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The Baghdad delegation's talks in Erbil, which include Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani, will begin with a decisive step toward resolving the Kurdistan Region's employee payroll crisis. The delegation has broad powers to sign a comprehensive agreement addressing the oil and financial disputes.
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On June 25, 2025, Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced that this visit came after his communication with the Iraqi Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, stressing that a solution was on the horizon, with Baghdad committed to sending a high-level delegation to end the crisis.
The agreement proposes that the region hand over 280,000 barrels of oil per day and half of its non-oil revenues to Baghdad, in exchange for guaranteeing direct salary payments through the federal Ministry of Finance.
Tensions have been escalating in the region since Baghdad halted funding for May 2025 salaries, after the region exceeded its 12.67% share of the federal budget, according to Finance Minister Taif Sami.
The crisis escalated when Erbil signed two oil agreements with American companies to develop the Miran and Tophane-Kurdimir fields, which Baghdad considered a constitutional violation.
The move sparked protests in Sulaymaniyah, where teachers and doctors took to the streets demanding their salaries, which have been delayed for 42 days, and threatening comprehensive strikes that could paralyze the 2025-2026 academic year.
The region is suffering from a financial deficit of 823 billion dinars in 2024, despite receiving 598.5 billion dinars in non-oil revenues.
Barzani affirmed the region's commitment to registering 800,000 employees in the "My Account" project to facilitate electronic payroll disbursements, but technical delays have hampered implementation in Sulaymaniyah.
The United Nations and Western countries are pressuring Baghdad to resolve the crisis, warning of humanitarian and economic repercussions.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is threatening to boycott the political process if salaries are withheld until Eid al-Adha 2025.
Kurdish citizens remain the most prominent victims, as delayed salaries have paralyzed markets and deteriorated living conditions.
The regional government has pledged to secure internal salaries if negotiations fail, while employees are demanding that their salaries be deposited in federal banks to ensure transparency.
Kurdistan employees' salaries will be paid within the next two days.
An informed government source revealed, today, Sunday (June 29, 2025), that the federal government will pay May salaries to Kurdistan employees within the next two days.
The source told Baghdad Today, "The federal government will pay the salaries of the region's employees within the next two days, even before the oil agreement is finalized, for humanitarian purposes."
He added, "If an oil agreement is reached between Baghdad and Erbil, the audit and accounting department of the federal Ministry of Finance will review the lists sent by the regional Ministry of Finance, and within days, will release the June salaries."
He pointed out that "the federal government delegation pledged that the region's salaries would be paid monthly, along with those of employees in other Iraqi governorates, without a single day's delay, subject to the oil agreement and the delivery of 50% of domestic revenues, provided they are digitally deposited into the Ministry of Finance's bank account daily."
What are Baghdad's demands from Erbil to resolve oil and financial disputes?
conomic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi revealed on Sunday the demands Baghdad has submitted to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) aimed at resolving the financial and oil issues pending between the two parties .
Al-Marsoumi said in a Facebook post, seen by Al-Sa'a Network, that "Baghdad has asked the regional government to hand over 50% of non-oil revenues, estimated at approximately 300 billion dinars per month ."
He added, "Baghdad will pay $16 for every barrel produced by oil companies operating in the region ."
Al-Marsoumi confirmed that "there are difficulties hindering reaching a comprehensive agreement, the most prominent of which is Baghdad's refusal to settle the debts owed to foreign companies for oil produced in late 2022 and early 2023, which the region received but did not pay for ."
He continued, "We also demand that foreign companies provide guarantees for payment for past and future oil exports, and we demand that expected oil sales payments be transferred directly to foreign companies ."
He added, "There is an insistence by foreign companies on maintaining the current commercial terms and economic model signed between the companies and the region, which is subject to international arbitration ."
Last Friday, parliament member Shwan Mohammed predicted that a comprehensive agreement between Baghdad and Erbil would soon be reached, allowing the re-exportation of Kurdistan's oil through SOMO and resolving the months-long employee payroll crisis .
He explained that "the agreement includes exporting the region's oil through the State Marketing Organization (SOMO), with the federal Ministry of Finance responsible for paying the dues of the operating oil companies, while providing guarantees that no obstacles will be placed in the way of the process ."
He explained that "the success of this agreement will have a direct impact on the salaries file and pave the way for resolving the outstanding financial disputes between the two parties ."
The Kurdistan Union explains the reasons for the salary crisis in the region.
A leader in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Ziyad Jabbar, revealed on Sunday that the reason for the salary crisis is the lack of a clear and binding agreement between the regional government and the federal government that would end it .
"The current crisis is one of the worst crises that the citizens of the Kurdistan Region have ever experienced, due to numerous complications that can only be resolved through a comprehensive oil agreement with Baghdad ," Jabbar said during a press conference monitored by Al-Sa'a Network .
He added, "Despite promises made by various parties that 2025 would mark the end of the salary delay crisis, the reality is the opposite. Citizens have not received their salaries for two consecutive months, representing a stifling crisis that impacts the daily lives of the region's people ."
He called for "concluding agreements that guarantee the rights of the citizens of the Kurdistan Region, free from partisan interests and narrow political stakes," stressing that "the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan supports any agreement that would alleviate the suffering of citizens and serve the interests of the people ."
The Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) employee salary crisis is one of the most contentious issues between Baghdad and Erbil, amid ongoing debate over oil exports, constitutional obligations, and fiscal policies
Reports have revealed that the federal government will disburse May salaries to Kurdistan Region employees within the next two days. A source was quoted yesterday as saying, "The federal government will disburse salaries to the region's employees within the next two days, even before the oil agreement is finalized, for humanitarian purposes."
He added, "If the oil agreement is reached between Baghdad and Erbil, the Audit and Accounting Department of the Federal Ministry of Finance will review the lists sent by the Regional Ministry of Finance, and then, within days, will release the June salaries."
He continued, "The federal government delegation pledged that the region's salaries would be paid monthly along with the salaries of employees of other Iraqi governorates, without a single day's delay, subject to the oil agreement and the delivery of 50% of internal revenues, provided that they are digitally deposited daily into the Ministry of Finance's bank account." A high-level delegation from the regional government held a meeting with the Prime Minister's Office in Baghdad as part of talks aimed at resolving the issue of the region's oil exports. According to information, "the delegation is scheduled to later hold a meeting with the Iraqi Supreme Economic Council, and will also meet with officials from the Ministry of Oil and the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), in a step prior to the announcement of anticipated agreements between the two sides related to regulating Kurdistan's oil exports." Last Thursday, the federal government delegation discussed most of the technical aspects related to the export process with the Ministry of Natural Resources. The current year's budget stipulates that the region is committed to delivering between 280,000 and 300,000 barrels of oil per day to SOMO, for marketing through international ports. However, despite the progress achieved, some obstacles remain to the signing of the final agreement, most notably objections from foreign oil companies operating in the region, which are demanding guarantees related to their financial rights. Sources indicate that "these companies are demanding two basic conditions before resuming exports: the first is the repayment of debts accumulated by the Iraqi government since 2023, amounting to approximately one billion dollars, and the second is the signing of a written agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Ministry of Oil regulating the oil export process."
