IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Abdi and Barak meet as Kurdish Council delegation arrives in Erbil

Abdi and Barak meet as Kurdish Council delegation arrives in Erbil

2026-06-16

Shafaq News – Damascus
A source from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported on Tuesday that SDF commander Mazloum Abdi will hold a meeting with US Special Envoy to Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, coinciding with the arrival of a delegation from the Kurdish National Council to the region.

The source told Shafaq News Agency’s correspondent in Syria that “Abdi arrived yesterday in the Kurdistan Region and is supposed to hold meetings with US envoy Tom Barrack, as well as with the region’s president, Nechirvan Barzani.” Read more…

Trump’s envoy praises the role of the Iraqi judiciary in fulfilling constitutional requirements.

Trump’s envoy praises the role of the Iraqi judiciary in fulfilling constitutional requirements.

2026-06-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, Tom Barrack, praised the role of the Iraqi judiciary in forming the government and parliament in accordance with constitutional requirements.

The judiciary’s media office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaidan, received today the presidential envoy to Iraq, Ambassador Tom Barrack.”

He added that “Tom Barrack praised, during the meeting, the role of the judiciary Read more…

Al-Zaidi follows in his predecessors’ footsteps… a visit to Washington amid unresolved issues

Al-Zaidi follows in his predecessors’ footsteps… a visit to Washington amid unresolved issues

6-15-2026

Information/Baghdad…
It seems that the current Prime Minister, Ali al-Zidi, has followed the same custom witnessed by previous governments by the Prime Minister visiting the United States and the White House. This raises many questions about the importance of this visit and the true nature of its content, which is not disclosed in the media and official protocol statements. This comes at a time when some political parties are warning against al-Zidi going to Washington before the government is formed and all ministerial portfolios are completed, especially since the government is currently incomplete and needs 9 candidates Read more…

Al-Tamimi calls for adopting a “Made in Iraq” strategy to support the economy and the electricity sector.

Al-Tamimi calls for adopting a “Made in Iraq” strategy to support the economy and the electricity sector.

6-15-2026

Information/Baghdad –
On Monday, MP Riyadh al-Tamimi called for the adoption of a “Made in Iraq” strategy as a priority to support the national economy and its institutions, particularly in the electricity sector.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Tamimi said, “The General Company for Transformers, a leading company in terms of production quality, has an annual production capacity exceeding 6,000 transformers of various capacities, making it a significant asset for supporting Read more…

Abdul-Hadi rules out adopting the single-basket principle for deciding on ministerial portfolios.

Abdul-Hadi rules out adopting the single-basket principle for deciding on ministerial portfolios.

6-15-2026

Information/Baghdad…
On Monday, Uday Abdul-Hadi, a member of the Coordination Framework, ruled out the possibility of finalizing the remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali Zaidi’s government using the “single package” principle.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, Abdul-Hadi said, “The meetings held in recent days between various political forces have contributed to narrowing viewpoints, and there is a preliminary agreement to finalize five to six ministerial portfolios and identify candidates for them.” He added that “the coming days will likely see Read more…

Parliamentarian: Voting on the Popular Mobilization Forces and Oil and Gas laws will take place in the next legislative session.

Parliamentarian: Voting on the Popular Mobilization Forces and Oil and Gas laws will take place in the next legislative session.

2026-06-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, MP Duha Al-Sadkhan, from the “National Approach” bloc, revealed a set of laws scheduled to be read and voted on during the next legislative session of the House of Representatives, most notably the oil and gas law and the Popular Mobilization Forces law.

Al-Sadkhan told Shafaq News Agency, “There are more than 100 laws in the halls of the House of Representatives, and some of the laws need to be read and discussed, while others need to be Read more…

Iraq wins international lawsuit against Orange, saving its treasury from paying $800 million.

Iraq wins international lawsuit against Orange, saving its treasury from paying $800 million.

