Gold prices are falling as investors move to take profits.
8-14-2026
Information/Follow-up…
Gold prices fell on Friday as investors took profits after the precious metal hit its highest level in more than two months in the previous session.
The decline came after recent inflation data supported market expectations that the US Federal Reserve might not raise interest rates in September, which helped push gold to higher levels during the previous session.
Spot gold fell Read more…
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Al-Fatlawi reveals the reasons for the delay in filling the vacant positions in Al-Zaidi’s government.
8-14-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Ali al-Fatlawi, a member of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, revealed the reasons for the delay in filling the vacant ministerial positions in al-Zaidi’s government, stressing the importance of expediting the process and presenting alternative candidates to ensure the remaining ministries are approved.
Al-Fatlawi told Al-Maalouma, “Some political blocs have submitted candidates for the vacant ministerial portfolios in al-Zaidi’s cabinet, providing an alternative in case the first candidate is rejected. This has created a problem among the political blocs.” Read more…
Former MP: The Popular Mobilization Forces will have a law passed in parliament in the coming days
8-14-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Hussein Ali confirmed that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) will have its own law, as Parliament moves towards enacting a PMF law, despite some external messages regarding this legislation.
Ali told Al-Maalouma, “The PMF law, which is expected to be passed in the coming days, has not faced any external comments or negative messages from the US administration, despite attempts to obstruct its passage during the previous parliamentary session.” He added, “There are some messages Read more…
Al-Zaydi directs border crossings to operate on self-financing and emphasizes combating corruption.
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Friday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed the Border Ports Authority to operate on a self-financing system through tax and customs fees, while stressing the need to combat corruption.
Al-Zaydi visited the headquarters of the Border Ports Authority in the capital, Baghdad, where he met with the directors of the border ports and their employees via video conference, praising their efforts and their role in protecting the country’s sovereignty and Read more…
Al-Zidi discusses with Al-Maliki combating corruption and restricting weapons to the state.
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi discussed with Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, the issues of combating corruption, restricting weapons to the state, and other political and regional matters.
Al-Zaydi’s media office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Zaydi received Al-Maliki, and the meeting witnessed discussions on a number of political and national files and issues, most notably the completion of the formation of the cabinet, in a way that supports Read more…
US military expert: Counter-terrorism forces and Peshmerga are capable of maintaining security after the withdrawal
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Washington
Mustafa Hashim
On Friday, Rafael Cohen, director of the Strategy and Doctrine Program at the RAND Corporation, a military research institution, affirmed that the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service and the Peshmerga forces possess sufficient experience and training to lead battles on the ground, while also noting the existence of logistical and political challenges that may affect overall military performance as the American combat role declines.
Cohen, a U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant colonel who previously served two combat tours in Iraq, told Shafaq News Read more…
Exclusive: Details of an Iraqi-Saudi-American meeting dominated by factions and al-Zaidi’s movements
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Riyadh
Two Iraqi and Saudi diplomatic sources revealed on Friday details of a meeting held the previous evening in Riyadh, which included delegations from Iraq and Saudi Arabia and representatives of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), to discuss security developments and the issue of armed factions in Iraq.
The Iraqi diplomatic source told Shafaq News Agency that the meeting addressed the latest developments regarding the factions and the options available for dealing with them, without revealing the nature of those options or any further details about them. Read more…
Three giant oil tankers have docked at the port of Basra to load 6 million barrels of Iraqi crude.
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Basra
A source at the Iraqi Ports Company reported on Friday that three giant foreign oil tankers had docked at the port of Basra.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that the loading capacity of each of those tankers is two million barrels, and it is hoped that the Ministry of Oil will begin the loading operations and export a total of 6 million barrels of crude.
The source added that a fourth, smaller tanker is expected to arrive at the port Read more…
The largest desert region in Iraq, Rutba, offers industrial, tourism, and agricultural investment opportunities.
2026-08-14
Shafaq News – Anbar
The mayor of Rutba in Anbar, Imad al-Dulaimi, confirmed on Friday that the western desert in the province represents a “promising area for investment” in the agriculture, livestock, minerals and energy sectors, noting that security stability, the opening of border crossings and the availability of water sources are essential factors for stimulating investment in the region.
Al-Dulaimi told Shafaq News Agency that “the western desert of Iraq, the largest part of which lies within the borders of the Rutba district, extends over an area of approximately 90,000 square kilometers, and is characterized by Read more…
Parliamentary Finance Committee: The Ministry of Finance has begun preparing the 2027 budget.