The meetings are expected to continue in the coming hours, amid anticipation of an official announcement revealing the details of the upcoming agreements between the two sides. Meanwhile, PUK leader Ziyad Jabbar affirmed his party's support for any agreement that would end the salary crisis, which he attributed to the lack of a clear and binding agreement between the regional government and the federal government. Jabbar said in a statement yesterday that "the current crisis is one of the worst crises that citizens in the region have experienced, due to many complications that can only be resolved through a comprehensive oil agreement with Baghdad." He stressed that "despite the promises made by various parties that 2025 would mark the end of the salary delay crisis, the reality reflects the opposite, as citizens have not received their salaries for two consecutive months, which represents a stifling crisis that affects the daily lives of the people of the region."
For its role in credit and anti-money laundering, Al-Ahli Bank of Iraq wins the "Fastest Growing Bank 2025" award.
The National Bank of Iraq announced that it has won the "Fastest Growing Corporate Bank in Iraq 2025" award from the International Finance Awards.
The bank said in a statement, "This win is in recognition of the bank's outstanding financial performance and successive achievements, as its total assets have reached approximately 5.2 trillion Iraqi dinars, supported by a strong capital base with a paid-up capital of 520 billion dinars, and recording continuous growth and an increasing market share." It indicated that "this honor also reflects the bank's success in achieving an increase in its total revenues and a rise in its net profits, which confirms its sound financial strategies and risk management."
He explained that "the bank excelled in providing a comprehensive suite of banking services and solutions specifically designed to meet the needs of companies and institutions, leading to a significant expansion of its credit facilities portfolio and a growing number of corporate clients. Its efforts in digital transformation and modernizing its technological infrastructure, including the implementation of the Temenos T24 system and the activation of its anti-money laundering system, were also key factors in its evaluation of the award."
He explained that "the bank has a wide network of branches comprising 38 locations covering various Iraqi governorates, in addition to more than 350 ATMs. Today, it serves more than 400,000 individual and corporate customers, supported by a professional team and strategic partnerships with a number of local and international institutions."
Commenting on this achievement, Ayman Abu Dahim, Managing Director of the National Bank of Iraq, said, "Winning this prestigious award reflects the collective effort and meticulous planning we have adopted over recent years. We have worked to build a strong foundation for corporate banking, supported by strong financial performance, expanding our network of relationships with the corporate sector, and developing financial solutions that meet their renewed aspirations."
Abu Dahim affirmed the National Bank of Iraq's commitment to continuing its distinguished performance by investing in banking technology, enhancing transparency and governance, and creating flexible and effective solutions that support sustainable growth for its customers and the Iraqi community. He expressed his pride in the bank's position as one of the most prominent drivers of growth in the banking sector in Iraq and the region.
The National Bank of Iraq is a leading institution in retail banking and payroll services, serving both the public and private sectors. It also offers a comprehensive range of distinguished services designed to meet the needs of companies of all sizes and sectors, including, but not limited to, documentary credits, letters of guarantee, foreign transfers, banking facilities, and specialized cash centers. To enhance the customer experience, the bank provides a 24/7 call center, in addition to a dedicated relationship manager to serve each customer individually, ensuring a prompt and effective response to all inquiries and needs.
It's worth noting that the bank has received strong financial ratings from internationally recognized agencies, including a BB rating from Capital Intelligence and a B3 rating from Moody's. Additionally, the Central Bank of Iraq has rated the National Bank of Iraq as "very good," confirming its operational excellence. With a strong focus on international banking and trade finance, the bank has built an extensive network of correspondent banks, positioning it as a gateway for companies to connect to global markets.
In the presence of Al-Sudani, the framework discusses the elections in a regular meeting.
The Coordination Framework, which brings together Shiite forces, held its weekly meeting on Sunday evening, attended by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, to discuss the upcoming parliamentary elections.
An informed source told Shafaq News Agency, "The Coordination Framework held its regular weekly meeting, attended by the Prime Minister, to discuss the parliamentary elections and government measures regarding the electoral process."
It's worth noting that the Coordination Framework decided on April 21 to enter the elections with multiple lists, which would convene following the election results to form the "Coordination Framework" bloc, which includes all its members.
The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for November 11, according to a decision by the Iraqi Council of Ministers, with campaigning set to begin shortly beforehand.
On Sunday, June 29, 2025, Parliamentary Finance Committee Chairman Atwan al-Atwani called on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to "expedite" the submission of the 2025 budget schedules.
A document issued by Al-Atwani to the Prime Minister, a copy of which was received by Al-Jabal, stated: “We reiterate the need to expedite the sending of the 2025 budget tables to the Iraqi Parliament for approval, signaling the start of legal government spending and disbursements, and enabling state institutions to fulfill their obligations, particularly with regard to releasing employee dues (bonuses, promotions, and transfers), and addressing the demands of the segments waiting for their rights to be included in this budget.”
Parliamentary Finance Committee: The delay in the budget schedules is unjustified, and the government is ignoring our communications.
Member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Faisal Hassan Sakr, confirmed today, Sunday, that the delay in sending the 2025 budget tables to the House of Representatives has no logical justification, noting that the government continues to ignore official correspondence requesting clarification of its position on the detailed tables.
Sakr said in a statement to the Al-Maalouma Agency, “The 2025 budget tables were delayed a lot, and the government should have sent them at the beginning of this year,” noting that “the fiscal year is coming to an end, and despite that, the tables are still missing, and we do not know anything about them yet.”
Sakr explained that "despite the adoption of the three-year budget with the aim of overcoming the problems of the annual budgets, the government has not yet taken the initiative to send the detailed tables to the House of Representatives." He pointed out that “Parliament had previously sent several official letters to the government inquiring about the date of sending the tables and the details they included, but the Finance Committee has not received any response so far from the concerned authorities.
Iranian markets under pressure: The dollar jumps and the stock market plummets.
