Iraq regains its seat at the world table... Baghdad is advancing in Arab diplomacy and international partnerships
In a new indication of the expanding Iraqi presence abroad, Iraq ranked 12th in the Arab world and 94th globally in a ranking that measures the level of diplomacy and the ability of countries to build international relations and partnerships, according to data from the American magazine "U.S. News & World Report".
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Iraq has moved up in the rankings, ahead of Lebanon , which came in 13th place in the Arab world and 96th globally, while the UAE topped the list of Arab countries, ranking 28th globally, followed by Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
In the Arab world, Egypt came in sixth place, followed by Tunisia, Morocco, Oman, Jordan and Algeria, while Iraq continued to be among the Arab countries most open and capable of building international partnerships.
The ranking does not measure only military strength or the size of the economy, but focuses on international relations, openness, partnerships, and diplomatic presence and influence , which are indicators that reflect a country’s ability to operate in the international arena and build a network of relationships that extends beyond its borders.
ayhan in "The Conflict Between Asa'ib and the Hashd"
Trump's phone "entered parliament"... The presidency requests an investigation: Did al-Zaidi know? Where is al-Fayyad?
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Adnan Faihan, directed on Sunday (August 9, 2026) the formation of a committee to investigate and ascertain the facts regarding the government's prior knowledge of the timing of the American-Saudi targeting of Iraq and its failure to take the necessary measures. The committee is to submit its report within a week. This comes after Trump confirmed that he had informed Baghdad of the bombing, and the government of Ali al-Zaidi denied this, amidst the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq (Adnan Faihan's party) asserting that al-Zaidi was aware and that there was a key witness to the contact, namely Abdul Amir al-Shammari, the director of the office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. They held Faleh al-Fayyad, the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, responsible for the delay in precautionary measures, which led to dozens of casualties.
For its part, Asaib Ahl al-Haq confirmed on August 4, 2026 , that the American envoy, Tom Barrack, informed Baghdad of the strike three hours before it took place, but the Popular Mobilization Forces did not implement the decision to evacuate the headquarters, according to Ahmed Adnan, a member of the political bureau of the Sadiqun Movement, who spoke of a parliamentary move to question the head of the organization, Faleh al-Fayyad, regarding what happened in the seven governorates.
As the Asaib movement revealed on Wednesday (August 5, 2026), more information about the American-Saudi bombing of the Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters and the information that Trump informed Baghdad about, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari “was a witness” to the warning that the Prime Minister delivered to the commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces 3 hours before the operation, but it was ignored without evacuating the headquarters, which caused casualties, especially with “Baghdad’s attempts to pressure Tom Barrack even to cancel the Riyadh visit,” without this succeeding in preventing the air attack, according to the member of the General Authority of the Sadiqun Movement, Ahmed Adnan, in an interview with the journalist Hani Abdul Sahib, which was followed by the 964 Network .
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) denied on Sunday (August 9, 2026) that its chairman, Faleh al-Fayyad, had prior knowledge of the targeting of PMF headquarters and failed to inform the military units. It stated that two days before the attack, all units were informed of the need to take maximum precautions, but the 4th Regiment of the 30th Brigade did not take preventive measures, which led to the largest number of its members being killed during the attacks. Therefore, al-Fayyad ordered an investigation into the officials.
The Popular Mobilization Forces announced last Wednesday (July 29, 2026) that 20 of its members were killed and 32 were wounded in the American-Saudi bombing of its headquarters in the governorates of (Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala, and Diyala).
"The most widely discussed scenario"
Removing zeros to withdraw looted funds and address salary issues... Experts warn against a "makeover".
Economic and financial experts are discussing proposals to solve the liquidity crisis and salary delays plaguing Iraq, most notably changing the currency and removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar, or introducing additional denominations that correspond to the noticeable expansion in the size of the circulating money supply. However, they agree on one point that confirms that these measures in economic equations are merely cosmetic solutions, “more like makeup,” that may treat the symptoms but not the causes of the problem. They warn that the large looted fortunes often do not remain in the form of local currency that can be traced, but rather have been converted into real estate, foreign assets, and accounts in safe financial havens, and are therefore immune to the government’s internal measures.
Financial expert Nabil Al-Abadi calls for the need to avoid treating the proposal to change the national currency as a purely technical or monetary measure, explaining that this issue reflects the depth of the structural crisis that the economy is suffering from, and cannot be a substitute for the required financial, monetary and economic reforms.
He adds in a statement to the official newspaper, which was followed by Network 964 , that changing the currency is not a solution in itself, but rather a mirror reflecting the state of the economy, warning against confusing the treatment of symptoms with the treatment of the causes of the problem.
