IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

The World Bank predicts that Iraq’s economy will contract in 2026, with a deeper decline expected in 2027.

The World Bank predicts that Iraq’s economy will contract in 2026, with a deeper decline expected in 2027.

2026-06-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The World Bank predicted on Saturday that Iraq’s economy would contract by 2.2% in 2026, before declining at a faster pace to 8.9% in 2027, according to the “Global Economic Prospects” report issued in June 2026.

According to the report, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, the Iraqi economy recorded growth of 0.5% in 2024, while it is estimated that it may have contracted by 1.5% during 2025, before continuing to decline in 2026, with a return to growth of 12.2% expected in 2028. Read more…

“The Missing Sovereign Decision”: An Iraqi-German Initiative to Revive Tourism Away from Oil

“The Missing Sovereign Decision”: An Iraqi-German Initiative to Revive Tourism Away from Oil

2026-06-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Private Sector Development Council, in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation, held a workshop on Saturday about the tourism sector in Iraq and the geopolitical challenges in the region.

Tourism as a sovereign alternative to the oil economy

Adham Al-Fakhar, the Prime Minister’s Advisor for International Investments, said in a speech during the workshop that “tourism is one of the sovereign indicators of any country as it is one of the important sectors in supporting Read more…

A general malfunction is affecting Instagram and Facebook applications in Iraq.

A general malfunction is affecting Instagram and Facebook applications in Iraq.

2026-06-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Friday, Instagram and Facebook in Iraq experienced a general malfunction that caused them to shut down.

A number of users in Iraq complained that the two applications suddenly stopped working.

Many accounts registered a sudden logout Read more…

Government spokesperson: The Prime Minister will visit America next July.

Government spokesperson: The Prime Minister will visit America next July.

2026/06/12

Government spokesman Haider Al-Aboudi announced today that Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States of America during the month of July. Al-Aboudi said in a televised statement followed by Al-Furat News: “There are economic necessities to activate the strategic agreement with the United States,” stressing that “Iraq is not part of regional conflicts and adopts a policy of not allowing its territory to be used to attack any neighboring country.”

He added, “The Iraqi state has not resorted to printing currency or external Read more…

Minister of Finance: We are proceeding with preparing the program budget and modernizing banking systems.

Minister of Finance: We are proceeding with preparing the program budget and modernizing banking systems.

2026/06/12

Finance Minister Falih Sari affirmed on Friday the continuation of modernizing banking, tax and customs systems and developing mechanisms for preparing program budgets, while expressing Iraq’s aspiration to benefit from Australian expertise to support development and diversify the economy.
The Ministry of Finance stated in a statement received by Al-Furat News that “the Minister of Finance received the Australian Ambassador to Iraq, Glenn Miles, to discuss ways to strengthen economic relations and expand cooperation in the financial and banking fields between the two countries.” Read more…

Is the government looking to extract revenue from citizens’ pockets? Leaked information about raising the exchange rate is fueling speculation!

Is the government looking to extract revenue from citizens’ pockets? Leaked information about raising the exchange rate is fueling speculation!

6-12-2026

Information/Report…
While Iraqi citizens await a package of economic measures and reforms aimed at improving living conditions and curbing the decline in purchasing power, unofficial sources and leaks are circulating news of a potential move within the government to raise the exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar against the dollar in an attempt to contain the escalating financial crisis.
According to these leaks, this move comes amid increasing Read more…

Al-Fahdawi: Iraq does not need Gulf loans and its economy is collapsing, but it will recover.

Al-Fahdawi: Iraq does not need Gulf loans and its economy is collapsing, but it will recover.

6-12-2026

Information/Anbar
On Thursday, Muhammad al-Fahdawi, a leader in the Azm Alliance, revealed that the Gulf states refused to lend to Iraq due to the lack of political guarantees because of the tense situation in the region resulting from the war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Al-Fahdawi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “the weakness of the country’s financial management is behind its resorting to asking the Gulf states to support it financially, and all data indicates that the Iraqi economy will recover without the need to borrow Read more…

Al-Surji: Elections in Kurdistan are not a solution to the issue of forming a government.

