The Central Bank begins implementing comprehensive banking reform.
Samir Al-Nusairi, advisor to the Iraqi Private Banks Association, confirmed that the Central Bank of Iraq's measures and efforts, in partnership and consultation with private banks, have facilitated the implementation of the objectives, programs, mechanisms, and standards of the comprehensive banking reform project.
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Al-Nusairi explained in a press statement monitored by Al-Sa'a Network that "the project primarily aims to build a solid, modern, comprehensive, and flexible banking sector that works to achieve rapid growth in the national economy and contributes to increasing the gross domestic product and the market value of the banking sector."
He added, "Economic reform begins with banking reform. Therefore, the challenges facing the Iraqi economy, along with the opportunities available to reform the banking and financial sector within the government's framework, constitute a fundamental pillar of the Central Bank's future vision to support sustainable development and investment."
He pointed out that "current efforts focus on activating non-oil productive sectors to diversify national income sources and achieve financial sustainability, as well as regulating foreign trade financing, completing infrastructure projects for comprehensive digital transformation, and expanding the use of electronic payment tools to enhance financial inclusion."
Al-Nusairi explained that "these efforts will contribute to empowering and developing the private banking sector during the years 2025-2028," explaining that they "are based on six main axes, namely the development of the Iraqi banking system and its compliance with international banking and accounting standards."
He pointed out that "other axes include building a solid, modern, inclusive, and flexible banking sector, enhancing citizens' confidence in the local banking sector, and achieving international recognition for its transparency and commitment to standard criteria, ensuring dealings with solid correspondent banks."
He explained that "the reform axes will include rehabilitating weak or restricted banks to return to full activity in the local and foreign markets, as well as transforming banks to their primary role in financing and lending for development and promoting financial inclusion."
He stated that "the final axis is supporting the transition from a cash economy to a digital economy, and withdrawing money from the banking system, which constitutes approximately 80% of the money supply, and injecting it into the banking system."
Al-Nusairi concluded his remarks by emphasizing that "what has been achieved during 2023, 2024, and through mid-2025 has established a solid foundation for the banking reform process, achieving ambitious milestones that will contribute to the evaluation and classification of banks based on precise international standards .
Central Bank: Digital financial inclusion and the "1 Trillion" initiative support small businesses
The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed on Sunday that digital financial inclusion supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), noting that the "One Trillion" initiative provided soft loans for emerging projects.
The bank's director of financial inclusion, Hussein Abdul Amir, said, "This vital sector requires comprehensive enablers based on a set of policies, including financing policies, special empowerment for entrepreneurs, financial infrastructure development, and strategic partnerships." He noted that "all of these factors represent an existing approach for the central bank to enable access to small and medium-sized enterprises," according to the official agency.
He added, "The Central Bank of Iraq is working on its projects currently in the implementation phase to enhance projects' access to the financial sector, strengthen project bank accounts, and enable them to obtain the necessary financing for their operations. We are also seeking to develop the financial sector."
He continued, "Digital financial inclusion is very important for these projects to develop digital applications and e-wallets that provide financial services to various projects, independent of the financial and banking sector. These are aspects supported by the Central Bank." He noted that "financial inclusion also plays a fundamental role in enhancing financial awareness and knowledge among entrepreneurs, in terms of how to access appropriate funding sources and select sources with high objectivity based on their capabilities, whether financial planning or project size."
He stressed that "all these aspects are supported by the Central Bank, in addition to its direct financing initiatives through the One Trillion Initiative launched by the Central Bank, which provided loans to emerging projects and provided financing with low installments and easy repayment periods."
Economy on the Edge: Will Wages Survive the Fallout of the Oil Crash?
At the heart of the Iraqi economy, oil reigns supreme, controlling the nation's destiny and shaping its financial and social stability. Oil revenues account for more than 90% of public revenues and cover over 95% of the federal budget.
Iraq appears to be walking a tightrope over a deep financial abyss. The price of a barrel of oil, the figure dancing on global markets, is not just an economic indicator; it is the lifeblood that determines the government's ability to pay salaries to millions, fund public services, and even maintain civil peace.