Al-Abadi explains that removing zeros, as the most widely discussed scenario, essentially represents a reorganization of monetary units and a simplification of arithmetic and accounting operations, without necessarily meaning an increase in the citizen's purchasing power or a rise in the real value of the currency. He points out that changing the currency cannot be dealt with as a tool to recover looted funds, but may turn into a double-edged sword in some contexts if it is not managed within a comprehensive reform system.
He warns that large looted fortunes often do not remain in traceable local cash, or have long since migrated to real estate, foreign assets and accounts in safe financial havens, indicating that their transformation makes them largely immune to any internal monetary measures.
He continues: “The biggest challenge in such measures is managing the transitional phase, especially with regard to psychological expectations in the market and the possibility of some traders and speculators exploiting the transition period to raise prices under various pretexts, which may lead to inflationary pressures and dissipate the expected administrative benefits of the process of removing zeros. He stressed that the success of any step in this direction requires the existence of solid monetary and economic stability before its implementation, and not considering it as a means to achieve that stability.”
He emphasizes that the essence of a currency's strength is not related to its form or the number of zeros it contains, but rather to the strength of the institutions and the economy upon which it is based.
Al-Abadi makes any project to change the currency contingent on genuine financial reform that reduces chronic imbalances in the general budget, along with strengthening the independence of the Central Bank and ensuring its ability to manage monetary policy away from financial pressures, as well as building a productive economy capable of diversifying sources of income and generating foreign currency, explaining that a strong currency is a reflection of a strong economy and not its creator.
He concludes that addressing economic imbalances requires moving from superficial solutions to fundamental reforms that include public finance, the banking sector, production and investment, and diversifying revenue sources, noting that changing the currency without reforming these issues could turn into a costly and confusing procedure for the citizen and the market, without addressing the root of the economic problem.
Economic researcher Imad Al-Muhammadawi considers the proposal to change the currency or issue a new currency denomination to withdraw illicit funds from circulation a theoretically positive proposal, noting that it is insufficient to reduce corruption or compensate for the shortage of liquidity.
Al-Muhammadi explains that, from an economic standpoint, the problem is not the form of the currency, but rather how to convince those who possess large sums of money to disclose their source when exchanging it. He points out that if the currency is changed without strict banking and tax auditing procedures, those with illicit funds can exchange it like the rest of the citizens, and thus the main purpose of the project is lost.
He adds that there is no consensus with the proposal, for several reasons, foremost among them the hesitation that the procedure will turn into a tool for freezing legitimate funds if the specified and explained mechanisms for proving the source of funds are not followed, as well as the possibility of exploiting some loopholes by corruption networks to circumvent the change before it begins, accompanied by its impact on the monetary system of citizens, if it is done suddenly, not to mention the cost and complexities of currency replacement.
Turning these proposals into effective tools depends on them being accompanied by a system that requires large sums to be deposited in banks, their sources to be verified and linked to banking and tax data, with a time period granted for replacement, and serious work to uncover the source of the funds.
He points out that changing the currency, identifying illicit funds, and exchanging banknotes will not solve the crises unless it is accompanied by a regulatory system capable of uncovering the source of the funds and prosecuting their owners. He adds that it could be an opportunity to regulate monetary masses and bring funds circulating outside the banking system into the formal financial system by establishing clear and transparent rules.
He points out that the lack of consensus on the proposal does not mean its rejection, but rather requires the establishment of legal, banking and regulatory guarantees, and an integrated system to detect those who manipulate public funds and the corrupt, and to know the source of the funds before granting it legitimacy, stressing that if the conditions are met, the project will gain its importance and the purpose for which it was created.
short bullet points break it down
Could currency reform help Iraq get out of this mess?
- Removing zeros doesn't automatically increase purchasing power.
- It doesn't magically increase the value of the dinar.
- It doesn't recover stolen money by itself.
- It could create confusion or inflation if poorly managed.
- Currency reform needs strong banking, tax, and regulatory systems.
- The underlying economy has to be strong first.
Reforming the dinar begins with the economy, not the banknotes... Warnings about the cost of currency change
Experts warn that any change to the Iraqi currency without reforming the budget, the banking sector, and diversifying revenue sources could turn into a costly and confusing measure, stressing that the strength of the dinar is linked to the strength of the economy and the institutions on which the currency is based.
Financial and economic experts are discussing a number of proposals aimed at strengthening economic reform and modernizing the state’s financial and monetary structure, and at raising the efficiency of economic performance and developing monetary policy tools, including putting forward ideas and proposals related to restructuring the Iraqi currency and removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar, while others have proposed issuing new currency denominations that are compatible with current economic changes and the noticeable expansion in the size of the circulating money supply.
