IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Iraq denies stopping a tanker near Hormuz over Iranian transit fees

Iraq denies stopping a tanker near Hormuz over Iranian transit fees

2026-06-06

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Oil Ministry on Saturday denied reports that a tanker loaded with Iraqi crude oil had been stopped near the Strait of Hormuz by US forces, allegedly for paying money to Iran in exchange for allowing it to pass.

The ministry said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that this information is false, stressing that there is no incident of this kind related to Iraqi oil exports.

She added that the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company “SOMO”, along with the Ministry, Read more…

Pavel Talabani: Regional tensions have harmed Iraq… and we do not want a government in the region similar to the current one.

Pavel Talabani: Regional tensions have harmed Iraq… and we do not want a government in the region similar to the current one.

2026-06-06

Shafaq News – Sulaymaniyah
The head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Bafel Talabani, affirmed on Saturday that the tensions in the region have harmed Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, stressing that any peace agreement and understanding between America and Iran is in the interest of Sulaymaniyah and the entire region.

Talabani said in a speech on the sidelines of his participation in a special dialogue session on the sidelines of the Delphi International Economic Forum that “the region and all of Iraq have Read more…

The World Bank approves $900 million in funding for a project to develop Iraq’s road network.

The World Bank approves $900 million in funding for a project to develop Iraq’s road network.

6-5-2026

Information/Baghdad
The World Bank announced on Friday that it has approved funding for a $900 million project to improve road infrastructure in Iraq.

The World Bank stated in a statement received by Al-Maalomah Agency that “the project will support economic transport corridors in Iraq, strategic investments in main road corridors that form a basic pillar for internal transport, regional integration and long-term economic growth, enhancing the safety and reliability of transport and opening up new Read more…

Finance Minister to World Bank Representative: We are proceeding with the implementation of financial and economic reform programs.

Finance Minister to World Bank Representative: We are proceeding with the implementation of financial and economic reform programs.

2026/06/05

During his meeting with the World Bank representative to Iraq, Emmanuel Salinas Munoz, Finance Minister Faleh Al-Sari affirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing financial and economic reform programs, in line with the government program’s priorities and to enhance the efficiency of public resource management.
Al-Sari indicated, according to a statement from the Ministry of Finance, a copy of which was received by Al-Furat News, that “the Ministry is determined during the next stage to adopt reform paths based on developing the financial Read more…

Looted funds and billion-dollar contracts: A battle of attrition between al-Zaydi and networks of influence

Looted funds and billion-dollar contracts: A battle of attrition between al-Zaydi and networks of influence

6-5-2026

Information / Report
The discussion about suspicious contract deals and the corruption files surrounding them has resurfaced, with the ongoing debate about the possibility of opening these files and holding those involved accountable, in addition to the most important aspect of recovering public funds.

After repeated attempts by previous governments, most of which failed to stop the waste of public money through suspicious contracts and deals, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi stands out in Read more…

Daham is referring to repaying the debt… We are not seeking anything other than what is rightfully ours in Al-Zaydi’s cabinet.

Daham is referring to repaying the debt… We are not seeking anything other than what is rightfully ours in Al-Zaydi’s cabinet.

6-5-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Mohammed Daham, a member of the Azm Alliance, confirmed that his alliance is not demanding more than its political and electoral entitlement in al-Zaidi’s cabinet. He also indicated that the alliance is repaying a debt related to relinquishing the position of Speaker of Parliament to ensure an end to the political deadlock.
Daham told Al-Maalouma, “The Azm Alliance is not seeking more than its electoral entitlement in the cabinet and will not demand anything more Read more…

Al-Saadawi stresses the need to find solutions before making any decision regarding the financial aspect.

Al-Saadawi stresses the need to find solutions before making any decision regarding the financial aspect.

