IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

The coordination framework is moving to finalize the remaining portfolios… A meeting is expected to conclude the matter.

The coordination framework is moving to finalize the remaining portfolios… A meeting is expected to conclude the matter.

7-18-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Member of the Coordination Framework, Uday Abdul-Hadi, confirmed on Saturday that the Framework’s forces will hold an important meeting this week to finalize the remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali al-Zaidi’s government.
Abdul-Hadi told Al-Maalouma, “The Coordination Framework forces will hold an important meeting of their leaders this week to reach a comprehensive agreement that will facilitate the nomination of candidates for the nine ministerial portfolios that remained unresolved during the parliamentary session held months ago Read more…

Al-Youssef: Resolving the remaining ministerial appointments is an internal matter, and political consensus will be the deciding factor.

Al-Youssef: Resolving the remaining ministerial appointments is an internal matter, and political consensus will be the deciding factor.

7-18-2026

The Information Agency / Baghdad…
Member of Parliament, Mukhtar al-Youssef, affirmed on Saturday that the issue of completing the cabinet is a purely internal matter and is not subject to any external influences, explaining that the final decision is solely linked to the electoral entitlement and national consensus among the political blocs.
Al-Youssef told the Information Agency that “the agenda for the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington was discussed extensively within the coordination framework meeting before its commencement,” noting that “the visit focused primarily on joint Read more…

Iraq fights for its oil reserves: A battle within OPEC+ to regain its market share.

Iraq fights for its oil reserves: A battle within OPEC+ to regain its market share.

7-18-2026

Information / Report…
Iraq is waging one of its most sensitive economic battles within the OPEC+ alliance, attempting to redefine its production quota to reflect its vast oil potential. This comes after years of adhering to production restrictions that officials and experts say have deprived Baghdad of significant revenues and directly impacted the general budget and development plans.
These moves are taking place amidst rapidly changing regional and international circumstances, most notably Read more…

Iraq outside Iran’s “cloak” and a new Arab integration… Washington strengthens al-Zaidi’s hand

Iraq outside Iran’s “cloak” and a new Arab integration… Washington strengthens al-Zaidi’s hand

2026-07-18

Shafaq News – Special Translation
An American report considered that the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to Washington reveals an American bet on integrating Iraq into a new regional Arab axis, based on economic partnership and political stability, far from Iran’s approach based on the “axis of resistance” and confrontation with the United States and Israel.

A report by the American ” Soufan Center ” Institute, translated by Shafaq News Agency, stated that Al-Zaidi’s meetings in Washington were not limited to economic and investment cooperation, but also carried clear political and security messages, represented by American pressure to implement Baghdad’s pledges Read more…

Officially, Iraq signs a license to operate the “Starlink” company.

Officially, Iraq signs a license to operate the “Starlink” company.

2026-07-18

Shafaq News – Baghdad/Washington
The Iraqi Media and Communications Commission announced on Friday evening that it had officially signed a license for the “Starlink” company to operate in the country, during a ceremony held at the American Chamber of Commerce in the United States.

The commission stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the head of the executive body of the Media and Communications Commission, Baligh Abu Kalal, signed the official license for Starlink to begin providing its services in Iraq, in the presence of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi. Read more…

Al-Zaidi calls on American companies to contribute to the establishment of the energy city in the Faw Peninsula.

Al-Zaidi calls on American companies to contribute to the establishment of the energy city in the Faw Peninsula.

2026-07-18

Shafaq News – Washington
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi called on American companies on Friday evening to contribute to the establishment of the Energy City on the waterfront of the Faw Peninsula, along the development route.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Al-Zaidi received US Energy Secretary Christopher Wright at his residence in Washington, DC. The meeting discussed ways of joint cooperation in the energy sector, the government’s plans to enhance Iraq’s Read more…

Iraq: A “nation of industry” lost between oil and imports

Iraq: A “nation of industry” lost between oil and imports

2026-07-18

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi economy faces a crucial challenge in its ability to transition from an import-based model and near-total dependence on oil revenues to a productive economy with an industrial base capable of meeting part of the domestic demand, reducing the drain on foreign currency, and creating new job opportunities .