But what if this pulse turns into intermittent throbbing? With oil prices falling to around $60 a barrel, and forecasts pointing to a possible drop to $50, Iraq faces the specter of a financial crisis that threatens to reshape its economy and society.
Oil Dominance: Blessing or Curse?
Iraq's near-total dependence on oil is not a new phenomenon, but it remains a double-edged sword. The structure of the Iraqi budget, carefully designed to meet the needs of high operating expenditures, relies heavily on stable oil prices. More than two-thirds of public expenditures are allocated to salaries and government subsidies, meaning that any turmoil in global markets directly impacts the government's ability to meet its obligations.
This overreliance has made the Iraqi economy vulnerable to market fluctuations, as even a slight drop in the price of a barrel can create a massive financial gap, threatening to freeze development projects and disrupt basic services.
Oil prices: The specter of a decline looms
With oil prices falling to $60 a barrel and forecasts indicating a possible drop to $50, Iraq finds itself facing an unprecedented financial test. These figures are not merely estimates; they are an alarm bell ringing in the corridors of the Iraqi treasury.
If prices continue to decline, oil revenues, which form the backbone of the budget, will face a sharp decline, potentially forcing the government to make difficult choices. Public spending, which is almost entirely dependent on these revenues, will face enormous pressure, putting the government directly at risk of a fiscal deficit.
Tough choices: between debt and withdrawal of deposits
Given this bleak reality, the Iraqi government appears to be at a crossroads. To bridge the gap between dwindling revenues and rising expenditures, it may resort to temporary solutions that carry long-term risks.
Among these solutions is swapping debt for public assets, a move that could erode national wealth and diminish the state's control over its strategic resources. The government may also be forced to postpone salary payments or distribute them in staggered installments, which would spark widespread public discontent in a country where millions of citizens rely on government salaries as their primary source of income.
In another seemingly desperate move, the government may resort to withdrawing financial trusts from government institutions, threatening to weaken these institutions and their ability to perform their functions.
Structural Crisis: Can Iraq Diversify?
The current crisis is not just a temporary fluctuation in oil prices, but a structural crisis that reveals the fragility of the Iraqi economy.
Over-reliance on oil makes the country vulnerable to uncontrollable external shocks.
While neighboring Gulf states are moving toward diversifying their economies, Iraq remains lagging behind. Agriculture, industry, and tourism, sectors that could serve as economic alternatives, continue to suffer from neglect and mismanagement.
Green Transformation: A New Path to Diversifying the National Economy
Iraq is rapidly moving toward adopting an economic model based on diversifying sources of income and investing resources in an environmentally friendly manner, within the framework of Iraq Vision 2050, which places green development at the heart of government policies.
In this context, the Prime Minister's Financial Advisor, Dr. Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, revealed that the newly targeted sectors for strategic investment—such as renewable energy, waste treatment, associated gas, housing, and tourism—represent the focus of the new economic transformation the state is adopting to reduce dependence on oil and develop productive sectors. Speaking to Al-Sabah, Saleh said, "The government has intensified its efforts over the past two years to issue regulatory licenses for major investment projects in these areas, and is moving towards expanding this path in the coming years to enhance opportunities for sustainable development and create a more balanced and stable economy."
associated gas
Regarding the investment in associated gas, which has been flared for years, Saleh revealed that the government is seeking to completely eliminate gas flaring within the next two to three years. He explained that the new plans include projects to process and generate gas, in cooperation with international companies, to reduce reliance on imported gas.
Urban level
On the urban development front and the construction of new residential and tourism cities, the advisor emphasized that major urban and economic development is proceeding strongly, with a project to build 1.5 million housing units by 2026 underway. He noted that this is part of a national plan that includes six new cities aimed at addressing the housing crisis and providing a modern urban environment.
tourism sector
The government advisor added that the tourism sector has also begun to be targeted with licenses for projects in archaeological and natural areas, particularly in the southern and central Euphrates regions. He emphasized that the importance of these sectors in Iraq's 2050 economic vision stems from diversifying sources of income away from oil.