The proposals from experts and economic stakeholders came in the wake of the liquidity crisis the government is suffering from, which has caused delays in the distribution of salaries to public sector employees and affected the implementation of a number of projects, prompting the Minister of Finance to request that the House of Representatives host him in order to explain the repercussions of the financial crisis.
structural crisis
Financial expert Dr. Nabil Al-Abadi called for the need to avoid treating the proposal to change the national currency as a purely technical or monetary measure, explaining that this issue reflects the depth of the structural crisis that the economy is suffering from, and cannot be a substitute for the required financial, monetary and economic reforms.
Al-Abadi said that changing the currency is not a solution in itself, but rather a mirror that reflects the state of the economy, warning against confusing the treatment of symptoms with the treatment of the causes of the problem.
Purchasing power
Al-Abadi explained that removing zeros, as the most widely discussed scenario, essentially represents a reorganization of monetary units and a simplification of arithmetic and accounting operations, without necessarily meaning an increase in the citizen's purchasing power or a rise in the real value of the currency. He pointed out that changing the currency cannot be dealt with as a tool to recover looted funds, but may turn into a double-edged sword in some contexts if it is not managed within a comprehensive reform system.
The financial expert warned that large looted fortunes often do not remain in traceable local cash, or have long since migrated to real estate, foreign assets and accounts in safe financial havens, indicating that their transformation makes them largely immune to any internal monetary measures.
Managing the transition phase
He added that the biggest challenge in such measures is managing the transitional phase, especially with regard to psychological expectations in the market and the possibility of some traders and speculators exploiting the transition period to raise prices under various pretexts, which may lead to inflationary pressures and dissipate the expected administrative benefits of the process of removing zeros, stressing that the success of any step in this direction requires the existence of solid monetary and economic stability before its implementation, and not considering it as a means to achieve that stability.
He stressed that the essence of a currency's strength is not related to its form or the number of zeros it has, but rather to the strength of the institutions and the economy on which it is based.
chronic disorders
Al-Abadi made any project to change the currency contingent on genuine financial reform that would reduce chronic imbalances in the general budget, along with strengthening the independence of the central bank and ensuring its ability to manage monetary policy away from financial pressures, as well as building a productive economy capable of diversifying sources of income and generating foreign currency.
He explained that a strong currency is a result of a strong economy, not its creator. He concluded that addressing economic imbalances requires moving from superficial solutions to fundamental reforms encompassing public finances, the banking sector, production and investment, and diversifying revenue sources. He added that changing the currency without reforming these areas could become a costly and confusing measure for citizens and the market, without addressing the root of the economic problem.
Issuance of currency denominations
For his part, economic researcher Imad Al-Muhammadawi considered the proposal to change the currency or issue a new currency denomination to withdraw illicit funds from circulation a theoretically positive proposal, noting that it is insufficient to reduce corruption or compensate for the shortage of liquidity.
Al-Muhammadi explained that from an economic standpoint , the problem is not the form of the currency, but rather how to convince those who possess large sums of money to disclose their source when exchanging it. He indicated that if the currency is changed without strict banking and tax auditing procedures, those with illicit funds can exchange it like the rest of the citizens, and thus the main purpose of the project is lost.
He added that there is no consensus with the proposal, for several reasons, foremost among them the hesitation that the procedure will turn into a tool for freezing legitimate funds if the specified and explained mechanisms for proving the source of funds are not followed, as well as the possibility of exploiting some loopholes by corruption networks to circumvent the change before it begins, accompanied by its impact on the monetary system of citizens, if it is done suddenly, in addition to the cost and complexities of currency replacement.
The transformation of these proposals into effective tools depends on their being accompanied by a system that requires large sums to be deposited in banks, their sources to be verified and linked to banking and tax data, with a time period granted for replacement, and serious work to uncover the source of the funds.
Could raising the dollar exchange rate be a way to secure salaries?
The Iraqi political scene has recently witnessed a surge in discussions about the financial crisis facing the government, coinciding with delays in salary payments in some institutions, declining oil revenues, and a widening gap between revenues and operational expenses, particularly the salaries of employees and retirees. Officials have acknowledged the existence of financial pressures and limited liquidity, as the government seeks internal solutions to secure salaries.
Amid these circumstances, news and analyses have begun circulating in political and economic circles suggesting the government might resort to raising the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar as a means of bolstering revenues denominated in dinars, especially since most of the state's revenues come in dollars from oil exports and are then converted to dinars when funding the budget. However, to date, there has been no official announcement or decision confirming the government's intention to raise the dollar exchange rate, and what is being discussed remains within the realm of media analysis and speculation, not declared policy.
Experts believe that any adjustment to the exchange rate might provide the public treasury with greater revenues in dinars, but it could also lead to higher prices for imported goods, increased inflation rates, and a decline in citizens' purchasing power, making this option a highly costly economic and social measure. The current crisis once again reveals the extent to which the Iraqi economy relies on oil as its primary source of revenue. This makes public finances highly vulnerable to any drop in oil prices or decline in exports.
