IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

MP: Al-Zaydi lacks the power to implement American conditions because he does not have a parliamentary bloc.

MP: Al-Zaydi lacks the power to implement American conditions because he does not have a parliamentary bloc.

7-17-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Member of Parliament Riyadh al-Masoudi revealed on Friday that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi lacks a strong parliamentary bloc or popular support to implement American demands, placing him in an awkward position given the need to appease both domestic and international actors simultaneously.
Al-Masoudi told the Information Agency, “Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s current strength does not qualify him to implement American directives, as he lacks a parliamentary bloc or popular support aligned with his policies. He is facing internal and external pressures to Read more…

Hinting at its “rejection”… Sudanese coalition: Al-Zidi’s agreements with Washington will be presented to the “framework” and parliament

Hinting at its “rejection”… Sudanese coalition: Al-Zidi’s agreements with Washington will be presented to the “framework” and parliament

2026-07-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Reconstruction and Development Coalition, headed by former Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, confirmed on Friday that all agreements that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will conclude with the US administration will be presented to the Coordination Framework, the State Administration Coalition, and the House of Representatives for approval or rejection.

Coalition member Ali Hussein Obeid Al-Fatlawi told Shafaq News Agency that “Iraqi political forces stipulated to Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi that in the event of concluding any joint agreements or understandings concerning Read more…

Al-Zaidi calls on the American company KBR to make a “long-term” investment in oil and technology.

Al-Zaidi calls on the American company KBR to make a “long-term” investment in oil and technology.

2026-07-17

Shafaq News – Washington
On Thursday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi called on the American company KBR to partner and invest long-term in oil infrastructure and technology.

This came according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Office, which was received by Shafaq News Agency, during a meeting held by Al-Zaidi in Houston, USA, at the headquarters of KBR, a multi-activity engineering and technology company, in the presence of the Ministers of Oil and Electricity, the Head of the Board of Advisors in the Prime Minister’s Office, a number of advisors, and the Iraqi Ambassador to Washington. Read more…

The Staircase Theory: A New Formula for Combating Corruption

The Staircase Theory: A New Formula for Combating Corruption

2026-07-17

Fares Hamed Abdel Karim
Is it enough to “clean the stairs from the top”?
A famous saying has always been repeated in the literature of administrative and political reform, likening the fight against corruption to “cleaning the stairs,” stressing that the purification process must inevitably start from the top down; if the head is reformed, the body will be reformed, according to this view.

Despite the simple theoretical appeal of this approach, the collision with practical reality, especially in complex political environments where the influence of elites is pervasive, reveals a structural flaw that makes this unilateral approach inadequate, and even doomed to failure. Read more…

Gold is on track for its biggest weekly loss in six weeks amid escalating regional tensions.

Gold is on track for its biggest weekly loss in six weeks amid escalating regional tensions.

2026-07-17

Shafaq News – Erbil
Gold is on track for its biggest weekly loss in six weeks on Friday, as escalating tit-for-tat strikes between the United States and Iran have pushed up oil prices, adding to inflationary pressures and boosting the likelihood of a U.S. interest rate hike.

Gold rose 0.5 percent to $3,988.20 an ounce by 0313 GMT in spot trading, after hitting its lowest level since July 1 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures for August delivery settled at $3,992. Read more…

In an official tally, the “Kurdistan Workers’ Union” announces the death of 9 of its members in the Sulaymaniyah attack.

In an official tally, the “Kurdistan Workers’ Union” announces the death of 9 of its members in the Sulaymaniyah attack.

2026-07-17

Shafaq News – Sulaymaniyah
The Iranian Kurdish opposition group, the Kurdistan Workers Association, announced on Friday that nine of its Peshmerga fighters were killed as a result of a “violent and intense” Iranian missile attack that targeted its headquarters and tents in the vicinity of the “Zarkaizla” area in Sulaymaniyah Governorate.

In an official statement, the association mourned its nine victims, who are: Read more…

The Iraqi High Committee for Investigating Arms Smuggling to Syria begins its work; results expected within 48 hours.

The Iraqi High Committee for Investigating Arms Smuggling to Syria begins its work; results expected within 48 hours.