He stated that creating job opportunities in new fields such as clean energy, waste management, digital sectors, and manufacturing industries linked to national infrastructure, including industrial cities, will be linked to the "Development Road" project, which will work to attract foreign investment through environmentally and economically feasible projects, in addition to achieving sustainable development goals in accordance with international standards.
Fair approach
For her part, economic affairs expert Dr. Ikram Abdel Aziz said: "Investment is an effective tool for solving many problems." She explained that the National Investment Authority is the body responsible for protecting investors and improving the investment environment, and it bears the responsibility for attracting successful investments to the country.
Abdelaziz added to Al-Sabah that the most prominent investment portfolios launched are projects to solve the chronic housing crisis, using an approach that is fair to both investors and the state, without losing more prime land. She called for investment in the governorates to be consistent with the governorate's needs, the nature of its resources, and its population's indicators of education and poverty.
Economic relations with Iraq top the agenda at a high-level Iranian meeting.
Iranian officials in Tehran discussed the latest developments in economic relations with Iraq on Sunday, as part of the sixth session of the Foreign Economic Relations Coordination Committee.
A report by the Iranian Fars News Agency, translated by Shafaq News Agency, stated that the meeting was chaired by Hamid Ghanbari, Iran's Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy, and attended by a number of economic officials from various Iranian executive bodies.
The meeting included a presentation by Dehghan Dehnavi, head of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, on developments in preferential trade agreements and free trade, as well as Iran's trade plans for the next phase.
According to the report, the session also focused in particular on economic relations between Iraq and Iran. Mohammad Ali Bek, Assistant Foreign Minister and Director of the Gulf Affairs Department, along with representatives from Iranian border provinces such as Khuzestan, Ilam, and Kermanshah, presented reports on the state of economic cooperation with Iraq and the obstacles facing its development.
The participants emphasized the importance of "addressing challenges related to customs infrastructure and shared border crossings, facilitating commercial transport procedures, and enhancing the presence of Iranian goods in Iraqi markets by improving trademarks." They also noted the "need to increase tourism exchange between the two countries and enhance coordination between the bodies responsible for foreign trade in Iran."
It's worth noting that Iraq is one of Iran's most prominent trading partners, and relations between the two countries witness extensive cooperation in the areas of trade, energy, and religious tourism. However, some administrative and logistical challenges still prevent the full realization of available economic potential.
Iraq unveils 60 investment opportunities
The General Company for Iraqi Ports announced on Thursday that the consulting company has reached the semi-final stages of developing the economic model for the Development Road project, noting that there are 60 investment opportunities in five sectors within the project.
The company's general manager, Farhan Al-Fartousi, said, "The Iraqi Business Summit "Faw Port: Iraq's Gateway to Investment," which was held two days ago at the Grand Faw Port, came after the General Company for Iraqi Ports had reached advanced stages of completing this major project." He pointed out that "this also coincided with the Ministry of Transport's imminent completion of the final designs for the Development Road project."
He added, "The economic consulting company tasked with developing the project's economic model has reached the semi-final stages," noting that "the Prime Minister has directed us to work as a single economic and technical team, and we have begun the process of promoting the project."
He continued, "The most important outcomes of this economic forum are the move towards investment, moving towards detailing investment opportunities, and engaging in a detailed explanation with companies to determine the rate of return on revenue for these projects." He explained that "Oliver Wyman has presented several investment opportunities, and we have begun analyzing these opportunities to the public to attract other investors."
He stated, "We will continue to hold such economic forums in Baghdad, Basra, and outside Iraq to present this project to the public, as it is not just a road project, but an integrated economic project, as it constitutes an economic belt starting from the port of Faw and extending to the Iraqi-Turkish border."
He explained that "the investment opportunities available for the development road have been identified in eight main sectors, including transportation, energy, oil and gas, minerals, and phosphates," noting that "there are approximately 60 investment opportunities within these sectors, which we will work to present in detail for discussion with investment companies.
