IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz continues to put pressure on Iraqi oil flows.

Uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz continues to put pressure on Iraqi oil flows.

2026-06-04

Shafaq News – Follow-up
The “uncertainty” surrounding shipping in the Strait of Hormuz continues to cast a shadow over oil flows from the Gulf states, including Iraq, despite indications of a limited increase in oil tanker traffic in recent weeks.

According to an analysis published by Reuters, the amount of oil stored on tankers within the Gulf has decreased from 184 million barrels last March to about 148 million barrels currently, indicating a relative acceleration in the departure Read more…

Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region resume via the Ceyhan port.

Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region resume via the Ceyhan port.

2026-06-04

Shafaq News – Erbil
The Ministry of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Region announced on Thursday that an agreement had been reached with the federal government to resume exporting the region’s oil through the Turkish port of Ceyhan.

The ministry said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government, accompanied by representatives of oil production companies operating in the region, visited Baghdad and held meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi and Read more…

The IMF lowers its forecast for the Iraqi economy, predicting a 6.8% contraction in 2026.

The IMF lowers its forecast for the Iraqi economy, predicting a 6.8% contraction in 2026.

2026-06-04

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The International Monetary Fund’s April 2026 Regional Economic Outlook report showed a reduction in the forecast for Iraq’s economic growth this year, predicting a contraction of the country’s real GDP by 6.8%, compared to a slight decline of 0.4% in 2025.

According to the real GDP growth table included in the report, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, the Fund expects the Iraqi economy to experience a strong recovery during 2027, Read more…

“Oil coupon” on the table of Diyala council to address the gasoline crisis

“Oil coupon” on the table of Diyala council to address the gasoline crisis

2026-06-04

Shafaq News – Diyala
The head of the Energy Committee in the Diyala Provincial Council, Fares al-Jubouri, revealed on Thursday a plan to generalize the experience of distributing gasoline to citizens according to the “oil coupon” system, with the aim of ensuring fairness in distribution and reducing smuggling operations.

Al-Jubouri told Shafaq News Agency that “citizens in the Khanaqin and Qara Tapa areas of Diyala Governorate, in addition to other governorates, obtain gasoline through a coupon that specifies the quantities and distribution dates, as each citizen is entitled to obtain 40 liters every three days if his car is private, Read more…

Al-Fahdawi: Any new security formation requires a constitutional amendment.

Al-Fahdawi: Any new security formation requires a constitutional amendment.

6-3-2026

Al-Maalomah/Anbar..
The leader in the Azm Alliance, Muhammad al-Dhari al-Fahdawi, revealed today, Wednesday, that adding any security formation to Ali al-Zaidi’s government requires a constitutional amendment, and no political or external entity has the right to violate the prevailing laws in the mechanism for adding a new security institution.

Al-Fahdawi told Al-Maalouma News Agency, “Dissolving or merging the Popular Mobilization Forces or adding a new security formation to Al-Zaidi’s government requires a constitutional Read more…

Starting tomorrow, Al-Zaydi directs the resumption of operations by oil companies in Kurdistan.

Starting tomorrow, Al-Zaydi directs the resumption of operations by oil companies in Kurdistan.

2026-06-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed on Wednesday that oil companies in Kurdistan resume their work starting Thursday, during his reception of a high-level delegation from Kurdistan.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Al-Zaidi received today a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government headed by the Minister of Natural Resources, Kamal Muhammad Salih, accompanied by Read more…

Al-Lami suggests that new names will be submitted for the vacant ministerial portfolios.

Al-Lami suggests that new names will be submitted for the vacant ministerial portfolios.

6-3-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Independent politician Sheikh Haider al-Lami, close to Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed that finalizing the cabinet is not a difficult matter. He suggested that new figures will be nominated for ministerial positions in al-Zaidi’s cabinet, in addition to those rejected in the government’s approval vote.
Al-Lami told Al-Maalouma, “Completing the cabinet and filling the remaining ministerial posts in Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet is not difficult; it will be achieved through agreement Read more…

State of law: The vote on the vacant ministerial posts may be decided at this time.