Foreign exchange rates in the Iranian market rose significantly on Sunday amid growing fears of a collapse of the "fragile" truce between Iran and Israel after 12 days of military escalation. This has sparked widespread concern in financial markets and negatively impacted investor confidence.
According to the latest data, the US dollar rose to 88,250 tomans, the euro reached 103,420, and the British pound rose to 119,570 tomans.
Meanwhile, the Tehran Stock Exchange suffered heavy losses as trading resumed on Saturday, following a nine-day hiatus due to the recent war. The general index fell by 62,548 points, closing at 2,922,000 points, marking one of its largest daily losses since 2020.
During the session, more than 99% of listed stocks, equivalent to 606 tokens, declined, while only seven tokens advanced. Net outflows from individual investors amounted to approximately 2.113 trillion tomans, while 356 billion tomans were withdrawn from equity funds and 150 billion tomans from fixed-income funds.
Financial experts believe that this sharp decline was not entirely surprising, as the downward trend began before the outbreak of war, following the failure of five rounds of negotiations between Iran and the United States in June, which increased uncertainty in the financial market.
Observers believe that the ceasefire announcement was not enough to reassure investors or stem the stock market's slide, especially given the lack of concrete steps from regulatory authorities to support the market or curb losses.
Iranian President: We are ready for comprehensive cooperation and to open a new page with the Gulf states.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Sunday his country's readiness for comprehensive cooperation and to open a new page with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
During the cabinet meeting, Pezeshkian said that Iran is ready for comprehensive cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council, and that "through this path, we can open a new page in our relations in the region itself, given the urgent need to strengthen ties and develop cooperation among Islamic countries," according to the IRNA news agency.
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, condemned "in the strongest terms the missile attack launched by Iran against the State of Qatar."
Meanwhile, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE president, said on Saturday that Iran "is required to restore trust with its Gulf neighbors."
Doha was hit by an Iranian missile barrage last Monday evening. Tehran claimed that the attack was not targeting Qatar, but rather the US Al-Udeid airbase on Qatari territory.
The targeting of Al Udeid airbase came in response to the US bombing of nuclear facilities inside Iranian territory. Hours after this Iranian response, the US president declared a ceasefire and an end to the escalation between Iran and Israel, which had lasted 12 days.
SWIFT: Washington's weapon for blackmailing countries and strangling Iraq
Economic expert, Faleh Al-Zubaidi, confirmed today, Saturday, that the United States of America is using the global financial transfer system “SWIFT” as a tool for economic pressure on countries that do not align with its interests. He pointed out that Iraq has become one of the countries subjected to such pressures aimed at pushing Washington's agendas in the region.
Al-Zubaidi told Al-Maalouma, “SWIFT is an international financial network used to transfer funds between banks around the world. It is effectively subject to direct American control, which makes it a political tool in Washington’s hands to punish governments that reject its policies.”
He added, "The United States has used this system to punish a number of countries, such as Russia, Iran, and China, by denying them access to international financial transactions," noting that "Iraq today suffers from strict restrictions imposed by Washington through this system, in an attempt to pressure the Iraqi government to advance its interests."
Al-Zubaidi explained that "US dominance over SWIFT represents a clear violation of international economic standards and contradicts the principle of neutrality in financial transactions," warning that "the continuation of this situation gives Washington the upper hand in controlling Iraqi financial decisions, threatening the country's economic security."
It is noteworthy that MP Haider Al-Salami stressed that the real and radical solution to this crisis lies in establishing a national financial system completely independent of the global financial transfer system (SWIFT), including a bank and an electronic payment entity, operating under the supervision of the Iraqi state and with its full autonomy, similar to what countries such as Russia, Iran and China have taken to protect their financial systems from Western domination.
Iraqi parliament member Sherwan Dubardani confirmed on Saturday that a delegation from the Kurdistan Region, headed by the Minister of Natural Resources, had arrived in Baghdad. He explained that the capital would host an expanded meeting tomorrow between the Kurdistan delegation and the federal government to discuss the re-export of the region's oil.
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"The Kurdish delegation is currently holding a meeting, and an expanded meeting between Erbil and Baghdad is expected to be held tonight or tomorrow, Sunday, to discuss the region's oil file," Dubardani said in a statement monitored by Al-Masry.
Kurdish media outlets quoted political sources regarding the upcoming meeting, stating that it will include Deputy Prime Minister Fuad Hussein, the Iraqi Oil Minister, a representative from the Iraqi State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), the Kurdistan Regional Government's Minister of Natural Resources, and a delegation from the region heading to Baghdad.
She pointed out that "a joint statement on the outcomes of the meeting is expected to be issued after its conclusion."
After the technical delegation, a political delegation from Baghdad awaits arrival in Erbil to resolve outstanding issues.
government political delegation from Baghdad is scheduled to visit Erbil, following the arrival of a first technical delegation from the capital to the Kurdistan Region on Thursday.
A Jebel correspondent reported on Saturday that the "political delegation" could arrive in Erbil at any time. A well-informed source in Baghdad said the delegation would arrive to reach final agreements on the Kurdistan Region's financial dues, the issue of employee salaries, and the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region.
Last Thursday evening, a technical delegation representing the federal government in Baghdad arrived in Erbil and met with a similar delegation from the region to discuss the salary issue and its resolution, as well as the resumption of oil exports from the region to the world. According to information obtained by Al-Jibal, the meetings yielded positive results, particularly regarding the satisfaction of the region's oil-producing companies regarding the resumption of oil exports.
A senior government political delegation from Baghdad is scheduled to arrive in Erbil this week, with the authority to finalize agreements on salaries and the resumption of oil exports, a Jabal correspondent reported, citing an informed source.
The source did not disclose the size of the delegation, but indicated that it is "a large delegation, and will be headed by the Iraqi government. It is scheduled to meet with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources Awat Sheikh Janab to make crucial decisions on the two issues."
Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stated at a press conference last Thursday afternoon that the issue of employee salaries in the region was moving toward a solution, and that an authorized delegation would arrive from Baghdad to Erbil within two days to reach an agreement on the matter.
The technical delegation in Erbil includes representatives from the Supreme Economic Council, the Undersecretary of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, the Iraqi Board of Supreme Audit, and representatives from SOMO and North Oil.
APICORP sets two conditions for resuming the region's oil exports
The Kurdistan Region's oil company, APICORP, expressed its desire to resume oil exports on Saturday, but with two conditions.
“APICOR member companies reiterate their desire to resume oil exports via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline immediately, but we have two conditions for this, the first of which is that a written agreement be reached between the two sides on the matter,” the company said in a statement published on the XN platform. “Several months ago, we reached a mutual understanding regarding coordination on oil exports through the Iraqi SOMO company,” it noted.
