IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Iraq opens 7 new international routes through its territory, witnessing the implementation of more than 1000 transport operations.

Iraq opens 7 new international routes through its territory, witnessing the implementation of more than 1000 transport operations.

2026-06-19

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Director of the Land Transport Department of the Technical Department at the Ministry of Transport, Israa Hanoun, confirmed on Friday that Iraq has made great progress in implementing the international TIR (Transportation Infrastructure) system for cross-border transport.

Hanoon explained, in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, that the system has been fully operational in the country, as seven new international routes have been opened Read more…

Following the easing of the Hormuz crisis, two tankers docked at the port of Basra to load 2.3 million barrels of oil.

Following the easing of the Hormuz crisis, two tankers docked at the port of Basra to load 2.3 million barrels of oil.

2026-06-19

Shafaq News – Basra
An official source at the General Company for Iraqi Ports revealed on Friday that two giant oil tankers have docked at the Basra oil port to begin loading large shipments of crude oil, in the first signs of the return of maritime traffic to normal through the vital Strait of Hormuz.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the first tanker (Lucia ) docked at berth number (1), while the second tanker (Romania) docked at Read more…

The 2026 budget is under threat… signs of a lack of approval amid a growing financial crisis.

The 2026 budget is under threat… signs of a lack of approval amid a growing financial crisis.

6-19-2026

The issue of the general budget in Iraq is once again at the forefront of controversy, with increasing indications that a budget for 2026 may not be approved, given the complex financial and economic challenges, including declining oil revenues, the stumbling of some executive processes in the government, and regional effects on export activity.

These data open the door to questions about the future of public spending, the state’s priorities, and its ability to Read more…

MP Abu Turab al-Tamimi: There is no political will to complete the cabinet, and there is a conflict among the constituent groups.

MP Abu Turab al-Tamimi: There is no political will to complete the cabinet, and there is a conflict among the constituent groups.

6-19-2026

The Iraqi political scene is witnessing a state of controversy regarding the process of completing the cabinet, amid differing positions among parliamentary blocs and widening disagreements among political forces.

In this context, MP Abu Turab al-Tamimi, a leader in the Badr parliamentary bloc, indicated today, Friday (June 19, 2026), that there are political obstacles that prevented the voting process on the cabinet from proceeding during the last sessions, considering that what is happening reflects an entanglement of interests and calculations between the various parties. Read more…

Economist: The 2026 budget train has left the station… the government is patching up the deficit by borrowing.

Economist: The 2026 budget train has left the station… the government is patching up the deficit by borrowing.

6-18-2026

Information / Special..
Economic expert Basil Al-Obaidi confirmed today, Thursday, that insisting on preparing and approving the general budget at this time is “a form of absurdity” and has no benefit whatsoever, at a time when the country’s financial affairs are being managed by “patchwork” and borrowing from banks.

Al-Ubaidi told Al-Maalomah that “the train has already left the station. Iraq is now staggering at the end of the sixth month, and the bureaucratic processes involved in approving the budget will inevitably hinder and delay it until next September.” He added that “a budget approved for only three months of a fiscal year that is nearing its end is worthless.” Read more…

Barak’s map and a “conciliation” ministry and authorization… Al-Zaydi gets the framework and achieves his demand

Barak’s map and a “conciliation” ministry and authorization… Al-Zaydi gets the framework and achieves his demand

2026-06-18

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, informed sources within the coordination framework revealed details of the meeting of the framework’s forces, which was held in the presence of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and most of the political and party leaders of the Shiite House forces .

The source confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that “the framework forces have indirectly authorized the Prime Minister to choose candidates for the controversial ministries (Defense, Interior, Read more…

He moved to directly support al-Zaydi’s selection of security ministers.

He moved to directly support al-Zaydi’s selection of security ministers.

6-18-2026

Information/Baghdad…
On Thursday, Abdul Samad al-Zarkoushi, a member of the Coordination Framework, confirmed that there is a trend toward supporting the option of the Prime Minister directly selecting security ministers, for several reasons.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Zarkoushi said, “The Prime Minister, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, possesses the constitutional authority to manage security files.” He explained that “there is currently a trend to support the Prime Minister directly selecting security ministers, Read more…

The State of Law coalition is demanding an emergency session to decide on the remaining ministerial appointments.

