New security warning: Americans face kidnapping risk in Iraq

New security warning: Americans face kidnapping risk in Iraq

2026-03-10 02:56

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The US Embassy in Baghdad warned its citizens in Iraq on Tuesday of escalating security risks, noting that they face threats including kidnapping and attacks that could target Americans and their interests, and urging them to leave the country Read more…

Iran demands security guarantees before any ceasefire agreement.

Iran demands security guarantees before any ceasefire agreement.

2026-03-10 03:10

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday stipulated that clear security guarantees are a prerequisite for any agreement to a ceasefire with the United States and Israel.

According to the Iranian newspaper Shargh, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that “any truce or end to the war must be accompanied by Read more…

Bank deposits in Iraq declined as credit increased during 2025

Bank deposits in Iraq declined as credit increased during 2025

2026-03-10 03:10

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Central Bank of Iraq announced on Tuesday a decline in the growth of deposits and an increase in cash credit growth during the year 2025.

The bank stated, in a statistic seen by Shafaq News Agency, that total deposits at banks operating in Iraq decreased by Read more…

Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 3-9-2026

Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 3-9-2026

3-9-2026 Newshound Guru Jeff I want you to realize how close you are to the rate change. When you look at this more from the angle of what they’re doing versus what they tell you, you can see how close you are to the timing of the rate change. When the war ends, they can quickly form the government…After the president is done and voted in there’s only three pieces left. Announcing the prime minister, the prime minister completing his cabinet and then a final parliamentary vote and approval on his cabinet…If they extend Sudani’s term you get all three final remaining steps done which would allow them to potentially revalue in the remaining month of March. Read more…

An American institute calls for continued pressure on Iraq to end Iran’s influence.

An American institute calls for continued pressure on Iraq to end Iran’s influence.

2026-03-09 09:40

Shafaq News – Special Translation
The US-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies called on the United States to continue pressing to counter Iran’s grip on Iraq, arguing that airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed militias are likely part of US-Israeli operations, but without anyone claiming Read more…

Iraq possesses 20,000 oil tankers capable of holding 4 million barrels per day… Experts present 3 “emergency” alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz

Iraq possesses 20,000 oil tankers capable of holding 4 million barrels per day… Experts present 3 “emergency” alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz

2026-03-09 | 04:27

SumerianNews-Economy
Economic experts reviewed on Monday the possible alternatives for Iraq to export its oil away from Strait of Hormuz They discussed the possibility of using the large fleet of Iraqi tankers to transport oil from the southern fields to export platforms via Read more…

Abu Fadak is at the heart of the equation… The framework faces a crucial night for the premiership.

Abu Fadak is at the heart of the equation… The framework faces a crucial night for the premiership.

2026-03-09

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The leaders of the Coordination Framework are holding a meeting Monday evening at the home of the head of the Supreme Islamic Council, Humam Hamoudi, in an attempt to decide the fate of the nomination of the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, for the position of Prime Minister, after weeks of internal Read more…

“Within a year”… The Central Bank of Iraq sells more than $80 billion

“Within a year”… The Central Bank of Iraq sells more than $80 billion

2026-03-09 00:11

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Central Bank of Iraq revealed on Monday that its sales of hard currency amounted to more than $80 billion during the year 2025.

The bank stated in a statistic seen by Shafaq News Agency that its sales of hard currency during 2025 amounted to Read more…

An expert predicts a 30% drop in dollar sales in Iraq.

An expert predicts a 30% drop in dollar sales in Iraq.

2026-03-09 00:54

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Economic expert Manar Al-Obaidi said on Monday that the total sales of foreign currency by the Central Bank of Iraq amounted to about $884 billion during the period from 2006 to 2025, noting that these sales witnessed a remarkable Read more…

“Security concerns” are driving Iraqis to withdraw their money from state-owned banks.

“Security concerns” are driving Iraqis to withdraw their money from state-owned banks.

