Al-Danbous: The framework has settled the issue of the vacant ministries, and Al-Sudani is now focused on leading his coalition.
6-20-2026
The Information Agency / Baghdad –
On Saturday, MP Adnan al-Danbous, a leading figure in the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, confirmed that the leaders of the Coordination Framework had finalized the cabinet appointments in their recent meeting by replacing the previous nominees for the vacant ministerial posts. He also indicated that the decision regarding the vice presidents had been postponed.
Al-Danbous told the Information Agency, “The leaders of the Framework understand the importance of completing the cabinet as quickly as possible, and therefore, it was agreed to replace the previous nominees for Read more…
Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, an Iranian delegation traveled to Switzerland to follow up on Washington’s commitments.
2026-06-20
Shafaq News – Tehran
The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday that an Iranian delegation had left for Switzerland to follow up on the implementation of the United States’ “commitments” under the memorandum of understanding.
The ministry stated in a statement that “the first clause is the most important in the memorandum of understanding, and the other party has failed to fulfill its commitment to force Israel to stop its attacks on Lebanon.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry called on America to “speed up the implementation of the memorandum Read more…
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Qasim al-Araji appointed as security advisor to the Prime Minister
2026-06-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi decided on Saturday to appoint former National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji as his special security advisor.
This decision comes directly after Al-Zaydi oversaw the handover ceremony at the National Security Advisory building between the new advisor, Qasim Hassan Al-Aboudi, and his predecessor, Al-Araji.
This move comes as part of a series of sweeping changes made by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to senior political and Read more…
Ahead of his visit to Washington, al-Zaydi’s “sieve” causes the biggest government shake-up since 2003.
2026-06-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
It wasn’t long after Ali Faleh al-Zaidi took over his duties that he began sending clear signals to his opponents and allies at the same time, under the title “The next stage will not be an extension of what came before it.”
While his government is still completing its ministerial formation, informed sources speak of a broad list of changes that may affect more than 100 officials at various administrative levels, starting with undersecretaries and not ending with directors-general, in a move that Read more…
A US official: Iraq has agreed to cooperate in combating money laundering and has begun “taking steps”.
2026-06-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
A U.S. administration official confirmed on Friday that Iraq has agreed to cooperate with a financial group to combat money laundering, corruption and terrorist financing, and has begun taking positive steps in this regard.
The official told Shafaq News Agency that “after a process that lasted nearly two years to review the Iraqi system for combating money laundering and terrorist financing, Iraq agreed to work cooperatively with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to address the most strategic deficiencies in its system for combating money laundering Read more…
American perspective: No guarantees for energy companies in Iraq as long as factions retain their weapons.
2026-06-20
Shafaq News – Special Translation
The American ” Foundation for Defense of Democracies ” institute expressed doubt about the ability of the Iraqi government to achieve what it called “the difficult balancing act” between dealing with the issue of the factions’ weapons and providing guarantees to American energy companies for their work in Iraq, in light of the tense regional situation, considering that any guarantees are meaningless as long as the factions retain their weapons.
The American Institute said in a report entitled “Washington wants a business-focused relationship with Iraq, but Read more…
Iraq expands oil export outlets to bypass traditional routes
2026-06-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq is preparing to begin exporting about 50,000 barrels per day of crude oil through Syrian territory starting next July, as part of a government strategy aimed at diversifying oil export outlets and reducing reliance on traditional routes in the Gulf.
Reuters reported that the plan also includes exporting naphtha through Syrian ports, at a time when Baghdad confirms its continued reliance on this route even after navigation returns to normal Read more…
Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Iraq has lost approximately $38 billion due to the halt in oil exports.
2026-06-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Economic Affairs Observatory “Eco Iraq” announced on Saturday that Iraq has lost about 350 million barrels of oil exports since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, equivalent to about $37.7 billion, calling for accelerating the implementation of the “New Levant” project as a strategic option to secure alternative export outlets and reduce dependence on maritime outlets.
The observatory stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Iraq, prior to the closure of the Strait Read more…
“Reconstruction and Development” clarifies: African loans date back to the Saddam era and were not granted by the Sudanese government.
2026-06-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The “Reconstruction and Development” coalition responded on Saturday to the statements made by MP Mohammed Al-Shammari regarding his claims about the government of Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani granting loans to African countries, considering that “these statements are far from the truth and lack accuracy, and involve misleading public opinion and an attempt at political defamation.”
The coalition explained in a statement today that the loans in question are not recent and were not granted during the Sudanese government, but rather date back to the seventies and eighties of the last century, when the previous Read more…
For the first time since 1978, Iraq begins drilling an exploratory oil well in Salah al-Din.
2026-06-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, the technical and engineering staff of the Iraqi Drilling Company began drilling a new exploratory well in the Amerli district of Salah al-Din Governorate, under a tripartite contract that includes the North Oil Company, the Iraqi Drilling Company and the Oil Exploration Company.
This well is the first of its kind in the northern governorates since 1978, in a step that reflects the Ministry of Oil’s orientations towards revitalizing exploration work and developing promising Read more…
Following the FATF decision, economists warn of a heavy cost and financial isolation for Iraq after its return to the grey list.
