Al-Jubouri: Complex issues are delaying the resolution of the remaining ministerial portfolios.
8-20-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Thaer al-Jubouri confirmed on Thursday that finalizing the remaining ministerial posts in Ali al-Zaidi’s government will be delayed for some time.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Jubouri explained that “differences in visions among the political forces have become more apparent, especially with the anti-corruption campaign that has included the arrest of dozens of political and parliamentary figures, in addition to businessmen.” Read more…
Al-Shammari: Bribery and sectarian quotas have turned Iraq into an environment hostile to investment.
8-20-2026
Information/Baghdad…
MP Mohammed al-Shammari affirmed on Thursday that the rampant corruption within the state apparatus represents the greatest obstacle to the growth of the national economy and the attraction of local and foreign investments. He warned of the repercussions of the continued absence of transparency and bureaucracy on the investment climate in the country.
Al-Shammari told the Information Agency, “The rampant corruption within the state apparatus represents the greatest obstacle that stifles the national economy and drives away both foreign and domestic investments.” He explained that “addressing this phenomenon Read more…
Bloomberg: Chinese refineries switch to Iraqi oil as Gulf supply lines are disrupted
8-20-2026
A Bloomberg report published Thursday, citing unnamed traders, confirmed that Chinese refineries are buying Iraqi crude oil, having recently purchased 8 million barrels of Basra Heavy and Basra Medium crude for immediate delivery. The report, translated by Al-Maalomah News Agency, stated that
“oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, Iraq’s main export channel, has continued despite the Iranian blockade, although the blockade has reduced these flows to a fraction of what they were previously. The Maritime Traffic Monitoring Service recorded Read more…
(Exclusive) “Managing weapons” instead of disarming them: A Shiite compromise on the table for al-Zaydi and the factions
2026-08-20 10:28
Shafaq News – Baghdad
A source within the coordination framework revealed on Wednesday that prominent Shiite leaders presented a package of proposals to the leaders of the armed factions to contain the escalation with Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi. The proposals include replacing the concept of “disarmament” with the formula of “weapons management,” subjecting its use to the orders of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and separating the time frame between the withdrawal of American forces and the start of the implementation of the arms control arrangements. Read more…
Al-Zaidi in 100 days: Exceptional challenges and tougher upcoming tasks
2026-08-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
During the first 100 days of his premiership on May 14, 2026, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi faced a series of heavy and simultaneous issues, ranging from the oil export crisis, liquidity and salaries, to restricting weapons to the state, combating corruption, the water crisis and drought, as well as completing the formation of his government and managing Iraq’s relations amidst escalating regional and international tensions.
Today, Thursday, August 20, 2026, the Al-Zidi government enters its 98th day since gaining the confidence Read more…
Iran announces it is addressing banking difficulties with Iraq and is preparing to activate financial agreements.
2026-08-20
Shafaq News – Tehran
The governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Abdolnaser Hemmati, stated that the existing obstacles to banking transactions between Iran and Iraq have been removed, confirming that the groundwork has been laid to utilize these resources in the coming weeks, following recent talks with Iraqi officials.
According to the Iranian news agency Mehr, Hemmati stressed the importance of collecting outstanding payments and accelerating economic interactions. Read more…
State employees’ salaries have entered the entitlement phase, but disbursement has not yet begun.
2026-08-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Thursday that the salaries of state employees for this month have entered the entitlement stage, but disbursement operations have not actually begun yet, attributing this to a lack of financial liquidity and a decline in revenues.
The source explained to Shafaq News Agency that the concerned authorities have begun disbursing the salaries of employees of self-financing departments, while the salaries of central financing employees are still awaiting disbursement procedures, despite the approaching end of this month. Read more…
Shipping activity picks up: 9 tankers gather at Basra oil ports, the highest number since February
2026-08-20
Shafaq News – Basra
A source at Iraqi ports reported on Thursday that nine oil tankers are currently docked at the port of Basra, waiting to be loaded with shipments of crude oil.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that five tankers are currently docked at the Basra oil port awaiting crude oil loading operations, while four other tankers are waiting their turn. Read more…
Qalibaf from Baghdad: Iran supports the Iraqi government’s steps to regulate weapons and is committed to the security agreement.
2026-08-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf expressed his country’s support on Thursday for the steps taken by the Iraqi government to establish a legal framework regulating weapons under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, stressing Tehran’s commitment to the security agreement concluded with Baghdad.
This came during his meeting with National Security Advisor Qasim al-Aboudi, where they discussed the latest Read more…
Iran: Dollar surpasses 189,000 tomans as pressure continues on the local currency.
2026-08-20
Shafaq News – Follow-up
The US dollar continued its rise against the local currency in the Iranian free market on Thursday, recording about 189,700 tomans per dollar.
The data showed that the dollar rose by about 400 tomans, or 0.21%, compared to the previous price, while the price of one euro reached 221,030 tomans, an increase of 0.76%, and one British pound reached 257,670 tomans, an increase of 0.57%. Read more…
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Alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz: How does Iraq plan to free its oil exports from the “single outlet”?
2026-08-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Kirkuk/Erbil
The Iraqi oil export crisis is no longer just a challenge related to delivering crude oil to global markets, but has turned into a real test of the state’s ability to protect its main financial resource in light of the geopolitical changes taking place in the region, most notably the disruption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which has brought back to the forefront a question that has been raised for years: Can Iraq get rid of dependence on a single export outlet?