Therefore, the real solution lies not only in changing the exchange rate but also in reforming the economic structure, diversifying income sources, rationalizing spending, combating waste and corruption, and boosting investment and local production. Ultimately, the Iraqi citizen remains the weakest link in any financial crisis, awaiting sustainable solutions that guarantee the regular payment of salaries while simultaneously preserving the value of the dinar and price stability, avoiding measures that could increase the burden on Iraqi families. May God protect Iraq and the Iraqi people from the corrupt and the hypocrites.
Iraq is set to borrow $2 billion from the US Treasury.
About the news
Parliamentary Finance Committee: The government has sent the borrowing law to Parliament and it will be decided next week.
Amid parliamentary controversy
*To finance the deficit and cover operational and service expenses
The new government move comes amid increasing financial pressure on the Iraqi budget, and the impact of regional conditions on oil prices and public revenues.
*Without disclosing the loan terms or repayment mechanism
*To supply the local market with cash liquidity in dollars
The government is seeking to finance the deficit and cover operational and service expenses by resorting once again to external borrowing.
Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Mansour Al-Baiji, revealed on Sunday that the Iraqi government is moving to borrow $2 billion from the US Treasury.
Al-Baji said in a press statement that "the government has sent the borrowing law to the House of Representatives," indicating that "the law will be decided during the next week."
Al-Baiji added that "the government has a loan of about $2 billion from the US Treasury Department," without disclosing details of the loan terms or the repayment mechanism.
This trend comes amid parliamentary controversy over the government's expansion of external and internal borrowing, and demands to rationalize spending and rely on non-oil revenues instead of burdening the budget with new debts.
A source reported in press statements that a new batch of cash dollars had arrived in Iraq, sent by the US Federal Reserve to the Central Bank of Iraq.
The source told the official agency that "the US Federal Reserve sent a new batch of cash dollars to the Central Bank of Iraq worth $500 million."
This payment comes as part of the periodic agreements between the Central Bank of Iraq and the US Federal Reserve to supply the local market with dollar liquidity and to cover the needs of travelers and foreign remittances, at a time when Baghdad is seeking to stabilize the exchange rate.
MP: The cabinet will be completed next week.
MP Ahmed Al-Moussawi, from the Sadiqun parliamentary bloc, confirmed on Sunday that the names of candidates for the vacant ministerial portfolios will be announced next week.
Al-Moussawi told Shafaq News Agency that the political dialogues and meetings between the blocs have reached the final stages to finalize the formation of the ministerial cabinet.
He added that the names of the ministers will be sent from Prime Minister Ali al-Zidi to the House of Representatives, after they are finalized next week, and then a date will be set for holding a session to vote on completing the cabinet.
He pointed out that "according to the electoral entitlement, the Sadiqun bloc will get a ministerial portfolio and the position of Deputy Prime Minister, and negotiations are ongoing and will be decided before the announcement of the candidates' names."
It is worth noting that a source revealed to Shafaq News Agency a few days ago that Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali al-Zaidi is still committed to managing the Ministries of Defense and Interior in an "acting" capacity, given his satisfaction with the performance of the current leadership, denying the existence of any political agreement or intention to decide on the names of the two ministers at the present time.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that "Al-Zaydi is satisfied with the performance of the officials who are managing the Ministries of Defense and Interior on an acting basis, and he personally supervises the work of the two ministries. He has also set special criteria and controls for selecting any candidate to assume the two positions."
He added that “what is being circulated regarding the selection of candidates for the Ministries of Defense or Interior is baseless, as this file is still postponed at the moment, due to the government’s preoccupation with other priorities, most notably addressing the financial crisis, expanding economic and investment partnerships, in addition to unifying efforts to calm regional conditions.”
Two days ago, Al-Zaydi directed the attendance of the undersecretaries of the vacant ministries at the Cabinet sessions until their ministers are named, as he authorized the undersecretaries of the Ministries of Defense, Interior, Planning, Reconstruction, Housing and Municipalities, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Culture, Labor and Social Affairs, Migration and Displacement, and Youth and Sports to manage the affairs of their ministries, with the exception of the exclusive powers that are presented to the minister assigned to manage the ministry in an acting capacity.
On May 14, 2026, the Iraqi parliament granted confidence to the government of Ali Faleh al-Zaidi and its ministerial program, and voted on 14 ministers out of 23, while nine portfolios remained postponed due to disagreements over names and quotas, including the Interior, Defense, Higher Education and Planning ministries.
It is worth noting that the State Administration Coalition, in its last meeting a few days ago, called for expediting the completion of the government formation and sending the government program to the House of Representatives for discussion and approval.