She added, "The group proposes that international oil companies receive their financial dues in cash upon the arrival of the oil at the Turkish port of Ceyhan, as this agreement ensures that all parties obtain their rights transparently and as quickly as possible, within the framework of the agreed-upon contractual terms."
A representative reveals details of the negotiation sessions between the region and Baghdad.
Karim Kamal Agha, head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) bloc in the Iraqi parliament, confirmed on Saturday that Baghdad is making resolving the region's salary crisis conditional on the resumption of oil exports.
He said in a press statement monitored by Al-Masry that "an Iraqi government delegation arrived in the Kurdistan Region two days ago to discuss the issue of salaries and the resumption of oil exports," indicating that "there is no doubt that oil exports will resume and the salaries issue will be resolved."
He added, "Oil companies operating in Kurdistan have exhausted their excuses and no longer have any paperwork to back up regarding production costs," stressing that "Baghdad is contingent on resuming exports to resolve the payroll issue."
He added that "the Iraqi negotiating delegation has the authority to make decisions and reach an agreement," expressing his "hope that the two parties will reach an agreement on all issues."
Iraq's trade landscape: The private sector accounts for the largest share of imports.
The Central Bank of Iraq announced, on Saturday, statistics on the volume of Iraq's imports for the first quarter of 2025.
The bank stated in its statistics that "Iraq's imports amounted to $21 billion and 363 million," indicating that "imports included both the government and private sectors."
He added that "government sector imports amounted to $1.377 billion, while private sector imports amounted to $19.985 billion."
He pointed out that "government imports included consumer imports, capital imports, petroleum product imports, other government imports, and currency printing," while "private sector imports included consumer imports and capital imports."
All government institutions are preparing to halt the receipt of cash for various transactions starting next Tuesday, July 1. Payments will now be entirely electronic, a practice already implemented in most departments.
At the beginning of this June, the advisor said:prime minister,Saleh Salman, that "IraqMade significant progress in adoptionElectronic payment systems"The financial inclusion rate rose from less than 10 percent in 2018-2019 to about 40 percent currently," he noted, noting that "the number of devicesPoints of saleIt reached 60 to 70 thousand, while the number of bank accounts increased to 22-23 million.”
He explained that "starting in July 2025, all government payments will be conducted electronically, prohibiting cash payments through government institutions." He noted that "the government has launched awareness campaigns to encourage the public to adopt electronic payment systems and move away from the traditional cash-based culture."
The population of Iraqis is approximately 46 million, of whom approximately 17 million are under the age of 15, meaning there are approximately 29 million adults. Meanwhile, the number of electronic payment cards is approximately 23 million, although most cards may be duplicated, meaning they are owned by the same person.
However, overall, the financial inclusion rate is 40%, meaning that 60% of adults do not have access to electronic payment services and do not have bank accounts or electronic payment cards. This means that less than 15 million people have this access out of the total adult population, while another 15 million lack this capability. This could lead to chaos in the electronic payment process if it is completely halted.
This process could lead to a new form of profiteering, as some employees or workers near government institutions and departments have exploited this loophole to turn it into a profession. They provide citizens with their own cards to pay fees electronically in exchange for fees exceeding the actual amount paid. In other words, fees are charged for the payment process. Government departments may also collect an advance fine from citizens for not paying electronically, without first asking them if they have an electronic payment card.
For example, if the fee for a particular government service is 40,000 dinars, the citizen is told that the fee is 42,000 dinars, without the citizen knowing the reason for the additional 2,000 dinars. They later discover that it is an advance fine for not paying electronically. The employee then takes the 2,000 dinars and pays the electronic transaction using his own card.
Electronic payment: a step towards enhancing financial confidence and reducing corruption.
In light of rapid technological developments globally, the shift to digital payment systems has become a necessity to enhance the efficiency of financial and government services, especially in countries undergoing transitions like Iraq. Iraq's experience in adopting these digital methods reflects the challenges and opportunities that accompany modernizing financial infrastructure, and their impact on expanding financial inclusion, combating corruption, and ensuring transparency in financial transactions. Through the insights of specialists and practitioners in the field, it is clear that the experience has gone beyond simply replacing cash with bank cards, serving as an incentive for structural changes in economic and administrative policies. However, there is an urgent need to address the technical and organizational obstacles to ensure the success and sustainability of this transformation.
Government employee Wassan Sami confirmed that her experience with electronic payments was generally positive, although the system seemed strange at first, given people's longstanding habit of using cash for their daily transactions.
She explained to Al Sabah: “At first, electronic payment seemed like a new and unfamiliar system, even though we have been receiving our salaries via the Qi Card for years. However, the transition to using the card for daily payments has greatly facilitated the procedures and made transactions more organized and smooth.”
She added that one of the most significant benefits she has noticed compared to cash payments is convenience and time savings, noting that “money is not lost, and we don’t have to deal with the hassle of spending coins. The procedures are also much simpler; we no longer need to receive a paper receipt or visit an employee. All we need to do is enter the required number, and the payment is completed via card within seconds, which has reduced the time by almost half.” Winner Mohammed Hassan began using an electronic payment card after joining a company that relies on electronic payroll payment in 2024, stressing that his experience has been very positive and beneficial.
Speaking to Al Sabah, he said, "The most important benefit I've noticed is the convenience and ease of transactions, whether withdrawing or transferring money, especially with the introduction of Mastercard payments at gas stations, which facilitates the speedy completion of transactions within the station."
Despite this positive experience, Mohammed noted that he encountered a problem once when he attempted to top up his account with 100,000 dinars via an ATM. However, the transaction failed, and the funds were withdrawn from his account. He added, "I contacted the company, and the issue was resolved within a few days, and my money was returned to me."
He continued, "I have continued to use the electronic payment card until now, and it has become a major part of my daily life. I never leave the card behind. I use it to purchase credit, fill up fuel, and shop online easily and quickly."
Dr. Ahmed Hadhal, a professor of economics at Al-Mustansiriya University, believes that Iraq has witnessed a rapid shift toward electronic payments in recent years. This shift began in earnest after 2016 with the decision to localize state employee salaries, paving the way for the widespread use of bank cards and bank accounts. He added that the Central Bank has reinforced this trend through several regulatory measures, including issuing instructions to activate bank accounts, encouraging citizens to use modern payment tools, and linking foreign transfers to the compliance platform, leading to remarkable quantitative results.