Al-Surji: Elections in Kurdistan are not a solution to the issue of forming a government.

6-12-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) member Ghiath al-Surji confirmed that holding elections in the Kurdistan Region is not the ideal solution to the issue of forming a government.
Al-Surji told Al-Maalouma, “The Kurdish parties in the Kurdistan Region have not discussed holding elections at this time; only the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is talking about it.” He added, “The PUK is not afraid of holding elections and competing again. In fact, the PUK is confident it will win more Read more…

Regional events are shaping Iraq’s economic trajectory: a financial crisis, rising prices, and a change in the value of the dinar.

Regional events are shaping Iraq’s economic trajectory: a financial crisis, rising prices, and a change in the value of the dinar.

6-12-2026

Information/Report…
Regional events are directly impacting Iraq’s economic situation, as the country lies at the heart of the turmoil engulfing the so-called Middle East. Following the war instigated by the US and its Zionist ally against the Islamic Republic and its repercussions on the Strait of Hormuz, these factors may lead governments, particularly in Iraq, to ​​adopt decisions that mitigate the damage but ultimately burden the people. This could manifest as salary reductions if the dinar is devalued, austerity measures implemented, and increased fees across various sectors, all of which will negatively affect citizens. Read more…

Barzani refuses to hand over Peshmerga and Asayish weapons to the federal government.

Barzani refuses to hand over Peshmerga and Asayish weapons to the federal government.

6-12-2026

Information/Erbil –
Independent Kurdish politician Didar Haval revealed on Friday that Masoud Barzani informed a US official of his refusal to hand over the Peshmerga and Asayish weapons to the federal government.
Haval told the Information Agency, “A US envoy asked Masoud Barzani to hand over the Peshmerga weapons to the federal government, but he refused this request. Washington’s move comes as it seeks to dissolve these forces and integrate them into a single security system.”
He added, “Masoud Barzani emphasized to the US envoy that the Peshmerga weapons represent Read more…

Al-Saadi: International companies have apologized for not transporting Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz for security reasons.

Al-Saadi: International companies have apologized for not transporting Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz for security reasons.

6-12-2026

Information/Anbar…
Economic expert Rashid al-Saadi revealed on Friday that international companies specializing in transporting petroleum products have apologized for not being able to transport Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz due to security concerns and increased fuel costs.
Al-Saadi told the Information Agency, “The international companies specializing in exporting petroleum products from Iraq to other countries have apologized to the relevant authorities for their inability to continue this task due to the dangerous security situation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
He added, “Iraq’s exemption from the embargo imposed on the Strait of Hormuz remains in effect, but foreign Read more…

Iraq plans to export its surplus wheat crop abroad.

Iraq plans to export its surplus wheat crop abroad.

2026-06-12

Shafaq News – Erbil
Iraqi Trade Minister Mustafa Nizar Al-Ani announced on Friday a government plan to export surplus wheat crops abroad, while reassuring farmers that their outstanding financial dues from last year would soon be disbursed.

Al-Ani said in a press conference held on the sidelines of his visit to the grain storage silo in Erbil that the Ministry of Trade has introduced an advanced electronic mechanism for marketing wheat, which relies on Read more…

From Washington: Iraqi-Syrian plan to pump one million barrels per day via the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline

From Washington: Iraqi-Syrian plan to pump one million barrels per day via the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline

2026-06-11

Shafaq News – Washington
The Iraqi ambassador to Washington, Nizar al-Khairallah, and the Syrian chargé d’affaires, Muhammad Qantari, confirmed on Thursday that the revival of the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline has entered the strategic planning stage to pump one million barrels per day, in an effort to achieve anticipated regional energy integration.

This came during a special dialogue session on the sidelines of the launch of the “Four Seas Initiative” at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., organized by Read more…

An economist warns: Raising the dollar will take from the citizen’s pocket and ignite prices.