This question was the focus of the expanded meeting held by Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi with the leaders of Read more…
The Minister of Finance emphasizes the commitment to the timelines for completing the program and performance budget.
8-20-2026
Finance Minister Faleh Sari stressed on Thursday the need to complete the budget project within the specified timeframes. The Ministry of Finance stated in a statement that “Finance Minister Faleh Sari visited the Budget Department, during which he followed up on the progress of work in preparing the next budget project according to the methodology of programs and performance.”
According to the statement, the minister affirmed that “the ministry is moving towards a gradual transition from an itemized budget to Read more…
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Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 8-19-2026
8-19-2026 Intel Guru Frank26 [Iraq boots-on-the-ground report] OMAR: The television here in Iraq says there are plans to remove the three zeros from the dinar and reprint our currency. The move they say aims to tackle large denominations, to push hoarded cash into the banks and to curb illicit money…If it follows a 1,000 old dinar to a new 1 dinar rate, then 1 million old dinars becomes 1,000 new ones. This redenomination simplifies transactions without automatically booting purchasing power or the exchange rate. Experts note it could reduce the money supply if old bills go un-exchagned. They say on TV that while online voices mix optimism about isolating legitimate funds with caution on real gains amid current rates that near the .00076 per dinar. The central bank has not set a timetable. Read more…
The State of Law coalition maintains its position: no changes to the names of our previous ministerial nominees.
8-19-2026
Information / Special..
Salah Boushi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed on Wednesday that completing the cabinet is a political and governmental priority, noting that resolving this issue must be done through understanding and dialogue between the political forces, in order to ensure the formation of a government capable of performing its duties without obstruction.
Bushi told Al-Maalomah that “the State of Law Coalition is holding firm to its position regarding its candidates Read more…
Exclusive: Two prime ministers and members of parliament on the list of an international committee investigating Iraqi corruption cases
2026-08-19
Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Wednesday that a new list is being prepared that includes Iraqi political and governmental figures suspected of involvement in cases of squandering public funds, corruption and money smuggling, noting that the names under review include two former prime ministers, current and former members of parliament and officials of various ranks.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that the international committee currently in Iraq, which includes experts specializing in tracking smuggled and stolen funds, conducted, in coordination with the relevant Iraqi government Read more…
Removing zeros: A currency restructuring or a step to boost confidence in the dinar?
2026/08/19
The issue of removing zeros from the Iraqi currency has resurfaced, amid economic debate about the feasibility of this step and its implications for the value of the dinar and the purchasing power of the citizen, as well as the readiness of the banking and financial sectors to implement it.
Economic experts believe that removing zeros, if implemented within a comprehensive study and a clear plan, could contribute to restructuring the currency and simplifying financial and banking transactions, while emphasizing that the measure itself Read more…
Is JPMorgan pulling the rug out from under the Iraqi Central Bank?
8-19-2026
Information / Special..
Political researcher Hussein Al-Shalakh warned on Wednesday of the repercussions of bringing the American bank “JP Morgan” into managing financial transactions related to Iraq, considering that the move may represent a form of hegemony over the Iraqi economy and an undermining of the country’s sovereignty over its funds.
Al-Shalakh told Al-Maalouma that “Iraq does not currently have full sovereignty over its funds,” noting that “a delegation from Washington recently met with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and discussed with him the JPMorgan Chase bank and the role it could play in the Iraqi financial system.” Read more…
A former deputy confirms Trump’s interference in the cabinet formation and the resistance’s weapons.
8-19-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Hussein Mardan confirmed that US President Donald Trump interfered in the cabinet formation process and the issue of the Islamic Resistance’s weapons, which delayed the appointment of any ministers or MPs affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) or resistance factions.
Mardan told Al-Maalouma, “Washington’s interference was clear in the cabinet formation process and the political process in general. Trump intervened directly and sent messages rejecting any minister or MP affiliated with the PMF or resistance factions.” Read more…
Two million barrels since the beginning of August… Iraq opens alternative routes for its oil exports
8-19-2026
Information/Baghdad –
Anbar Alliance leader Mohammed al-Dhari al-Dulaimi revealed on Wednesday that Iraq has exported approximately two million barrels of oil since the beginning of August via the Ceyhan pipeline in Turkey and by tanker trucks to Syria and Jordan.
Al-Dulaimi told the Information Agency that “crude oil exports via the Ceyhan pipeline and by tanker trucks through the Trebil border crossing with Jordan and the al-Walid crossing in western Anbar have reached unprecedented levels, exceeding two million barrels since the beginning of August. These quantities are roughly equivalent to what Iraq previously exported through the Strait of Hormuz, and it is hoped that the pace of refined oil exports to Turkey, Jordan, and Syria will increase in the coming days.” Read more…
Exclusive: The coordination framework pushes Al-Amiri and Al-Hakim to prevent clashes with the factions.
2026-08-19
Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source reported on Wednesday that the special committee formed by the Coordinating Framework for Dialogue with armed factions refusing to hand over weapons has begun its meetings and contacts, with the aim of discussing mechanisms for implementing the decision to restrict weapons to the state.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that the committee includes Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri and the head of the Hikma Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, and will undertake the task of dialogue and negotiation Read more…
