IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Exclusive: Iraq is considering broad austerity measures, including merging agencies and reviewing officials’ salaries.

Exclusive: Iraq is considering broad austerity measures, including merging agencies and reviewing officials’ salaries.

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A government source revealed on Monday that there is a move to include broad measures to control public spending and rationalize expenditures within the draft federal budget law for 2027, including studying the merger of some independent bodies, and reviewing the salaries of certain categories and the pensions of some officials, as part of government efforts to address the financial crisis facing the country.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the government team assigned by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to Read more…

Al-Zidi to Total and Conoco: We want to invest in gas and stop importing it completely

Al-Zidi to Total and Conoco: We want to invest in gas and stop importing it completely

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi discussed with delegations from the French company Total Energies and the American company ConocoPhillips the mechanisms for investing in oil and associated gas in the Ibn Omar field in Basra Governorate, and setting time limits for increasing production in the field and the rest of the oil fields.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Al-Zaidi received the CEO of Total Energies, Patrick Pouyanné, and the CEO of ConocoPhillips, Andy O’Brien, and their accompanying Read more…

Procedures for verifying the academic credentials of all state officials

Procedures for verifying the academic credentials of all state officials

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, MP Mohammed Al-Khafaji revealed a move to audit the academic credentials of all state officials.

Al-Khafaji said in a post on social media that an official letter issued by the administrative department of the House of Representatives requires members of the council to submit their graduation documents for the three educational stages: primary, intermediate and preparatory, for the purpose of auditing. Read more…

Raising the exchange rate is not the alternative to overcoming the crisis.

Raising the exchange rate is not the alternative to overcoming the crisis.

2026-10-12

Majed Zeidan
Last week, the government changed the exchange rate by devaluing the dinar by 15.17%, bringing it to 1520 per 100 dollars. This came after assurances and obfuscations from senior officials that the exchange rate was fixed, that there was no intention to change it, that salaries were guaranteed, and that there were no problems in the national economy. However, leaks revealed that the coordination framework and the government had been holding continuous discussions and exploring alternatives for over a month. This provided an opportunity for some close to decision-making centers to accumulate dollars from the market and get rid of dinars, which was the reason for the continued high exchange rate. Whether the price rises or falls, they profit Read more…

Al-Zaydi’s three options

Al-Zaydi’s three options

2026-10-12 00:22

Dr. Shwan Zangana
Mr. Ali Al-Zaidi, the Iraqi Prime Minister, revealed the reasons for the decision regarding the contraction of the Iraqi currency, in a session he attended in the Iraqi Parliament. He stated that he was faced with three options, the best of which was bitter: either to extend the time gap for employee salaries to 45 days, instead of the usual period, or to deduct 30% from employee salaries as a mandatory savings, or to borrow externally.

In fact, he is not correct in what he says. The flaw and error in his diagnosis may be Read more…

Exceeding 442 billion dinars… Significant growth in Iraqi customs revenues for the month of September

Exceeding 442 billion dinars… Significant growth in Iraqi customs revenues for the month of September

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi General Authority of Customs announced on Monday that it had achieved a significant increase in its total revenues for September 2026, compared to the same month in 2025.

Financial comparison data showed that total customs revenues for September 2026 amounted to (442,266,831,097) four hundred and forty-two billion, two hundred and sixty-six million, eight hundred and thirty-one thousand and ninety-seven Iraqi dinars, compared to Read more…

Talabani calls on Erbil to change its policy towards Baghdad and take advantage of al-Zaidi’s “golden opportunity”.

Talabani calls on Erbil to change its policy towards Baghdad and take advantage of al-Zaidi’s “golden opportunity”.

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Erbil
On Monday, the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Bafel Jalal Talabani, warned of the seriousness of the situation in the Middle East and its security and economic repercussions on the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, describing the presence of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi as a “golden” opportunity that the regional government should take advantage of by changing its policy of dealing with Baghdad.

During a special dialogue session held on the sidelines of the “Miri” forum in Erbil, Talabani said, “The region is Read more…

The dollar reaches 165,000 dinars… a new surge in exchange rates in Baghdad and Erbil.

The dollar reaches 165,000 dinars… a new surge in exchange rates in Baghdad and Erbil.

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad/Erbil
The exchange rate of the US dollar rose this morning, Monday, in the markets of Baghdad and Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, as morning trading began.

A correspondent for Shafaq News Agency said that the price of the dollar rose in the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges in Baghdad to 165,000 dinars for 100 dollars, compared to Read more…

Iraq replaces its ambassador in Riyadh ahead of al-Zaidi’s visit

Iraq replaces its ambassador in Riyadh ahead of al-Zaidi’s visit

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a ministerial order transferring Ambassador Ahmed Nayef Rashid Al-Dulaimi to the Iraqi Embassy in Riyadh, succeeding Ambassador Safia Al-Suhail, ahead of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zubaidi’s anticipated visit to Saudi Arabia, as part of a Gulf tour that also includes Kuwait.

A document obtained by Shafaq News Agency shows the ministerial order issued by the Administrative Department Read more…

Talabani sends a message to the KDP: By uniting our forces in Baghdad, we can govern Iraq and change the Middle East.

Talabani sends a message to the KDP: By uniting our forces in Baghdad, we can govern Iraq and change the Middle East.

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Erbil
On Monday, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Talabani, addressed an open letter to his rival, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), calling on them to conclude a comprehensive agreement to proceed with forming the new regional government and to unify efforts in the capital, Baghdad, to achieve successful governance throughout Iraq.