2026-07-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A high-level security source reported that the Supreme Committee tasked with investigating the smuggling of a shipment of weapons across the border with the Syrian side has actually begun its work today, Friday.

The source explained in a statement to Shafaq News Agency that the investigation will not be limited to the border crossing administration and the civil departments there, but has expanded to include a wide range of security units and military checkpoints Read more…

Two global companies plan to invest billions of dollars in Iraq’s energy sector.

Two global companies plan to invest billions of dollars in Iraq’s energy sector.

2026-07-17

Shafaq News – Follow-up
CNBC reported on Friday that two oil and energy giants plan to invest billions of dollars in Iraq’s energy sector.

The network quoted sources in the two companies as saying that BP and ConocoPhillips will announce new investments worth billions of dollars in Iraq as part of the United States’ efforts to strengthen the Iraqi energy sector and reduce the dependence of countries in the region on routes threatened by Iranian disruption . Read more…

Hassan: Al-Zaidi carried out the anti-corruption campaign with a green light from the American administration.

Hassan: Al-Zaidi carried out the anti-corruption campaign with a green light from the American administration.

7-16-2026

The Information Agency / Baghdad…
Luqman Hassan, a member of the Kurdish Azadi Movement, confirmed on Thursday that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi launched the anti-corruption campaign after receiving a green light from the US administration. He pointed out that the current campaign comes at a time when Washington is seeking to impose a new political reality on Iraq.
Hassan told the Information Agency, “The anti-corruption campaign launched by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi came with a green light from the US administration, especially since such an operation was not implemented under previous governments.” Read more…

Can Parliament intervene in al-Zaidi’s agreements with Washington? A legal expert explains.

Can Parliament intervene in al-Zaidi’s agreements with Washington? A legal expert explains.

7-16-2026

The legal expert Ali al-Tamimi clarified on Thursday the extent to which the Iraqi Parliament can intervene in agreements signed by Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi during his visit to the United States.
Speaking to Al-Maalomah, al-Tamimi stated, “The Prime Minister has the authority to sign executive agreements, contracts, and memoranda of understanding, according to Article (2) of the Law on Concluding Agreements No. (35) of 2015, and all of them become effective immediately upon signing.” Read more…

Al-Baiji: The treasury is empty, and the funds recovered from corrupt individuals will contribute to bridging the deficit.

Al-Baiji: The treasury is empty, and the funds recovered from corrupt individuals will contribute to bridging the deficit.

7-16-2026

Information / Baghdad..
Mansour Al-Baiji, Deputy Head of the Reconstruction and Development Parliamentary Bloc, confirmed today, Thursday, that the state treasury is “empty”, indicating that all the money seized during the campaign to arrest corrupt individuals launched by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi will go to the state treasury to cover the financial deficit.
Al-Baji stated to Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the treasury is empty, and all funds seized during the campaign to arrest corrupt officials launched by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will go to the state treasury Read more…

Al-Abadi’s coalition confirms that consultations are continuing to complete Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

Al-Abadi’s coalition confirms that consultations are continuing to complete Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

7-16-2026

The spokesperson for the Abadi Coalition, Aqeel al-Rudaini, confirmed on Thursday that all parties within the coordination framework share a serious and common desire to finalize the cabinet formation. He noted that understandings and consultations are ongoing among the political forces to resolve this issue.
Al-Rudaini told the Information Agency that “all parties within the coordination framework agree on the necessity of completing the cabinet formation, and there is a serious political will to finalize this matter Read more…

Dawn’s Charge: Al-Zaidi is coming from Washington to strike at the big bosses.

Dawn’s Charge: Al-Zaidi is coming from Washington to strike at the big bosses.

2026-07-16 06:40

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi intends to escalate the “Dawn Charge” anti-corruption campaign by expanding its scope to include influential political figures accused of corruption, immediately upon his return from his official visit to the United States next week.

Informed government sources told Shafaq News Agency that “the next phase of the campaign will witness, for the first time, the prosecution of prominent political figures with broad influence, Read more…

Iraqi oil loadings increased to 1.2 million barrels per day during the first half of July.