The government is too busy to complete its cabinet... Hamid: The incomplete number affects its ability to carry out its tasks
Mmoud Hamid, a member of the political bureau of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, confirmed today, Sunday, that the government’s preoccupation with economic issues and the recent foreign visits made by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to Washington, Tehran and Ankara, contributed to delaying the completion of the cabinet.
Hamid told Al-Maalomah that "the political forces have not yet made significant progress in negotiations to resolve the issue of completing the cabinet," explaining that "the latest developments regarding the Ministry of Interior involve the Coordination Framework presenting ten names to the Prime Minister to choose one of them to take over the portfolio."
He added that "there is another trend, which is that the State of Law Coalition, which has the Ministry of Interior as its share, is putting forward more than one candidate for the position, and the names are being discussed, and from there the appropriate person will be chosen to take over the ministry.
Hamid pointed to "signs of progress in completing the cabinet in the coming period," explaining that "a series of contacts and discussions will take place during the next two weeks between the political forces with the aim of bringing viewpoints closer and resolving outstanding issues."
Regarding the two deputy prime minister positions, he explained that "the matter has not yet been resolved, and is still under discussion among the political forces, amid the continued state of rejection and acceptance regarding the creation of the positions or not."
Hamid emphasized that "the security ministries are of paramount importance, and that their continued management by acting ministers, without permanent ministers, constitutes a flaw in the security and military work system, especially at this current stage.ah"
Al-Abadi's coalition tells Ultra Iraq: The cabinet will not be completed in August
The “Victory” coalition, led by Haider al-Abadi, ruled out on Sunday, August 9, 2026, the completion of the ministerial cabinet of Ali al-Zaidi’s government during the current month.
Disagreements over quotas and candidates for ministerial positions
Aqeel al-Rudaini, spokesman for the Victory Coalition, told Ultra Iraq that “regarding the completion of the cabinet, there are still disagreements between the political blocs for several reasons.”
He explained that "the disagreements between the political forces over the cabinet revolve around quotas and the candidates nominated for the ministries."
He explained that "the current situation and the issue of restricting weapons to the state are also related to the issue of the cabinet," noting that "the cabinet will not be completed in August, and there may be understandings in September."
Al-Zubaidi had previously told Ultra Iraq last June that "Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi had agreed with the political blocs on the possibility of holding an emergency session of Parliament in the coming days, despite the legislative recess, to vote on the nine vacant ministerial posts all at once," but this did not materialize.
Amal al-Shuwaili, a member of the General Assembly of the Sadiqun Movement, told Ultra Iraq at the end of last month that "the coordinating framework is in agreement on completing the cabinet, even if it's done as a single package, and we haven't heard any statement from al-Zubaidi rejecting any of the candidates." She added that "the selection of candidates for the ministries was far from being a matter of discrediting, and the decision on the Interior Ministry candidate rests solely with the Prime Minister."
Disagreements over quotas and candidates for ministerial positions
Amal al-Shuwaili, a member of the General Assembly of the Sadiqun Movement, told Ultra Iraq at the end of last month that "the coordinating framework is in agreement on completing the cabinet, even if it's done as a single package, and we haven't heard any statement from al-Zubaidi rejecting any of the candidates." She added that "the selection of candidates for the ministries was far from being a matter of discrediting, and the decision on the Interior Ministry candidate rests solely with the Prime Minister."
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MP: We haven't received our salaries for last month.
On Sunday, Mansour Al-Baiji, a member of the parliamentary finance committee, confirmed that the MPs and their security details had not received their salaries for the past month.
Al-Baji told Shafaq News Agency that "the reason for not receiving salaries is the financial crisis in the country."
He added that "the committee will host the Minister of Finance in the coming days to discuss the economic repercussions and the financial crisis in the country."
Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi had previously confirmed that Iraq is facing "severe" financial challenges, noting that the government needs about 10.8 trillion dinars per month to cover employee salaries and public expenditures, while the country's oil revenues do not exceed 2.5 trillion dinars.
Al-Aboudi acknowledged in a televised statement that this financial crisis directly affected the salary distribution schedule, leading to delays and irregularities in their disbursement as was the practice.
The Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank discuss strengthening financial and monetary coordination.
Finance Minister Faleh Sari discussed on Sunday with the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Nizar Nasser Hussein, the financial and economic situation in light of the current challenges.
A statement from the ministry, received by (Mawazin News), said that “Finance Minister Faleh Sari received the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Nizar Nasser Hussein, where the financial and economic situation was discussed in light of the current challenges.”
The Minister of Finance stressed that “the current circumstances require continuous coordination between fiscal and monetary policy, which will help to manage financial flows efficiently and ensure the fulfillment of the state’s obligations, while continuing to work on reforming the financial system and developing public finance management tools.”