He pointed out that recent statistics show that the number of activated electronic cards exceeds 20 million, and the number of active bank accounts exceeds 15 million, with annual transfers via these cards exceeding $6 billion. The financial inclusion rate also increased from approximately 22% in 2020 to more than 45% in 2024, indicating a relative expansion in the banking transaction base, especially after the mandatory use of these methods for public sector employees.
However, Dr. Hedhal pointed out that this digital expansion did not fully translate into a tangible improvement in the quality of banking services or citizen satisfaction. The experience was accompanied by a number of problems, most notably poor service from electronic payment companies, the weak response of commercial banks to digital transformation requirements, and the imposition of high and unjustified fees for basic banking services. This created a trust gap between citizens and the banking system, and sometimes led to public dissatisfaction with the adoption of electronic mechanisms without a comprehensive infrastructure.
He added that electronic payment has actually contributed to reducing financial corruption in the payroll sector by eliminating the phenomenon of "ghost workers," enhancing transparency in public spending and expense classification, and enabling regulatory authorities to track many financial transactions that were previously conducted outside the banking system. However, it has not been sufficiently successful in controlling speculation or narrowing the gap between the parallel market rate and the official exchange rate, which has persisted due to some parties exploiting payment cards to speculate on the dollar or smuggle currency.
Regarding digital transformation in other sectors, Dr. Hathal noted a relative improvement in e-commerce transactions and delivery services, along with the adoption of electronic payment mechanisms for fees and collection by some government agencies. However, weak coordination between institutions, the inefficiency of digital infrastructure, and the multiplicity of service providers without effective oversight remain obstacles that limit the acceleration of comprehensive digital transformation.
Dr. Hithal concluded that achieving true success in the electronic payment experience in Iraq requires a strategic shift in financial and banking policies, based on enhancing citizen confidence in the banking system, improving service quality, reducing bank fees, and linking electronic payment methods to providing real incentives, not just obligations. He also emphasized the importance of stimulating stagnant liquidity in society, noting that more than 90% of the currency remains outside the banking system, representing a missed opportunity for the national economy.
He said, "It can be said that the Iraqi experience in electronic payments has achieved significant strides in terms of infrastructure and quantitative expansion, but it still requires profound reforms in banking governance, service quality, and digital policy integration to establish a robust and inclusive digital economy."
Anti-corruption activist Saeed Yassin explained that the governance of financial procedures and transactions is a fundamental preventative measure in accordance with international standards for combating corruption and transnational crimes. He pointed out that a significant part of this governance relates to simplifying government procedures for paying fees and collections electronically, ensuring that funds enter the public treasury and are not exposed to theft or assault, as was previously the case when cash was transferred or placed at the disposal of employees, a phenomenon witnessed by several institutions in Iraq.
Yassin added to Al Sabah that the other aspect of these measures lies in containing the crime of bribery by simplifying procedures for reviewing public institutions, adopting a system for booking appointments in advance for review, and paying fees via prepaid cards, which limits the collection of undue tax money or the illegal inflating of fees and levies.
He explained that the review process is subject to careful monitoring and statistics through the management of the "Aur" website and related sites, stressing that this experience has yielded tangible progress. He stated that he personally reviewed several government departments affiliated with the Ministry of Interior, such as the Passports Department, the National ID Card Department, the Traffic Department, and the Residence Card Department, all of which are processed through the pre-booking and electronic payment system, which represents a qualitative leap in combating bribery, transaction delays, and influence peddling that were prevalent in these departments.
Yassin pointed out that the new procedures also include a reporting and complaints system in other institutions, in addition to the establishment of the National Emergency Center, numbered 911, which represents a major achievement in improving communication and response mechanisms.
He emphasized that among the most important recommendations for developing this experience is reducing the commission collected by financial companies and banks on prepaid card transactions, and encouraging the public to purchase these cards and use them in daily financial transactions. He also emphasized the importance of continuous public awareness on how to use these cards, maintaining the speed of transactions, and ensuring that collection funds match official funds to protect funds from assault or theft.
Parliamentary Security Committee: Iraq moves to sign arms contracts with five countries for the air defense system.
Member of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, Ali Al-Bandawi, revealed on Saturday that Iraq is seeking to sign arms contracts with five countries to develop its air defense system. Al-Bandawi said, “Iraq needs an advanced air defense system to protect its airspace, skies, and territory from any external incursion and violation of Iraqi sovereignty.” He added, “The Iraqi government has begun approaching five countries, including the United States, France, South Korea, and others, to sign contracts to import advanced weapons to arm the Iraqi army.” He pointed out that “Iraq is preparing to sign contracts with several countries to import the air defense system and advanced radar equipment, in addition to other advanced weapons.” During the Iran-Israel war, Iraqi airspace was subjected to numerous violations over a period of 12 days, but at the time, Iraq deployed air defenses near an oil field in the south of the country to protect oil facilities.
Sharp fluctuations in the value of the Iranian currency amid regional tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv.
Iranian markets have witnessed sharp fluctuations in the Iranian toman's exchange rate over the past few days, directly influenced by the escalating geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel. The US dollar's exchange rate against the toman reached 9 million tomans at the height of talk of a possible direct war, after it had been expected to reach 10 million.
But with signs of calm and de-escalation between the two sides, the value of the toman has risen again, amidst a state of uncertainty that has gripped the market.
Decrease in trading volume and warnings against risk
"We sold the dollar for 7.6 million dinars, but we didn't buy back because of the price fluctuations," Kawa Yahya, an exchange office owner, told a Kurdistan 24 reporter. "The price had risen to 9 million tomans this morning due to the escalation, but later dropped to 7 million, which represents a difference of nearly 2 million in a very short period."
Money changers confirmed that toman banknotes are becoming less available in the market, and that daily trading volume has fallen to approximately 60% compared to previous levels.
Conditional optimism and expectations of more volatility
For his part, Shawan Muhammad, an exchange office owner, said, "After the calm, the toman began to regain some of its value, but its fate remains uncertain. There is talk of an impending agreement between the United States and Iran, and if it actually materializes, the toman will regain its strength. So far, Tehran has not conceded its interests, so we expect the market to remain volatile."
Observers believe that any new security or political unrest among the countries of the region would immediately impact the toman's exchange rate and trading volume in the Iranian market.
Despite the lack of stability, approximately 10 billion tomans are still traded daily, a source of concern for traders who face significant financial risks amid the lack of clear guarantees regarding the future of the Iranian currency.
