj: Current circumstances necessitate creating a conducive environment and expediting the formation of the cabinet.

Al-Sarraj: Current circumstances necessitate creating a conducive environment and expediting the formation of the cabinet.

7-31-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Political analyst Ibrahim al-Sarraj believes that current circumstances necessitate creating a conducive environment and expediting the formation of the cabinet, particularly the security ministries.
Al-Sarraj told Al-Maalouma, “The lack of political momentum toward finalizing the cabinet is not related to the corruption campaign that has targeted a number of officials and members of parliament, as disagreements among political parties regarding the cabinet had already occurred before the campaign began.” Read more…

The Finance Minister tells Iraqis frankly: We are facing a problem in providing salaries and we are looking for solutions.

The Finance Minister tells Iraqis frankly: We are facing a problem in providing salaries and we are looking for solutions.

2026-07-31

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari revealed a real financial deficit that is hindering the completion of salary payments for employees, retirees, and social welfare beneficiaries, noting that the total monthly obligations for salaries amount to about 7 trillion and 800 billion dinars.

Al-Sari explained, during discussions with MP Haider Al-Mutairi of Ashraqa Kanoun, which addressed a number of financial and economic issues, that the Ministry of Finance had disbursed Read more…

Following the shocking statements of the Minister of Health, a call is made to the “loyalists” for an Iranian exception for Iraq in the Strait of Hormuz.

Following the shocking statements of the Minister of Health, a call is made to the “loyalists” for an Iranian exception for Iraq in the Strait of Hormuz.

2026-07-31

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi politician Dhafer al-Ani called on Friday for parties close to the regime in Tehran to allow Iraqi crude oil shipments to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This comes in conjunction with statements made by the Iraqi Minister of Health regarding the government’s financial deficit in providing medicines, basic supplies, and monthly salaries for workers in the health sector.

In a post on the X website, Al-Ani described the minister’s statements as “the resounding cry of the Minister Read more…

Following Al-Rafidain Bank, Al-Rasheed Bank will open its branches on Friday and Saturday to continue disbursing salaries.

Following Al-Rafidain Bank, Al-Rasheed Bank will open its branches on Friday and Saturday to continue disbursing salaries.

2026-07-31

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Al-Rasheed Bank announced that it will continue to provide its banking services and open a number of its branches on Friday and Saturday to complete the procedures for raising the salaries of state employees and completing related transactions.

The bank confirmed in an official statement that its staff in the relevant branches and departments continue their work during the weekend to ensure the completion of all salary Read more…

Al-Zaydi recalls the “Anfal of the Barzani family” and praises the federal democratic system in Iraq.

Al-Zaydi recalls the “Anfal of the Barzani family” and praises the federal democratic system in Iraq.

2026-07-31

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi issued a statement on Friday commemorating the “Anfal of the Barzani people” in the Kurdistan Region, while praising the federal democratic system in Iraq.

Al-Zaydi said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency: “The memory of our Iraqi people in general, and our Kurdish people in particular, is passing over the 43rd anniversary of the Baathist regime’s crime against the Kurdish national movement, the genocide Read more…

Al-Zaydi’s resignation is false. Source: Fabricated rumors spread by “brokers and thieves” to weaken his position.

Al-Zaydi’s resignation is false. Source: Fabricated rumors spread by “brokers and thieves” to weaken his position.

2026-07-31

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A high-ranking source in the Iraqi government refuted on Friday the news and information circulating about Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi threatening to resign from his position due to the pressures he faces in several files, including combating the rampant financial and administrative corruption in state departments and institutions.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that none of the news and reports circulating in this regard are true, noting that Read more…

Electricity in Iraq… Between trillions spent, corrupt contracts, and a lost national vision

Electricity in Iraq… Between trillions spent, corrupt contracts, and a lost national vision

7-31-2026

Researcher: Shatha Khalil
The electricity crisis in Iraq is no longer merely a recurring service problem that arises with rising temperatures; it has become a key indicator of the efficiency with which the state manages its economic resources. Since 2003, successive Iraqi governments have spent hundreds of billions of dollars on this sector, yet the result remains daily power outages, millions of citizens’ reliance on private generators, and the continued importation of gas and electricity. This paradox raises a fundamental question: how can a country that is one of the world’s largest oil producers be unable to provide a stable electricity supply? Read more…

Al-Halawi: Combating corruption requires continuous efforts, not just a single campaign.

Al-Halawi: Combating corruption requires continuous efforts, not just a single campaign.

7-30-2026

Information/Baghdad…
MP Habib al-Halawi commented today, Thursday, on Prime Minister al-Zaidi’s anti-corruption campaign, questioning the fate of the stolen and looted funds from 2003 until his rise to power. He pointed out that the success of anti-corruption efforts requires dealing with all those involved without exception, regardless of their political affiliations or positions, stressing the necessity of applying the law to everyone.
Al-Halawi told the Information Agency, “The fight against corruption must extend to all those involved, whatever their names or political affiliations, Read more…

Expectations are that oil flow between Iraq and Turkey will continue, with discussions underway to extend the agreement.

Expectations are that oil flow between Iraq and Turkey will continue, with discussions underway to extend the agreement.

2026-07-30

Shafaq News – Istanbul
Two Turkish sources suggested on Thursday that crude oil would continue to flow from Iraq to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, as Baghdad and Ankara continue their negotiations to extend the agreement to operate the pipeline for an additional 12 months, according to Reuters.

One of the sources said that the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline, which is the only functioning outlet for Iraqi oil exports, will continue its operations while talks between the two sides continue Read more…

Liquidity shortages threaten Iraqi private banks and push towards mergers to settle obligations.

Liquidity shortages threaten Iraqi private banks and push towards mergers to settle obligations.

2026-07-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A banking source revealed on Thursday that there is a shortage of liquidity in a number of private banks in Iraq, attributing this to the limited deposits and the decline in citizens’ confidence in private banks, which has weakened their ability to meet some local and international obligations and the requirements of the Central Bank of Iraq.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that this situation may push towards the merger of a number of banks, noting Read more…