"Time is short and the repercussions are negative." Will Iraq go through 2025 without a
The Iraqi Parliament's Finance Committee commented on the possibility of 2025 passing without the state's general budget schedules being approved for this year, as the year draws to a close. This comes amid warnings of serious repercussions for the state, including potential impact on employee salaries.
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Committee member Moeen Al-Kadhimi said in a statement to the "Al-Jabal" platform on Monday, October 13, 2025, that "several indicators point to the possibility of not approving the 2025 general budget, due to the financial and administrative challenges facing the government. The government has not yet sent the 2025 budget draft schedules to the House of Representatives, despite the fact that time remaining in the current year is starting to run out."
Al-Kadhimi explained that "changing economic conditions, fluctuating oil prices, and political disagreements over spending priorities all contributed to the delay in preparing the final version of the budget. Another prominent reason for this delay is the continued implementation of the three-year budget law (2023-2025), which allowed the government to work according to previous funding schedules, which caused some executive bodies to slow down in preparing annexes to the amended budget for 2025."
The parliamentarian added, "The absence of a budget on time will lead to several repercussions, including the disruption of the launch of new investment projects and the postponement of contracts pending approval. It will also make it difficult to distribute financial allocations to governorates according to the new ratios, with a negative impact on the stability of local markets due to the state's lack of a clear financial vision."
Al-Kadhimi revealed that "the Finance Committee is pushing to send the budget as soon as possible, and the government must expedite its review of budget items and submit them to Parliament in the coming weeks to avoid entering a new fiscal year without a clear budget, given the serious economic and social repercussions that would have." He concluded by saying that "Parliament is prepared to hold extraordinary sessions as soon as the budget is received, and the committee will not allow a recurrence of budget delays, which disrupt financial planning and undermine confidence in the state's economic policy."
Serious repercussions
For his part, financial expert Ahmed Abdul Rabbo told Al-Jabal, "We must be cautious of the serious repercussions that could face the Iraqi economy if 2025 continues without the approval of a general state budget. The absence of a budget will lead to a paralysis in investment spending, a decline in public services, and an exacerbation of the deficit in implementing development projects."
“The general budget represents the roadmap for spending and revenues, and its absence means that the government will be forced to spend according to the 1/12 mechanism of the previous year’s budget, which is a temporary mechanism that does not allow for the implementation of new projects or cover emergency expenses,” Abdul Rabbo added, indicating that “the delay in approving the budget for 2025 will directly affect the salaries of new employees, contractors’ dues, and investment programs in the energy and construction sectors, in addition to disrupting development plans in the governorates.”
He continued, "The continuation of the current situation will lead to an economic recession due to the suspension of investment projects, declining confidence in the economic environment, and a decline in foreign investment flows, in addition to the possibility of delayed disbursements of salaries and financial dues in some sectors."
The financial expert concluded by saying, "The budget is not merely a financial document, but rather a tool for allocating resources and achieving economic and social stability. Therefore, the government and parliament must prioritize the national interest and expedite the approval of the budget to avoid an economic crisis whose effects could extend into the coming years."
The Central Bank begins the actual implementation of the comprehensive banking reform project.
Samir Al-Nusairi
The Central Bank's efforts and actions, in partnership and consultation with private banks, have been fruitful in facilitating the implementation of the objectives, programs, mechanisms, and standards of the comprehensive banking reform project, in cooperation with the government and the global consulting firm Oliver Wyman.
The primary objective is to build a sound, modern, comprehensive and flexible banking sector that will drive rapid growth in the national economy and contribute to achieving a cumulative increase in the gross domestic product and growth in the market value of the banking sector.
Given that economic reform begins with banking reform, the challenges facing the Iraqi economy and the opportunities for reform in the banking and financial sector are highlighted in the government's program, as are the prospects of the Central Bank's future vision for the role of the banking sector in achieving sustainable development and investment, and the efforts currently being made to activate and revolutionize productive economic sectors other than oil, to diversify sources of national income and achieve financial sustainability and rapid growth for the national economy.