KRG Expands MyAccount Program: Over 600,000 Civil Servants Now Paid Digitally
To enhance accessibility, the program has also installed more than 580 ATMs across 200 locations throughout the Kurdistan Region, allowing cardholders to easily withdraw cash and manage their accounts.
More than 600,000 civil servants of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have received their MyAccount cards, enabling them to access their salaries anytime and anywhere, according to a statement from the KRG’s MyAccount program.
The statement revealed that over 900,000 civil servants in the Kurdistan Region have been registered in the program so far, marking a major milestone in the digitalization of the region’s salary payment system. Of those, around 501,500 employees have already received their July salaries through MyAccount.
To enhance accessibility, the program has also installed more than 580 ATMs across 200 locations throughout the Kurdistan Region, allowing cardholders to easily withdraw cash and manage their accounts.
Launched in 2023, the MyAccount financial inclusion initiative has significantly expanded banking access in the Kurdistan Region. According to the Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the bankable population has grown from less than 5% to more than 15% today, while banks have been encouraged to expand their retail services, increase branch and ATM networks, and enhance customer service.
The initiative’s impact extends far beyond simple administrative efficiency, reaching deep into the fabric of public life and directly enhancing other critical sectors, most notably education.
The successful implementation of MyAccount is a testament to KRG's strategic planning and its commitment to meeting rigorous international standards.
The project adheres to strict financial regulations, excluding any sanctioned institutions, and requires participating banks to make substantial investments in their retail infrastructure, including the deployment of ATMs and Point of Sale (POS) devices, as well as enhancing customer service to ensure a seamless transition for all beneficiaries.
The KRG aims to increase financial inclusion to more than 50% of the population by the end of 2028.
For further information, citizens are encouraged to visit the official website at this link or contact the dedicated service center at 1991.
Sumo: Iraq needs integrated partnerships to improve oil production
Sumo Oil Marketing Company (SUMO) today announced that the latest agreement with Exxon Mobil will improve its export capabilities and enhance the Iraqi marketplace in the oil field.
"The local agreement with Exxon Mobil represents an important strategic direction for the industry," CEO Ali Nizar al-Shatri said in a press release Iraqi oil prices and marketing cut to the worst level"
In addition, Exxon Mobil is a world leader in oil, gas and refining, and is a integrated company that possesses the latest technology and offers prices "It is competitive, which makes it capable of playing a role in marketing Iraqi crude oil in different markets.
According to the company, the company has offered to enter into oil and gas-related projects in several regions of the world, especially in Asia, which is responsible for maintaining the market position Iraq supports the economic integration that the agreement provides.”
"Iraq needs a deep opportunity for such agreements with international companies to acquire knowledge and technology," he said “Iraq not only needs to increase oil production, but also to improve its export capacity by building integrated systems for treasuries and export pipelines Developing the game is like the madman who signed an agreement with Acson Mobile to develop it.
Mazhar Saleh: Temporary disbursement will begin on January 1, 2026.
Saleh said in a statement to {Euphrates News} that: “The government will continue to implement its financial activities based on the provisions of the Financial Management Law, and in accordance with the principle of “1/12” of the previous year’s expenditures, specifically the actual ongoing expenditures for that year until the general budget law is approved by the House of Representatives.”
Saleh pointed out that "this measure ensures the continuity of state institutions' operations and the fulfillment of their financial obligations without interruption until the necessary legislative procedures for the budget are completed."
Al-Sudani reveals: The government has achieved important structural reforms.
Al-Sudani reveals: The government has achieved important structural reforms.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani revealed that the government has achieved important structural reforms, especially in the economic sector.
Al-Sudani's office said in a statement, "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received the sheikhs and dignitaries of the Taji tribes north of Baghdad, in the presence of MP Alia Nassif."
According to the statement, Al-Sudani expressed "his appreciation for the role of MP Alia Nassif and her interest and keenness to follow up on the affairs and issues of citizens." He pointed out that Iraqi society, with all its components, is cohesive and unified and has been able to overcome sectarian, ethnic and regional strife thanks to the awareness and wisdom of its components, foremost among them the authentic Arab tribes.
