Al-Surji: The region has entered a dark tunnel and the fate of forming a government remains unknown.
8-21-2026
Information/Baghdad…
A member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Ghiath al-Surji, confirmed that the Kurdistan Region has entered a dark tunnel due to the unresolved issue of forming a government and the uncertain future resulting from the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) demands. Al-Surji told Al-Maalouma, “The Kurdistan Region is still being run by a caretaker government because the new government has not been formed due to the conditions the KDP is trying to impose.” Read more…
Al-Zaidi’s advisor to Shafaq News: The government is working on a comprehensive package of economic reforms.
2026-08-21
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Friday, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, the Prime Minister’s economic advisor, affirmed that Iraq is working to reduce the fragility of its economy related to fluctuations in oil prices through a package of measures aimed at increasing non-oil revenues, reforming the financial and banking sectors, supporting the private sector, investing in gas and energy, and rearranging public spending priorities.
Saleh told Shafaq News Agency that the continued heavy reliance of the Iraqi economy on oil makes public revenues Read more…
Focusing on the financial aspect… A second meeting between Iraq and Turkey to discuss the path to development
2026-08-21
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced on Thursday that it held a second joint meeting with its Turkish counterpart regarding the framework memorandum of understanding for developing transport infrastructure in Iraq within the framework of the Development Road project.
The ministry said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the meeting was held at the headquarters of the General Company for Iraqi Railways in Baghdad, and the discussions focused on financial aspects and ways Read more…
New US sanctions on Iran target 21 individuals, 16 companies, and 10 ships.
2026-08-21
Shafaq News – Washington
The US Treasury Department announced on Thursday evening a new package of Iran-related sanctions targeting individuals, entities and ships, as part of Washington’s intensified pressure on Tehran and networks linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah.
According to the announced data, the measures include 21 people, 16 companies and 10 ships, in addition to sanctions on Read more…
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Russia confirms openness to new peace proposals with Ukraine, but with conditions.
2026-08-21
Shafaq News – Moscow
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced on Friday that Moscow is ready to discuss any new proposals for resolving the conflict with Ukraine.
In an interview with the news website News.ru, Ryabkov said that the United States had shown a willingness “for constructive dialogue and understanding of Russia’s position,” and that his country was ready to listen to new proposals on how to reach a settlement Read more…
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Al-Zaydi reassures Iraqis that salaries will be secured and affirms: We have multiple options to confront the Hormuz crisis.
2026-08-21
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi reassured employees and retirees on Friday that monthly salaries and government payments would be fully secured, while emphasizing that Iraq is going through “difficult and challenging” circumstances due to regional developments and the disruption of oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
Al-Zaydi said, during his participation in the proceedings of the “Eighth Baghdad Dialogue” conference organized by the Iraqi Institute for Dialogue, that Iraq is facing Read more…
Local and Iranian drones… Details of Asaib Ahl al-Haq’s weapons handover to the state (exclusive)
2026-08-21
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Friday, a source familiar with the inner workings of the factional movement in Iraq revealed details of the process by which one of the factions handed over its weapons to the state, confirming that there are positive signs regarding the issue of restricting weapons to the state.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that “Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, which expressed its support for what Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi proposed regarding restricting weapons to the state, handed over Read more…
Qalibaf from Baghdad: Trade with Iraq requires a roadmap and reducing dependence on the dollar.
2026-08-21
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stressed on Friday that developing economic and trade relations between Iran and Iraq requires a “precise roadmap,” calling for abandoning American hegemony through exchange in national currencies.
This came during his speech at the consultative meeting of Iranian and Iraqi economic activists, which was held at the Iranian embassy in Baghdad, according to the official Iranian news agency IRNA. Read more…
Among them is Iraq… Trump’s threats to Iran place countries on the list of economic sanctions
2026-08-21
Shafaq News – Follow-up
US President Donald Trump’s threats to impose sanctions on countries that do business with Iran have resurfaced, putting many countries on the list of potential consequences, most notably Iraq, which has dealings with Iran in various fields.
The US president pledged on Wednesday to wage an economic war on Iran, threatening any country that does business with the Islamic Republic with consequences, at a time when tensions are escalating in the Middle East. Read more…
A crisis of confidence and a cash economy: Around 97 trillion Iraqi dinars are outside the banking system.
2026-08-21
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Cash held outside the banking system constitutes one of the most prominent challenges facing the Iraqi economy, given the continued reliance of a large segment of citizens and merchants on cash transactions and keeping part of their money outside banks.
While money outside the banking system does not necessarily mean that it is entirely hoarded, its sheer size raises questions about the weakness of banking transactions and the ability of banks to attract savings and convert them into loans and financing for projects and investments. Read more…
Central Oil Company reveals the rate of Iraqi crude exports for August: We are working to increase it.
2026-08-21
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Director General of the Central Oil Company, Mohammed Yassin, revealed on Friday that the rate of Iraqi crude exports in August reached about two million barrels per day, expecting an increase in oil exports during the coming period.