The Central Bank's role in regulating foreign trade financing and completing infrastructure projects to achieve comprehensive digital transformation and expand the use of electronic payment tools to achieve financial inclusion will contribute to providing opportunities for reform, development, empowerment, and growth of the private banking sector during 2025-2028, as follows:
First: Developing the Iraqi banking system and its compliance with international banking and accounting standards.
Second: Building a solid, modern, comprehensive and flexible banking sector.
Third: Enhancing citizens’ confidence in the banking sector locally and internationally, and acknowledging its transparency, progress, and strict commitment to international standards, and gaining the trust of reputable correspondent banks to deal with it.
Fourth: Rehabilitating restricted and weak banks to return to activity in the banking market with full internal and external activities.
Fifth: Transforming banks into their primary function, which is financing and bank lending for development. Strengthening financial inclusion and increasing its current rate as planned.
Sixth: Strengthening the procedures and decisions for the transition from a cash economy to a digital economy, withdrawing funds outside the banking cycle, which constitute approximately 80%, and integrating them into the banking system.
Although all the above objectives have a three-year implementation period according to the banking reform project and the Central Bank strategy, what has been achieved in 2023 and 2024 and up to 6/30/2025 in terms of building foundations, rules and pillars that have formed a supporting pillar in building the mechanisms and paths of the desired reforms, and they constitute ambitious percentages as announced, which will lead to the evaluation and classification of banks based on their achievement of the planned objectives in the reform project according to the internationally approved standards and criteria.
Al-Sudani meets Trump at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with US President Donald Trump on Monday on the sidelines of the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, which brings together a number of regional and international leaders.
The Prime Minister held a series of meetings on Monday with a number of kings, presidents, and heads of government, as well as the Secretary-Generals of the United Nations and the Arab League, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
These meetings took place on the sidelines of Al-Sudani's participation in the Sharm El-Sheikh conference in the Arab Republic of Egypt, regarding the situation in Gaza.
a different picture
urgentWith Iraq's participation, the peace agreement was signed in Gaza.
To all citizens who are the holders of the grant transactions for the implementation of Article / 140 of the Constitution of the Republic of Iraq and to urgently complete the transactions Deficiencies in the existence and update of the transaction for purchase send it to the accounts of the committee from the payment date.
It is not the official working hours of the committee offices in the governorates of Iraq
Cafe from Saturday to Thursday and in the main language Adnah :-
All offices of the committee shall be open on Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
All offices of the committee shall be open from Monday to Thursday from 2:00 am to 4:00 pm.
for which you need tension.
Important notice to all beneficiaries of the Implementation Committee of Article (1440) of the Constitution of the Republic of Iraq
Therefore, we ask honorable citizens not to take any news or information released from outside this page, to avoid rumors and to ensure accurate and reliable information is received.Flags of the Implementation Committee (140)
The Article 140 Implementation Committee informs the citizens
The committee to the citizens: Complete the deficiencies of your transactions in a week
The Article 140 Implementation Committee has issued a notice calling on all citizens whose transactions remain incomplete to visit the centers where they have previously completed their transactions within a week, in order to complete their work as soon as possible; The notice also applies to citizens whose transactions are incorrect.
The Article 140 Implementation Committee issued a notice on its social networking site on Monday, October 13, 2025, saying that after the completion of all transactions will be sent to the accounting department for the purpose of issuing compensation cheques.
Regarding the working hours of the committee stations, he explained that citizens can visit the stations on Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm, but from Sunday to Thursday, from 8 am to 4 pm in all provinces and cities and towns will welcome citizens.
In this regard, Kakarash Sadiq, head of the Kirkuk office of Article 140 told Kurdistan 24, this is an administrative measure, the purpose is to complete the transactions of citizens who have problems in their transactions, preparations for the payment of compensation.
He added that more than 5,000 transactions of citizens remain, there are shortcomings and citizens should visit the centers of the Article 140 committee and complete their transactions within the period specified by the committee.
He said there are about 60,000 single-form transactions, which were displaced from the villages to the cities, this decision applies to them, who must visit the committee's bases to carry out their work.