The Prime Minister stressed that "not participating in the elections is a squandering of the citizens' right to choose their representatives. Active participation and the selection of the most qualified are necessary for the process of reconstruction and development to continue." He affirmed that "the needs of citizens have been and continue to be at the forefront of our government's concerns, the formation of which nearly three years ago was an opportunity to restore the relationship between the state and the citizen."
"We worked to provide basic services, the principles of decent living, security and stability. We formed a service and engineering effort team that contributed to reducing costs and accelerating completion in areas that had not seen any service for years," he added. "We completed 511 projects in Baghdad and the governorates during the short period of the government's term, and we were able to address the stalled projects, numbering 2,358 projects across Iraq, worth 131 trillion dinars, including 8 hospitals in Baghdad.
" Al-Sudani continued, "We completed projects to relieve traffic congestion in Baghdad and the governorates. The capital has not seen such projects since the 1980s," adding, "The government has achieved important structural reforms, especially in the economic sector."
Representative: Washington controls Iraqi financial transfers and hinders economic independence
Member of Parliamentary Finance, Moeen Al-Kadhimi, confirmed today, Sunday, that the United States of America imposes direct control over financial transfers in Iraq, which restricts the country's ability to conduct its banking transactions freely and independently, noting that Washington is exploiting this issue to serve its political and economic interests.
Al-Kadhimi said in a statement, "The United States is still exerting pressure on the Central Bank of Iraq through the SWIFT financial transfer system, which prevents Iraq from dealing freely with a number of countries and negatively affects the movement of the national economy."
He added, "Washington is exploiting this system as a tool for political pressure, controlling the access of funds to a number of sectors and imposing restrictions on foreign transfers, especially those related to trade and imports."
Al-Kadhimi indicated that "Iraq does not yet enjoy full financial sovereignty due to these interventions that serve American interests without taking into account the needs of the Iraqi market or the requirements of the country's economic security."
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Economic relations with Iraq top the agenda at a high-level Iranian meeting.
Iranian officials in Tehran discussed the latest developments in economic relations with Iraq on Sunday, as part of the sixth session of the Foreign Economic Relations Coordination Committee.
A report by the Iranian Fars News Agency, translated by Shafaq News Agency, stated that the meeting was chaired by Hamid Ghanbari, Iran's Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy, and attended by a number of economic officials from various Iranian executive bodies.
The meeting included a presentation by Dehghan Dehnavi, head of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, on developments in preferential trade agreements and free trade, as well as Iran's trade plans for the next phase.
According to the report, the session also focused in particular on economic relations between Iraq and Iran. Mohammad Ali Bek, Assistant Foreign Minister and Director of the Gulf Affairs Department, along with representatives from Iranian border provinces such as Khuzestan, Ilam, and Kermanshah, presented reports on the state of economic cooperation with Iraq and the obstacles facing its development.
The participants emphasized the importance of "addressing challenges related to customs infrastructure and shared border crossings, facilitating commercial transport procedures, and enhancing the presence of Iranian goods in Iraqi markets by improving trademarks." They also noted the "need to increase tourism exchange between the two countries and enhance coordination between the bodies responsible for foreign trade in Iran."
It's worth noting that Iraq is one of Iran's most prominent trading partners, and relations between the two countries witness extensive cooperation in the areas of trade, energy, and religious tourism. However, some administrative and logistical challenges still prevent the full realization of available economic potential.
Internal and external debts: challenges affecting Iraqis' pockets
Amid mounting economic challenges, Iraq's debt issue has returned to the forefront, with experts estimating that internal and external debts have accumulated at approximately $112 billion, in addition to undisclosed loans. Despite settling old debts, the budget faces a persistent deficit and delayed payments, while the wage bill and government expenditures are rising.
Experts emphasize that addressing this urgent financial crisis requires comprehensive reform that enhances the stability of the national economy, guarantees the rights of employees and investors, and limits the impact of oil price fluctuations.