State of law: The vote on the vacant ministerial posts may be decided at this time.

6-3-2026

The State of Law Coalition revealed on Wednesday that the forces within the Coordination Framework have agreed to hold an extraordinary meeting in the near future to finalize the cabinet formation, suggesting that the vote on the remaining ministerial posts will take place at the beginning of July. Coalition
leader Jassim Mohammed Jaafar told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the meeting of the Coordination Framework leaders, held at the home of Victory Coalition leader Haider al-Abadi, was lengthy and addressed several issues.” Read more…

“Al-Maalomah” reveals the files of Trump’s envoy to Iraq

“Al-Maalomah” reveals the files of Trump’s envoy to Iraq

6-3-2026

The director of the Iraqi Media Center in Washington, Nizar Haider ,
revealed on Wednesday that President Trump’s envoy, Tom Barrack, will discuss with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi the corruption files of officials in previous governments, carrying the names of those involved in stealing Iraqi funds between 2003 and 2026, most notably former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Haider told the Information Agency, “The information we received from the American decision-making source indicates that President Trump’s envoy, Tom Barrack, carried a file containing the names of 1,000 political figures Read more…

Al-Fayez: Finalizing the cabinet depends on political consensus.

Al-Fayez: Finalizing the cabinet depends on political consensus.

6-3-2026

The head of the Tasmeem parliamentary bloc, Amer al-Fayez, confirmed on Wednesday that discussions are ongoing among political forces to finalize the cabinet formation. He noted that the upcoming parliamentary recess could affect the holding of a vote on the cabinet. Al-Fayez told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “Discussions are still underway among political forces to reach final understandings regarding the completion of the cabinet and filling the vacant ministerial positions.”
He added, “Parliament will enter its legislative recess soon, and if Read more…

A high-level delegation from Kurdistan plans to visit Baghdad to discuss resuming the region’s oil exports.

A high-level delegation from Kurdistan plans to visit Baghdad to discuss resuming the region’s oil exports.

2026-06-03

Shafaq News – Erbil
A high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government is scheduled to travel to Baghdad on Wednesday for talks on resuming the region’s oil exports.

According to information obtained by Shafaq News Agency, the Kurdish delegation consists of: Kamal Mohammed, Minister of Natural Resources; Omid Sabah, Chief of Staff of the Council of Ministers; and Amanj Rahim, Secretary of the Council of Ministers. The delegation will hold serious talks regarding the resumption of Kurdistan’s oil exports, and the issue of increasing Read more…

Al-Hakim: Consultations are underway to hold an emergency session to decide on the remaining ministerial portfolios.

Al-Hakim: Consultations are underway to hold an emergency session to decide on the remaining ministerial portfolios.

2026-06-03

Shafaq News – Al-Muthanna
The head of the National State Forces Alliance, Ammar al-Hakim, announced on Wednesday that Iraqi political forces and parties are conducting intensive consultations to decide on the remaining seats in the government cabinet by holding an emergency session of the House of Representatives, given that there is a mandatory legislative recess that lasts from the beginning of June until July 1st.

Al-Hakim said during a press conference he held in Al-Muthanna Governorate that it is possible to cut short this holiday with an emergency session, in addition to Read more…

IMF: Iraq among the economies most affected by regional turmoil in 2026

IMF: Iraq among the economies most affected by regional turmoil in 2026

2026-06-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A report issued by the International Monetary Fund showed that Iraq will be among the economies most affected by regional turmoil during 2026, with clear repercussions on inflation rates, external accounts and public finances.

According to the report, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, Iraq is among a limited group of countries facing double pressures as a result of Read more…

Al-Fayez rules out holding an “emergency” parliamentary session to complete the cabinet.

Al-Fayez rules out holding an “emergency” parliamentary session to complete the cabinet.

