Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Late Friday Evening 8-21-26
Iraq Faces A Difficult Period... Al-Zaydi: We Have More Than One Solution To The Economic Crisis, And The Budget Will Soon Be Before Parliament - 8/21/2026
Latest News Friday,August 21, 2026 Baghdad - One News - 8/21/2026 Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed that Iraq is going through a “critical” phase, given the escalating tensions in the region and the repercussions of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on trade and the economy, stressing that the government has a range of alternatives and solutions to deal with the economic pressures and maintain the country’s stability.
Al-Zaydi said, during his participation in the proceedings of the “Eighth Baghdad Dialogue” conference, that regional developments have placed Iraq before major economic and trade challenges, especially with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which represents a major passage for energy and trade in the region.
He pointed out that the Strait of Hormuz did not witness a closure even during the years of the embargo on Iraq, considering that the current circumstances require the government to move quickly to secure alternative routes and reduce the repercussions of the regional crisis on the Iraqi interior.
The Prime Minister explained that the government has begun activating border crossings and enhancing their capacity to accommodate the movement of goods and trade, as part of a plan aimed at diversifying import and export routes and reducing reliance on a single crossing in light of the turmoil in the region.
In the financial file, Al-Zaydi announced that the government is preparing to send the draft budget to the House of Representatives soon, stressing that "the next stage" will witness reform measures to address the economic and financial challenges and enhance the state’s ability to cope with current pressures.
He stressed that the government is not dealing with the crisis through a single option, emphasizing that it has “more than one solution” to the economic problems, and that work is underway on several parallel tracks to ensure the continuation of economic activity and to secure the country’s needs.(Possible monetary value increase)
The Prime Minister's remarks come at a time when Iraq is facing the direct repercussions of regional tensions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, amid challenges related to trade, energy, and public revenues. This has prompted the government to intensify its efforts to activate land border crossings and seek alternatives that mitigate the crisis's impact on Iraqi markets and the economy. https://1news-iq.net/العراق-أمام-فترة-عصيبة-الزيدي-لدينا-أ/
Al-Fayyad Criticizes The Factions: The “Resistance” Phase Cannot Continue As A Permanent Occupation, And Disarmament By Force Will Bring Chaos - 8/21/2026
Baghdad - One News - 8/21/2026 The head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Faleh al-Fayyad, stated that the “resistance” phase cannot continue as a permanent occupation, calling for the transfer of responsibilities to state institutions upon reaching the stage of stability.
Al-Fayyad said regarding the bombing of the Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters, that the statements, indications, and accounts that were conveyed from the American and Saudi sides before the bombing of Iraq indicate that the targeting was in Basra, while most of the martyrs fell in Mosul. So where is Basra in relation to Mosul? We did not record any sacrifices or martyrs in Basra.
He stressed that no one but the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces could remove him from his position, while warning against dealing with the issue of disarming the factions by force.https://1news-iq.net/الفياض-يلمز-الفصائل-مرحلة-المقاومة-ل/
Qasim Al-Araji, Supporting Al-Zaydi's Proposal: Confining Weapons Is A Sovereign Decision, And Dialogue Is The Way To Achieve It
Latest News Friday,August 21, 2026 Baghdad - One News - 8/21/2026 The security advisor to the Prime Minister, Qasim al-Araji, confirmed on Friday that what Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi presented during the eighth Baghdad Dialogue Conference confirms the state’s steadfastness in its national choices, foremost among them being the restriction of weapons to state institutions and the consolidation of the rule of law.
Al-Araji said in a post published on his account on the “X” platform that restricting weapons represents a sovereign Iraqi decision that is accomplished through dialogue and national understanding, in a way that preserves stability and puts the interest of Iraq and its people above all considerations.
He added that consolidating security, the rule of law, and preserving national decision-making are fundamental pillars for building a strong state, a stable economy, and an attractive investment environment.
Al-Araji pointed out that Iraq is proceeding with a balanced national vision that enhances its position and protects its interests, explaining that its foreign relations are based on mutual respect and a balance of interests, which consolidates its presence as an active partner in promoting the security, stability and prosperity of the region.
Al-Araji's statements come in support of what the Prime Minister put forward during the Baghdad Dialogue Conference regarding the issue of restricting weapons, and the emphasis on achieving it through dialogue and national understanding, within a path aimed at strengthening the authority of the state and preserving national decision-making.
https://1news-iq.net/قاسم-الأعرجي-مؤيداً-طرح-الزيدي-حصر-الس/
Trump Unveils 'Unprecedented' Financial Siege Against Tehran - 8/20/2026
2026-08-20 / 03:43 Shafaq News- Washington US President Donald Trump on Thursday launched a new push to isolate Iran economically, threatening countries and companies that maintain financial or commercial ties with Tehran with “severe economic consequences.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Iran of failing to seize an opportunity for a deal with Washington, declaring the “MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY.”
“This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale,” he wrote, portraying Iran as severely weakened after months of conflict, with its navy disappearing, its air force destroyed and its military factories reduced to rubble.
Donald J. Trump TRUTH@realDonaldTrump
No one has given the Islamic Republic of Iran a greater opportunity to make a Deal than me. TRAGICALLY, for them, they have failed to take it. Therefore, today, I am announcing the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY!
This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale. Their navy is gone, their air force is destroyed, their military factories are now rubble, their currency is worthless, and their country is hanging by a thread.
Today, I am also announcing that ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences.
Oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies — It all needs to stop NOW. You know who you are.
This will be an ECONOMIC D-DAY, and we need all of our Allies to stand with the United States of America to isolate, and defeat, the Iran threat. These maniacs are on the ropes, and these HISTORIC MEASURES will cripple them and their ability to project terror worldwide.
IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.President DONALD J. TRUMP
He also described Iran’s currency as worthless and “hanging by a thread,” warning that countries allowing their banks, companies, airports or government agencies to support Iran could face massive punitive measures.
Axios, citing US officials, previously reported that Washington was preparing new economic measures against Iran as it seeks to increase pressure on Tehran and bring it back to the negotiating table.
The two countries signed an interim memorandum on June 17 aimed at ending nearly six months of war and paving the way for a broader agreement. The 60-day negotiating period set by the United States expired on Monday without a permanent settlement, while Trump indicated that no talks with Iran were underway or scheduled.
https://www.shafaq.com/en/World/Trump-unveils-unprecedented-financial-siege-against-Tehran
Reuters: Trump Threatens Economic Consequences Against Any Country Providing A "Lifeline" To Iran, And The UAE Preempted This
latest newsThursday, August 20, 2026 Washington - One News - 8/20/2026 Reuters reported that US President Donald Trump warned of economic consequences against any country that provides “any kind of lifeline to Iran,” at a time when the United States is seeking to end a war it started alongside Israel about six months ago.
The agency noted that Trump’s threats and announcements on social media do not always translate into detailed policies or actions implemented in the manner described in his posts.
She added that Trump did not specify what steps the United States would take against any country that provides support to Iran, which could apparently include US allies who helped broker peace talks, nor did he name any country.
She added that the United Arab Emirates, which hosts a major US military base, announced the suspension of all commercial activities, trade exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice.
https://1news-iq.net/رويترز-ترمب-يهدد-بعواقب-اقتصادية-ضد-أي/