He pointed to "the importance of enhancing data exchange between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, and accelerating digital transformation, which will raise the efficiency of financial institutions and support their ability to respond to economic changes."
For his part, the Governor of the Central Bank explained that “the Central Bank operates according to a methodology that focuses on supporting monetary stability, developing banking operations, and keeping pace with the needs of the national economy, stressing the importance of coordination with the Ministry of Finance on economic and financial issues.”
According to the statement, both sides agreed to "continue working together on measures to enhance financial and monetary stability and ensure the regularity of the state's basic obligations."
Finance Minister Meets Central Bank Governor on Monetary Stability
At a Glance:
- Minister Faleh al-Sari met Central Bank Governor Nizar Naser Hussein today.
- Talks focused on aligning fiscal and monetary policies amid economic challenges.
- Key goals include improving data exchange and accelerating digital transformation.
- Both leaders reaffirmed joint commitments to satisfy state financial obligations.
Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari received the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Nizar Naser, on Sunday to discuss strategies for reinforcing monetary stability and improving inter-agency coordination.
The high-level meeting focused on aligning fiscal policy with central banking operations to efficiently manage state cash flows, enhance public finance management, and navigate pressing economic challenges facing the national economy.
Key Statements and Focus Area
- Fiscal Policy Alignment: Finance Minister Faleh Sari stressed that "current conditions require continuous coordination between financial and monetary policy" to ensure efficient management of public funds.
- Institutional Modernization: Highlighting technological priorities, Minister al-Sari emphasized "the importance of strengthening data exchange between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, as well as accelerating digital transformation."
- Central Bank Strategy: Central Bank Governor Nizar Naser Hussein outlined operational priorities, stating that the central bank follows "a methodology focused on supporting monetary stability, developing banking operations, and keeping pace with the needs of the national economy."
- State Commitments: Both leaders agreed on shared operational goals "to continue joint work on procedures designed to enhance financial and monetary stability and ensure the regular fulfillment of the state's basic obligations."
Inter-Agency Policy Alignment
During Sunday's summit, Minister Faleh al-Sari and Central Bank Governor Nizar Naser Hussein conducted a comprehensive review of Iraq's financial and economic position. The discussions centered on creating seamless integration between fiscal policy managed by the Ministry of Finance and monetary controls directed by the Central Bank. Both leadership teams emphasized that joint policy execution is critical to managing liquidity, securing public expenditure, and mitigating external economic pressures on the national economy.
Modernization and Data Architecture
A core outcome of the meeting was an agreement to upgrade digital infrastructure and data-sharing frameworks between both state institutions. Minister al-Sari noted that expanding real-time data integration and implementing digital financial tools will significantly increase operational efficiency across financial institutions, allowing regulators to adapt faster to volatile economic conditions and improve broader public finance management.
Banking Operations and National Obligations
Governor Hussein detailed ongoing initiatives by the Central Bank to modernize commercial banking services and maintain financial sector resilience. The two entities confirmed a unified framework aimed at maintaining stable banking operations while prioritizing the uninterrupted fulfillment of basic government financial commitments, including public sector wage disbursements and state operational expenses.
FYI
The meeting occurs as Iraq continues its sweeping public finance reforms aimed at modernizing fiscal administration and curbing systemic corruption across state banking channels. In recent months, federal institutions have prioritized digital financial reforms, including widespread electronic payment rollout and automated treasury accounting systems, to reduce reliance on cash operations and bring domestic banking standards into alignment with international financial transparency requirements. Synchronizing Central Bank liquidity measures with Treasury obligations serves as a critical stabilization step to safeguard the national economy against market volatility.
An Iraqi "technical" delegation is knocking on Tehran's doors regarding energy, gas, and oil tanker transit files.
An informed government source revealed on Sunday that an official Iraqi delegation will visit Iran soon to discuss a number of issues of common interest, including energy, supplying Iraq with gas, and the mechanism for securing the passage of tankers loaded with Iraqi oil.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that "the delegation includes a number of government officials specializing in various fields, along with a number of second-tier political figures, and will discuss some joint files, most notably the electricity file and the mechanism for supplying Iraq with gas, as well as securing the passage of oil tankers loaded with Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz."
He explained that "the delegation is more like a technical committee, as it includes general managers who specialize in their fields of work, to examine the mechanisms for implementing the initial agreements or understandings according to an Iraqi vision that achieves the public interest, and in line with the government program that the current government is working on implementing."
Regarding the connection between the visit and the issue of disarming the factions, the source said that "everything related to the factions and disarming them was discussed with Iranian officials, whether Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi or Quds Force Commander Ismail Qaani, during their recent visit to Iraq."
He added that "the file will not be brought up again or repeated, and everything that is being rumored to the contrary is an attempt to confuse matters and embarrass the coordination framework."