U.S. Syria Envoy Tom Barrack to Meet Kurdish PM Barzani in Erbil: Al-Monitor
US envoy Tom Barrack to visit Erbil for talks with PM Barzani on Syria's future & Kurdish rights. signaling continued US engagement in Western Kurdistan and the Kurdish question in Syria amid regional instability. First official Kurdistan Region visit focuses on political roadmap.
Tom Barrack, the United States Special Envoy for Syrian Affairs, is expected to visit the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil in the coming days, where he will hold high-level talks with Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, according to a report by Al-Monitor.
This will mark Barrack’s first official visit to the Kurdistan Region. The meeting between the U.S. envoy and Prime Minister Barzani is anticipated to focus on the ongoing political and security developments in Syria, as well as the future of the Kurdish question in Northern Syria (Western Kurdistan).
Talks to address Western Kurdistan and Syria’s political roadmap
Citing sources familiar with the agenda, Al-Monitor reported that the discussions are expected to center on the trajectory of the Syrian conflict and evolving U.S. policy in the region. Prime Minister Barzani is also expected to urge the U.S. to uphold the rights and demands of the Kurdish people in Western Kurdistan, particularly in light of regional instability and renewed international attention to northeastern Syria.
Potential meeting with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi
The report further indicated that Barrack may also meet with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi during his visit. Such a meeting would underscore the importance Washington places on direct engagement with actors on the ground in North and East Syria, especially regarding joint counter-terrorism operations and political autonomy.
EXCLUSIVE: US Syria envoy Tom Barrack to meet Iraqi Kurdish PM Barzani in Erbil Barrack is likely to also meet with SDF chief Mazloum Kobane, sources told Al-Monitor's @amberinzaman.
An economist warns of the continued dominance of the dollar in Iraqi-Chinese trade.
Data from the Chinese Customs Authority showed a significant increase in the value of Chinese exports to Iraq during the first five months of 2025, increasing by 9.5% compared to the same period in 2024. The value of these exports reached $7.4 billion, compared to $6.77 billion during the same period last year, according to a report by economic expert Manar Al-Obaidi.
Al-Abidi explained that this growth is driven by increased exports from a number of sectors, most notably:
Electrical and mechanical appliances : accounted for 24% of total exports and achieved a growth rate of 11.46%.
Electronics : represented 15% of exports and increased by 29.3%.
Clothing : accounted for 7.6% of total exports and increased by 21%.
Cars and spare parts : Its share reached 7.2% and recorded the highest growth rate of 35%.
In contrast, Iraqi exports to China declined by 5.77% during the same period, reaching $15.2 billion compared to $16.14 billion in 2024, and are almost entirely limited to petroleum products.
Despite the decline, the trade balance between the two countries remains in Iraq's favor, with a trade surplus of $7.7 billion during the first five months of 2025, down from $9.37 billion during the same period the previous year.
Al-Obaidi pointed out that "this surplus remains fragile, as it is almost entirely tied to Iraq's oil exports to China in terms of quantity and price. Any decline in the value or volume of these exports could lead to a shrinkage of the surplus or its transformation into a deficit, which necessitates diversifying Iraq's export base by boosting exports of raw materials and local goods."
Although annual trade between Iraq and China exceeds $54 billion, financial transactions between the two sides continue to be conducted in the US dollar, whether for oil sales or imports.
Al-Obaidi called for "the establishment of a direct financial and trade exchange platform between Iraq and China, similar to what other countries have done, such as the recent agreement between China and Turkey to adopt local currencies in trade exchanges."
He promised that "reducing dependence on the dollar represents a strategic step towards enhancing financial independence and increasing the effectiveness of bilateral trade."
It should be noted that this data represents direct Chinese exports to Iraq and does not include goods exported to other countries, particularly the UAE, and then re-exported to the Iraqi market.
Al-Maliki: Iraq must be at the forefront of countries seeking reform and building a strong state.
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The Secretary-General of the Islamic Dawa Party, Nouri al-Maliki, affirmed today, Saturday (June 28, 2025), that Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, launched his revolution to demand reform in the Islamic nation, and that the principles of Ashura must be translated into a strategic vision for building the state and addressing the shortcomings in its institutions.
In a speech marking the advent of Muharram and the commemoration of Ashura, followed by Baghdad Today, Maliki said, "Reform is not a political or partisan slogan, but rather a practical commitment to achieving social justice, improving the standard of living, and providing services and job opportunities, which are legitimate rights for the people."
Al-Maliki stressed the need to "review the performance of security and military institutions to ensure they are at the level of political and social stability and capable of protecting sovereignty from external threats," noting that "the escalating war between the Zionist entity and Iran in the region means that Iraq is not immune from it, as stated in the religious authority's speech."
He pointed out that "Iraq, as the cradle of Imam Hussein's renaissance, must be at the forefront of nations inspired by his revolution to create a comprehensive vision for building a strong and just state," noting that "the country's security and citizens' rights are not protected by slogans, but by institutions that possess vision and capacity."
The "hardest" month for Iraqi salaries: Eid, war, Ashura, and a delay in June
Amid recurring talk of a cash liquidity crisis threatening the payment of salaries to state employees, educators in Wasit confirmed that their salaries have been delayed for five days, the fifth day after the usual date, which is the 24th and 25th of each month. This is a problem that health sector employees in the governorate are also suffering from, along with teaching staff in Basra, Nineveh, and Diyala, who have not yet received their dues, according to a well-informed source at QI. The source attributed the matter to the Ministry of Finance not issuing a special notice to date, a situation that has been repeated several times before. This brings to mind analyses that have been circulating for months about the current government facing numerous difficulties in obtaining dinars and covering the salary bill. Others attributed the problem to a mere “weak coordination” between the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance, rather than a cash shortage, as is commonly rumored in economic circles. However, employees say that June was the most difficult month, as it coincided with Eid expenses and the Ashura season, in addition to the confusion surrounding the Iran war.
The number of educational and teaching staff in Wasit Governorate is approximately 50,000 employees, perhaps more. Our salaries are usually paid on the 24th and 25th of each month. What we heard this month is that the salary disbursement notice has not yet arrived from the Central Bank, a situation that reflects clear neglect of our segment.
The salaries of teaching staff are below average, ranging between 600,000 and 700,000 dinars on average. Our segment of the population is also a key driver of the market conditions in the governorate, which have been experiencing severe economic stagnation in recent days.
We demand that our salaries not be delayed any longer, and that they be disbursed promptly. June has been a long and difficult month for our limited income, as it coincided with Eid al-Adha, the month of Muharram, and the Iran-Iraq war. This requires additional expenses.