In a statement followed by Al-Alam Al-Jadeed, economic expert Qasim Al-Sultani spoke about Iraq's financial situation and its outstanding debts, highlighting efforts to settle previous debts and the ongoing challenges related to new debts, both domestic and foreign.
Al-Sultani pointed out that "the issue of Iraq's foreign debts incurred prior to 2003 has been largely settled and liquidated. This was achieved through the Paris Conference or Treaty in 2004, where 80% to 83% of those debts were extinguished." He noted that "after the comprehensive settlement, there remained minor debts, estimated at approximately $38 billion. These debts are distributed among the Gulf states in particular, in addition to the debts owed to Kuwait, which were also liquidated."
The economic expert added, "Despite settling a significant portion of old debts, Iraq faces a new challenge in the form of the accumulation of newly accrued debts. External debt currently stands at $68 billion, while internal debt is estimated at $43 billion."
Thus, the total debt (new external and internal) reaches approximately $112 billion, he said.
Al-Sultani explained that these figures do not include other types of financial obligations and loans that he described as "unknown" or "hidden," such as: World Bank loans, Islamic Development Bank loans, loans from the European Union, conventional loans from Gulf countries, Japanese loans, and French loans.
The economist expressed deep concern over this financial accumulation, noting that "the three-year budget has witnessed many failures."
He addressed public concern over employee and pensioner salaries and unpaid investor funds, as the government struggles to disburse funds. He called for "a comprehensive and immediate solution to these financial challenges that impact the national economy and the lives of citizens."
For his part, economic expert Ammar Ghassan confirmed in a statement monitored by Al-Alam Al-Jadeed that “the decision to reduce the exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar from 1,450 to 1,310 to the US dollar has brought about structural changes in the state’s public finances, the most notable of which was the expansion of government expenditures and the worsening of the financial deficit.”
Ghassan said, “This decision increased government spending by about $25 billion annually, leading to a jump in current expenditures from 104 trillion dinars ($78.8 billion) to 125 trillion dinars ($94.7 billion),” noting that “the wage bill alone rose from 43 trillion dinars ($32.6 billion) to 60 trillion dinars over the past two years.”
According to Ghassan, "The country's rising domestic debt is due to the government's reliance primarily on the liquidity of public and private banks to finance its domestic and external obligations, which has depleted these banks' resources and negatively impacted overall economic activity."
In contrast, the Iraqi Prime Minister's financial advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, emphasized "the strength of Iraq's financial position and its high capacity to manage its external and internal debts."
Saleh said, "The total outstanding external debt is less than $20 billion, half of which is due by 2028," stressing that the government allocates specific annual spending lines to service it.
He added, "Iraq has never defaulted on its debt payments," stressing that "our country's standing with external creditors enjoys a positive and positive reputation," according to a statement monitored by Al-Alam Al-Jadeed.
Regarding domestic public debt, Saleh noted that it is "exclusively held by the government banking system," explaining that "less than half of it is currently managed by the Central Bank's investment portfolio with high technical and financial capacity."
Saleh believed there was "no cause for concern," as monetary and fiscal policies were working to establish innovative repayment mechanisms, including converting debt into investment rights in productive projects within an integrated national fund. He added, "Our country enjoys enormous economic wealth that undoubtedly exceeds these debts."
The International Monetary Fund warned in its latest report of a doubling of debt in Iraq, through an increase in the deficit. It predicted that “the public finance deficit will reach 7.6 percent in 2024 and widen further thereafter with the expected gradual decline in oil prices over the medium term,” leading to “a near doubling of public debt from 44 percent in 2023 to 86 percent by 2029.”
Perhaps one of the reasons for the accumulation of domestic debt is the high amounts allocated for imports that are transferred abroad, and their mismatch with the figures for imports of goods and services. Consequently, there is always a budget deficit.
Iraq recorded $70 billion in annual imports, distributed as follows: $60 billion to the private sector and $10 billion to the government sector, which are channeled through private banks and one government bank.