On July 23, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sponsored the signing ceremony in Tehran of an agreement and memoranda of understanding between the two countries in the fields of transport, railways, training and management.
Parliamentary request to host al-Zaidi and security leaders to discuss the Saudi bombing
On Sunday, the head of the "Sadiqun" parliamentary bloc, Uday Awad, announced that he had submitted an official request to host Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, and the heads of the National Security and Intelligence Services in a dedicated parliamentary session next week.
Awad said during a press conference held in the parliament building and attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, that the request includes hosting the aforementioned officials to discuss the files related to the attacks and violations on Iraqi lands and the attack on the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces.
He added that the bloc also demanded the formation of a joint investigative committee between the Security and Defense and Foreign Relations Committees, to submit its report within 15 days, to determine the extent of the violations and attacks on Iraqi territory and the attacks on the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces.
At least 20 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces were killed and 32 others were wounded in late July, in joint US-Saudi strikes that targeted official headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces in a number of Iraqi provinces.
Earlier today, the Popular Mobilization Forces condemned , "in the strongest terms," the "false" accusations made by some politicians against the head of the organization, Faleh al-Fayyad, claiming that he had prior information about the targeting of the Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters and failed to inform the military units, describing these accusations as "baseless claims that are not based on any evidence or fact."
Exclusive: Dismantling Iraqi factions is "pivotal" for Washington, and a clash is unlikely.
Former military spokesman for the international coalition against ISIS and former US defense official, Myles Caggins, confirmed on Sunday that the government initiative to compel armed factions to hand over their weapons by the September 30 deadline is "serious and pivotal" to maintaining a strong relationship between Baghdad and Washington.
Kagenz told Shafaq News Agency that "the September 30 deadline set for armed groups to hand over their weapons is genuine and sincere in its intentions on the part of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, and this step is necessary for Baghdad to maintain good and close relations with Washington."
According to the former defense official, the situation should be closely monitored, as some groups have not yet agreed to this initiative, most notably factions such as "Kataib Hezbollah," which will pose a major political challenge to the Prime Minister.
Regarding how the factions will deal with this deadline, he believes it is unlikely that all factions will completely lay down their weapons and actually hand them over; rather, the most likely scenario is that some symbolic ceremonies will be organized for some factions to hand over part of their weapons.
Kagenz noted that other factions might move towards a different option by holding formal ceremonies in which they announce "the transition to become a more public and active part under the umbrella of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense."
Despite this challenge, the former military spokesman for the international coalition ruled out any armed clash between the security forces and the factions, adding: “Ultimately, I do not expect any military conflict between the Iraqi security forces on one hand - such as the army and police - and these factions on the other, as no one wants to go towards internal fighting in Iraq.”
Only 51 days remain until the deadline set by the "Coalition for State Administration," which brings together the blocs and parties participating in the political process in Iraq from various components, to proceed with steps to restrict weapons to the state, while some armed factions still refuse to give up their military arsenal .
The “Coalition for State Administration” had confirmed in its last meeting last Wednesday, in the presence of President Zar Amidi, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Speaker of Parliament Hebat al-Halbousi, President of the Supreme Judicial Council Faiq Zaidan, and President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani, the necessity of restricting weapons to the hands of official institutions.
These factions assert that their weapons are linked to what they describe as "resistance" and regional threats, at a time when the government of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi is trying to manage one of the most difficult security and political issues in years .
These developments come amid escalating internal and regional tensions, after Iraqi security and military forces raised their readiness level on Thursday and cancelled the leave of a number of commanders and officers in anticipation of any emergency.
An economist explains the central bank's ability to secure salaries.
: Economic expert Safwan Qusay clarified the Central Bank's ability to secure salaries for the upcoming period given the
current circumstances.
Qusay stated, "Iraq exports oil to the Turkish port of Ceyhan and 120,000 barrels per day via tankers to Banias in Syria, in addition to exports through the south towards the Strait of Hormuz, which approached 42 million barrels last July."
He added, "Iraq succeeded in generating approximately $3 billion from these exports, but this amount is insufficient to cover salaries, pensions, social welfare, and food baskets. Therefore, the Ministry of Finance resorts to allocating funds from other budget items to support expenditures."
He explained that "the government has turned to domestic borrowing through the Central Bank, which possesses sufficient liquidity to meet the Ministry of Finance's needs until the end of the current year," noting "the importance of maximizing revenue collection, which provides the Ministry of Finance with an opportunity to rely on non-oil revenues."
Al-Nujaba leader rejects US pressure over Iraqi oil
The head of Harakat al-Nujaba, an Iran-aligned Iraqi armed faction, on Sunday rejected arguments that Baghdad should bow to US demands concerning the country's armed factions, insisting that Iraq is a sovereign state free to sell its oil to whomever it chooses.
