IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Parliamentary Integrity: The next phase will witness the opening of major corruption cases.

Parliamentary Integrity: The next phase will witness the opening of major corruption cases.

6-8-2026

The Information Agency / Baghdad –
Member of the Parliamentary Integrity Committee, Ahmed al-Shammari, revealed on Monday that the committee continues to pursue corruption cases, recover stolen funds, and prosecute fugitives involved both inside and outside Iraq. He emphasized that the amount of embezzled funds has doubled in recent years.
Al-Shammari told the Information Agency, “The Integrity Committee continues to pursue cases of recovering stolen funds and prosecuting those Read more…

“No internal disputes.” A framework confirms that ministerial portfolios will be finalized within days.

“No internal disputes.” A framework confirms that ministerial portfolios will be finalized within days.

6-8-2026

Information/Interview…
Iraq is currently witnessing the emergence of a number of important and sensitive issues, most notably the completion of Ali al-Zaidi’s government formation and the filling of the remaining ministerial posts, particularly the security ministries, in addition to economic and financial challenges, as well as developments in the regional landscape.
In this context, Information conducted an interview with Abdul Samad al-Zarkoushi, a member of the Coordination Framework, to discuss the most prominent of these issues.

Q: When will the remaining ministerial posts in Ali al-Zaidi’s government be decided?
A: A crucial meeting of the coordination framework will be held within Read more…

Article 140: From constitutional guarantee to the trap of political bureaucracy

Article 140: From constitutional guarantee to the trap of political bureaucracy

2026-06-08

Badr Ismail Cherokee
Let us close our eyes for a moment and recall the world five hundred years ago, when there were no strict borders on the globe, and religions decided who declared war on whom, or which nation lived with another in peace and security.

But the world later began to suffer from the tyranny of kings and monotheistic religions, and grew weary and bored. So it was decided to draw lines between the lands of nations and peoples, lines drawn under the name of borders. A definition of identity, love of country, and loyalty to it emerged from the womb of the great and bloody French Revolution, leading to the birth of the concepts of modern political and humanitarian institutions and organizations, and armed forces in the post-Sykes-Picot era. This agreement contributed to consigning the last Read more…

Iraq is losing $15,000 per hour due to the closure of its airspace.

Iraq is losing $15,000 per hour due to the closure of its airspace.

2026-06-08

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Echo Iraq Observatory announced on Monday that Iraq is losing about $15,000 per hour as a result of the temporary halt in air traffic through its airspace.

The observatory stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Iraqi airspace, before the suspension of air traffic, witnessed the passage of about 800 aircraft daily, including domestic and foreign flights, while the daily rates during previous periods ranged Read more…

Al-Zaydi is pressuring factions to prevent their involvement in the escalation between Iran and Israel.

Al-Zaydi is pressuring factions to prevent their involvement in the escalation between Iran and Israel.

2026-06-08

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Informed sources reported on Monday that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, along with his own team, is leading an intensive effort aimed at preventing Iraqi armed factions from becoming involved in the recent military escalation between Iran and Israel, even if the United States returns to direct participation in the confrontation alongside Israel.

Sources told Shafaq News Agency that “government contacts and pressure began last night and are still ongoing, Read more…

Inflation in Iraq jumps to 4.3% in April

Inflation in Iraq jumps to 4.3% in April

2026-06-08

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Data from Iraq’s Central Statistical Organization showed on Monday that the general consumer price index reached 112.5 points during April 2026.

The general consumer price index in Iraq reached approximately 112.5 points during April 2026, compared to 110.6 points in March 2026, recording an increase of 1.7%, which represents the monthly inflation rate, according to Read more…

Economist: Iraq has become a “salary state” and the oil crisis threatens to paralyze it.

Economist: Iraq has become a “salary state” and the oil crisis threatens to paralyze it.

2026-06-08

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Financial expert Mahmoud Dagher confirmed on Monday that public finances in Iraq have turned into something resembling “salary finances” since 2004, as a result of the almost complete reliance on oil revenues to cover monthly operating expenses, primarily the salaries of employees, retirees and social welfare.

Dagher told Shafaq News Agency that “the continuous expansion in government appointments during the past years Read more…

Iraq reopens its airspace and resumes flights

Iraq reopens its airspace and resumes flights

2026-06-08

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority announced on Monday the reopening of Iraqi airspace to flights to and from all Iraqi airports.

The authority stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “the decision to reopen the airspace comes after assessing the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities, in order to ensure the continuation of air traffic according to the highest standards Read more…

Iraq on the brink of a financial storm: Will the emergency plan save the economy before it’s too late?

Iraq on the brink of a financial storm: Will the emergency plan save the economy before it’s too late?

6-8-2026

Researcher Shatha Khalil*
In the world of economics, crises don’t begin the day governments announce their inability to pay salaries, nor when foreign currency reserves plummet to dangerous levels. Rather, they begin when countries ignore the early warning signs of an impending storm. Today, Iraq faces one of its most critical economic phases in years, not only due to the decline in oil prices, but also as a result of escalating regional challenges that threaten the lifeblood of the Iraqi economy: oil exports.

Iraq relies on oil for more than 85% of its budget revenues, making its economy highly sensitive to any disruption Read more…

Muzhir Muhammad: The Iraqi economy is fragile and the budget is highly vulnerable.

Muzhir Muhammad: The Iraqi economy is fragile and the budget is highly vulnerable.

6-7-2026

Information/Special..
The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, warned today, Sunday, against the continued dependence of the Iraqi economy on oil as an almost sole source of revenues, stressing that this reality makes the general budget highly susceptible to fluctuations in global prices.