The State of Law coalition is demanding an emergency session to decide on the remaining ministerial appointments.

6-18-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Imran Karkoush, a member of the State of Law Coalition, stressed the need to resolve the issue of the ministerial cabinet and to form a fully constituted government, pointing to the importance of holding an emergency parliamentary session in response to the call of the Coordination Framework in order to resolve the remaining ministerial portfolios.

Karkoush told Al-Maalomah, “The coordination framework had previously called for a session of the House of Representatives to finalize the government file and complete Read more…

A member of parliament reveals a possible date for completing the vote on the cabinet.

A member of parliament reveals a possible date for completing the vote on the cabinet.

6-18-2026

Information/Baghdad ..
MP Mukhtar Al-Moussawi revealed on Thursday that the vote on the ministerial cabinet of Ali Al-Zidi’s government may be completed in the middle of next July.

Al-Moussawi told Al-Maalouma that “Iraq’s situation is delicate and sensitive, and requires all political forces to work on accelerating the pace of understandings in order to complete the agreement on the candidates for the nine ministerial portfolios that the House of Representatives did not vote on Read more…

Cabinet formation: Advanced negotiations underway to finalize remaining names before al-Zidi’s visit to Washington

Cabinet formation: Advanced negotiations underway to finalize remaining names before al-Zidi’s visit to Washington

6-18-2026

The Iraqi political scene is witnessing rapid activity to resolve one of the most prominent outstanding issues in the government formation process: completing Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi’s cabinet. This comes amid growing indications that political forces are nearing final agreements on the remaining ministerial posts. These moves coincide with efforts within the Coordination Framework to review certain government arrangements, including the potential elimination of deputy prime minister positions and a reduction in what is described as administrative bloat, as well as a reconsideration of Read more…

Al-Zaydi appoints Basim al-Badri as head of the National Security Service, replacing al-Basri.

Al-Zaydi appoints Basim al-Badri as head of the National Security Service, replacing al-Basri.

6-18-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi appointed Basim al-Badri as head of the intelligence service on Thursday, replacing al-Basri.
An informed source stated that “al-Zaidi appointed Basim al-Badri to head the National Security Service, succeeding al-Basri.” The source
added that “this appointment comes within the framework of administrative changes Read more…

The coordination framework is discussing the results of Tom Barrack’s visit to Baghdad and the completion of the government cabinet.

The coordination framework is discussing the results of Tom Barrack’s visit to Baghdad and the completion of the government cabinet.

2026-06-18

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The coordinating framework that brings together the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq discussed on Wednesday evening the recent visit of US envoy Tom Barrack to the capital Baghdad, and the completion of the government cabinet of Ali al-Zaidi.

The framework stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that it held its 281st periodic meeting in the office of Humam Hamoudi, in the presence of the Prime Minister, to discuss the latest political, security and economic developments Read more…

A new shipment of gasoline has arrived; a giant tanker has begun unloading its cargo at the Khor Al-Zubair port in Basra.

A new shipment of gasoline has arrived; a giant tanker has begun unloading its cargo at the Khor Al-Zubair port in Basra.

2026-06-18

Shafaq News – Basra
An official source at the General Company for Iraqi Ports reported on Thursday that technical procedures have begun to unload a giant oil tanker carrying a large shipment of imported gasoline fuel for the account of the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company (SOMO), at the docks of Khor Al-Zubair port in Basra Governorate.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the tanker, named “NAVIG8 MONTIEL” and supplied by “ADNOC GLOBAL TRADING”, docked at the port to begin unloading its cargo of approximately (37,500) tons. Read more…

Kirkuk markets a quarter of a million tons of wheat and releases payments for last season’s dues.

Kirkuk markets a quarter of a million tons of wheat and releases payments for last season’s dues.

2026-06-18

Shafaq News – Kirkuk
The director of the Kirkuk silo, affiliated with the Ministry of Trade, announced on Thursday that the marketed quantities of wheat crop have reached about 250,000 tons, while confirming that the dues of farmers and marketers for the past season, amounting to 70 billion dinars, have reached the relevant banks and the procedures for distributing them have begun.

