Thursday Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 6-18-2026

TNT:

Tishwash:  Iraq Approves Starlink License in Boost to Digital Transformation

The announcement came during a meeting in Baghdad, where the two sides discussed ways to strengthen strategic cooperation and expand partnerships between Iraq and the United States.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and US Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack on Tuesday welcomed Iraq's decision to approve an operating license for Starlink, paving the way for the satellite internet provider to offer high-speed internet services across the country.

The announcement came during a meeting in Baghdad, where the two sides discussed ways to strengthen strategic cooperation and expand partnerships between Iraq and the United States, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Both officials praised the licensing decision, describing it as an important step toward advancing Iraq's digital infrastructure and accelerating the country's digital transformation. The move is expected to improve internet accessibility, particularly in remote and underserved areas where traditional broadband services remain limited.

The approval clears the way for Starlink, the satellite internet network developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to enter the Iraqi market and provide broadband connectivity through its constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites.

The meeting also highlighted the broader commitment of Baghdad and Washington to deepen cooperation in technology, investment, and economic development.

Starlink is a satellite internet service operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the US aerospace company SpaceX. Unlike conventional internet providers that rely on fiber-optic cables or cellular towers, Starlink delivers broadband internet through thousands of satellites orbiting the Earth at low altitude, enabling high-speed connectivity with lower latency.

The service has expanded rapidly across dozens of countries, providing internet access to households, businesses, emergency responders, and communities in remote locations. Iraq's approval of Starlink's operating license is expected to strengthen the country's digital infrastructure, support e-government initiatives, and improve connectivity for citizens and businesses nationwide.  link

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Tishwash:  The Minister of Finance directs the disbursement of dues to contractors in five governorates as part of the first batch.

 Finance Minister Faleh Al-Sari directed on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) that the dues of contractors in a number of governorates be disbursed as a first batch.

The ministry stated in a statement received by “Baghdad Today” that “Minister of Finance Faleh Al-Sari has ordered the disbursement of the dues of contractors in the governorates of Basra, Diwaniyah, Najaf, Babylon and Maysan, as part of the first batch of financial dues, with the dues of the other governorates to be disbursed successively and regularly.”

She added that “the head of the Iraqi and Arab Contractors Union, Ali Fakher Al-Sanafi, appreciated the serious approach of Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi and Finance Minister Falih Al-Sari in working to disburse the contractors’ outstanding dues that have been delayed for years. He also appreciated the efforts of MP Ali Shaddad for his role in following up on this file, which is related to the progress of Iraq’s economy.”

The ministry noted that “Al-Sanafi explained that adopting the disbursement mechanism in the form of successive and regular installments contributes to settling the issue of dues gradually, and enhances the stability of the work of contracting companies in various governorates.”

She noted that “Al-Sanafi confirmed that the Minister of Finance’s directive came during the meeting that brought them together today, indicating that releasing these dues represents an important step in the process of addressing the outstanding financial dues of contractors.” link

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Tishwash:  The coordination framework is discussing with al-Zaydi the completion of his government and the results of the visit by Trump's envoy.

The Coordination Framework held its periodic meeting on Wednesday in the presence of the Prime Minister, to discuss the latest political, security and economic developments on the national scene.

According to a statement issued by the media office of the framework, a copy of which was received by Al-Furat News, the attendees listened to a presentation by the Prime Minister on the latest government procedures and files under follow-up. They also discussed the results and outcomes of the visit of US envoy Tom Barrack and the dialogues he held with the government, and emphasized the importance of protecting supreme national interests and strengthening Iraq’s foreign relations in a way that serves its stability and sovereignty.

The statement added, "The coordination framework also discussed the issue of completing the government cabinet, stressing the importance of expediting this process in order to enhance the efficiency of government performance and ensure the completion of the ministerial program requirements and meet the aspirations of citizens."

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Coordination Framework extended its deepest condolences to the Iraqi people and the Arab and Islamic nations on the occasion of the holy month of Muharram, recalling the great values ​​of the revolution of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) and what it represents of eternal meanings in reform, sacrifice, and defense of truth and justice.  link

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Tishwash:  The Prime Minister's advisor sets a date for the recovery of Iraqi oil.

The financial advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, stated on Wednesday that the return of Iraqi oil production and exports through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels depends on the implementation of a package of technical and logistical requirements, foremost among them being the clearing of the vital waterway from sea mines.

Saleh told Al-Maalomah that “the Iraqi oil fields that were damaged as a result of the forced shutdown that exceeded three months need a period of time of about a month to be restarted,” noting that “this step remains conditional on the return of the international companies that left the fields during the military operations.”

He added that "the second challenge is securing the arrival of oil tankers to Iraqi ports," noting that this "is entirely dependent on the timeframe required to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines to ensure the safety of maritime navigation and its return to its former state."

Saleh added that "the oil sector requires a complete rehabilitation of the infrastructure, pipeline networks, and ports to be fully prepared before the actual start of crude oil pumping operations."

He pointed out that "70 percent of Iraqi oil exports are allocated to East Asian markets," stressing that "official contracts are still in place and valid."

Saleh concluded his remarks by stressing that "the restoration of the Iraqi oil sector to its full production and export capacity will not happen suddenly, but will be subject to a gradual and well-thought-out timetable until the stage of full recovery is reached and cash flows for the country are secured."

Iraqi oil exports have shrunk by 90% following recent regional events and the Israeli-American war on Iran. This challenge has revealed a clear governmental failure due to the lack of alternatives and the failure to provide any other outlet for exporting Iraqi oil, on which the state relies as its primary source of revenue to fund its budget and public expenditures.  link

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Tishwash:  The head of the Iraqi Trade Bank emphasizes the importance of partnership with professional media and continuing to raise public awareness.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), Bilal Al-Hamdani, emphasized on Wednesday the importance of partnership with professional media outlets. He noted that regular meetings are held with journalists and media professionals to provide them with accurate economic information, contributing to public awareness, reducing the spread of misinformation, and protecting public opinion from rumors.

In a statement received by Mawazin News, the bank said, "The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), Bilal Al-Hamdani, met today with a group of journalists, media professionals, and economic experts, in the presence of the bank's Vice Chairman, Sabah Al-Saadi, to discuss the role of economic media and the importance of strengthening communication between financial institutions and professional media outlets."

Al-Hamdani praised "constructive criticism and a free press," stressing that "there is no objection to constructive criticism and the importance of continuing to educate citizens."

He added that "the meeting included several interventions, with journalist Abbas Aboud calling for support for professional media platforms to contribute to raising economic awareness and educating citizens, while journalist Naseer Al-Awam emphasized the importance of opening the bank's doors to the local press and strengthening cooperation with them."

For their part, the press delegation indicated that "Iraq needs more management and planning," noting "the importance of continuously disseminating instructions and decisions, given the bank's high level of public trust." Journalists affirmed that TBI's experience is a successful banking model and that they had presented this assessment to the Prime Minister, praising the bank's high level of public confidence.

Several economic journalists explained that "economic challenges require a professional media discourse," indicating that "the impact of a professional journalist in conveying facts can be more effective than traditional media campaigns by institutions."

It is worth noting that the meeting was attended by representatives from the Iraqi Media Network and the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, along with a number of newspaper editors, media professionals, and those interested in economic affairs, in a move aimed at strengthening the partnership between the banking sector and professional media.  link