Digital Currency in Iraq: Crisis of Confidence.. The Biggest Obstacle
In a very distinctive step aimed at modernizing the financial system, Baghdad is exploring the possibility of issuing a national digital currency, in an effort to reduce reliance on paper money and enhance financial inclusion. However, despite the promising prospects of this step, the project faces a fundamental challenge represented by the lack of confidence of citizens in Iraqi banks, as a result of the accumulation of financial crises, administrative corruption, and weak banking services. Can such a step succeed in an environment that is ranked among the highest in the world in cash circulation outside the banking sector?
The video for this My FX Buddies Blogpost is below here:
Crisis of trust: the biggest obstacle to digital transformation
Data from the Iraq Future Foundation indicate that 93 trillion Iraqi dinars, or about 87% of the total money supply, were circulating outside the banking system by the end of 2023, an increase of 30% over 2022. These figures reflect a financial culture that clings to cash, reinforced by citizens’ fears of the complexities of banking transactions, previous experiences of freezing accounts, burdensome bureaucracy, and even cases of embezzlement and corruption within some financial institutions.
This is clearly evident in the fact that employees whose salaries are domiciled in Ki-Card companies and private banks try to withdraw their salaries from the bank account as soon as it is launched. This means that citizens have lost confidence in the banking system to a great extent.
Some may not believe at all in digital transformations or the banking system, as dealing in it is done in numbers and not in kind.
Therefore, convincing the Iraqi citizen to give up his paper money in favor of a digital currency, managed by entities whose trust is still questionable, is a fundamental challenge to the success of the project.
It is worth noting that the structure of the banking sector suffers from a significant delay in keeping up with global financial management technology, i.e.: the large number of banks does not mean efficiency.
According to the latest data, Iraq has 81 banks, distributed as follows:
7 government banks (including one Islamic bank)
74 private banks, including 29 Islamic banks.
Despite this quantitative diversity, banking services are still insufficient to accommodate the financial needs of society, as most Iraqis rely on cash even for large transactions. In addition, the conflicting figures regarding the number of banks, and the lack of transparency in updating data, deepen the crisis of trust between citizens and the banking sector.
Conditions for Success: From Theory to Practice
To ensure the success of digital currency, a supportive environment must be created through a set of essential measures:
1. Enhancing transparency: through a strict oversight mechanism that ensures tracking financial transactions without compromising users’ privacy.
2. Independence of the supervisory body: avoiding political interference and establishing an independent oversight body with broad powers.
3. Economic incentives: such as providing tax benefits or financial incentives for early adopters.
4. Solid technical infrastructure: including a reliable internet network and secure and easy-to-use banking platforms.
Without these foundations, the project may turn into a mere theoretical experiment that lacks effective practical application.
Potential risks: Will Iraq repeat past mistakes?
Previous failures in financial policies, such as the unregulated reliance on the dollar and the subsequent chaos in the black market, cannot be ignored. If digital currency is not managed wisely, it may face serious challenges such as:
• Increased inflation if its issuance is not controlled and the money supply is not regulated.
• Exclusion of segments of society that are unable to deal with financial technology.
• Risks of cyber breaches in light of weak cyber infrastructure.
Between crisis and opportunity
Despite the obstacles, digital currency could represent a giant turning point towards a more advanced financial system in Iraq, by reducing corruption, enhancing financial inclusion, and improving tax collection mechanisms. But its success depends on a radical reform of the banking sector, the implementation of a broad awareness campaign, and a real political will to ensure financial transparency and justice.
Turning this initiative into reality will not be easy, but it could be a necessary step toward a more stable and reliable digital economy.
3 "coded" American messages to Al-Sudani, focusing on Iran and resolving dependency
A statement from the office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani revealed details of a phone call with US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz on Sunday (March 9, 2025) about complex dynamics in the bilateral relationship, combining strengthening the strategic partnership with “conditional” messages towards Iraq’s political and economic future.
