Switzerland confirms: Washington-Tehran talks in Bürgenstock will take place tomorrow
2026-06-18
Shafaq News – Follow-up
The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that preliminary talks between the United States and Iran will be held at the Bürgenstock mountain resort on Friday , following the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington .
The ministry said in a statement, reported by Reuters, that “as of now, the plan is still to hold a meeting between the United States and Iran, along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar and other concerned countries , tomorrow in Bürgenstock to conduct preliminary negotiations on the implementation Read more…
Categories:
UNCATEGORIZED Tags:
A new shipment of gasoline has arrived; a giant tanker has begun unloading its cargo at the Khor Al-Zubair port in Basra.
2026-06-18
Shafaq News – Basra
An official source at the General Company for Iraqi Ports reported on Thursday that technical procedures have begun to unload a giant oil tanker carrying a large shipment of imported gasoline fuel for the account of the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company (SOMO), at the docks of Khor Al-Zubair port in Basra Governorate.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that the tanker, named “NAVIG8 MONTIEL” and supplied by “ADNOC GLOBAL TRADING”, docked at the port to begin unloading its cargo of approximately (37,500) tons. Read more…
Regional trade shifts: Iran turns to Iraq to secure the flow of its goods.
2026-06-18
Shafaq News – Tehran
Iran is moving towards strengthening the use of Iraq as an alternative trade route, after some traditional shipping routes through the UAE faltered and gas supplies to the Iraqi market declined, which was reflected in the volume of trade exchange between the two countries during the recent period.
Statements issued by the Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, and followed by Shafaq News Agency, indicated that Tehran is working to activate alternative routes for transporting Read more…
Categories:
UNCATEGORIZED Tags:
Kirkuk markets a quarter of a million tons of wheat and releases payments for last season’s dues.
2026-06-18
Shafaq News – Kirkuk
The director of the Kirkuk silo, affiliated with the Ministry of Trade, announced on Thursday that the marketed quantities of wheat crop have reached about 250,000 tons, while confirming that the dues of farmers and marketers for the past season, amounting to 70 billion dinars, have reached the relevant banks and the procedures for distributing them have begun.
Kirkuk silo director Hassan Hamdi told Shafaq News Agency that “the quantities of wheat received at the Kirkuk silo and its affiliated sites have reached approximately 250,000 tons so far,” indicating that “the receiving operations are still continuing smoothly Read more…
PetroChina and Indian Oil fail to secure tankers to transport Iraqi oil
2026-06-18
Shafaq News – Follow-up
Reuters reported on Thursday, citing shipping sources, that China’s PetroChina and India’s Indian Oil Corporation have failed to secure supertankers to transport shipments of Iraqi crude from Basra ports recently, amid soaring transport costs and difficulty in finding available vessels.
According to those sources, PetroChina had requested to charter a giant oil tanker (VLCC) to load oil from Iraq between June 25 and 30, but the offers submitted came at high prices that Read more…
Warning: Iraq’s reliance on the Strait of Hormuz exacerbates the risks to its oil exports amid alternative Gulf moves.
2026-06-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, faces increasing challenges in securing its oil exports as Gulf states accelerate the development of alternative routes to transport crude away from the Strait of Hormuz, at a time when Baghdad still relies almost entirely on its southern ports to export most of its oil production to global markets.
An analysis published by Reuters indicates that Iraq is among the countries most vulnerable to any potential Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 6-17-2026
6-17-2026 Newshound Guru Jeff In order for them to complete the government the last remaining 9 ministers have to go through a parliamentary vote…The government formation is the lynch pin to the rate change. When they finish the government formation, the [rate] is going to change quickly after that…They’re not ready to complete the government because they need to do this closer to the rate change…Everything is close. It just all has to happen at the right time. Read more…
Iranian media denies cancellation of Tehran’s negotiating delegation’s trip to Switzerland
2026-06-17
Shafaq News – Tehran
Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, denied on Wednesday reports that the Iranian negotiating delegation’s trip to Switzerland had been cancelled.
IRNA quoted a source as saying that “the decision-making authorities in Iran are still studying the mechanism for formalizing the memorandum of understanding.”
The source added: “There has been no change to the Swiss negotiations program, and the news circulating about Read more…
Categories:
UNCATEGORIZED Tags:
The Central Bank denies raising the dollar exchange rate.
6-17-2026
The Central Bank of Iraq denied on Wednesday any intention to change the exchange rate of the US dollar.
In a statement received by Al-Maalomah News Agency, the bank categorically denied “the circulating news regarding any intention to amend the exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar.”
It warned against “circulating misleading news,” revealing that it had “detected a forged document circulating that claims a request was submitted Read more…
The Prime Minister’s advisor sets a date for the recovery of Iraqi oil.
6-17-2026
Information / Special..
The financial advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, stated on Wednesday that the return of Iraqi oil production and exports through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels depends on the implementation of a package of technical and logistical requirements, foremost among them being the clearing of the vital waterway from sea mines.