In response to a question about the risks of falling oil prices, Saleh told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “Oil revenues represent more than 90% of the state’s total income, while the general budget depends directly on crude oil prices in global markets.”

He added that “the breakeven oil price in the Iraqi budget is often between Read more…

Iraq and six other OPEC+ countries will increase oil production next month.

Iraq and six other OPEC+ countries will increase oil production next month.

2026-06-07

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Iraq and six other OPEC+ member states decided, in a virtual meeting held on Sunday, to implement a production adjustment with an increase of 188,000 barrels per day starting in July 2026.

The alliance announced in a statement that the seven countries – Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman – made this decision after reviewing global market conditions and forecasts, as part of their collective commitment to supporting Read more…

Maliki’s coalition rules out changing the value of the dinar and warns against inflaming public opinion.

Maliki’s coalition rules out changing the value of the dinar and warns against inflaming public opinion.

6-7-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Imran Karkoush, a member of the State of Law Coalition, ruled out the government’s intention to change the value of the dinar and devalue it against the dollar, while simultaneously warning against taking decisions that would inflame Iraqi public opinion.
Karkoush told Al-Maalouma, “The government does not want to risk any decisions that might inflame Iraqi public opinion and thus directly Read more…

An economist warns against printing money, advising domestic borrowing to protect the dinar from collapse.

An economist warns against printing money, advising domestic borrowing to protect the dinar from collapse.

6-7-2026

Information / Baghdad…
Economic expert Hashim al-Haboubi warned on Sunday against resorting to printing money locally to cover the budget deficit, stressing that domestic or foreign borrowing is the best alternative to protect the financial market from the risk of severe inflation.
Al-Haboubi told the Information Agency, “Flooding the market with printed local currency to cover salaries and other expenses will directly lead to higher inflation levels, in addition to causing a sharp decline in the exchange rate of the national currency against Read more…

Exchange rate and diversification of income sources: The government faces complex economic and financial challenges.

Exchange rate and diversification of income sources: The government faces complex economic and financial challenges.

6-7-2026

The ongoing crisis in the region has directly impacted Iraq’s economy, through the decline in oil exports , on which the government directly relies to replenish the state treasury and allocate funds for operational expenses. This places the al-Zaidi government before difficult choices, requiring it to diversify income sources and revitalize the country’s economy without resorting to fateful decisions that could inflame public opinion, especially as the government formation process begins and the political establishment awaits the finalization Read more…

Al-Azm: No date yet for the session to complete the Al-Zidi government

Al-Azm: No date yet for the session to complete the Al-Zidi government

6-7-2026

Al-Maalomah/Baghdad…
Haider al-Asadi, a member of the Azm Alliance, confirmed on Sunday that no date has yet been set for a parliamentary session to finalize Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet. He called on political forces to overcome their differences and expedite the resolution of outstanding issues.
Al-Asadi told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “The Parliament has not yet set a date for a special session to complete the formation of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government and fill the remaining ministerial positions.”
He added, “The current stage requires all political forces Read more…

Barzani’s party criticizes Halbousi’s management of the sessions: He lacks experience and professionalism.

Barzani’s party criticizes Halbousi’s management of the sessions: He lacks experience and professionalism.

6-7-2026

Information / Baghdad…
Wafaa Mohammed, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, criticized the performance of Speaker of Parliament Hebat al-Halbousi on Sunday, stating that his style of managing parliamentary sessions lacks the necessary professionalism and experience.
Mohammed told Al-Maalouma, “The way some parliamentary sessions are conducted does not reflect the level of responsibility entrusted to the Speaker, especially regarding contentious and sensitive issues.”
He added, “The Speaker employs an unprofessional approach to managing sessions, and he needs more wisdom Read more…

Al-Shammari reveals the reasons for postponing the completion of the cabinet.

Al-Shammari reveals the reasons for postponing the completion of the cabinet.

6-7-2026

Information / Baghdad –
Member of Parliament, Ahmed al-Shammari, confirmed on Sunday the absence of any serious indications of holding an extraordinary parliamentary session during the current legislative recess to complete the cabinet formation, noting that political disagreements continue to hinder a resolution of this issue.
Al-Shammari told the Information Agency, “Differences in viewpoints among political forces regarding the completion of the distribution of ministerial portfolios are still present in the political landscape and have not Read more…

Al-Maliki discusses weapons control with the US chargé d’affaires

Al-Maliki discusses weapons control with the US chargé d’affaires

2026-06-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, discussed with Joshua Harris, the acting US ambassador to Iraq, the issue of restricting weapons in Iraq and developments in the region.

The office of the head of the State of Law Coalition stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “Maliki met with Harris at his office today, and during the meeting they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. They also discussed political developments and the ongoing dialogues between political forces towards completing Read more…

Al-Zaidi travels to Washington with businessmen and promises to inject $10 billion into the private sector.

Al-Zaidi travels to Washington with businessmen and promises to inject $10 billion into the private sector.

2026-06-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi announced on Saturday an upcoming official visit to the United States, accompanied by businessmen, to expand mutual and joint investment opportunities, noting at the same time that the development fund is for the private sector and will absorb a contribution from the Central Bank worth $10 billion.

This came during Al-Zaydi’s reception of a number of businessmen, members of the board of directors and Read more…

After a week-long hiatus, US imports of Iraqi oil have seen a slight increase.

After a week-long hiatus, US imports of Iraqi oil have seen a slight increase.

2026-06-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad / Washington
U.S. imports of Iraqi crude oil rose slightly last week, after registering zero the week before, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The data showed that the United States imported about 43,000 barrels per day of Iraqi oil during the last week, compared to no imports in the previous week, indicating a limited return of Iraqi supplies to the American market.

According to the weekly ranking of crude oil imports Read more…