An economist warns: Raising the dollar will take from the citizen’s pocket and ignite prices.

6-11-2026

Information / Exclusive…
Economic expert Diaa Al-Muhsin warned on Thursday that any government move to raise the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar will have direct economic repercussions on local markets, stressing that citizens will be the first to suffer from such measures.
Al-Muhsin told Al-Maalouma, “The government of Mustafa Al-Kadhimi was the first to take the step of raising the exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar under the pretext of providing financial liquidity and addressing Read more…

With Iraq’s participation, the “Four Seas Initiative” was launched in Washington.

With Iraq’s participation, the “Four Seas Initiative” was launched in Washington.

2026-06-11

Shafaq News – Washington
Mustafa Hashim
On Thursday, the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., witnessed the official launch of “The Four Seas Initiative,” a strategic transatlantic project that aims to connect the Arabian Gulf, the Caspian Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea via a transit corridor and energy pipelines passing through Syria and Turkey.

The event, which was attended by Shafaq News Agency, was organized by the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, and was attended by a high-level audience including officials, diplomatic representatives and advisors from Read more…

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemns the attacks on Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait and warns of escalating tensions.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemns the attacks on Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait and warns of escalating tensions.

2026-06-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned on Thursday the attacks on the territories of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait, warning of the risks of the region sliding into a wider confrontation.

The ministry said in a statement, received by Shafaq News Agency, that it expresses its deep regret over the renewed escalation in the region and the serious repercussions that may result, threatening regional security and stability, at a time when the current circumstances require prioritizing Read more…

Iraqi oil: Accelerated work to complete the strategic “Basra-Haditha” pipeline

Iraqi oil: Accelerated work to complete the strategic “Basra-Haditha” pipeline

2026-06-11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Thursday that work on the “56-inch” crude oil pipeline (Basra-Haditha) is continuing at an increasing pace to complete it as quickly as possible, with the aim of overcoming any future fuel crisis, in conjunction with the confirmation by the manufacturer of some parts of the pipeline to accelerate work and complete the agreements concluded with it.

A source told Shafaq News Agency that the current government has given great importance to the Basra-Haditha oil pipeline project for transporting crude oil, as it constitutes an important link Read more…

Al-Husseini warns against the move to sell government assets to serve the interests of major corrupt figures.

Al-Husseini warns against the move to sell government assets to serve the interests of major corrupt figures.

6-11-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Yasser al-Husseini warned on Thursday of the dangers of selling government assets to benefit major figures of corruption in Iraq, noting that these assets represent the country’s sovereignty and that selling them has not achieved the desired goal.
Al-Husseini told Al-Maalouma, “Decisions born from the suffocating economic situation are haphazard and defeatist, leading to very negative economic consequences.”
He added, “Moving towards selling government assets is one of the steps in the recent collapse of the Iraqi economy. Read more…

Al-Tamimi: Competent economic advisors are the key to overcoming the financial crisis

Al-Tamimi: Competent economic advisors are the key to overcoming the financial crisis

6-11-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Economic researcher Qasim Al-Tamimi explained on Thursday that the government needs high-level economic advisors to get Iraq out of its current crisis, after the decline in oil revenues due to the current situation in the region.

Al-Tamimi told Al-Maalomah, “Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi can overcome the current economic crisis in the country by finding highly specialized advisors, far removed from the traditional advisors who have served in successive governments without contributing anything Read more…

Completing al-Zaydi’s cabinet: Dispute over names after the election results were finalized

Completing al-Zaydi’s cabinet: Dispute over names after the election results were finalized

6-11-2026

The crisis surrounding the completion of Prime Minister al-Zaidi’s cabinet reflects the ongoing conflict within the Iraqi political landscape between the concept of electoral entitlement based on the numerical strength of political parties, and the criteria for selecting candidates to fill vacant ministerial posts. After his government received a partial vote of confidence with only 14 ministers appointed and the remaining ministries left vacant, al-Zaidi finds himself facing a complex dilemma. Political forces, particularly within Read more…