Saleh told Al-Maalomah that “the Iraqi oil fields that were damaged as a result of the forced shutdown that exceeded three months need a period of time of about a month to be restarted,” noting that “this step remains conditional on Read more…
Nissan includes Najaf in its global plan and proudly considers Iraq a priority in the Middle East.
6-17-2026
Baghdad-Mail
Nissan confirmed that the Iraqi market is a priority within its Middle East strategy and global plan, noting that it will continue to strengthen its growth in Iraq “with full confidence” after opening a new branch in Najaf.
Al-Sour Company, the exclusive agent for Nissan cars in Iraq, said in a statement that it “opened a branch in Najaf in response to the growing demand for Nissan cars from customers in Iraq.”
Nissan Iraq CEO Al-Sour Ahmed Mushir Sharif said, “At Al-Sour, we don’t just trade cars, but strive to build Read more…
Al-Zaidi takes economic files to the White House
2026/06/17
In mid-July, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi is preparing for an official visit to the United States, where he will meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss the future of bilateral relations between the two countries.
During his meeting with US President Trump’s Special Envoy, Tom Barrack, al-Zaidi reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Iraqi and US governments to a strong and mutually beneficial partnership capable of fulfilling the aspirations of the Iraqi people for a sovereign, secure, and prosperous future, and providing tangible benefits to both nations. Barrack conveyed President Trump’s anticipation of hosting al-Zaidi Read more…
Al-Asadi explains the purpose behind obstructing and delaying the completion of Al-Zidi’s cabinet.
6-17-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Haider al-Asadi, a member of the Azm Alliance, explained the motive behind some blocs whose candidates were approved obstructing the completion of al-Zidi’s cabinet.
Al-Asadi told Al-Maalouma, “There are disagreements regarding the remaining ministerial quotas. The Azm Alliance believes that some political forces are trying to throw a wrench in the works to complete the government formation.”
He added, “The aim behind obstructing the completion of the government is Read more…
Al-Lami: Talk about raising the dollar is incorrect.
6-17-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Independent politician Haider al-Lami, close to Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, denied any government intention or move to increase the value of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar.
Al-Lami told Al-Maalouma, “The talk circulating about a green light from the coordination framework or a government intention to increase or raise the value of the dollar against the dinar is untrue. There is absolutely no such intention.”
He added, “The government is carrying out its work normally and must Read more…
Turkmen movement to press for representation in the Prime Minister and Presidential positions
6-17-2026
The former MP, Fawzi Akram, revealed on Wednesday that Turkmen forces are mobilizing to ensure their active participation in Iraqi decision-making, particularly in the prime minister’s and president’s offices.
Speaking to Al-Maalomah, Akram stated, “Turkmen forces, parties, and movements have initiated a campaign on various levels to engage with political parties and movements from other Iraqi factions and groups, aiming to forge a unified stance that guarantees the rights of the third largest component of Iraqi society.”
He explained that “Turkmen are an integral part of the Iraqi fabric, and it is their right to be part of state institutions Read more…
Basra ports pump four million barrels of oil to two tankers
2026-06-17
Shafaq News – Basra
A source at Iraqi ports reported on Tuesday evening that two tankers are currently being loaded with four million barrels of Iraqi oil.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that “a Greek oil tanker and an Emirati tanker are currently being loaded with Iraqi crude oil from the southern Basra ports as part of the resumption of crude oil exports.”
He explained that each tanker carries Read more…
The Iraqi economy: Al-Zaydi’s ambition clashes with the reality of the “parasitic” private sector
2026-06-17
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi government’s ambitious plan to privatize economic management and stimulate the private sector faces severe structural and legislative obstacles, amid official and economic warnings that the local market cannot absorb hundreds of thousands of new graduates, in a country suffering from one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the region.
The government of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi seeks to lead a structural transition under the title Read more…
Financial expert: Expectations of a dinar devaluation are driving increased demand for the dollar and fueling speculation.
2026-06-17
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Financial expert and former Director General of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mahmoud Dagher, revealed on Wednesday that expectations of a reduction in the value of the Iraqi dinar in light of the economic situation and existing debts are driving an increase in demand for the dollar and a rise in its price in the local market.
Dagher added, in an interview with Shafaq News Agency, that statements and leaks related to the work of the Central Bank or the possibility of changing the exchange rate contribute to Read more…
NATO praises Washington: It prevented the Iranian nuclear threat
2026-06-17
Shafaq News – Brussels
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described on Wednesday the United States’ move to prevent the Iranian nuclear threat and “undermine” Tehran’s missile capabilities as enhancing security for all.
Rutte said in a press statement: “We welcome the agreement that President Trump made with Iran.” Read more…
Categories:
UNCATEGORIZED Tags:
Central bank reserves declined during the second quarter of 2026
2026-06-17
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Recent official data from the Central Bank showed a decline in the bank’s foreign reserves during the second quarter of this year.
According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, the reserve amounted to about 118.947 trillion dinars on May 28, compared to 120.675 trillion dinars on May 21, a decrease of 1.728 trillion dinars, or 1.43%, indicating a continued Read more…