Iraq Says US Company Among Bidders as It Plans First LNG Imports
Iraq is in advanced talks with Excelerate Energy Inc. to facilitate its first-ever liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports to reduce dependence on Iran for supplies.
Iraq struggles with power outages due to insufficient gas to operate its power plants, and has been looking to buy LNG for years to fill the shortages.
The country has been in talks with several countries, including Turkmenistan, Qatar, and others, to diversify its gas imports, following the halt of electricity imports from Iran earlier this year.
Iraq is in advanced talks with Excelerate Energy Inc. to facilitate its first-ever liquefied natural gas imports as the country, which struggles with power outages, seeks to cut dependence on Iran for supplies.
Texas-based Excelerate is one of several companies to have submitted a bid to provide an LNG import ship and secure supplies of the fuel, said Ali Salman, acting director general for the state-run South Gas Co., which has been charged with overseeing the development of the project. An Excelerate representative declined to comment.
Iraq’s push to buy LNG comes as the country halted electricity imports from neighboring Iran earlier this year after the US ended a sanction waiver ordered by President Donald Trump to tighten pressure on Tehran. Gas imports from Iran have since continued and weren’t affected by the US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s energy sites this month, although this highlighted the fragility of the supply route.
Gas Supplies
Iraq, OPEC’s second-biggest oil producer, doesn’t have enough gas to operate its mostly gas-fired power plants and suffers from crippling blackouts every summer when demand peaks. It’s also been trying to reduce the amount of wastful gas flaring from its own fields, and has been looking at buying LNG for years as a way to fill the shortages.
The US has urged Iraq to diversify the origins of its gas imports, and Baghdad signed an agreement with Turkmenistan last year for gas supplies. Iraq has been in talks with Qatar and others to find more solutions, Farhad Alaaldin, an adviser on foreign affairs to Iraq’s prime minister, said on March 12.
Iraq receives Iranian natural gas from two pipelines, but flows have been interrupted several times in recent years. In 2023, Iran cut volumes in half because of unpaid bills, which Baghdad said arose due to US sanctions on Iran.
Iraq’s oil ministry has completed a project to extend an existing gas pipeline to the Khor Al-Zubair commodities port on the Gulf, where the floating storage and regasification unit will be moored. The installations will connect the regasified LNG to the Iraqi gas network.
The Washington Institute suggests Iraq replicate Saudi Arabia's experience in exploiting associated gas.
A Washington Institute report offers recommendations for redefining and strengthening the relationship between Iraq and the United States through energy and security, particularly as Iraq faces security and economic challenges while simultaneously seeking to disengage from the international coalition mission. The report believes that partnership with Washington helps Iraq achieve its goals and serves Donald Trump's policy of curbing Iranian and Chinese influence. It notes that Baghdad can benefit from Saudi Arabia's experience in reducing gas flaring, as Riyadh began collecting associated gas using American technologies. It also includes the involvement of the American company KBR in the Nebras petrochemical project and the leasing of floating units to import liquefied natural gas from the United States until the local infrastructure is completed. The report stresses the need to sign a security agreement to reassure investors that Iraq is a safe environment. This is also a message to Iran that Baghdad prioritizes its relationship with Washington, which undermines the threat of any "groups" that might threaten the stability of the region.
raq faces security and economic challenges as Baghdad seeks to disengage from the international coalition against ISIS and restructure its relationship with the United States. Partnering with the United States on energy and security initiatives could not only advance these Iraqi goals but also serve President Trump's policy objectives, countering Iranian and Chinese influence in Iraq, creating more economic opportunities, and facilitating broader efforts to achieve stability in the Middle East.
“Slow but steady” progress in the gas sector
The energy sector, including natural gas, is one of the most important relationships Baghdad seeks to build with Washington. The United States is the world's largest gas producer, and its massive exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) helped Europe replace Russian supplies during the Ukraine war. Iraq's gas reserves, the twelfth-largest in the world, are mostly associated gas produced as a byproduct of crude oil production, particularly in the south. However, a huge volume of this gas continues to be flared rather than captured and utilized. Iraq ranks among the world's five worst gas flaring countries; in 2023, it was flaring 1,200 million standard cubic feet per day (scfd) of gas, while importing only 1,000 scfd from Iran. That year, Iraq's electricity grid lost 5,000 megawatts (MW) due to reduced, often unreliable Iranian supplies. The same problem could recur this year. Worse still, these imports were at risk of being interrupted indefinitely due to the recent conflict between Iran and Israel.
While Baghdad hopes to achieve “zero flaring” by 2028, it is unclear how it will balance this goal with its ambitions to increase oil production to more than 6 million barrels per day later this decade (Iraq is OPEC’s second-largest oil producer). In recent years, Iraq has made slow but steady progress in addressing gas challenges, including flaring, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani seeking to attract more companies from the United States and other countries to invest in the sector. However, technical and political challenges remain, including political interference, corruption, and bureaucracy, which have caused project delays.
However, some gas extraction projects are gradually progressing, including the massive Integrated Gas Growth (IGG) project, led by France's TotalEnergies. This project combines four projects into one, including the development of the Artawi Gas Hub, which is expected to process 600 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) of associated gas from several oil fields in southern Iraq. In January, TotalEnergies and its partners, Basra Oil Company and Qatar Energy, launched construction of the first associated gas processing facility from the Artawi field in Basra Governorate. This facility, part of the multi-source Integrated Gas Growth project, is expected to process 1 million cubic feet per day of gas that was previously flared, which will later be used for local power generation.
Chinese companies have won some contracts to build the GGIP, and Beijing is also involved in other major projects in Iraq’s gas sector, including the Halfaya gas processing plant, which began operations in June 2024. Meanwhile, the Basra Gas Company, a joint venture between Iraq’s South Gas Company, Shell, and Mitsubishi, was the “largest single project” for associated gas in Iraq until last year, processing output from the Rumaila, West Qurna 1, and Zubair fields, three of the giant fields in the south.
However, Iraq's energy sector remains fragile. In May, Iraq lost approximately 4,000 megawatts due to reduced Iranian gas supplies, as well as Washington's termination of waivers for importing electricity from Iran earlier this year. All of these challenges should prompt Baghdad to prioritize resolving its gas and electricity problems.
Security Partnership
Enhancing U.S.-Iraq energy cooperation requires not only a favorable investment climate but also sustainable security. To attract investment, Iraq must demonstrate its stability and security by addressing chronic problems of external interference and internal conflict. For Washington, this means that Baghdad must maintain its focus, first, on combating ISIS and second, on reducing the threat of Iranian-backed militias (which could worsen if clashes between Iran and Israel resume).