Economic researcher Khaled Al-Bayati said in a previous statement monitored by Al-Alam Al-Jadeed, "Iraq exports one commodity (oil) and imports thousands of other commodities. Therefore, it is an ideal economy for sustaining imports after the contributions of the commodity and even service sectors have ended."
He added, "Iraq imports $60 billion for the private sector and more than $10 billion for the public sector. It is logical for Iraq to transform into a store that imports to meet its needs, as evidenced by the large volume of imports that is increasing every year."
The Central Bank of Iraq revealed the size of Iraq's external and internal debts in 2024.
The bank stated in official statistics reviewed by Al-Alam Al-Jadeed that the volume of Iraq's debt in 2024 reached $54 billion and 601 million, a 2.94% decrease compared to 2023, when the debt amounted to $56 billion and 207 million.
She added, "The domestic public debt reached 85 trillion and 586 billion dinars at the end of June, up from 83 trillion and 80 billion dollars in 2024."
Iraq, the second-largest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), relies heavily on oil revenues, with the hydrocarbon sector accounting for the vast majority of export earnings and approximately 90% of state revenues. This heavy reliance on oil makes Iraq particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in global crude prices.
US sanctions are already having a real impact on the Iraqi economy, potentially threatening monetary stability.
Economic expert Mohammed Al-Fakhri warned of the repercussions of the recent US sanctions on some Iraqi figures and parties, noting that they could directly pressure the banking sector and the national economy.
Al-Fakhri said in a press statement that these sanctions "could raise serious concerns if they were expanded to include official financial institutions such as Rafidain Bank and others," noting that this would lead to a liquidity shortage and a rise in the value of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar, which would directly impact the prices of goods and services and the cost of living.
He added that the sanctions "weaken investor confidence in the Iraqi banking system and limit the country's ability to attract foreign investment," noting that the tighter controls on dollar transactions are increasing pressure on local banks.
Al-Fakhri emphasized that the continuation of sanctions, or their expansion to include government institutions, could lead to a serious financial crisis that threatens monetary stability and may impact government financing and salary payments. He warned that this "could lead to the freezing of Iraqi assets abroad and the disruption of oil revenue flows, which would negatively impact Iraq's overall economic performance."
Khazal: The entry of a US convoy into Iraq is an indication of military escalation in the region.
Security and strategic researcher Ali Sheikh Khazal asserted that the entry of a large US military convoy into Iraqi territory represents a clear escalation in the US military presence in the region. He noted that this move carries serious field and political implications in light of current regional tensions.
Sheikh Khazal explained to the "Jarida Platform" that "the convoy, which included more than 150 military trucks coming from the Syrian al-Tanf base, is an unusual step and may indicate signs of an imminent war or preliminary moves to expand US military activity in Iraq and the region."
The researcher added that "the timing of this entry reflects an American desire to reposition its forces and reaffirm its military presence," warning that the continuation of this approach could lead to an explosion in the security and political situation in the Middle East and push the region toward an open confrontation between regional and international powers.
Kurdistan Government: Al-Sudani promised us to pay August salaries this week
The Chief of Staff of the Kurdistan Regional Council of Ministers, Omid Sabah, announced today, Sunday, (October 12, 2025), that he had obtained a promise from Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani to take the decision to pay the salaries of the region's employees for the month of August during this week.
Sabah told Kurdish media outlets monitored by Baghdad Today that "the Kurdistan Regional Government has fulfilled its obligations in the oil file, and is also ready to send the federal treasury's share of non-oil revenues immediately after the decision to disburse salaries is issued."
He added, "The Kurdish ministers in the federal government received a letter and a promise from the Federal Prime Minister to issue a decision to disburse salaries this week, and if the decision is issued during this week, we, for our part, will immediately deposit the federal share of non-oil revenues into the account of the Federal Ministry of Finance".
Regarding whether August salaries will be sent this week, Sabah said: "It depends on the federal government, and once they issue the decision to disburse salaries, we will immediately deposit the federal share of local revenues into the account of the Federal Ministry of Finance".
He pointed out that the amount that the Kurdistan region must deposit as a federal share in the account of the Iraqi Ministry of Finance is "ready".
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