Regarding the citizens who have received compensation cheques, Kakarash Sadiq said that 42,000 Kurdish citizens and 18,000 imported Arabs have been compensated, and those who remain are expected to be given compensation checks after the parliamentary elections and the approval of the annual budget.
Al-Awadi: The Prime Minister's participation in the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit is a clear message about Iraq's regional role
Al-Zarfi: Everyone must respond to the changes in the region, lay down their weapons, and focus on the economy.
The head of the Alternative Alliance confirmed,Adnan Al-ZarfiOn Monday, he stated that external threats require scientific clarification, not electoral manipulation. He also called on everyone to respond to the changes in the region, abandon their weapons, and focus on the economy.
He continued, "The Iraqi political system built its position on the Palestinian issue on ideological foundations," indicating that "ending the file...GazaIt came after long dialogues in many countries of the region.
He stressed that "everyone must respond to the changes in the region and focus on the economy," indicating that "external security threats need scientific clarification and not electoral exploitation."
He explained that "America wants to integratePopular Mobilization ForcesIn the security forces, Iraq is unaware of the danger of future US sanctions.”
He explained that “the Alternative Alliance is a new perspective based on the economy and services and the introduction of the idea of health insurance for vulnerable groups,” stressing that “the private sector can solve the electricity problem.”
He added, “We are not hostile to the political environment, but we have a different point of view, and the exclusion ofSajjad SalemHe questions the credibility of the commission.
He added, "The withdrawal of civil forces from the elections clears the political arena for the framework and threatens its legitimacy," noting that "we cannot keep up with political forces that rely on political money."
He continued by saying, "SudaneseHe has no chance for a second term and has no prospects, and the next president will be part of the new Shiite agreements.
Trump: Iraq is rich in oil but has failed to deal with it
Donald Trump says Iraq will face 'problems' if it fails to deal with oil properly.
"Iraq is a country with abundant oil resources, but it will face problems if it does not know how to deal with this precious resource properly," US President Donald Trump said in a speech at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit.
In the same speech, Donald Trump thanked Arab countries for their support to end the Gaza war, describing their move as "the creation of a new spirit of cooperation in the east.
Why now?
A booby-trapped message or a passing piece of advice? Trump threatens Iraq's oil... and what's between the lines speaks louder than the sentence.
Looking back at Trump's first record, his most striking statement stands out: "We want to control Iraq's oil" as compensation for the cost of liberation. This argument reduces oil to an equation of spoils and power.
Today, at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, Trump returned to the issue, but with a different tool: a public warning that Iraq "may have a problem" if it does not manage its oil well, describing Iraq as "a country full of oil" with "vast quantities." With this shift from a discourse of direct control to conditions of management and "testing governance," the form of influence, not its purpose, is changing.
In the background is intense competition with China, which has built a deep presence in Iraqi fields through its major and independent companies, to the extent that recent estimates indicate a control that extends from "one-third" of production to "nearly two-thirds," depending on the method of calculation and operating shares in major fields such as Rumaila and similar fields.
In this context, Trump's statements seem more like a delineation of management guidelines than a reserve count. What is meant is how the value chain is managed from source to balance sheet: regular production and exports north and south, contract transparency, converting revenues into stable electricity, and reducing associated gas waste. Here, "good management" becomes the new name for indirect influence: those who do not adhere to these rules face the "problem" hinted at in the speech, while those who do are granted access to investment and support. In parallel, Washington is dealing with the reality of accelerating Chinese competition: Chinese public and private companies are expanding their stake and aiming to increase their production in Iraq in the coming years, prompting the United States to reposition itself through investment, contracts, and improved security and operating conditions, according to economists.
Observers believe that within this transformation, the "corporate door" is gaining increased importance. After a retreat imposed by attacks on foreign interests, American companies have begun to gradually return to the Iraqi market, presenting the return of investment as a condition for a return to normal relations: operational and security protection, clear legal guarantees, and financing and technical paths to support the southern fields and export projects. This has been accompanied by a remarkable movement to revive old partnerships and sign new agreements, while Chinese companies continue to consolidate their foothold through expansion and development contracts. The entire scene reflects a race for economic and energy influence on Iraqi soil, the results of which are measured by the volume of actual production managed and the identity of the operator and partner in the giant fields, most notably Rumaila.