Yassin explained to Shafaq News Agency that “there are understandings and discussions with the American and Iranian sides to allow the passage of tankers loaded with Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz.” Read more…
Middle Oil Company: Production has returned to 100 percent.
8-21-2026
The Director General of the Central Oil Company, Muhammad Yassin Hassan, confirmed that the company was not greatly affected by the current circumstances, noting that measures and solutions were taken that contributed to restoring production to its previous levels at 100%. Hassan stated during a dialogue session within the eighth Baghdad Dialogue Conference, as reported by the official agency, that “all companies were affected by the current circumstances, but the Central Oil Company was not greatly affected,” pointing out that “the Central Oil Company held important meetings with its partners in order to overcome the crisis, and we put in place solutions to restore production.” Read more…
Land Transport Company: More than 5,000 transit operations passed through Iraqi territory
8-21-2026
The General Company for Land Transport, affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, announced more than 5,000 transit transport operations across Iraqi territory during the past year and a half. It noted that Iraqi trucks, for the first time, participated in transport operations under the International Transit Agreement (TIR), after previous transport operations within Iraq were carried out by foreign trucks. The Director General of the General Company for Land Transport, Murtadha Al-Shahmani, told the official news agency that “the Ministry of Transport, through its specialized departments, has made great efforts to organize transit transport operations and has achieved remarkable successes.” He explained that the number of transport operations carried out across Iraqi territory has exceeded Read more…
The generators union decides on a general power outage in all governorates.
8-21-2026
The Generators Syndicate decided today, Friday, to shut down private generators in all Iraqi governorates on September 1st. The head of the Generators Syndicate, Dhargham Al-Shuwaili, stated in a statement to Al-Sumaria TV that “the relevant authorities have not complied with all the Prime Minister’s decisions,” noting that “despite completing the procedures for obtaining free fuel books, the allocated quotas have not been disbursed according to the Cabinet’s decisions.” He continued, “The relevant authorities Read more…
Prime Minister: Employee salaries are secured and we aim to export 8-10 million barrels per day
8-21-2026
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi affirmed on Friday that employee salaries are secured, noting that the government is striving to export 8-10 million barrels per day. Al-Zaidi stated, during a dialogue session at the eighth Baghdad Dialogue Conference, held by the Iraqi Institute for Dialogue in the capital, Baghdad, as reported by the official news agency, “We have managed to secure salaries and find alternative routes for oil exports, and we will present a budget that represents a roadmap for Iraq’s economic future.” He pointed out that “next year’s budget will focus on the electricity sector in production, distribution, and transmission, and on expanding the use of solar energy.” Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 8-20-2026
8-20-2026 Newshound/Intel Guru Mnt Goat …there is a VERY STRONG emphasis that…removing the zeros …is going to happen and has been at least authorized and decided on to go forward now from the GOI Finance Committee side and now they need parliament to pass the new law to remove the zeros. Then the CBI needs to tell us they are moving ahead. These last parts we don’t yet have confirmation since this wonderful news just broke recently…the CBI did send a representative to an important meeting with Al-Zaidi and the head of the Finance Committee to discuss changes to a long-standing law to remove the zeros. There were amendments needed to the law and it has been forwarded to parliament already for implementation. Read more…
Al-Zaydi: We will proceed with passing the Popular Mobilization Forces law as part of the armed forces.
2026-08-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi affirmed on Thursday that the Popular Mobilization Forces enjoy the attention and care of the government, which will proceed with submitting the Popular Mobilization Forces Law for approval, as it is part of the formations and branches of the armed forces, indicating that Iraq is witnessing today a phase of building after completing the requirements of the process of defending sovereignty. Read more…
The Interior and Defense Ministries cannot manage the agency… Al-Fatlawi: Parliament is required to take action to end the cabinet vacancy.
8-20-2026
Information / Special..
MP Aqeel Al-Fatlawi called on Thursday for the need to expedite the completion of the cabinet, stressing that the continued management of ministries by acting ministers is not in the interest of government work, especially important security ministries.
Al-Fatlawi told Al-Maalouma that “appointing permanent ministers for the Ministries of Interior and Defense is of utmost importance at the present time, as they are among the most Read more…
The US Treasury threatens Iran with “the greatest economic isolation in history”.
2026-08-20
Shafaq News – Washington
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bissett asserted on Thursday that Iran’s economic isolation would be “the greatest in history,” as he put it.
Bisent continued, in press statements followed by Shafaq News Agency: “It is time for allies and the rest of the world to stop dealing with the Iranian regime.” Read more…
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Al-Zaydi directs the implementation of investment projects based on the principle of “fragmentation”.
2026-08-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed that investment projects be implemented in phases to expedite completion, during his visit to the National Investment Commission headquarters to review the commission’s plans, projects, and mechanisms for implementing investment projects in various development sectors and across all governorates.
According to a statement from Al-Zaydi’s office received by Shafaq News Agency, he listened to a presentation Read more…