6-5-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Abdul Hadi Al-Saadawi, stressed the need to find solutions and remedies before the government takes any decisions regarding the country’s financial situation.
Al-Saadawi told Al-Maalouma, “A series of measures must be taken before making any amendments or issuing any decisions concerning the exchange rate in local markets to ensure the preservation of the value of the Iraqi dinar.” Read more…

Urgent US warning: Do not travel to Iraq

Urgent US warning: Do not travel to Iraq

2026-06-05

Shafaq News – Middle East
The US Embassy in Israel issued a warning Thursday evening to American citizens in the Middle East, urging them to continue exercising caution and emphasizing the need to avoid travel to a number of countries, including Iraq.

The embassy stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “Due to the high level of tension in the region, the security situation remains complex and subject to rapid change. We remind American citizens in the Middle East of the need to continue to exercise caution, and Read more…

Iraqi oil exports via the Kurdistan Region pipeline are expected to stabilize in May.

Iraqi oil exports via the Kurdistan Region pipeline are expected to stabilize in May.

2026-06-05

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi predicted on Friday that Iraq’s total oil exports during May would remain at the same levels as April, at around 329,000 barrels per day as an additional export rate through the northern outlets and some alternative distribution channels, amid continued unrest in the region and disruption of supply chains through the Strait of Hormuz.

Al-Marsoumi explained in a post that the average export through the Kurdistan Region pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan reached 233,000 barrels per day in May, of which about 20,000 barrels came from the region’s fields, Read more…

The Commander-in-Chief’s office denies any changes to security and military leadership; the Ministry of Defense warns those spreading rumors.

The Commander-in-Chief’s office denies any changes to security and military leadership; the Ministry of Defense warns those spreading rumors.

2026-06-05

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu’man, refuted on Friday what has been circulating recently on social media pages regarding news about changes in the senior leadership positions of the military and security institutions in the country.

Al-Nu’man confirmed in a statement that all rumors about dismissing, appointing, or rotating these positions are “completely untrue and have no basis in reality, as the current leaders Read more…

“Iraq 2035”: A government plan to raise non-oil revenues to 46%

“Iraq 2035”: A government plan to raise non-oil revenues to 46%

2026-06-05

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Friday, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, the Prime Minister’s economic advisor, confirmed that the government program has laid its strategic foundations in the field of financial and economic diversification, with the aim of achieving Iraq’s sustainable development goals.

Saleh told Shafaq News Agency that “the program will be implemented by building an integrated relationship between developing the structure of non-oil revenues within the framework of public finance for the coming years, and diversifying Read more…

Shocking figures for parliamentary salaries

Shocking figures for parliamentary salaries

2026-06-05 04:31

Sadiq Al-Azraqi
Shocking figures for parliamentary salaries: 12,000 employees or 3,000? The discrepancy in the numbers exposes budget gaps.

The statements made by economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi, in which he said that the number of employees in the House of Representatives and its affiliated bodies amounts to 12,480 and that they cost the state enormous sums of money, caused a great uproar. While the House of Representatives says that its employees are “less than a quarter of the aforementioned number,” citizens say that, even if the number is a quarter of what he said, i.e. 3,000 affiliates, it is a large and unnecessary number for a legislative institution and its financial costs are not insignificant. Observers also point to the proliferation of fictitious names over more than two decades, for which salaries are drawn on names that appear Read more…

Federal security forces are putting Al-Zaydi under pressure… Will he succeed where his predecessors failed?

Federal security forces are putting Al-Zaydi under pressure… Will he succeed where his predecessors failed?

2026-06-04

Shafaq News – Special Translation
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi faces the same pressures that thwarted his predecessors’ efforts to establish Iraq as a prosperous and moderate actor reintegrated into the region, including the fierce competition between Iran and the United States for influence, according to the Soufan Institute , which believes that al-Zaidi, despite American pressure, will proceed cautiously in disarming the militias for fear of provoking civil unrest.

The American Institute explained, in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency, that the pressures that Iraq is Read more…

The Democrat explains the main obstacles to proceeding with the legislation of the oil and gas law.

The Democrat explains the main obstacles to proceeding with the legislation of the oil and gas law.

6-4-2026

Information/Baghdad…
On Thursday, Wafa Muhammad Karim, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, explained the nature of the obstacles that stand in the way of enacting the oil and gas law, noting that these obstacles represent the core of the dispute between Baghdad and Erbil.