Despite Iraq possessing huge natural resources, a large consumer market, and a geographical location that qualifies it to be a link between the Gulf, Turkey, and Europe, the industrial sector still suffers from the effects of decades of Read more…

Exclusive: Washington agreements redraw the investment map in Iraq

Exclusive: Washington agreements redraw the investment map in Iraq

2026-07-18

Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
Ali Al-Khawam, CEO of Riyadh Investment Group, considered the signing of about 58 agreements and memoranda of understanding between Iraq and the United States during the investment conference in Washington a turning point in the course of the Iraqi economy, stressing that it paves the way for redrawing the investment map in the country, especially in the oil and gas, industry, healthcare and food security sectors.

Al-Khawam told Shafaq News Agency that what distinguishes these agreements is that they are no longer just Read more…

Grounded planes and the “Baghdad Gate”… Parliament investigates Iraqi Airways files

Grounded planes and the “Baghdad Gate”… Parliament investigates Iraqi Airways files

2026-07-18

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, Mohammed Abu Al-Eis, a member of the Parliamentary Transportation and Communications Committee, revealed that his committee intends to host executive officials from the government and the Ministry of Transportation in the coming days to discuss the issue of lifting the European ban on Iraqi Airways and to review the measures taken to remove the obstacles that hinder this.

Abu Al-Eis told Shafaq News Agency that the committee, in its oversight role, recorded a number of observations and administrative and financial violations related to the Iraqi Airways General Company, indicating that these files were Read more…

Government financial advisor: The 48 agreements with Washington will enhance Iraq’s economic openness.

Government financial advisor: The 48 agreements with Washington will enhance Iraq’s economic openness.

7-18-2026

Prime Minister’s Advisor Mazhar Muhammad Salih confirmed on Saturday that the 48 agreements with Washington are a step towards enhancing economic openness. He indicated that the memoranda of understanding with the United States reflect Iraq’s direction towards attracting foreign investments. Salih told the official news agency that “the signing of 48 agreements, memoranda of understanding, and a declaration of partnership between Iraq and the United States represents an important step Read more…

The Iraqi resistance has offered $10 million for anyone who kills Trump.

The Iraqi resistance has offered $10 million for anyone who kills Trump.

2026-07-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced on Thursday evening that it has set a financial reward of (10) million dollars for whoever kills US President Donald Trump, or whoever decides to allocate or direct it to an individual, group, entity, or institution.

The resistance continued in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency: The reward came after “Trump boasted of his treachery and aggression in targeting the leaders of victory, the two martyred commanders, Hajj Qassem Soleimani and Hajj Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis Read more…

First Iranian reaction to al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington: Regrettable and “humiliating to Iraq”

First Iranian reaction to al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington: Regrettable and “humiliating to Iraq”

2026-07-17

Shafaq News- Tehran
On Friday, Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, commented on Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s visit to the United States.

Velayati said in a memo published by media outlets that al-Zaidi’s visit to the United States was “a regrettable trip, inappropriate in its timing, and insulting to the struggles of the Iraqi people throughout its thousands of years of history,” as he put it.

Velayati considered the Iraqi Prime Minister to be a “young and inexperienced” person. Read more…

Exclusive: A massive American renewable energy project revealed in Iraq

Exclusive: A massive American renewable energy project revealed in Iraq

2026-07-17

Shafaq – Washington
Adam Cortese, CEO of the US renewable energy companies Sun Africa and UGTR, revealed on Friday that the executive steps have begun to develop a strategic solar energy project in Iraq in cooperation with the Iraqi Kar Group, confirming the opening of an office in Baghdad to manage the planned project.

Speaking to Shafaq News on the sidelines of the joint business summit in Washington, D.C., Cortizi said that the relationship and history between the United States and Iraq made him not necessarily expect to be received with great warmth, adding: “But we were indeed received with open arms, and we Read more…

Al-Zaydi: We are looking for an investment partnership with Washington, not “contracting” deals.

Al-Zaydi: We are looking for an investment partnership with Washington, not “contracting” deals.

