Wednesday night is decisive… Baghdad is on edge and the region holds its breath.

Wednesday night is decisive… Baghdad is on edge and the region holds its breath.

2026-04-22

Shafaq News – Special Analysis
Iraq and the region are heading into a highly sensitive night, where internal calculations intersect with external pressures, and Baghdad appears to be holding its breath, awaiting the outcome of meetings that are expected to have significant repercussions. Read more…

143 million dinars daily… An observatory reveals the Presidency’s spending in 2025

143 million dinars daily… An observatory reveals the Presidency’s spending in 2025

2026-04-22

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Economic Affairs Observatory “Eco Iraq” announced on Wednesday that the expenditures of the Presidency of the Republic during the year 2025 amounted to about 143 million dinars per day, calling on the House of Representatives to legislate laws that determine the salaries and expenditures Read more…

Exclusive: Miles Caggins: Washington is using the “weapon of economics” to distance Iraq from Tehran

Exclusive: Miles Caggins: Washington is using the “weapon of economics” to distance Iraq from Tehran

2026-04-22

Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
American political analyst Miles Caggins said on Wednesday that the United States is using its economic tools to put pressure on Iraq and reduce Iran’s influence there through several measures.

Caggins was a colonel in the U.S. Army, and served three crucial military tours in Iraq between 2003 and 2020. He also served as the official spokesman Read more…

Iraq joins the camp rejecting marine emissions amendments

Iraq joins the camp rejecting marine emissions amendments

2026-04-22

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq has joined a group of oil-producing nations that oppose proposed changes to the International Maritime Organization’s emissions reduction framework, amid escalating disputes over regulating the maritime shipping sector.

According to a report published by S&P Global on Wednesday, Iraq, along with Read more…

Will Iraq be affected by the halt in dollar shipments? An economist answers: Its share is only 7%.

Will Iraq be affected by the halt in dollar shipments? An economist answers: Its share is only 7%.

2026-04-22

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Mahmoud Dagher, a financial expert and former director general at the Central Bank of Iraq, confirmed on Wednesday that there has been no official announcement yet regarding the suspension of dollar shipments to Iraq, noting that what is being circulated in some media outlets is not based on official sources.

Dagher told Shafaq News Agency that “the Central Bank of Iraq and the government have denied the existence Read more…

For the first time in years, the strategic Darbandikhan Dam is declared completely full.

For the first time in years, the strategic Darbandikhan Dam is declared completely full.

2026-04-22

Shafaq News – Sulaymaniyah
Saman Ismail, the director of the Darbandikhan Dam administration, announced on Wednesday that the strategic dam, which is one of the largest dams in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, is full, following the Read more…

The government’s financial advisor: Demand for dollars to finance foreign trade is being managed normally without interruption.

The government’s financial advisor: Demand for dollars to finance foreign trade is being managed normally without interruption.

2026-04-22

The Prime Minister’s advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed on Wednesday that talk of a halt in the flow of dollars from the United States to Iraq pertains to a very limited segment, not exceeding 5%. He indicated that the demand for dollars to finance foreign trade is being managed normally Read more…

Parliamentary Finance Committee: Borrowing to finance expenditures is contingent upon the formation of the government.

Parliamentary Finance Committee: Borrowing to finance expenditures is contingent upon the formation of the government.

2026-04-22

The parliamentary finance committee expressed its position on Wednesday regarding borrowing from the Central Bank to finance domestic expenditures, noting that this issue is linked to the formation of the government. Committee member, Ribwar Karim, stated in a statement to the official agency that “the proposal to borrow from the Central Bank to finance domestic expenditures is Read more…

Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 4-21-2026

Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 4-21-2026

4-21-2026 Newshound Guru Clare Article: “Dinar only for purchasing residential units” Quote: “Local sources confirmed National Investment Authority Investment authorities in all governorates are committed to implementing the applicable instructions and regulations regarding the sale and lease of residential units within investment projects, which stipulate the exclusive use of the Iraqi dinar in all sales and installment transactions, emphasizing the prohibition of dealing in any foreign currency… these measures are part of supporting the state’s monetary policy and strengthening confidence in the national currency, as well as reducing exchange rate fluctuations…The commission called on “citizens to report any violations in this regard.” Read more…

Economic: Iran has not imposed restrictions on the passage of Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz

Economic: Iran has not imposed restrictions on the passage of Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz

4-21-2026

Al-Maalomah/Anbar –
Economic expert Rashid al-Saadi revealed on Tuesday that Iran has allowed Iraqi oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without imposing any security or financial restrictions.
Al-Saadi told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “The Iranian government has allowed Iraq to export its oil through the Strait of Hormuz without Read more…

The Central Bank of Iraq announces its readiness to cover the dollar demands of pilgrims and travelers.