Karim told Al-Maalomah, “There are factors and new developments that represent a gateway to proceeding with the legislation of the oil and gas law, but there are still clauses that must be agreed upon in the legislation, despite Read more…

Green light to overcome the crisis… Parliament nears completion of al-Zidi’s government

Green light to overcome the crisis… Parliament nears completion of al-Zidi’s government

6-4-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Developments in the political scene indicate a near breakthrough in the crisis of forming the cabinet after the rejection of some candidates for ministerial portfolios in Al-Zidi’s government. This was followed by political disputes and an exchange of accusations and statements regarding the attempt by some parties to obstruct the passage of the cabinet for political reasons unrelated to competence and eligibility for the position. Meanwhile, other parties confirm that there is a resolution to the crisis and a political green light to hold an emergency session during Read more…

The coordination framework reveals: Vacant portfolios without candidates and the cabinet is postponed.

The coordination framework reveals: Vacant portfolios without candidates and the cabinet is postponed.

6-4-2026

Information / Baghdad..
The leader in the coordination framework, and head of the parliamentary design bloc, Amer Al-Fayez, confirmed on Thursday that there is a great difficulty in completing the ministerial cabinet during the next week, indicating that the political blocs concerned with the vacant portfolios have not yet submitted the names of their candidates to the Prime Minister.

Al-Fayez told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “The remaining ministerial portfolios can be finalized and the names of the candidates submitted within a few days, provided a political Read more…

Al-Dhari: American interference in selecting the government team is the most prominent challenge facing Al-Zaidi

Al-Dhari: American interference in selecting the government team is the most prominent challenge facing Al-Zaidi

6-4-2026

Al-Maalomah / Anbar..
The leader in the Azm Alliance, Muhammad al-Dhari, confirmed today, Thursday, that the most prominent challenges facing the Prime Minister-designate, Ali al-Zidi, are represented in the American interference in the mechanism for selecting his government team, in an effort to impose figures who are compatible with the directions of the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Al-Dhari told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “The most significant challenge facing the prime minister-designate, Read more…

Mounting political and parliamentary pressure compels the Al-Zaidi government to resolve the issue of illegal border crossings in the region.

Mounting political and parliamentary pressure compels the Al-Zaidi government to resolve the issue of illegal border crossings in the region.

6-4-2026

Information / Report..
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s cabinet is facing mounting political and parliamentary pressure to resolve the issue of illegal border crossings in the Kurdistan Region, amid increasing accusations against the Erbil government of reneging on security and technical agreements concluded with Baghdad. Observers believe that the continued flow of goods and merchandise and the smuggling of crude oil through crossings not under the control of the Federal Border Ports Authority represents a serious drain on public funds and directly threatens Read more…

State of law: Consensus is the most likely way to resolve ministerial entitlements and prevent deadlock.

State of law: Consensus is the most likely way to resolve ministerial entitlements and prevent deadlock.

6-4-2026

The State of Law Coalition affirmed on Wednesday its commitment to its political efforts to secure its ministerial entitlement within the framework of ongoing understandings, indicating that the chances of reaching an agreement within the coordination framework remain the strongest to avoid any political deadlock.
Coalition member Salah Boushi told Al-Maalomah, “The State of Law’s approach to its ministerial entitlement stems from a clear vision based on the principle of partnership and balance in governing the state, far removed from Read more…

Iraq announces the start of practical steps to integrate armed factions into the security system.

Iraq announces the start of practical steps to integrate armed factions into the security system.

2026-06-04

Shafaq News – Salah al-Din
The head of the Security Media Cell, Lieutenant General Saad Maan, announced on Thursday the launch of the first practical steps to integrate armed factions into the official security system, through the handover of headquarters and weapons of the “Saraya al-Salam” in the city of Samarra, in response to the initiative launched by the leader of the Shiite National Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr.

In a televised press statement, Lieutenant General Maan said that the committee tasked with implementing Read more…