In terms of messaging, political analyst Adnan al-Tamimi interprets the Sharm el-Sheikh statement as a shift from direct control to indirect management through conditions. He told Baghdad Today, "Trump's discussion of Iraqi oil was not spontaneous, but carried a clear political and strategic significance. The US president focused for several minutes on all regional issues, especially the Gaza file, repeating the term 'oil,' which reflects the existence of an undeclared US strategy regarding the nature of interaction with Iraq, which possesses large oil reserves and is capable of increasing production thanks to fields still under development." This interpretation goes to the heart of the competition with Beijing: every improvement in the regularity of exports and the transparency of contracts strengthens Washington's investment case, and every setback expands the margin of opportunity for Chinese companies, which have demonstrated their ability to quickly position themselves in medium- and large-scale projects. In this context, al-Tamimi adds that linking oil to the dollar and US economic policy gives the White House a flexible tool for pressure: lowering global prices when needed by increasing production from trusted partners, and opening or closing investment valves based on compliance with the rules.
Washington's transition from "direct control" to "indirect control of management terms" does not seem to negate the goal of influence, but rather changes its tools. Iraq is now measured by its mastery of "barrel mechanics": stable production, uninterrupted exports, electricity based on captured, not flared, gas, and clear contracts that reassure investors and protect public funds. Competition with China adds urgency: every point of transparency and regulatory stability gives Baghdad a greater ability to balance the two influences, rather than relying on one of them. At this point, the question of the moment is no longer: Who owns the oil? Rather, it is who has a management plan that makes Iraq's abundance a bargaining chip vis-à-vis both Washington and Beijing, and transforms "governance" requirements from a tool of indirect control into rules of partnership that guarantee the national interest, according to intersecting political-economic assessments.
The regime in Iraq is changing its direction, not its faces
During the outbreak of the first wave of October 2019 (popular) protests in Iraq, I was in the Romanian city of Iași, where I heard talk from Romanian intellectuals about their defining moment, when Ceausescu's authoritarian regime fell in December 1989, and the country moved from centralized socialism to a system Free economy.
Roman streets at that time celebrated Europe and America, and relied heavily on aid from the "free world," but the rapid privatization of the public sector hastened the collapse of the situation. The most important detail here is that the whales that surrounded Ceausescu quickly changed their skins and used corruption money to buy public institutions, thus becoming major capitalists in the new regime.
Romanian writer Hertha Müller (Nobel Prize for Literature 2009) describes this stage as "a transition from fear to hunger", that is, from security fear during the Ceausescu era to economic poverty in uncontrolled capitalism, as the population increased between a small class of the wealthy versus large sectors of the disadvantaged. This generated a general feeling of disappointment with America, which was only interested in making Romania an advanced region for its camps overlooking Russia, as the Romanians themselves described it.
Ironically, I remembered with these words what I had heard years ago behind the scenes of the newly formed authority in Baghdad after 2003, when an influential figure downplayed the long-term impact of the large-scale corruption operations that were born with the new regime, and no emergency phenomenon emerged later. This character said (meaning) that this "chaos" is creative, in the words of Condoleezza Rice, and that corruption may be a form of redistribution of wealth and the formation of new capital in a short time. In her opinion, the new political class, and the businessmen associated with it, must have regular financial supplies that allow them to establish themselves in the nascent regime, because the politician's involvement in money makes him keen on the survival of the regime and unwilling to demolish it or flee from it.
In fact, the systematic corruption that has penetrated the joints of the state and its institutions, until it has its own customs, has ultimately produced financial empires on whose throne are held by a few political leaders whose number does not exceed the fingers of two hands, surrounded by an army of brokers, businessmen and contractors, and then a wider circle of those with higher job ranks: general managers, ambassadors, heads of departments and bodies, and advisors, all of whom are bound by one destiny, and their well-being depends on the continued flow of oil revenues. No principle, belief, or religion will stand in the way of this supreme interest; indeed, the blood of innocents did not stand in the way of it when it was shed in the streets and sidewalks, the moment they felt that their empires were threatened.