2026-06-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, the Ministry of Justice announced a legal achievement represented by winning the international arbitration case filed by Orange against the Republic of Iraq/Communications and Media Commission, which resulted in the dismissal of all claims of the plaintiff company and spared the Iraqi state from paying financial compensations estimated at approximately (800) million US dollars.

The ministry stated in an official statement that the arbitration panel’s decision also included obligating Orange to Read more…

Iraq asks Türkiye to extend the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement for one year.

Iraq asks Türkiye to extend the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement for one year.

2026-06-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq has asked Turkey to extend the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement for at least a year, in a move aimed at giving both sides more time to negotiate a new agreement regulating oil exports through this vital route.

Reuters quoted Ali Nizar, head of Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), as saying that Baghdad had made a formal request to Ankara for additional time to complete talks on an alternative agreement covering one of the most important routes Read more…

An Iraqi official announces the completion of the electrical interconnection with Jordan within 3 months.

An Iraqi official announces the completion of the electrical interconnection with Jordan within 3 months.

2026-06-15

Shafaq News – Anbar
The mayor of Rutba district, Imad al-Dulaimi, announced on Monday that the Iraqi-Jordanian electricity interconnection project has entered its final stages, expecting the completion of the linking line between Rutba and al-Qaim within the next three months, which will contribute to adding new energy to the national grid.

Al-Dulaimi told Shafaq News Agency that the Rutba district has been supplied for about three years by the electrical interconnection line with Jordan with a capacity of 132 kilovolts and around the clock, indicating that after its completion the project will witness Read more…

Nechirvan Barzani: The US envoy’s visit to Erbil is important, and we will discuss the outstanding issues in Baghdad.

Nechirvan Barzani: The US envoy’s visit to Erbil is important, and we will discuss the outstanding issues in Baghdad.

2026-06-15

Shafaq News – Erbil
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani stressed on Monday the importance of the visit of US Special Envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barak, to the capital Erbil, noting that the meetings will include discussions on the disputes and outstanding issues between the regional government and the federal government.

K24 satellite channel quoted President Nechirvan Barzani as saying, “This is the first time that Barak has visited Read more…

Barak arrives in Baghdad: I will discuss with al-Zaidi charting a new course for a strong relationship between Iraq and America.

Barak arrives in Baghdad: I will discuss with al-Zaidi charting a new course for a strong relationship between Iraq and America.

2026-06-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
US envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barrack, arrived in Baghdad on Monday as part of a tour that includes a series of meetings with political leaders and government officials in the country, including the Kurdistan Region.

Upon his arrival, Barak posted on the “X” platform, stating that he would meet with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to convey to him the support of US President Donald Trump for the Iraqi government.

He added that he would discuss with al-Zaydi the strategic partnership between Iraq and America with the aim of Read more…

As of April, Iraq’s revenues exceeded 31 trillion dinars, with oil contributing 84% of the budget.

As of April, Iraq’s revenues exceeded 31 trillion dinars, with oil contributing 84% of the budget.

2026-06-15

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Data from the State Account for the federal budget up to April 2026 showed that Iraq recorded total revenues of 31.163 trillion dinars, compared to actual expenditures of 37.835 trillion dinars, reflecting the continued heavy reliance on oil resources to finance government spending.

According to the report issued by the Ministry of Finance/Accounting Department, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, oil revenues amounted to 26.121 trillion dinars, constituting 84% of total revenues, while non-oil revenues amounted to about 5.041 trillion dinars, Read more…

Kirkuk International Airport operates direct flights to Dubai

Kirkuk International Airport operates direct flights to Dubai

2026-06-15

Shafaq News – Kirkuk
Kirkuk International Airport announced on Monday the launch of direct flights between Kirkuk and Dubai starting from June 21, in a move aimed at strengthening air connectivity between the province and the United Arab Emirates, and providing easier and more comfortable travel options for passengers.

The airport administration said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the flights will operate at a rate Read more…

Iraq welcomes the memorandum of understanding reached between Iran and the United States.

Iraq welcomes the memorandum of understanding reached between Iran and the United States.