The Central Bank of Iraq announces its readiness to cover the dollar demands of pilgrims and travelers.

2026-04-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed on Tuesday that it has met all requests from banks and exchange companies for US dollars allocated to pilgrims, travelers, and foreign transfers.

The bank stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency Read more…

Weighing the blocs on the table of the framework… Al-Maliki and Al-Sudani resort to the “decisive weight”

Weighing the blocs on the table of the framework… Al-Maliki and Al-Sudani resort to the “decisive weight”

2026-04-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Tuesday details of the visit of caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to the leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, during which a number of proposals were discussed to end the political deadlock regarding Read more…

Alawi: Iran’s blessing is still in place for Maliki to assume the position of Prime Minister

Alawi: Iran’s blessing is still in place for Maliki to assume the position of Prime Minister

4-21-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Ali Al-Alawi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed that Iran’s blessing for Maliki to assume the position of Prime Minister is still in place, noting that Tehran sees Maliki as a good negotiator in Read more…

The Sudanese abstained… The Algerian reveals the behind-the-scenes details of the “secret vote” within the framework.

The Sudanese abstained… The Algerian reveals the behind-the-scenes details of the “secret vote” within the framework.

4-21-2026

Al-Maalomah/Baghdad…
On Tuesday, Abdul Rahman al-Jazaeri, a member of the Coordination Framework, revealed details of the recent meeting of Shia political forces to resolve the issue of the prime ministership. He confirmed the official withdrawal of the nominations of Nouri al-Maliki and Read more…

MP: Repeatedly postponing meetings to decide on the prime ministership could open a door for foreign interference

MP: Repeatedly postponing meetings to decide on the prime ministership could open a door for foreign interference

4-21-2026

Information / Baghdad…
MP Mukhtar al-Youssef, from the Badr parliamentary bloc, warned on Tuesday against the repeated postponement of meetings of the Coordination Framework regarding the selection of the largest bloc’s candidate for the position of the next prime minister. He called on the framework’s leaders Read more…

Al-Jalabi: No new candidate will be nominated for prime minister without Maliki’s official withdrawal.

Al-Jalabi: No new candidate will be nominated for prime minister without Maliki’s official withdrawal.

4-21-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Zuhair al-Jalabi, a member of the Coordination Framework, clarified the situation regarding the nomination of the next prime minister on Tuesday, confirming that Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, remains the current candidate for the position.

Al-Jalabi told the Information Agency, “The Coordination Framework cannot proceed with nominating any other figure Read more…

The “two-thirds” requirement is a sticking point for consensus… Disagreements over mechanisms are hindering the nomination of a prime ministerial candidate within the framework.

The “two-thirds” requirement is a sticking point for consensus… Disagreements over mechanisms are hindering the nomination of a prime ministerial candidate within the framework.

4-21-2026

Information / Report…
Political data indicates strong signs that the forces meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, will fail to reach a final agreement for the leaders of the framework, due to the deepening gap of disagreements over the implementation mechanisms presented Read more…

The International Maritime Organization is considering evacuating ships stranded in the Gulf.

The International Maritime Organization is considering evacuating ships stranded in the Gulf.

2026-04-21

Shafaq News – London
The head of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, announced on Tuesday that the organization is working on a plan to evacuate hundreds of ships stranded in the Gulf region, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Bloomberg quoted Dominguez as saying that the plan would only be Read more…

Shortly before the end of the truce, Trump may participate in the Islamabad talks.

Shortly before the end of the truce, Trump may participate in the Islamabad talks.

2026-04-21

Shafaq News – Islamabad
Reuters, citing a Pakistani source, reported on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump may participate in person or online if an agreement is reached during the ongoing talks.

The source stated that “the atmosphere is positive, and Read more…

Iraq ranks seventh among Arab countries with high investment risks.

Iraq ranks seventh among Arab countries with high investment risks.

2026-04-21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq is among the countries with high investment risks, according to the latest equity risk premium estimates issued by New York University finance professor Aswath Damodaran.

The “equity risk premium” is one of the most prominent financial indicators Read more…