Therefore, it was not strange to hear leaks about some faction leaders begging (behind the scenes) for Washington's approval, nor those rumors circulated in political circles about secret meetings conducted by influential figures, during the past years, with several international and regional bodies, expressing their willingness to turn the back of the jinn on Iran completely, in exchange for remaining in its political and financial positions and privileges. Some accounts even go further, talking about negotiations or exchanges of messages even with Israel. Everything is for the sake of remaining in positions and privileges.
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The two major contracts worth $110 billion signed by the Kurdistan Region with two major US energy companies will be implemented. He has no problems now and the Iraqi government has no problems with him.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, accompanied by a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government, visited the United States for several days, in addition to several important meetings with officials, and supervised two important agreements with two major US companies (Western Zagros and HKN).
Official statement: Kamal Mohammed, Minister of Natural Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government, told Ava: We had previously had contracts with several other companies to develop two gas fields but were delayed for several years.
- There are no problems with the contracts and the results of the contracts with the two US companies will be known within the next three years.
- The exploration products of these US companies will be used to generate electricity and domestic needs, and if increased, will be exported.
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Iraq receives the second batch of American (Bell 505) aircraft
The Ministry of Defense announced today, Monday, the receipt of the second batch of American (Bell 505) aircraft.
The ministry stated in a statement received by (Al-Youm News), "The Martyr Brigadier General Muhammad Alaa Air Base received the second batch of American aircraft (Bill 505), which includes 8 modern aircraft, in implementation of the directives of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces aimed at supporting and developing the capabilities of the Iraqi Armed Forces in its various types".
She added, "This receipt comes within the Ministry of Defense's plan to modernize military aviation systems and raise the efficiency of air training and combat capabilities, in line with the requirements of the tasks assigned to Iraqi army pilots".
Meeting with presidents and kings, Al-Sudani calls from Sharm el-Sheikh for de-escalation in the region.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called on Monday for de-escalation in the region.
The Prime Minister's media office said in a statement that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani held a series of meetings today with a number of Their Majesties Kings, Presidents, and Heads of Government, as well as the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the Arab League, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, on the sidelines of His Excellency's participation in the Sharm el-Sheikh Conference in the Arab Republic of Egypt, on the situation in Gaza." The
statement added that "the Prime Minister met with Their Majesties the Kings of Jordan and Bahrain, the Presidents of Palestine, Azerbaijan, and Cyprus, the German Chancellor, and the Heads of Government of Britain, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Armenia."
He stated that "during the meetings, they discussed joint relations and ways to develop them in various fields, as well as the importance of developing prospects for joint cooperation in a way that brings mutual benefit to brotherly and friendly peoples." He noted that "the meetings will address the steps taken to end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, the need to work to maintain the cessation of the war against civilians, and the need for major countries, Arab and international organizations and institutions to play their role in rebuilding Gaza and providing basic needs for Palestinian civilians."
During the meetings, Al-Sudani stressed "the need for international efforts to reduce tension and escalation in the region and around the world," calling for "the importance of strengthening dialogue and finding solutions based on international laws to address everyone's concerns, including the existing disputes between Iran and Western countries over the nuclear issue and other issues."
Tax reform: Tax deposits are liquidated periodically and are only withdrawn by government decision.
The Supreme Committee for Tax Reform confirmed on Monday that tax deposits are liquidated periodically and can only be withdrawn by Cabinet decision. It also indicated that there are no risks associated with tax deposits, thanks to taxpayers' awareness.
Committee member Khaled Al-Jaberi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "There are no longer any operations to withdraw tax deposits by employees except by a decision issued by the Council of Ministers."
Al-Jabri added, "All tax trusts are now liquidated periodically, due to taxpayers' increased understanding and awareness that these tax trusts can be used to process tax dues or pay other entitlements, such as employee salaries."