2026-03-09 01:39

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source reported on Monday that state-owned banks in Iraq, particularly Rafidain Bank and Rasheed Bank, are suffering from a severe liquidity crisis and a shortage of cash, with a clear decline in the funds available within those banks.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “citizens who have deposited money have Read more…

Hormuz chokes Iraq: Oil exports below 800,000 barrels per day

Hormuz chokes Iraq: Oil exports below 800,000 barrels per day

2026-03-09 02:17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi oil production has fallen sharply from 4.3 million barrels per day to 1.3 million barrels per day as a result of the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

This decline reduced Iraqi exports to less than 800,000 barrels per day, which Read more…

JP Morgan: Iraq has the lowest oil storage capacity among Gulf countries

JP Morgan: Iraq has the lowest oil storage capacity among Gulf countries

2026-03-09 02:58

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Data released by JPMorgan on Monday showed that Iraq has one of the lowest oil storage capacities among Gulf countries compared to other countries in the region.

According to the data, Saudi Arabia leads the Gulf countries in storage capacity, with Read more…

First official Iraqi comment on rising oil prices

First official Iraqi comment on rising oil prices

2026-03-09 04:21

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, the financial and economic advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, commented on the significant rise in global oil prices against the backdrop of the military conflict in the region.

Saleh told Shafaq News Agency that the oil administration Read more…

Kuwait informs Baghdad of recorded attacks originating from within Iraqi territory.

Kuwait informs Baghdad of recorded attacks originating from within Iraqi territory.

2026-03-09 06:08

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, the Kuwaiti ambassador in Baghdad informed the Iraqi Foreign Ministry that attacks had been recorded from within Iraqi territory targeting locations inside Kuwaiti territory, and called on the government to put an end to them.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ media office said in a statement Read more…

Following the selection of the new Iranian Supreme Leader… Who is Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei?

Following the selection of the new Iranian Supreme Leader… Who is Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei?

2026-03-09

On Sunday, Iran witnessed the selection of Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader of the country, succeeding his father who was assassinated in Tehran days earlier in an American-Israeli operation.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts announced Read more…

Iraq recovers more than nine million dollars from frozen assets in Italy

Iraq recovers more than nine million dollars from frozen assets in Italy

2026-03-09

The Iraqi Funds Recovery Fund announced its success in recovering more than nine million dollars of Iraqi funds that had been frozen in Italy. This latest achievement reflects the effectiveness of the Fund’s legal and diplomatic efforts in recovering these assets. Mohammed Ali Al-Lami, Chairman of the Fund’s Board of Directors, stated that the Fund received information about Iraqi government accounts held at Read more…

Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 3-8-2026

Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 3-8-2026

3-8-2026 Newshound Guru Jeff We all want to know when the rate is going to change. Let’s talk about not only when the rate is going to change…but what’s really happening…Are they even having sessions of parliament? Is the government doing anything? Absolutely not. Zero in Iraq. They’re not doing anything right now…The formation of Iraq’s government is the lynch pin to the rate change…The formation o Iraq’s government gets them back on the world stage. It’s a critical level of stability needed… Read more…

Central Bank of Iraq: Reserves cover 12 months of imports

Central Bank of Iraq: Reserves cover 12 months of imports

2026-03-08 09:22

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed on Sunday that its reserves cover 12 months of imports, while indicating that it possesses “financial buffers”.

In a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, the bank said, “Within the framework of its constitutional and legal responsibilities to protect monetary and Read more…

Trump threatens Iran’s new Supreme Leader: He must get our approval.

Trump threatens Iran’s new Supreme Leader: He must get our approval.

2026-03-08 08:35

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump asserted on Sunday that the selection of Iran’s new Supreme Leader must be done with his approval.

Trump told ABC News: “The new leader in Iran must get our approval to make sure we don’t have to come back every 10 years.”

He added: “The new Supreme Leader in Iran will not last long Read more…

The National Union rejects “consensus” and insists on a single-party candidate for the presidency.

The National Union rejects “consensus” and insists on a single-party candidate for the presidency.

3-8-2026

The Information/Baghdad…
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) MP Dana Aziz confirmed on Sunday the continued deadlock within the Kurdish political landscape due to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s (PUK) stance. He indicated that the PUK still rejects the option of a consensus candidate for Read more…