2026-07-17

Shafaq- Washington
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed on Friday that the Iraq is seeking permanent investments and partnerships, not just contracts for implementation.

This came during Al-Zaydi’s speech at a business conference held by the American Chamber of Commerce, which was attended by a large number of businessmen and traders, representatives of American companies, bankers, representatives of financing institutions Read more…

Iraq records a budget deficit of 12.9 trillion dinars in five months

Iraq records a budget deficit of 12.9 trillion dinars in five months

7-17-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Data released by the Iraqi Ministry of Finance revealed that the general budget recorded a deficit of 12.9 trillion dinars during the first five months of this year, amid a decline in revenues of 28.1% compared to the same period last year.

According to the ministry’s report, total expenditures during the aforementioned period amounted to 46.6 trillion dinars, distributed between 45 trillion dinars in operational expenses, representing 96.5% Read more…

With the charisma of Ibn Salman and the youth of Sharia, this is how al-Zaydi charmed Trump.

With the charisma of Ibn Salman and the youth of Sharia, this is how al-Zaydi charmed Trump.

2026-07-17

Shafaq News – Special Translation
The British newspaper ” Financial Times ” believes that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi succeeded in achieving the most important goals of his first visit to Washington, after he managed to win the favor of US President Donald Trump, who showered him with praise in the same way he had previously praised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, at a time when doubts remain about al-Zaidi’s ability to implement the major pledges he made to the US administration.

The newspaper reported, in a report titled “Handsome” and “Brave Fighter”… The new Iraqi leader is courting Read more…

Barak: Iraq is leading a strategic alliance linking the Gulf, the Levant, Egypt, and Turkey.

Barak: Iraq is leading a strategic alliance linking the Gulf, the Levant, Egypt, and Turkey.

2026-07-17

Shafaq News – Washington
Mustafa Hashim
The US President’s envoy to Iraq, Tom Barrack, confirmed on Friday that Iraq is leading security and strategic alliances in the region by linking the Gulf states, the Levant, Turkey and Egypt together.

In his address to the US-Iraq Business Summit, which was attended by a Shafaq News Agency correspondent, Barak said that “strategies based on diplomacy, intelligence and the military often follow the lead of the business sector,” stressing that companies and business leaders are “the best diplomats” Read more…

Ministry of Industry: A plan to develop solar panel production lines in cooperation with international companies

Ministry of Industry: A plan to develop solar panel production lines in cooperation with international companies

7-17-2026

The Ministry of Industry and Minerals revealed on Friday that there is a trend to develop solar panel production lines in support of local industry, while it indicated that there is a plan to cooperate with international companies to transfer technology. The Director General of Al-Zawraa General Company, affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, Muhannad Jabbar Al-Khazraji, told the official agency that “there is a trend by the Ministry to develop solar panel production lines, increase local manufacturing, as well as cooperate with international companies to transfer technology, supply government institutions and Read more…

An urgent call for federal integrity: The stench of corruption in the region is overwhelming.

An urgent call for federal integrity: The stench of corruption in the region is overwhelming.

7-17-2026

Information / Special ..
Kurdish MP Ghalib Muhammad revealed Thursday, that he possesses hundreds of corruption files which he said relate to officials in the Kurdistan Region, calling on the Federal Integrity Commission to open a comprehensive investigation into these files and form a specialized investigation committee to follow up on them, stressing that many of them are related to the squandering of public funds.

Mohammed told Al-Maalomah that “the Federal Integrity Commission is required to perform its oversight role Read more…

A government with no clear leadership: Al-Zaydi negotiates in Washington while internal disputes rage.

A government with no clear leadership: Al-Zaydi negotiates in Washington while internal disputes rage.

7-17-2026

Information / Report..
While Prime Minister Ali al-Zidi is conducting a series of meetings in the American capital, Washington, accompanied by a government delegation, to discuss political and economic issues and conclude agreements with the American side, his government is still operating with an incomplete cabinet, in a scene that raises questions about the ability of the executive authority to manage major issues while it lacks a number of original ministers.

Since the vote of confidence for the government, the completion of the cabinet has remained stalled amidst ongoing Read more…