Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Late Wednesday Evening 6-17-26
MP: Washington Is Using The Dollar To Blackmail Iraq
16 Jun 2026 The Information Agency / Baghdad – MP Abbas Qusay asserted on Tuesday that the United States is using the dollar as a tool for financial pressure and blackmail against Iraq, indicating that this is reflected in the country's economic policies.
Qusay told the Information Agency, "The United States is using the dollar to financially blackmail Iraq and is imposing its influence on all financial transactions and transfers."
He added that "American interference in Iraqi financial policy is one of the main reasons behind the disruption of the economy and the slowdown of some economic measures within the country."
He pointed out that "the Iraqi economy needs to strengthen its financial independence and reduce its reliance on instruments that give external parties the ability to influence national economic decisions."
He emphasized that "the continuation of this approach negatively impacts economic stability and development in Iraq."
https://almaalomah.me/news/135782/economy/نائب:-واشنطن-تستخدم-الدولار-لابتزاز-العراق
Sources To Alwan News: Two Shipments Of US Dollars In Cash Arrive In Baghdad Coinciding With Tom Barrack's Visit To Iraq
latest news 2026 Baghdad - One News - 6/17/2026 Informed Iraqi sources told Alwan News that two shipments of cash dollars arrived in the capital, Baghdad, coinciding with the visit of the US Special Envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barrack.
According to the sources, the incoming funds will support the stability of the exchange market and maintain the value of the Iraqi dinar, as well as enhance import operations and finance foreign trade.
This step comes in light of Iraqi-American talks related to financial and economic files, in addition to energy and arms files, amid a government trend to avoid any pressures or sanctions that may affect the local market.
https://1news-iq.net/مصادر-لوان-نيوز-وصول-دفعتين-من-الدولار/
Financial Expert: Expectations Of A Dinar Devaluation Are Driving Increased Demand For The Dollar And Fueling Speculation.
Shafaq News – Baghdad Financial expert and former Director General of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mahmoud Dagher, revealed on Wednesday that expectations of a reduction in the value of the Iraqi dinar in light of the economic situation and existing debts are driving an increase in demand for the dollar and a rise in its price in the local market.
Dagher added, in an interview with Shafaq News Agency, that statements and leaks related to the work of the Central Bank or the possibility of changing the exchange rate contribute to strengthening waves of speculation, noting that the market usually enters a cycle of anticipation that pushes towards strengthening dollar holdings among various economic actors, which is directly reflected in prices.
He explained that such expectations often lead to a collective behavior among individuals and companies towards converting savings into foreign currency, which increases the demand for it in the free market.
The local markets witnessed a rise in the exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar during the past few days; as it recorded on Wednesday in the Al-Kifah exchange 156,000 dinars for every 100 dollars, while the official rate adopted by the Central Bank is 132,000 dinars. https://www.shafaq.com/ar/اقتصـاد/خبير-مالي-توقعات-خفض-قيمة-الدينار-تدفع-لزيادة-الطلب-على-الدولار-وتغذي-المضاربات
The Central Bank Of Iraq Denies A Forged Document Regarding A Change In The Exchange Rate.
economy The Central Bank of Iraq on Wednesday categorically denied reports circulating about an intention to amend the exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar.
The bank warned in a statement, “against dealing with misleading news, revealing that it had detected a forged document circulating that claims a request was submitted from the Prime Minister’s office to the Finance Committee in the House of Representatives to change the exchange rate to (1600) dinars per dollar.”
The bank called on the media and citizens to "be accurate and rely on news and information from official and exclusive sources issued by the Central Bank of Iraq. https://www.alsumaria.tv/news/economy/567320/المركزي-العراقي-ينفي-كتاباً-مزوراً-حول-تغيير-سعر-الصرف
Al-Arab: Al-Zaidi Is In A Complicated Situation Between Factions Entrenched In The State, Supported By Iran, And An American Administration That Wants To Dismantle Them
latest news Baghdad - One News - 6/17/2026 The London-based Al-Arab newspaper reported that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi finds himself in a very complicated position between Iranian-backed armed groups on one hand, and the US administration led by Donald Trump on the other, amid escalating pressure related to the issue of armed factions loyal to Tehran.
The newspaper pointed out that the challenges facing al-Zaidi go beyond simply being described as difficult, as Iran’s allies in Iraq do not want an independent prime minister who responds to American demands, at a time when Washington seems determined to reduce Iranian influence and deal firmly with the factions linked to Tehran.
She added that al-Zaidi faces a delicate equation, as his failure to strike a balance between the two sides could lead to him losing the internal political support he needs to ensure the stability of his government, or losing the American support that greeted the new government with cautious welcome. https://1news-iq.net/العرب-الزيدي-في-وضع-مُعقد-بين-فصائل-متو/
The central bank's foreign reserves declined by more than 1.7 trillion dinars in one week.
The Central Bank of Iraq revealed on Wednesday a decline in its foreign reserves during the second quarter of this year.
A statement from the bank, received by Al-Maalomah News Agency, indicated that “reserves reached approximately 118.947 trillion dinars on May 28, compared to 120.675 trillion dinars on May 21, a decrease of 1.728 trillion dinars, or 1.43%, indicating a continued downward trend during May.
” The statement added, “Reserves continued their decline on a monthly basis, recording approximately 127.152 trillion dinars in April, after standing at 130.443 trillion dinars in March, reflecting a gradual decrease in total reserve assets during the period from March to the end of May.”
It also noted that "the value of gold included in official reserves reached approximately 32.973 trillion dinars, representing one of the most important hedging elements within the foreign reserves structure."
Al-Halbousi and the Private Sector Development Council discuss encouraging local, foreign investment
Iraqi News Agency INA - BAGHDAD - June 17th, 2026 Speaker of Parliament Haybat al-Halbousi met with a delegation from the Private Sector Development Council on Wednesday to discuss the state of the private sector in Iraq and the legislation needed to encourage local and foreign investment in the country.
Al-Halbousi received a delegation from the Private Sector Development Council headed by Abdullah Saleh al-Jubouri, according to the Speaker's media office statement received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.
During the meeting, the current state of the private sector in Iraq was discussed, along with the most prominent challenges and obstacles facing the business environment and ways to address them, in order to contribute to strengthening economic activity.
The meeting addressed “the necessary legislation that contributes to strengthening the role of the private sector and encouraging local and foreign investment, and the importance of refining this legislation by utilizing the proposals and opinions of specialists and experts, so that it is passed in a way that meets the requirements of economic development and supports the business environment in Iraq."