6-15-2026

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed on Monday the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, while affirming that Iraq will continue to play its customary role in bringing together the views of the countries of the region. The ministry stated in a statement, “We express our welcome for the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America,” stressing “its full support for all efforts aimed at Read more…

The Investment Authority details the procedures for “Mall of Iraq” and responds to the statements of its owner.

The Investment Authority details the procedures for “Mall of Iraq” and responds to the statements of its owner.

2026-06-14

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, the National Investment Commission issued a statement clarifying the legal procedures related to the “Iraq Mall” project, in response to what was circulated in the media and statements by the project’s owner, Hassan Nasser, regarding exemption requests and power outages.

Hassan Nasser, the owner of “Iraq Mall,” announced during a press conference that the mall is threatened with closure within 48 hours due to power outages, and financial losses estimated at about one and a half billion per month.

Nasser also said that the mall is facing major operational difficulties as a result of fluctuating electricity supply, Read more…

Al-Zubaidi: The Peshmerga must be under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Al-Zubaidi: The Peshmerga must be under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

6-14-2026

The Information Agency / Baghdad…
Ali al-Zubaidi, a member of the Coordination Framework, confirmed on Sunday that the Peshmerga forces are not directly under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, calling for addressing this issue to ensure unified security decision-making in the country.
Al-Zubaidi told the Information Agency, “The Peshmerga forces possess their own weapons and organizational structure and do not receive orders from the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, which necessitates reorganizing this matter within constitutional Read more…

Investment is the solution: A call to save stalled Iraqi factories and prevent waste.

Investment is the solution: A call to save stalled Iraqi factories and prevent waste.

6-14-2026

Information / Baghdad –
Economic expert Hashim al-Haboubi called on the al-Zaidi government on Sunday to focus on reactivating factories and plants affiliated with the Ministry of Industry through investment, while simultaneously warning against the consequences of offering their assets for direct sale.
Al-Haboubi told the Information Agency, “The Ministry of Industry owns a large number of factories and plants with various important production capacities, which could generate enormous economic returns if they were to Read more…

Maliki’s coalition: July will decide on the vacant ministries… Interior and Education are excluded from the change

Maliki’s coalition: July will decide on the vacant ministries… Interior and Education are excluded from the change

6-14-2026

The Information Agency / Baghdad…
Jassim Mohammed Jaafar, a leading figure in the State of Law Coalition, indicated on Sunday that the vote on the remaining cabinet positions is likely to be completed by the beginning of July. He emphasized his coalition’s commitment to the same names previously presented to Parliament.
Jaafar told the Information Agency, “The current understandings and information regarding the agreement among the political blocs and forces to complete the cabinet are proceeding smoothly and without any fundamental Read more…

All eyes are on the framework… Will the vacant ministerial posts be filled, or will the political deadlock continue?

All eyes are on the framework… Will the vacant ministerial posts be filled, or will the political deadlock continue?

6-14-2026

Information/Baghdad…
All eyes are on the meetings of the Coordination Framework to learn the outcomes of these negotiations between the political parties within the same bloc, especially as ambiguity still prevails regarding the vacant ministerial portfolios in Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet. No final candidates have been announced, and the political blocs have yet to announce new nominees after their initial candidates were rejected. Furthermore, they have not yet clarified whether they are submitting Read more…

Al-Fatlawi: Washington supplied the Peshmerga with advanced weapons that the Iraqi air defense does not possess.

Al-Fatlawi: Washington supplied the Peshmerga with advanced weapons that the Iraqi air defense does not possess.

6-14-2026

The Information Agency / Baghdad –
Ali al-Fatlawi, a leader in the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, revealed on Sunday that US forces are supplying the Peshmerga with heavy and advanced weapons, the details of which remain unknown. He emphasized that the Kurdistan Region possesses systems that may not be available to the federal air defense forces or some branches of the Iraqi army.
Al-Fatlawi told the Information Agency, “The Kurdistan Regional Government continues to impose a complete blackout, as political forces and even the federal government in Baghdad lack any Read more…