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…
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…