Iraqi oil loadings increased to 1.2 million barrels per day during the first half of July.

2026-07-16

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Data from Kpler and a source familiar with the matter showed on Thursday that Iraqi crude oil loading rates rose significantly during the first half of July, averaging around 1.2 million barrels per day, as exports accelerated after months of restrictions on shipping operations.

According to the data, the volume of Iraqi crude oil loadings has more than doubled compared to last month, an indication that exports are gradually recovering, according to Reuters. Read more…

Tomorrow, Iraq and the United States will sign the largest economic agreement in history.

Tomorrow, Iraq and the United States will sign the largest economic agreement in history.

2026-07-16

Shafaq News – Washington
Baghdad and Washington are preparing to sign the largest package of agreements and memoranda of understanding since the establishment of relations between the two countries, tomorrow, Friday, as part of the official visit of Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi to the United States.

According to a well-informed government source who spoke to Shafaq News Agency, the visit program will culminate in the signing of a wide range of agreements and memoranda Read more…

Amidst growing public discontent, Baghdad is seeking urgent solutions to the electricity crisis in Washington.

Amidst growing public discontent, Baghdad is seeking urgent solutions to the electricity crisis in Washington.

2026-07-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad/Washington
On Wednesday evening, Iraqi Electricity Minister Ali Saadi Wahib discussed the reality of the electricity sector in the country and the accumulated challenges it has been suffering from for years, during his reception of Victoria Taylor, director of the Iraq Initiative at the Atlantic Council, and her accompanying delegation, as part of his official visit to the United States of America with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

In a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, Wahib stressed the need to move to quick, practical and implementable solutions Read more…

Beyond diplomacy… Will Baghdad succeed in implementing the Washington agreements?

Beyond diplomacy… Will Baghdad succeed in implementing the Washington agreements?

2026-07-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi’s visit to the United States was not just a passing diplomatic meeting, but came at a pivotal time regionally and economically, in light of the challenges facing Iraq at the level of public finances, the need to attract investments, and the attempt to move from an economy that depends heavily on oil to a more diversified model based on production and investment partnerships.

The visit, which included a meeting between al-Zaidi and US President Donald Trump at the White House, had a main theme: shifting the Iraqi-American relationship from focusing on security issues to expanding economic and Read more…

Annual inflation in Iraq fell to 3% in May; an expert explains the reasons.

Annual inflation in Iraq fell to 3% in May; an expert explains the reasons.

2026-07-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Official data issued by the Iraqi Statistics and Geographic Information Systems Authority showed a decline in the annual inflation rate for last May to 3%, after it had recorded 4.3% in April of this year.

Commenting on this data, the head of the “Iraq Future” Foundation for Economic Research and Consulting, expert Manar Al-Obaidi, explained that this decrease is mainly due to the decline in prices of food commodities, vegetables, and fuel, despite a relative Read more…

84% of which is oil revenues… Iraq’s revenues exceed 33.7 trillion dinars by the end of May

84% of which is oil revenues… Iraq’s revenues exceed 33.7 trillion dinars by the end of May

2026-07-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Data from the Iraqi Ministry of Finance regarding the implementation of the federal budget up to the end of May 2026 showed that total revenues amounted to 33.747 trillion dinars, while oil revenues continued to dominate the state’s resources, constituting 84%.

According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, oil revenues amounted to 27.270 trillion dinars, compared to 6.477 trillion dinars in non-oil revenues, equivalent to 16% of total revenues. Read more…

Hidden in black oil: Details of foiled smuggling attempt of weapons and missiles from Iraq to Syria

Hidden in black oil: Details of foiled smuggling attempt of weapons and missiles from Iraq to Syria

2026-07-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A senior Iraqi security source revealed on Thursday details of an operation to smuggle weapons and ammunition across the border into Syrian territory, after Damascus announced the seizure of the shipment and confirmed that its final destination was for the benefit of the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Information obtained by Shafaq News Agency indicates that a tanker left Iraqi territory by land about (9) days ago towards Syrian territory, after its official papers were presented as a shipment of “black oil”. The tanker’s mouth was closed and completely sealed by customs, with an indication that it was Read more…