Economic partnership...the other side of American pressures
The discussion focused on advancing economic cooperation by encouraging American companies to invest in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, with Waltz emphasizing the need to “remove obstacles” to them. While this approach reflects Washington’s desire to enhance its economic influence, it also indicates indirect pressure on Baghdad to adopt preferential policies for American companies, which may conflict with the interests of regional actors such as Iran. This approach raises questions about Iraq’s ability to balance its sovereign interests with the terms of its partnership with the United States.
Energy and Independence: Iran’s “Maximum Pressure” Game
The US side affirmed its support for Iraq’s energy independence, but linked ending the exemption to import electricity from Iran to the “maximum pressure” policy, which presents Baghdad with a delicate challenge: either deepen its dependence on the United States to compensate for the energy shortage, or face internal crises if Iranian supplies stop. This position shows the US using the economic card to enhance its influence, while Iraq tries to maintain a margin of maneuver with Tehran.
Security and stability... support conditional on "American sovereignty"
The statement stressed Washington’s commitment to Iraq’s security and sovereignty, but the turbulent regional context (without details) suggests that this support is linked to a broader context of containing Iranian influence. The emphasis on “an Iraq capable of relying on itself” also seems to contradict calls for reliance on American companies, reflecting the duality of the American goal: supporting Iraqi state institutions to ensure stability, while maintaining its economic and security dependence on Washington.
Kurdistan Region: A New Episode in the Struggle for Influence
The statement did not neglect to mention the need to facilitate the work of American companies in the region, which may be expressed as indirect support for the Kurdistan government in its disputes with federal Baghdad over the management of resources. This trend shows the American use of the economic card to enhance its influence in the disputed areas, while Iraq is trying to maintain its unity and independence.
Conclusion: Solid partnership or disguised dependency?
Despite mutual assurances of a “firm partnership,” the statement carries between its lines worrying messages for Baghdad: Washington is offering support as an ally, but with conditions that keep Iraq in the orbit of its regional strategy.
As the Sudanese government seeks to expand its economic options, flexibility in dealing with the Iranian file (especially in energy) appears to be key to avoiding the US partnership becoming a burden on Iraqi sovereignty.
Between security stability and economic challenges... the last year of Al-Sudani's government
As the government of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani enters its final year, many challenges emerge on the scene, despite the achievements made in various fields.
MP Hussein Al-Azirjawi confirmed in an interview with "Baghdad Today", Sunday (March 9, 2025), that "the security situation is stable and has not been affected by regional events," pointing to the readiness of the security forces to confront any emergency.
On the economic level, Al-Azirjawi pointed out that “there are some difficulties, but they are less severe than what previous governments faced,” stressing that “the government is continuing to address the crises, especially with regard to paying salaries and reviving development projects in various governorates.”
He also pointed out that "Al-Sudani's government has achieved broad popular satisfaction, thanks to the resumption of work on a number of vital projects, such as bridges, hospitals and factories.
Despite the challenges of low oil prices, he stressed that "the government has the solutions to overcome the obstacles," expecting that "the economic or security file will not constitute a major obstacle in the next stage."
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani assumed office in October 2022 amid complex political and economic conditions, as his government came after a long formation crisis following the early parliamentary elections in 2021.
Since then, his government has faced sensitive issues, most notably improving the economic situation, enhancing security, and combating corruption, in addition to trying to achieve internal and external political balance in light of the tense regional situation.
As the current government enters its final year, new challenges emerge, particularly in light of the fluctuations in oil prices and their impact on the general budget, in addition to the continued need to implement economic reforms and combat corruption to ensure sustainable improvement in government performance.
Washington is concerned about Baghdad sinking.. Waltz tells Al-Sudani: Trump's pressure on Tehran will increase
US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed that pressure on Iran will increase if it continues to develop nuclear weapons capabilities and "support terrorism throughout the region," including in Iraq.
This came in a special post by Waltz on his account on the X platform, following talks he held with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Waltz expressed his concerns about the recent floods in Baghdad.
He also stressed the importance of moving towards strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries based on security and trade interests.