2026-06-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Wednesday, MP Amer Al-Fayez, a leading figure in the coordination framework, ruled out holding a session of the House of Representatives during the coming week, suggesting that the completion of the cabinet will be postponed until after the end of the legislative holiday.

Al-Fayez told Shafaq News Agency that “the Prime Minister and the Coordination Framework are determined to complete the cabinet in order to support Read more…

Exclusive: Al-Zaydi approves plan to integrate factions: 35,000 job opportunities in exchange for surrendering weapons

Exclusive: Al-Zaydi approves plan to integrate factions: 35,000 job opportunities in exchange for surrendering weapons

2026-06-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Informed sources revealed details of the recent meeting held by the leaders of the Coordination Framework, in the presence of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the head of the committee overseeing the disarmament of armed factions, while noting that 35,000 job opportunities have been allocated for members of factions who agree to hand over their weapons.

The sources told Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Zaydi presented to the Coordination Framework the proposals Read more…

Within two days, al-Zaydi reached an agreement with Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and Kata’ib al-Imam Ali to implement measures to restrict weapons.

Within two days, al-Zaydi reached an agreement with Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and Kata’ib al-Imam Ali to implement measures to restrict weapons.

2026-06-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi agreed with delegations from the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement and the Imam Ali Brigades to form a joint committee to implement measures to restrict weapons to the state within the next two days.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Zaidi received two delegations from the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq movement and the Imam Ali Read more…

SWOT analysis of the Iraqi economy amidst dollar exchange rate fluctuations: Strategies for protecting citizens and promoting economic stability

SWOT analysis of the Iraqi economy amidst dollar exchange rate fluctuations: Strategies for protecting citizens and promoting economic stability

6-3-2026

Researcher Shatha Khalil*
“This analysis is based on the SWOT model, which is a strategic framework used to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that affect the economy.”

The slight rise in the US dollar exchange rate in Baghdad and the limited decline in Erbil may seem like routine daily fluctuations in the currency market, but for Iraq, the implications are far more significant. Iraq remains heavily reliant on imports and oil revenues, meaning that any change in the dollar’s value, however small, has a Read more…

Al-Jubouri: Parliament is proceeding with holding a session to complete the cabinet during the legislative recess.

Al-Jubouri: Parliament is proceeding with holding a session to complete the cabinet during the legislative recess.

6-2-2026

The Information Agency / Baghdad…
MP Iyad al-Jubouri, from the Azm Alliance, confirmed on Monday that the Parliament is moving towards holding a session during the legislative recess to complete the vote on Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi’s cabinet.
Al-Jubouri told the Information Agency, “Parliament is determined to hold a special session to complete the cabinet during the legislative recess in order to fill the vacant ministerial positions and finalize Read more…

American message to Baghdad: We demand an end to threats emanating from Iraqi territory.

American message to Baghdad: We demand an end to threats emanating from Iraqi territory.

2026-06-02

Shafaq News – Washington
The US Chargé d’Affaires in Iraq, Joshua Harris, stressed on Tuesday the importance of reducing threats from Iraqi territory to regional peace in the region.

Harris said in press statements seen by Shafaq News Agency: “I stressed to Iraqi President Nizar Amidi the need to put an end to threats from Iraqi territory,” noting that “the meeting with the Iraqi president discussed the need to take decisive measures to preserve Read more…

Al-Tamimi on completing the cabinet: A sharp political divide may end in the coming days

Al-Tamimi on completing the cabinet: A sharp political divide may end in the coming days

6-2-2026

Information / Special..
Political analyst Majashaa Al-Tamimi predicted that the cabinet would be completed after Eid al-Adha, noting that the chances of resolving this issue still exist, but the matter remains dependent on the ability of the political forces to reach settlements regarding the contentious ministries.

Al-Tamimi told Al-Maalouma that “the problem does not appear to be technical or administrative as much as it is political,” noting that “some Read more…