Talabani addressed his message at the conclusion of his hosting of the “Miri” forum held in Erbil, in which he said: Read more…

Following the rise of the dollar, Iraqis are postponing maintenance of their cars and household appliances.

Following the rise of the dollar, Iraqis are postponing maintenance of their cars and household appliances.

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The rise in the dollar’s price is no longer only reflected in the prices of imported goods, but its impact has extended to the cost of maintaining cars, electrical appliances, and furniture in Iraq, with the rise in prices of spare parts and raw materials, which has prompted citizens to postpone repairs or resort to less expensive alternatives, while owners of some professions are facing a decline in demand for their products and services.

While citizens are facing rising costs for new appliances and car parts, household breakdowns and damaged vehicles Read more…

With Al-Zaidi’s visit, gasoline queues disappear overnight in Mosul

With Al-Zaidi’s visit, gasoline queues disappear overnight in Mosul

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Nineveh
The sight of empty gas stations in Mosul, devoid of long queues of vehicles, coinciding with the arrival of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Sunday, sparked widespread surprise and ridicule on social media platforms, following a severe crisis that lasted for more than a month and disrupted the city’s daily life.

Activists and drivers shared videos documenting the direct and smooth refueling at the pumps without any waiting, Read more…

Al-Zaydi launches his “One Million Plots of Land” project and a similar number of farms, and calls on companies to invest in Mosul Airport.

Al-Zaydi launches his “One Million Plots of Land” project and a similar number of farms, and calls on companies to invest in Mosul Airport.

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Nineveh
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi announced on Monday that an official invitation has been extended to international companies specializing in airport management and operation to invest in Mosul International Airport and develop its services.

This came during a visit he is making to the city of Mosul to launch the implementation work on the million residential plots project, and to follow up on service and development projects, Read more…

By 2026, Iraq will be among the most digitally connected economies in the world.

By 2026, Iraq will be among the most digitally connected economies in the world.

2026-10-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq ranked 99th globally in the 2026 ICT Development Index, scoring 79.4 points, according to data published by Visual Capitalist, a website specializing in economic data and designs.

The ranking is based on the International Telecommunication Union’s index, which measures the level of digital connectivity in 159 economies around the world, relying on indicators that include internet access and use, network coverage, data consumption, and Read more…

The nine-portfolio dispute is nearing resolution… The framework sets a date for the “decisive session” at its next meeting.

The nine-portfolio dispute is nearing resolution… The framework sets a date for the “decisive session” at its next meeting.

10-11-2026

Information/Special…
Member of the Coordination Framework, Uday Abdul-Hadi, confirmed on Sunday that the upcoming meeting of the Framework will finalize the date for the parliamentary session to decide on nine ministerial portfolios still being managed by acting ministers in Ali al-Zidi’s government.
Abdul-Hadi explained to Al-Maalouma that “the upcoming Framework meeting will address the issue of finalizing an agreement on setting a date Read more…

Al-Maliki: Adjusting the exchange rate requires government measures to contain its negative effects

Al-Maliki: Adjusting the exchange rate requires government measures to contain its negative effects

2026-10-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday evening, Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, called for the swift announcement of measures to protect citizens’ income and purchasing power, and to maintain the stability of markets and economic activities, in light of the decision to raise the dollar exchange rate.

Al-Maliki said in a statement, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, that those concerned with Iraqi economic affairs are divided between Read more…

Al-Zaydi threatens provinces lagging in allocating residential land: I will take on the task myself.

Al-Zaydi threatens provinces lagging in allocating residential land: I will take on the task myself.

2026-10-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi vowed on Sunday to personally take on the task of completing the allocation of residential land if any governorate falters in completing the necessary procedures, stressing the need to lay the foundation stone for the million residential land plots project before the end of this year.

This came during his chairmanship of the sixth regular session of the Higher Read more…

Despite the $37 discount, Iraqi oil achieves a net price of $65 per barrel.

Despite the $37 discount, Iraqi oil achieves a net price of $65 per barrel.

10-11-2026

Iraqi oil revenues are expected to rise this month, as Gulf oil exports, including Iraqi exports, recover more than 80% of their pre-Hurrum Strait closure levels, with expectations that Iraq’s total exports will reach about 3 million barrels per day.

Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi said that the net selling price of a barrel of Iraqi crude oil is currently about $65, despite the price discounts Read more…

The Democratic Party reveals its candidates for ministerial positions and confirms its rejection of the 2027 draft budget.

The Democratic Party reveals its candidates for ministerial positions and confirms its rejection of the 2027 draft budget.

10-11-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Wafa Muhammad Karim, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), confirmed that the Kurdish delegation is continuing its political activity and holding intermittent discussions in Baghdad regarding issues related to the cabinet, ministerial positions, and next year’s budget.
Karim told Al-Maalouma that “the KDP has nominated Reber Ahmed for the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Ribas Hamlan for the position of Read more…

Who will hold the government accountable for the dollar’s rise? A member of parliament speaks about the parliament’s inaction.

Who will hold the government accountable for the dollar’s rise? A member of parliament speaks about the parliament’s inaction.

10-11-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Yasser Hashem confirmed the inability of parliamentarians to oppose the decision to increase the dollar exchange rate in local markets, given the agreement among political blocs and parties on the new rate.
Hashem told Al-Maalouma, “The agreement among political forces and blocs regarding the new exchange rate means that parliament has become powerless to oppose the decision to devalue the dinar.” Read more…