2026-06-20
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Erbil
Economic experts warned on Saturday of the repercussions of Iraq’s return to the “grey list” of countries under enhanced monitoring regarding efforts to combat money laundering and financial crimes, stressing that the slowness in addressing this issue could land the country on the “black list,” where Baghdad faces international financial and economic isolation.
A step backward and an international alarm bell
In this regard, Ziad Al-Hashemi, a researcher and consultant in economics and international Read more…
Security forces shut down the finance department at the Central Electricity Company on suspicion of major financial corruption.
6-20-2026
An informed source reported on Friday (June 19, 2026) that a security force closed the financial department of the Central Electricity Distribution Company, after suspicions arose of corruption and major financial manipulation.
The source said that “the security force raided the financial department of the Central Electricity Distribution Company,” noting that “this move came after suspicions of corruption files and major financial manipulation.” Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 6-19-2026
6-19-2026 Newshound Guru Clare Article: “Al-Zaydi begins removing officials after Barrak’s visit… Al-Alaq is out of the Central Bank, according to the framework – Urgent” Quote: “Coordination Framework rushed to report the dismissal of the head of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali al-Alaq, and his replacement by Nizar Nasser, who was the head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Office of the Central Bank. This comes after nearly two days of long and complex discussions held by the Iraqi Prime Minister with Trump’s envoy in Baghdad, Tom Barrack.” Read more…
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Claims by some media outlets regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are unfounded.
6-19-2026
Information/Follow-up…
The Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that claims by some media outlets regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz were untrue, explaining that Friday’s meeting in Switzerland had been postponed to another day.
The ministry stated in press statements that “since the signing of the memorandum of understanding was done electronically, holding the Switzerland meeting is no longer urgent.”
She added, “We plan to hold a meeting for negotiations in the coming days,” confirming that Read more…
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Financial distress and patchwork solutions… Will the borrowing crisis and budget deficit trigger the exposure of inherited corruption files?
6-19-2026
Information / Report..
The country’s financial reality faces a major challenge that is the most important and difficult test to assess the success or failure of the Al-Zaidi government, at a time when government solutions have begun to move towards the option of “borrowing”, amid warnings that it is a patchwork solution that does not address the roots of the financial crisis left by the repercussions of the war in the region and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
With the accumulation of the financial crisis, another legislative and economic challenge emerges related to Read more…
A former deputy denies the existence of deep disagreements hindering the completion of Al-Zidi’s cabinet.
6-19-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Abdul Hadi Mohan denied the existence of deep disagreements between political blocs or parties within the Coordination Framework that would hinder the completion of Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet. He pointed out that the Coordination Framework continues its work and meetings and has not disintegrated.
Mohan told Al-Maalouma, “The disagreements regarding the selection of candidates for the nine remaining ministerial portfolios in al-Zaidi’s cabinet are minor and superficial, and can be Read more…
A politician stated that the unofficial border crossings in the region are being sold in complete secrecy and under Barzani’s supervision.
6-19-2026
Information/Duhok…
Independent Kurdish politician Didar Haval revealed on Friday that the sale of unofficial border crossings with Turkey and Syria to smuggling networks dealing in petroleum products and foodstuffs is being carried out in complete secrecy and under the supervision of Masoud Barzani.
Haval told the Information Agency, “Masoud Barzani’s government has opened a market for selling unofficial border crossings with Turkey and Syria to smugglers of petroleum products and foodstuffs for huge sums of money, away from the eyes of the federal Read more…
Gold is heading for its third weekly loss due to the strength of the dollar and signs of monetary tightening.
2026-06-19
Shafaq News – Erbil
Gold prices fell slightly on Friday, heading for their third consecutive weekly decline, pressured by rising dollar levels and signals of monetary tightening from the Federal Reserve (the US central bank), which negatively affected the appeal of the non-yielding yellow metal.
Gold fell 0.5% in spot trading to $4,189.26 per ounce by 00:43 GMT, while U.S. gold futures for August delivery dropped Read more…
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An economic institution warns against the “dollarization” of the Iraqi economy and the deepening of poverty if the dinar is devalued.
2026-06-19
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The “Iraq Future” Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations warned on Friday of the repercussions of reducing the value of the Iraqi dinar against the US dollar, stressing that the negatives of such a step – if the federal government takes it – will outweigh its temporary benefits to the country’s economy.
These warnings come at a time when political and financial circles are increasingly discussing the possibility of devaluing the local currency as an option to address the current deficit and alleviate pressure on Read more…
Reuters, citing sources: The Revolutionary Guard has formed cells in southern Iraq to attack Gulf states.
2026-06-19
Shafaq News – Follow-up
Reuters quoted eight Iraqi sources on Friday as saying that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has formed new secret cells in Iraq to carry out attacks on Gulf states hosting US forces, bypassing existing armed group networks to avoid detection.
According to the agency, citing those sources, three or four cells, each consisting of about 10 elite fighters, launched at least seven drone attacks from desert locations near the southern cities of Basra and Samawah, targeting sites in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE between April 20 Read more…