The US National Security Advisor noted that the decision not to renew the waiver on sanctions on Iranian electricity exports is consistent with President Trump's "maximum pressure" strategy on Iran, and that pressure on Iran will increase if Iran continues to develop nuclear weapons capabilities and support terrorism throughout the region, including in Iraq.
He welcomed "Al-Sudani's efforts to achieve energy independence for Iraq, and encouraged his government to welcome more Western and American energy companies into Iraq's oil and gas sectors."
The National Security Advisor also urged the Iraqi government to work with the Kurdistan Regional Government to resolve contract disputes and pay arrears owed to American energy companies, and also asked the Iraqi government to maintain an investment coordinator to work with American companies seeking to invest and operate in Iraq.
The National Security Advisor thanked the Prime Minister for his commitment to the U.S.-Iraq bilateral relationship and emphasized the Trump administration’s commitment to deepening energy and economic ties between the two countries to the benefit of the American and Iraqi people.
A statement from Al-Sudani's office stated that the latter and Waltz affirmed their commitment to strengthening and deepening the strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States, while Waltz indicated that "ending the exemption of electricity supplied from Iran is linked to the maximum pressure policy, which confirms the importance of bilateral coordination to avoid any potential negative effects on Iraq's stability."
The US waiver on sanctions on Iran that Iraq was granted ended on Saturday (March 8, 2025), and thus the Baghdad government will not be able to import Iranian gas needed to operate power plants across the country.
The US State Department confirmed on Sunday the end of exemptions that allowed Iraq to buy electricity from Iran, as part of the "maximum pressure" policy pursued by the administration of President Donald Trump against Tehran.
Washington stressed its refusal to provide any economic relief to Iran, noting that the goal is to end the Iranian nuclear threat, limit its missile program, and prevent its support for armed groups.
For many years, Iraq has relied on importing electricity and gas from Iran, especially during the peak of summer, and thus relies on the ongoing American exemptions, which are issued more than once each year.
In October 2024, Iraq signed an agreement with Turkmenistan to import gas in quantities of up to 20 million cubic meters per day, via the Iranian pipeline network, using the swap mechanism to facilitate transportation, but it has not yet started operating due to technical problems, as the Ministry of Electricity recently announced.
In statements made by representatives to Shafaq News Agency, the Deputy Chairman of the Electricity Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, Walid Al-Sahlani, confirmed that the interruption of Iranian gas will cause the loss of 8,000 megawatts from the country's electricity system.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Parliamentary Oil and Gas Committee, Ali Shaddad, revealed the Iraqi government’s intention to import Gulf gas instead of Iranian gas after the recent US sanctions, announcing a project that is being worked on at high speed in Basra, in the far south of the country.
Threatening US sanctions.. "mediator" hands Baghdad a list of names: Cut off funding for some Popular Mobilization leaders
A government source revealed, on Sunday, that the Iraqi government received indirect messages stressing the prevention of disbursing financial dues to prominent leaders who have armed factions involved in the ranks of the Popular Mobilization Forces.
The source told Shafaq News Agency, "American messages reached government parties through intermediaries, confirming the prevention of disbursing dues related to transactions related to investment projects and other cooperative projects, which belong to leaders in the Popular Mobilization Forces."
He added, "The messages also indicate the possibility of decisions being issued by the US Treasury Department imposing sanctions on these leaders, in addition to institutions or projects they supervise."
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) is an Iraqi paramilitary organization founded in 2014, made up of a group of Shiite factions. The United States has imposed sanctions on a number of PMF leaders over allegations of human rights abuses and engaging in anti-American activities.
For his part, an official at the Central Bank of Iraq, who requested not to be named as he is not authorized to make a statement, said in a statement to Shafaq News Agency, "The bank is not responsible or concerned with the salaries or allocations of the Popular Mobilization Forces, and any notifications regarding this file will not reach us directly."
He added, "The Central Bank is the bank of the Iraqi state, and promotes the government's financial transactions according to official and original records."
It is noteworthy that an informed political source revealed to Shafaq News Agency on February 24, about the efforts made by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prevent the issuance of American sanctions against Iraq, including companies and names of leaders in the Popular Mobilization Authority.