He pointed out that "tax integrity today no longer represents a threat, but has become an effective tool due to increased awareness among taxpayers, a result of the awareness campaigns launched recently."
Trump: It would be great to reach a peace agreement with Iran
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday in a speech before the Knesset that he wants a peace agreement with Tehran after the United States joined Israel to launch strikes on nuclear sites in Iran earlier this year.
"It would be great to have a peace deal" with Iran, Trump said, adding, "Wouldn't that please you?" Wouldn't that be nice. I think they want that too."
He stressed that the ball is in Iran's court to conclude any agreement, according to what was reported by Agence France-Presse.
He then added, addressing the Iranian leadership, "We are ready when you are ready" to reach an agreement.
Trump defended Washington's withdrawal from the agreement reached under former President Barack Obama regarding the Iranian nuclear program, which has long represented a sticking point in Israel's relations with its arch enemy.
"I turned the page on the Iran nuclear deal, and I was very proud of that," Trump said.
He continued, "Even for Iran, whose regime has inflicted a lot of destruction on the Middle East, the hand of friendship and cooperation is extended".
"They want to make a deal, and we'll see if we can do something," he added.
"Neither the United States nor Israel has any hostility towards the Iranian people," he said. All we want is to live in peace
Baghdad responds forcefully: "Iraq does not accept guardianship"... and a national investigation after US sanctions.
In the first official response to the recent US sanctions targeting the General Engineer Company and a number of other Iraqi entities, the Iraqi government affirmed that the rule of law is its red line and that Iraq "rejects any foreign tutelage or interference in its internal affairs."
The government said in an official statement that the unilateral US decision is "extremely regrettable" and contradicts the spirit of friendship and historical relations between Baghdad and Washington. It noted that making such decisions without prior consultation sets a negative precedent for relations between allied countries.
The Prime Minister announced the formation of a higher national committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, the Integrity Commission, and the Financial Supervision Bureau to review the case and submit a detailed report within 30 days.
The statement affirmed that the government protects workers and vital projects, and that any corrective measures will not infringe upon citizens' rights. It also emphasized its rejection of any financial or economic activity outside national legal frameworks.
The statement concluded by emphasizing that the government is proceeding with its institutional and economic reforms and building a transparent and balanced investment environment that serves the interests of Iraq and its people and enshrines the principle of a strong, sovereign state.
The Kurdistan Region and the United States stress the importance of maintaining regional stability
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received the former director of the US intelligence agency and stressed the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability in the region. Kurdistan Regional Government (
KRG ) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received former CIA Director General David Petraeus on Monday. The meeting discussed the general situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the region, as well as exchanged views on the changes and developments in Syria and the Middle East in general, stressing the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability in the region
An economic expert warns: The 2026 budget faces major challenges that threaten its ability to be approved.
Al-Mashhadani told Furat News, "The fear of not passing the budget is more closely linked to the delay in forming the next government," noting that "the new parliament will not hold its first session until after January 6, which weakens the possibility of completing the budget on time."
Al-Mashhadani pointed out that "the struggle over sovereign positions and the premiership could prolong the period required to form a government, rendering the budget potentially useless if these obstacles are not addressed quickly."
The expert added, "The time required to form a government could range from five to six months or more, increasing the risk of delays and complicating efforts to ratify important financial laws."
Iraq's PM: Palestinian issue is the root of problems in Middle East
Bafel Talabani to Nuri al-Maliki: People's rights and salaries must be protected
"We met with Nuri al-Maliki, the leader of the rule of law coalition, in Baghdad to discuss political developments in Iraq and the region," Talabani said in a statement.
"The meeting stressed the need to create a favorable environment for holding clean and fair elections and called on all parties to conduct a civilized campaign with national responsibility and their projects and efforts within the framework of serving the highest goals.
The two sides also discussed the oil agreement between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and emphasized the commitment of both sides to the agreement, in order to protect the rights of the people and provide salaries and keep people away from political conflicts.
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