Since 2014, US forces have been stationed in Iraq at Baghdad's invitation as part of the international coalition against ISIS. Following ISIS's territorial defeat in Iraq in 2017, Washington focused on providing advice and assistance, enabling Baghdad to continue confronting the group, particularly through intelligence sharing and funding. In 2023, after achieving further successes against ISIS and under Iranian pressure to reduce US influence, Iraq initiated the termination of the coalition's mission and sought to reshape US-Iraqi relations on a bilateral basis.
Since then, regional circumstances have changed radically, with uncertainties in neighboring Syria coinciding with the Trump administration's efforts to reduce the US presence in the Middle East. However, the bilateral relationship can still be built on shared security interests.
The mission to combat ISIS remains critical for Iraq, and it will continue to receive American support. Although the group is significantly weakened, claiming only five attacks in Iraq so far in 2025, it still seeks to exploit divisions within the country. Furthermore, Iraq faces prison overcrowding with al-Qaeda and ISIS members, and it has committed to repatriating all Iraqi families associated with the group from Syria by 2026. This comes amidst cuts in US funding for resettlement and stabilization programs. Without investment in these programs, Iraq's ability to effectively reintegrate returning and released individuals from prison will be undermined.
In addition, Iranian interference has impacted Iraq's economy and security. Iranian-backed militias threaten to undermine the government, harm Iraqi security forces, and directly target US forces and bases. During the recent Iran-Israel conflict, these militias again threatened to attack US interests in the region if Washington intervened in the war. As Baghdad seeks to build a positive economic and security relationship with Washington, it must limit the influence of these actors.
Recommendations
The Israeli strikes on Iran's domestic gas production increase the urgency of expanding Iraqi-American energy cooperation and exploring untapped economic opportunities in the gas sector. Some of these bilateral efforts should focus on reducing gas flaring and developing gas fields, such as the Akkas field, Iraq's largest non-associated gas field (i.e., not associated with crude oil production), where the American oil services company SLB is reportedly currently operating. Other efforts could address some of the same issues while simultaneously diversifying the Iraqi economy. For example:
Baghdad can learn from Saudi Arabia's successes in addressing the gas flaring problem. In the 1970s, Riyadh decided to begin collecting associated gas from oil through the "Master Gas System," a network of pipelines connecting gas sites across the country. This effort helped drive industrialization in the Kingdom. Today, this expanded system, which began operating in the early 1980s, still uses technologies from leading companies based in the United States and elsewhere.
A report issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil indicated the possibility of involving the American company KBR in the long-delayed Nebras petrochemical project in the south. It is worth noting that the associated gas in Iraq is rich in ethane, a natural gas liquid used in the production of ethylene, a key feedstock for any future petrochemical industry. This is an area that Baghdad could seriously explore with American companies.
In the near term, Iraqi cooperation with the US private sector may include leasing floating storage and regasification units to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), as Iraq races to build the necessary infrastructure in the south. Given that the United States is the global leader in LNG, this could represent an additional opportunity for cooperation.
The recent visit of a high-level US trade delegation to Baghdad demonstrated that expanding bilateral energy cooperation is possible. However, the success of this cooperation requires security and stability in Iraq, especially in light of the geopolitical risks arising from the Iran-Israel conflict. More specifically:
Washington and Baghdad must continue to address the multifaceted threat posed by ISIS, counter the threats posed by Iranian-backed militias, and ensure that no state or non-state actor can undermine internal security.
US and Iraqi officials must continue planning and implementing the transition to a post-coalition phase. This includes signing a Status of Forces Agreement or other bilateral understanding that defines the ongoing legal status of US forces in Iraq. In addition to enabling Washington to continue supporting Iraq in its fight against ISIS, such an agreement would demonstrate to Iran and its militia allies that Baghdad prioritizes its relationship with Washington. It would also demonstrate to private sector investors that both governments prioritize Iraq's security, making the country a favorable investment environment.
As Baghdad seeks to redefine its relationship with Washington, emphasizing cooperation on energy and security could directly serve U.S. goals of countering Iranian and Chinese influence, creating new economic opportunities, stabilizing the broader Middle East, and reducing ungoverned spaces often exploited by hostile actors.
Tehran reopens negotiations with Washington, and Araghchi calls on Trump to respect Khamenei.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed on Saturday his country's readiness to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States.
"If President Trump is sincere in his desire to reach an agreement, he must put aside his disrespectful and unacceptable tone toward Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and stop harming millions of his loyal followers," Araqchi said in a post on the X platform, as monitored by Shafaq News Agency.
Earlier on Saturday, Iran sent a letter to the United Nations and the UN Security Council protesting what it described as "impudent statements" made by Israeli and US officials against Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Today, Reuters quoted US President Donald Trump as saying, "Why does Khamenei claim he won the war with Israel when he knows his statements are a lie, which they are not?" He asserted that he was fully aware of Khamenei's whereabouts but did not allow US or Israeli forces to eliminate him.
Trump added, "In the final phase of the war, Israel demanded the return of a large group of aircraft that were headed to Tehran."
It's worth noting that Trump had declared on Friday that he had saved Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei from what he described as a "horrible death," saying that the latter should "thank him," referring to a previous decision not to target him during the 12-day war with Israel.
raq has a population of over 40 million people, with a median age of about 20 years old, and digital transformation is beginning to identify the leisure and entertainment sectors in this nation. The iGaming sector is one of the most noticeable segments of digital maturation, embracing areas like online gambling, online casinos, and digital lottery. There are several factors that are fuelling growth in the iGaming sector, such as improved internet connectivity and increased cell phone adoption, combined with a tech-savvy younger generation with a desire for entertainment.
The regulatory environment for gaming activities in Iraq has historically been conservative, but the increase in online gaming and gambling consumption over recent years is attracting local and international investors to reassess the market potential.
Traditionally, gambling is prohibited and illegal under the 1969 Penal Code, but the explosive growth in digital platforms, coupled with ambiguous legal definitions for a multitude of online gambling activities, is generating complex and interesting opportunities.
This report explores the factors shaping the market in Iraq, including market trends, regulatory activity, market competitors, and prospective market opportunities for operators, investors, and regulators.
Table 1: Key Statistics
Metric
Value
Population
~40 million
Median Age
~20 years
Active Online Players
~5 million
Online Gaming Market CAGR
9.2% (2025–2031)
Gambling Market CAGR
3.1% (2020–2026)
Most Popular Game Types
Mobile action, strategy, multiplayer, casino, sports betting
Legal Status
All gambling prohibited; online gambling unregulated/ambiguous
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