Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Wednesday Morning 7-15-26

US Investment Dominates Al-Zaidi's Washington Meetings

2026-07-15 02:42   Shafaq News- Washington  Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi pressed for expanded US financing and investment in Iraq across a series of meetings in Washington, his media office said on Wednesday.

Al-Zaidi discussed with Ben Black, chief executive of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the institution's participation in infrastructure reconstruction and financing partnerships across the energy, transportation, agriculture, digital economy, and services sectors. Black affirmed readiness to enter the Iraqi market and to contribute to the Iraqi Development Fund, a state investment vehicle.

The Iraqi government announced the fund last month at a lower figure. Government spokesman Haidar al-Aboudi said the Council of Ministers had approved a development fund project backed by international guarantees and contributions valued at $150 billion, intended to deliver economic stability through investment.

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/US-investment-dominates-al-Zaidi-s-Washington-meetings

Oil Extends Gains On Iran-US Escalation

2026-07-15 02:03   Shafaq News- Singapore   Oil extended gains on Wednesday as President Donald Trump reimposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports and Tehran launched strikes on U.S. ​infrastructure in the region.

Brent futures climbed 99 cents, or 1.2%, to $85.72 a barrel at ‌0400 GMT. West Texas Intermediate futures gained 64 cents, or 0.8%, to $79.98 a barrel.

Oil prices closed up 2% at a one-month high on Tuesday as attacks exacerbated a supply disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, through which ​about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passed prior to the ​beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

"While the physical oil market remains adequately ⁠supplied, any further escalation involving the Strait of Hormuz or additional sanctions on Iranian exports could ​quickly tighten market sentiment and add further risk premiums," said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip ​Nova.

Early on Wednesday, the U.S. also began a fresh round of strikes "to continue degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," the U.S. military said.

Tehran says it has again closed the strait after hostilities ​between Iran and the U.S. reignited last week, fraying an already fragile truce reached in June ​after several months of fighting.

"I'll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we'll hit energy targets," Trump told ‌Fox ⁠News in an interview aired Tuesday night on "Special Report with Bret Baier".

Iran's army said early on Wednesday that it had launched drone attacks against U.S. positions at Jordan's Azraq base. There was no immediate comment from the Pentagon.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said they targeted weapons and storage facilities in ​Bahrain and Kuwait. Reuters could ​not immediately verify the ⁠reports.

The flare-up over the last few days has heightened doubts that a memorandum of understanding signed last month would lead to a permanent halt ​to the war, which has engulfed Iran's neighbors.

"The chances of oil moving back ​toward $100 in ⁠the reasonably near term are still meaningful if hostilities intensify which damages energy infrastructure around the Gulf," Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade said, noting Brent prices could remain at $75-$80 a barrel if diplomatic ​efforts helped reopen the strait.

"For now, the risk premium is ​still embedded, but it's not a one-way bet given that there remain incentives for both sides to find a diplomatic solution." (Reuters)

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Oil-extends-gains-on-Iran-US-escalation

Dollar Slips In Baghdad And Erbil

2026-07-15 03:48   Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil   The US dollar opened Wednesday's trading lower in Iraq, hovering around 153,000 dinars per 100 dollars in Baghdad and Erbil.

According to Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 153,300 dinars per 100 dollars, down from Tuesday's 153,700 dinars.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shops sold the dollar at 153,750 dinars and bought it at 152,750 dinars.

In Erbil, selling prices stood at 153,150 dinars and buying prices at 153,050 dinars.

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Dollar-slips-in-Baghdad-and-Erbil-7-6

Basra Crude Jumps More Than 8% On Oil Rally

2026-07-15 04:25   Shafaq News- Baghdad  Iraq's Basra Heavy and Basra Medium crude posted sharp gains on Wednesday, rising by more than 8% as escalating geopolitical tensions across the region drove global oil prices higher.

Basra Heavy climbed $4.91, or 9.25%, to $57.99 a barrel, while Basra Medium gained the same amount, rising 8.87% to $60.29 a barrel.

The surge coincided with gains in global oil markets. Brent crude futures rose 1.53% to $86.03 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude advanced 1.27% to $80.35.

Regional benchmark crudes also moved higher, with the UAE's Murban crude climbing 4.85% to $81.93 a barrel and Saudi Arabia's Arab Light crude jumping 7.61% to $77.36.

In contrast, the OPEC Reference Basket slipped 1.52% to $75.09 a barrel, while Dubai crude declined to $69.21 a barrel.

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Basra-crude-jumps-more-than-8-on-oil-rally

Gold Prices Hold Steady In Baghdad And Erbil

2026-07-15 05:10 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil   On Wednesday, gold prices steadied across Baghdad and Erbil, hovering around 860,000 IQD per mithqal, according to a Shafaq News market survey.

Gold prices on Baghdad's Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 864,000 IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties, with a buying price of 860,000 IQD, unchanged from Tuesday.

The selling price for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 834,000 IQD, with a buying price of 830,000 IQD.

In jewelry stores, 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 865,000 and 875,000 IQD per mithqal, while Iraqi gold sold for between 835,000 and 845,000 IQD.

In Erbil, 22-carat gold was sold at 915,000 IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 874,000 IQD, and 18-carat gold at 749,000 IQD.

https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Gold-prices-hold-steady-in-Baghdad-and-Erbil-4