The source, who requested anonymity, said, "US sanctions may be issued soon and will include a list of names of political figures who have armed factions."
He explained that "the list includes more than ten names, some of whom are leaders of the Popular Mobilization Forces and others are well-known and have partnerships with important political forces," explaining that "the situation with the United States may escalate, and the goal is to control the movement of money in Iraq and to limit and weaken what the American administration calls Iran's arms and to stop supplying Tehran with hard currency through intermediaries."
The source pointed out that "there are three financial companies and three transportation companies, all of which operate within the Iraqi oil fleet, and they will also be on the blacklist, in order to pressure and stop the smuggling of currency and oil towards Iran."
On February 16, a responsible Iraqi government source revealed to Shafaq News Agency that Iraqi government agencies had received an official notification imposing US sanctions on five new Iraqi banks for their involvement in illegal financial transfers inside and outside Iraq.
The source indicated at the time that Iraq had also received a report that an American decision had been issued to ban the use of all electronic payment cards abroad, during the next two months, as a step to prevent the smuggling of currency abroad via those cards after suspicious financial movements were .monitored by the American team specializing in monitoring financial movements inside Iraq
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Parliamentary Oil Committee reveals urgent solutions for Iranian gas
The Parliamentary Oil and Gas Committee revealed, on Sunday, the Iraqi government's intention to import Gulf gas instead of Iranian gas after the recent US sanctions, announcing a project that is being worked on at high speed in Basra, the far south of the country.
The spokesman for the committee, Ali Shaddad, said, "The problem with the Ministry of Electricity is that it has established stations in the Iraqi provinces that depend on gas only, while the stations in Basra are complex and operate on gas, crude oil, and black oil, and this is what contributed to the stability of the electrical system in the province."
He explained that "the Prime Minister personally follows up on the completion of the gas pipeline project from the floating platform in Basra on a daily basis," indicating that "the Ministry of Oil began working on it about thirty days ago and it will be completed at high speed within 120 days."
He added that "the completion rate has exceeded 30% so far," stressing that "the project will contribute to transporting Gulf gas in quantities of up to 200 cubic meters."
National Bank of Iraq acquires Al-Ittihad International Insurance Company
The National Bank of Iraq announced its acquisition of Al-Ittihad International Insurance Company, after obtaining all necessary approvals from the Central Bank of Iraq.
The bank said in a statement received by "Al-Eqtisad News" that this acquisition comes within the framework of the National Bank of Iraq's strategy aimed at expanding the scope of its financial services and providing integrated insurance solutions that meet the needs of its individual and corporate clients alike. The company is expected to start operating under the umbrella of the National Bank of Iraq during the second quarter of this year, which will enhance the integration of financial and insurance services provided to clients.
Commenting on the acquisition, Ayman Abu Dahim, Managing Director of the National Bank of Iraq, said: “The acquisition of Al-Ittihad International Insurance Company by the National Bank of Iraq is a pivotal step in our growth and expansion strategy. Through this step, we seek to strengthen our financial system and provide integrated insurance services that are in line with the diverse needs of our customers.”
“This acquisition gives us the ability to provide comprehensive financial solutions that combine banking and insurance services under one roof, making it easier for our customers to access integrated financial products that support their aspirations and provide them with the required financial protection,” he added, noting that “this step will contribute to strengthening the position of the National Bank of Iraq in the market, and will open new horizons for the bank to expand and innovate in the banking and insurance sectors.”
Abu Dahim stressed that "the bank will continue to work on providing the highest levels of service and quality to its customers, which will consolidate its position as a leading financial institution in Iraq." The bank is considered one of the largest Iraqi private banks in terms of size, with assets worth approximately 5.2 trillion Iraqi dinars, and it enjoys a wide network of branches and ATMs, numbering 33 branches and 300 ATMs, while its customer base exceeds 400 thousand customers.
