More “Iraq News” Posted by Tishwash at TNT 5-23-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Masrour Barzani will be in Baghdad next week to discuss the electricity and oil files.
Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani will head to Baghdad next week, leading a high-level delegation, for a series of talks with the federal government on the electricity and oil sectors.
Aziz Ahmed, Deputy Director of the Prime Minister's Office, stated in a post on the "X" platform that the regional government will present its successful "Ronaki - Electricity" project, which aims to provide 24-hour electricity, during the visit. He emphasized that the delegation will offer technical support to the new Iraqi government to accelerate reforms in the electricity sector across the country.
He added that "the Prime Minister will also address the issue of security guarantees necessary to enable oil and gas companies to resume production and export operations, noting that the ongoing drone threats make it difficult for these companies to continue their work." link
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Tishwash: Government advisor: The Ministry of Finance is preparing a three-year emergency plan to boost revenues.
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, revealed on Friday five options to address the shortfall in financial revenues and restructure the Iraqi economy, in light of the challenges resulting from the decline in oil exports and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while indicating that the Ministry of Finance is moving towards preparing a three-year emergency plan to boost revenues.
Saleh said that "Iraq is facing a financial gap estimated at about $9.5 billion per month as a result of the decline in oil exports," noting that "the Ministry of Finance is moving towards preparing a three-pronged emergency plan that includes internal and external borrowing, in addition to measures to
maximize non-oil revenues through taxes, fees and financial reforms."
He explained that “domestic borrowing is a quick solution to cover salaries and operational obligations, but it may lead to a withdrawal of liquidity from banks, an increase in the cost of local financing, and a weakening of private sector financing, while external borrowing provides liquidity in dollars and maintains relative monetary stability, but it is linked to reform conditions and an increase in debt service burdens.”
He added that “maximizing non-oil revenues is the most strategic option in the medium and long term, through controlling border crossings and customs, automating the tax system, reducing the informal economy, and improving collection without harming economic activity,” noting that “implementing the Government Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) contributes to strengthening financial oversight, reducing waste and corruption, and raising the efficiency of public spending management.”
Saleh stressed that “reforming the banking sector, especially Rafidain and Rasheed banks, is necessary to develop development finance, digital and credit services, as well as the importance of reforming private banks to achieve financial inclusion, support small and medium enterprises and attract investments.”
He explained that “activating the Public-Private Partnership Law would alleviate pressure on the general budget and create new job opportunities, provided that a stable legal environment, investment guarantees, and combating administrative corruption are provided,” stressing that “any emergency plan will not succeed without real financial reform that includes controlling operational spending, reducing waste in government contracts, and adopting spending priorities linked to production and development.”
Saleh explained that "the current crisis represents a real test for the structure of the Iraqi economy, which is dependent on oil," stressing that "accelerating financial and banking reforms and diversifying the economy will enhance the state's ability to cope with geopolitical and economic shocks." libk
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Tishwash: The US dollar: Can Washington guarantee its continued flow into Iraq under al-Zaidi's rule?
The US dollar has returned to the forefront of political debate, with assurances that Washington will not stop the flow of currency to Iraq during Ali al-Zaidi's government, amid talk of trade and financial ties that make it difficult to impose financial restrictions that could threaten Iraqi economic stability.
Political analyst Adel Al-Manea confirmed that the United States will not prevent the flow of dollars to Iraq during Ali Al-Zaidi’s government, attributing this to the existence of commercial and financial ties with the American side that will exert pressure towards the continued flow of currency to the country.
Al-Mana’ said: “Talk of new alliances or coalitions that include more than 140 MPs does not actually exist at the moment,” considering that “they do not go beyond being political understandings and reactions to what happened during the session to grant confidence to Al-Zidi’s government.”
Al-Mana’a pointed out that “the current political reality within the coordination framework can be described as ‘a harmony of faces and a difference of hearts,’ stressing that ‘the majority of political parties and rational people are pushing towards passing what remains of Al-Zidi’s cabinet according to the convictions of the representatives, away from political pressures.’”
He explained that “one of the political leaders predicted that Hebat al-Halbousi would not continue as Speaker of Parliament after the vote of confidence session,” noting that “the Sadiqun movement will not participate in al-Zidi’s government.”
Regarding the visit of US General David Petraeus to Iraq and his meeting with al-Zaidi, al-Mana’ said, “It came in the context of emphasizing that no factions should participate in al-Zaidi’s government without exception.”
He pointed to “American proposals related to restructuring some security institutions and including the Popular Mobilization Forces within a new security ministry that includes various security agencies.”
Al-Mana’ also suggested that “Qasim Atta will be appointed Minister of Interior after the Eid al-Adha holiday,” revealing that “more than 28 MPs withdrew from the Reconstruction and Development Alliance due to the failure to adhere to some of the promises and understandings that accompanied the formation of the government.”
He stressed that “Al-Zaydi was put forward by a “heavy” figure from outside the coordination framework and was accepted by most political forces in order to end the political deadlock,” emphasizing “the rejection of any tampering with the Popular Mobilization Forces file, as it is an institution established by a law from the House of Representatives.” link
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Tishwash: Among them are members of parliament: The US Treasury sanctions nine individuals for allegedly facilitating Hezbollah activities.
The US Treasury Department announced on Thursday new sanctions targeting nine individuals accused of facilitating Hezbollah's activities and undermining Lebanese sovereignty.
The sanctions package included members of the Lebanese parliament, the Iranian ambassador to Beirut, Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani, and Lebanese security officials, who it said "exploited their positions to support Hezbollah and obstruct efforts to disarm it."
The US Treasury, in a statement translated by Shafaq News Agency, said that the sanctioned individuals "serve Tehran's malicious agenda and impede the path to peace and recovery for the Lebanese people."
In conjunction with these measures, the US State Department’s “Rewards for Justice” program has set up a financial reward of up to $10 million for any information leading to the dismantling of Hezbollah’s financial networks and mechanisms.
Washington issued a strongly worded warning that this step is "just the beginning," vowing to hold accountable anyone who continues to provide cover for the party, cooperates with it, or undermines Lebanon's sovereignty.
A statement issued by the US State Department stressed that Lebanon’s stability, security and independence require the complete disarmament of Hezbollah and the restoration of the Lebanese government’s exclusive and absolute authority over the security file throughout the country.
The statement concluded by reaffirming the United States' commitment to supporting the Lebanese people and their legitimate institutions in building a more secure and prosperous future. link