Kirkuk silo director Hassan Hamdi told Shafaq News Agency that “the quantities of wheat received at the Kirkuk silo and its affiliated sites have reached approximately 250,000 tons so far,” indicating that “the receiving operations are still continuing smoothly Read more…

PetroChina and Indian Oil fail to secure tankers to transport Iraqi oil

PetroChina and Indian Oil fail to secure tankers to transport Iraqi oil

2026-06-18

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Reuters reported on Thursday, citing shipping sources, that China’s PetroChina and India’s Indian Oil Corporation have failed to secure supertankers to transport shipments of Iraqi crude from Basra ports recently, amid soaring transport costs and difficulty in finding available vessels.

According to those sources, PetroChina had requested to charter a giant oil tanker (VLCC) to load oil from Iraq between June 25 and 30, but the offers submitted came at high prices that Read more…

Warning: Iraq’s reliance on the Strait of Hormuz exacerbates the risks to its oil exports amid alternative Gulf moves.

Warning: Iraq’s reliance on the Strait of Hormuz exacerbates the risks to its oil exports amid alternative Gulf moves.

2026-06-18

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, faces increasing challenges in securing its oil exports as Gulf states accelerate the development of alternative routes to transport crude away from the Strait of Hormuz, at a time when Baghdad still relies almost entirely on its southern ports to export most of its oil production to global markets.

An analysis published by Reuters indicates that Iraq is among the countries most vulnerable to any potential Read more…

The Prime Minister’s advisor sets a date for the recovery of Iraqi oil.

The Prime Minister’s advisor sets a date for the recovery of Iraqi oil.

6-17-2026

Information / Special..
The financial advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, stated on Wednesday that the return of Iraqi oil production and exports through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels depends on the implementation of a package of technical and logistical requirements, foremost among them being the clearing of the vital waterway from sea mines.

Saleh told Al-Maalomah that “the Iraqi oil fields that were damaged as a result of the forced shutdown that exceeded three months need a period of time of about a month to be restarted,” noting that “this step remains conditional on Read more…

Nissan includes Najaf in its global plan and proudly considers Iraq a priority in the Middle East.

Nissan includes Najaf in its global plan and proudly considers Iraq a priority in the Middle East.

6-17-2026

Baghdad-Mail
Nissan confirmed that the Iraqi market is a priority within its Middle East strategy and global plan, noting that it will continue to strengthen its growth in Iraq “with full confidence” after opening a new branch in Najaf.

Al-Sour Company, the exclusive agent for Nissan cars in Iraq, said in a statement that it “opened a branch in Najaf in response to the growing demand for Nissan cars from customers in Iraq.”

Nissan Iraq CEO Al-Sour Ahmed Mushir Sharif said, “At Al-Sour, we don’t just trade cars, but strive to build Read more…

Al-Zaidi takes economic files to the White House

Al-Zaidi takes economic files to the White House

2026/06/17

In mid-July, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi is preparing for an official visit to the United States, where he will meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss the future of bilateral relations between the two countries.

During his meeting with US President Trump’s Special Envoy, Tom Barrack, al-Zaidi reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Iraqi and US governments to a strong and mutually beneficial partnership capable of fulfilling the aspirations of the Iraqi people for a sovereign, secure, and prosperous future, and providing tangible benefits to both nations. Barrack conveyed President Trump’s anticipation of hosting al-Zaidi Read more…

Al-Asadi explains the purpose behind obstructing and delaying the completion of Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

Al-Asadi explains the purpose behind obstructing and delaying the completion of Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

6-17-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Haider al-Asadi, a member of the Azm Alliance, explained the motive behind some blocs whose candidates were approved obstructing the completion of al-Zidi’s cabinet.
Al-Asadi told Al-Maalouma, “There are disagreements regarding the remaining ministerial quotas. The Azm Alliance believes that some political forces are trying to throw a wrench in the works to complete the government formation.”
He added, “The aim behind obstructing the completion of the government is Read more…