It is worth mentioning that the National Bank of Iraq always seeks to develop its services and provide innovative financial solutions that meet the requirements of its customers. This acquisition is an extension of its ongoing efforts to enhance the finance and insurance sectors in Iraq, especially since Al-Ittihad International Insurance Company is one of the leading companies in the Iraqi market, as it provides a variety of insurance services, except for life insurance.
For another year.. Iraq needs Iranian gas and there are no close alternatives - Urgent
MP Hussein Habib confirmed, today, Sunday (March 9, 2025), that Iraq needs Iranian gas for a year, so that it can find suitable alternatives to support the Iraqi energy system.
Habib said in an interview with Baghdad Today, "The issue of importing gas from Iran is of particular importance, as it constitutes a necessity for the continuation of electricity production, as it supplies a significant percentage of the main stations, despite the decrease in this percentage compared to previous years, with Iraq starting to produce gas locally to supply power generation stations."
He added, "Baghdad has strong diplomatic and political relations with Washington, built on common interests for years, and it is necessary to invest in these relations to conclude an agreement with Washington that allows the import of Iranian gas for a year, to overcome a difficult phase of the electricity crisis."
Habib pointed out that "investing in political, diplomatic and economic relations with Washington is necessary to extend the exemption on importing Iranian gas, which gives the government a sufficient period of time to provide alternatives," indicating that "failure to reach an agreement will push the government to search for other options, because keeping the situation as it is without solutions is not logical, especially with Iraq approaching peak consumption in the summer of 2025."
In the same context, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed, today, Sunday, the necessity for the Iraqi government to stop relying on Iranian energy sources.
The minister confirmed in exclusive statements on Al Arabiya channel, followed by "Baghdad Today", that "the maximum pressures exerted by the United States on Tehran are aimed at ending the Iranian nuclear threat," noting that "Iran is an unreliable source of energy."
He added that "the transformation in the energy sector in Iraq provides great opportunities for American companies," stressing "Washington's readiness to support this transformation in a way that serves Iraq's interests and enhances energy security in the region."
In February, the United States imposed new sanctions on an international network accused of smuggling Iranian oil to China, the first new measures under US President Donald Trump's so-called "maximum pressure" policy against Iran.
The US Treasury Department announced that this network transported millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil, providing hundreds of millions of dollars to fund the Iranian armed forces and Tehran's allies in the region.
The US waiver for Iranian gas exports to Iraq expired last Thursday.
Washington to Baghdad: No more dependence on Iranian energy sources
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed, today, Sunday (March 9, 2025), the need for the Iraqi government to stop relying on Iranian energy sources.
The minister confirmed in exclusive statements on Al Arabiya channel, followed by "Baghdad Today", that "the maximum pressures exerted by the United States on Tehran are aimed at ending the Iranian nuclear threat," noting that "Iran is an unreliable source of energy."
He added that "the transformation in the energy sector in Iraq provides great opportunities for American companies," stressing "Washington's readiness to support this transformation in a way that serves Iraq's interests and enhances energy security in the region."
In February, the United States imposed new sanctions on an international network accused of smuggling Iranian oil to China, the first new measures under US President Donald Trump's so-called "maximum pressure" policy against Iran.
The US Treasury Department announced that this network transported millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil, providing hundreds of millions of dollars to fund the Iranian armed forces and Tehran's allies in the region.
The US waiver for Iranian gas exports to Iraq expired last Thursday.
Lack of management: expert slams Iraq's "runaway" spending
Iraq’s annual government spending has outpaced several stronger economies despite its continued reliance on oil and ongoing economic stagnation, according to Manar Al-Obaidi, head of the Iraq Future Foundation.
Over the past decade, Iraq’s total revenues reached 1,028 trillion Iraqi dinars ($784.4 million), with 92% derived from oil and only 8% from taxes, customs, and other sources.
Meanwhile, government spending during the same period amounted to 1,007 trillion dinars ($768.4 million), along with unsettled advances ranging between 100-150 trillion dinars ($114.5 billion), pushing total expenditures beyond 1,100 trillion dinars (approximately $1 trillion).