Akram al-Kaabi said unnamed figures had justified complying with US pressure over the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and allied armed groups because revenue from Iraqi oil sales is held by the United States, giving Washington leverage over Baghdad.
“How could a sovereign country accept placing its economy and finances under foreign control?” he questioned, arguing that Iraq had freed itself from the constraints once imposed on its oil revenue and now sets its own terms, saying the country "has full freedom to determine the parties and mechanisms for selling its oil."
That claim refers to Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the enforcement provisions under which Iraq was placed after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait. The measures subjected Iraqi oil sales and revenue to international oversight; the UN Security Council lifted the last of them in 2022, restoring full Iraqi control over the sector.
The Houthis are targeting the Yemeni port of Mocha.
On Sunday, the port of Mocha in Yemen was attacked by the Houthis.
Arab media outlets reported that four new explosions rocked the Yemeni city of Mocha.
The port of Mocha is linked to the Yemeni government, which has tried to counter the drones and missiles launched by the Houthis by activating air defenses, according to media reports.
Araghchi: The Muscat negotiations do not mean opening the Strait of Hormuz and exchanging messages with America through intermediaries.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced on Sunday that his country is proceeding with opening new routes for maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, while stressing that the ongoing negotiations with the Sultanate of Oman - despite reaching their final stages - do not necessarily mean the reopening of the strategic waterway.
This came in statements made by Araqchi on the sidelines of his attendance at the event “Commemorating Muharram and Ashura in the Mirror of the Documents of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”, held at the Center for Political and International Studies of the Ministry in Tehran.
The Iranian minister confirmed that there are no direct talks with the United States at the moment, adding: "We exchange messages with Washington only through intermediaries."
In discussing the details of the talks with Muscat regarding the status of the strait, Araqchi explained that these negotiations have reached their final stage, stressing that they do not mean opening the waterway completely, but rather moving towards adopting new routes within the strait.
The Iranian Foreign Minister concluded his statement by stressing that Tehran will continue to adhere to the option of resistance and refuse to give up its independence and national identity.
Army officers will enter the commission
Changing the uniforms, ranks, and insignia of the Popular Mobilization Forces... Transfers and retirements by lottery and 5 decisions before Baghdad
Informed sources told Network 964 that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's committee for weapons control is engaged in extensive discussions addressing five key issues: changing the Popular Mobilization Forces' uniform and providing them with new clothing, insignia, and ranks to give them a different "visual identity"; retiring older members of the Popular Mobilization Forces and integrating army officers into their ranks; redefining the security tasks of the Popular Mobilization Forces and their deployment map; and redistributing fighters among brigades and governorates by entering personnel data into a system similar to an electronic lottery, transferring them between new brigades so that the old brigades do not remain in one human mass, and then a real link can be established with the leadership of the armed forces, not with the leadership of the formations that emerged during the war against ISIS.
According to the sources, the head of the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri, who plays a major role in calming tensions between the government and the factions (and who commands more than 20 brigades in the Popular Mobilization Forces), held a meeting with a number of brigade commanders. During the meeting, they discussed developments related to the next phase and the nature of the changes that could affect the work of the formations.
A new visual identity
: On another front, the meetings, according to sources, discussed the possibility of formulating a new visual identity for the Popular Mobilization Forces in the next phase, including uniforms, badges, general appearance, and naming, within a framework intended to move from the image of formations that emerged during the war to an official security institution with a clear structure and a single military reference.
Crowd algorithm
A security source said that “one of the most prominent proposals is to redistribute field fighters among brigades and formations, instead of keeping individuals within cohesive human groups that were formed during the years of the war on ISIS, and which still follow well-known political and religious leaders, with the aim of building more integrated formations that are less connected to the previous leadership, while keeping employees and administrators within their career paths according to the needs of the new institution.”
The sources say that “the idea under study is based on entering the data of field fighters into an electronic system, and then conducting a new distribution according to criteria determined by the institution, including the governorates, the numerical need, and the nature of the tasks, which allows for the restructuring of the brigades in a different way from the current map, and at the same time limits the fighters remaining within closed groups linked to one leader or one region.”
She adds that “the discussion is not only about the fighters, but extends to the form of leadership itself, as the inclusion of officers from the military establishment within the structure of the Popular Mobilization Forces was discussed intensively and clearly, and the expansion of the presence of military specialties in the command centers, which may gradually change the nature of brigade management and the mechanisms for issuing orders and deployment.”
According to the sources, “among the proposals is the preparation of a new structure for ranks and leadership positions, and the reassessment of the ages of affiliates, with those who have exceeded the age or the required conditions being referred to retirement according to legal mechanisms, in exchange for opening the way for new generations of officers and affiliates.”
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