8-14-2026
The Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed on Friday that the Ministry of Finance has begun preparing the 2027 budget. The committee also indicated that the Grants and Borrowing Law will be presented to Parliament next week. Committee member Ikhlas al-Dulaimi stated to the official news agency that “during the committee’s visit to the Prime Minister, several issues were agreed upon, including the agreement to send the 2027 budget.” She added that “the Finance Committee has taken upon itself the task of legislating the Grants and Borrowing Law, and an agreement has been reached with the government Read more…
Financial advisor: The government has developed plans aimed at increasing non-oil revenues to 45%
8-14-2026
The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed on Friday that the government’s economic direction focuses on transitioning from a rentier economy that relies on the distribution of oil revenues to a productive economy, by strengthening the role of the private sector, diversifying revenue sources, and financing infrastructure projects. Salih told the official news agency that “Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi’s economic vision stems from identifying two fundamental issues: first, the weak role of the private sector in productive activity, and second, the weakness of Read more…
Ministry of Oil: Our oil exports since the beginning of August have reached two million barrels per day
8-14-2026
Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair announced on Friday the opening of the central gas processing plant in the Al-Faihaa oil field. He also noted that four oil tankers are currently carrying Iraqi crude for export. He confirmed that oil exports have reached two million barrels per day since the beginning of August. Khudair stated in a joint press conference with Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani that “the ministry is proceeding with the implementation of service and community projects in the oil-producing areas, in coordination with the local government and the representatives of Basra Governorate,” pointing out that “the investment of oil and gas Read more…
Head of the Integrity Commission: There is no safe haven for looted funds or those wanted for justice.
8-14-2026
The head of the Federal Integrity Commission, Mohammed Ali Al-Lami, confirmed on Thursday that there is no safe haven for looted funds or those wanted for justice, while indicating that the hand of justice is stronger than attempts to hide and smuggle funds, and that coordination between Baghdad and Ankara is sufficient to narrow the spaces for those wanted.
The head of the commission, Mohammed Ali Al-Lami, said in a statement that “Iraq and Turkey are moving towards Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 8-13-2026
8-13-2026 Intel Guru Reset Intelligence On Wednesday, Iraq’s Prime Minister told the commander of US Central Command to his face that September 30 is “final and irreversible.” Hours later a US official confirmed the pullout is on track…The same week, a plane from Tehran landed in Baghdad carrying the [Iranian] Quds Force commander, unannounced, with one message for the armed factions: hand nothing over yet…Iraq’s armed groups call themselves the Islamic Resistance, and a resistance needs an occupier. On October 1 there is none. What stands in front of those weapons after that is Iraq itself… Read more…
Following an Iraqi-Saudi security meeting, Khalid bin Salman stated: “We will always stand with Baghdad.”
2026-08-13
Shafaq News – Riyadh
Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman affirmed on Thursday that the Kingdom will always stand with Iraq to “support its security, stability, development and prosperity,” for the benefit of Iraq and its people.
Bin Salman said in a statement carried by Shafaq News Agency: “I met with the Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Abdul-Amir Al-Shammari, and we reviewed Saudi-Iraqi relations in the military and defense Read more…
Intensive efforts to join the World Trade Organization
2026/08/13
Iraq has made significant progress in its bid to join the World Trade Organization, after completing a number of key files related to goods and services and responding to questions from member states, in preparation for holding the fourth meeting of the working group on Iraq’s accession to the organization.
The official spokesman for the Ministry of Trade, Mohammed Hanoun, said that a delegation from the ministry visited the headquarters of the World Trade Organization last July, and held a Read more…
Political anticipation is high for the formation of al-Zidi’s cabinet within the next two weeks.
8-13-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Hassan Fad’am confirmed on Thursday that political and public circles are anticipating the completion of the cabinet within the next two weeks, noting that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi pledged to finalize his ministerial portfolios during the recent meeting of the State Administration Coalition.
Fad’am told Al-Ma’louma, “The recent meeting of the State Administration Coalition, attended by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, emphasized the need to expedite the completion Read more…
Al-Yassiri reveals the circumstances surrounding the ban on Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
8-13-2026
Information/Baghdad…
MP Hayam al-Yasiri revealed on Thursday a dispute between the Ministry of Oil and the Iraqi Maritime Transport Company regarding the mechanism for exporting Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz. She indicated that certain parties have raised the issue of an investor allegedly obstructing oil exports.
Al-Yasiri told the Information Agency, “There is a disagreement between the Ministry of Oil and the Iraqi Maritime Transport Company regarding the mechanism for exporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz, and an issue has been raised concerning an investor who is preventing Iraqi oil exports.” Read more…
The cabinet is suspended and the government program is pending… Bloc disputes are hindering a government without ministers.
8-13-2026
The crisis surrounding the completion of the cabinet and the appointment of ministers to fill vacant portfolios remains unresolved, amidst ongoing political disagreements between blocs and forces regarding the distribution of ministerial positions. This raises questions about the government’s ability to implement its program and fulfill its service and economic obligations.
This comes as the government’s three-year program has reached the Council of Representatives. MP Mohammed Karim al-Baldawi, spokesperson for the Sadiqun parliamentary bloc, confirmed that the program has been submitted to the Speaker’s office, which has Read more…
Kurdistan Electricity reveals “Ronaki” figures: 90% continuous power supply with lower bills
2026-08-13
Shafaq News – Sulaymaniyah
On Thursday, the Ministry of Electricity in the Kurdistan Regional Government revealed new details regarding the bills for the “Ronaki” sustainable electricity project, announcing that 24-hour supply has reached more than 90% of citizens. It also stated that about 80% of subscribers, especially those with limited income, are now paying less compared to the previous cost of combining national electricity with private generator subscriptions. Read more…