Despite its immense wealth, Iraq's $100 billion annual budget surpasses the expenditures of several diversified economies. The UAE spends $65 billion annually, Malaysia $82 billion, and Singapore $77 billion, yet all three nations have expanded their economies to achieve a GDP of $500 billion per year.
Al-Obaidi noted that unlike Iraq, these countries lack vast natural resources and a large population, yet they have built thriving economies with significantly lower budgets. Iraq, by contrast, remains trapped in an oil-dependent economy, chronic financial mismanagement, and worsening unemployment.
“The problem has never been a lack of resources but rather how they are managed,” Al-Obaidi stressed, warning that Iraq’s reliance on a rentier economy will continue to deepen its financial challenges unless urgent reforms are implemented. He called for diversification, efficient spending, and an end to financial waste to ensure long-term stability.
He concluded that Iraq’s success hinges on “a stable government to improve development management.” Removing any element of that balancing act, he warned, would lead to systemic failure.
Al-Atwani: The US Embassy informed us that gas imports are permitted
It is not subject to sanctions yet.
The head of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Atwan Al-Atwani, explained today, Sunday, that the Iraqi government is striving hard to achieve independence in the energy sector, while the US Embassy confirmed that the import of natural gas does not include the imposed sanctions.
Statement of the media office of the head of the Parliamentary Finance Committee:
Today, Sunday, the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Eng. Atwan Al-Atwani, received the US Ambassador to Iraq, Daniel Rubinstein, and the accompanying delegation.
Mr. Al-Atwani welcomed His Excellency the American Ambassador, and while stressing the importance of this visit at this sensitive time, he stressed the need for continuous communication to correct the course of Iraqi-American relations.
The meeting discussed ways to enhance joint cooperation between Iraq and the United States of America in the management and development of the financial and banking sector.
The meeting focused on discussing the US sanctions file and their impact on the electricity sector, especially in light of talk about the expiration of the deadline for Iraq to be exempted from importing Iranian gas.
Mr. Al-Atwani conveyed an important message to the US Ambassador to his country’s government, stating that stopping gas imports will have disastrous consequences for the Iraqi people, especially in the summer, as it will cause the collapse of the national electricity system, due to the lack of any alternatives at the present time.
Mr. Al-Atwani stressed that the Iraqi government is serious about achieving energy independence through several promising projects related to investing in associated gas, for the purpose of using it in generating electricity and achieving self-sufficiency. However, these projects will enter service in the coming years.
Mr. Al-Atwani also called on the US administration to review the policy of pressure exerted by the US Treasury on the financial and banking sector in Iraq by imposing continuous sanctions on local banks.
His Excellency stated that Iraq has achieved a qualitative shift in the policy of compliance and financial transfers, and despite that, we are surprised by collective sanctions targeting Iraqi banks without prior warning and without any declared justification or even notifying the Central Bank of Iraq of that, and this has created a major problem for us and affected the work and activity of the banking sector.
In turn, the US Ambassador expressed his understanding of what Mr. Al-Atwani had raised during the meeting regarding the energy and banking sanctions files, and promised to convey these messages to his country's government in the hope of finding permanent treatments and solutions that would achieve the interests of the two friendly peoples, noting that the import of natural gas is, until now, outside the sanctions system.
Current oil prices threaten Iraq's budget.. Will the situation continue or deteriorate further?
He pointed out in his statement to {Euphrates News} agency that "15 to 16 trillion dinars will not be enough to cover the expenses, which means that Iraq has entered the critical path and dark tunnel that was previously referred to."
Al-Marsoumi explained that "Iraq is expected to borrow heavily during this year, as it borrowed 13 trillion dinars in 2024, and this amount is likely to double or triple, depending on the size of the decline in oil prices."
He wondered whether oil prices would remain at $67 to $68 per barrel or fall further.
Al-Sadr and the mission of "reforming the state"... Will it contribute to calming tensions between Iraq and the United States?
Political researcher Mujasha' Al-Tamimi revealed today, Sunday (March 9, 2025), the possibility of the leader of the "Shiite National Movement" Muqtada Al-Sadr playing a pivotal role in calming tensions between Iraq and the United States, if he returns to the political scene.
Al-Tamimi explained, in an interview with “Baghdad Today”, that “Al-Sadr adopts a reformist vision that aims to impose the state’s sovereignty over all its aspects, whether political, military or economic, which may contribute to calming international concerns, especially American ones, regarding Iraq’s position on the map of regional axes.”
He pointed out that "the United States and the international community are concerned about several issues, such as the spread of weapons outside the authority of the state, corruption, and foreign interference in Iraqi politics, in addition to Baghdad's failure to abide by the sanctions imposed on Tehran, which are factors that lead to the continuation of international pressure on Iraq."
Al-Tamimi explained that "Al-Sadr had proposed a reform project in 2021, based on enforcing the law and strengthening state institutions, so that the constitution would be the primary reference for managing the country's affairs. He also stressed that the current prime minister has a clear vision for reform, but some political forces did not give him the full opportunity to implement it."
He added, "Al-Sadr, with his independent vision, represents a challenge to traditional political forces, especially those belonging to the same sectarian geography, as he raises the slogan 'Neither Eastern nor Western', which is an approach that conflicts with the interests of many parties."
Al-Tamimi concluded his speech by stressing that "Al-Sadr's return to the political scene may be the key to sparing Iraq further crises, whether internally or in its relations with major powers, which makes his role in the next stage extremely important for the national interest."
Parliamentary Finance: The budget is technically ready and its delay may be deliberate
Member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Moeen Al-Kazemi, called on the government today, Sunday, to expedite sending the budget tables for the year 2025 to Parliament, stressing that its delay may be deliberate, as happened last year.
Al-Kazemi explained in a statement to / Al-Maalouma / agency, that “the Ministry of Planning has all the priorities and indicators related to the projects investment aspect, including the needs of ongoing and new projects, which allows the government to quickly prepare the required tables.”
He added that "the Ministry of Finance has a clear vision of the operational aspect, including salaries, consumer expenditures, the food ration, and governing and sovereign expenditures, which means that the government is able to complete the tables within just one week."
He stressed "the need to avoid any unjustified delay in sending the tables," warning of "the impact of this on approving the budget on its scheduled date."
He called on the government to "expedite sending the budget tables for the year 2025 to Parliament and assume its responsibilities to ensure the stability of the financial and economic conditions in the country."
It is noteworthy that the House of Representatives had previously voted on the budget amendment law, and sent it to the government with the aim of sending the budget tables.
US National Security Advisor to Sudan: Ending Exception for Electricity Supply from Iran Linked to Maximum Pressure Policy
The Prime Minister's media office said in a statement received by {Euphrates News} that "the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the economic and security fields, as the Prime Minister affirmed Iraq's commitment to expanding economic relations with the United States, encouraging American companies to invest in the growing Iraqi market. He also reviewed the important reforms and initiatives implemented by his government to create a more stable, transparent and attractive environment for investors."
For his part, the US National Security Advisor encouraged the Prime Minister to rely more on American companies, and to work to solve the problems and remove the obstacles facing those companies operating in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to encourage them to work and invest in Iraq.
The two sides also stressed the importance of joint efforts to build a strong Iraq capable of relying on itself. The discussions also included addressing issues and the role of American companies operating in this field. In this context, the United States renewed its commitment to supporting Iraq’s energy independence and expressed its readiness to cooperate in accelerating the achievement of this goal.
Regarding the security file, National Security Advisor Waltz affirmed the United States' firm commitment to the security and stability of Iraq in the face of regional and international challenges. The two sides also stressed the importance of continuing cooperation to ensure Iraq's sovereignty and stability in the long term, especially in light of the turbulent conditions in the region.
Waltz added that ending the exemption for electricity supplied from Iran is linked to the maximum pressure policy, which confirms the importance of bilateral coordination to avoid any potential negative effects on Iraq's stability.
The call reaffirmed the strong partnership between Iraq and the United States, with both sides expressing their shared vision for a secure, prosperous, and sovereign Iraq.
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