Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Wednesday Evening 2-25-26
An Economist Says Reforming Private Banks Is Key To Stabilizing The Dollar And Boosting Confidence In The Financial Market.
Baghdad Today – Baghdad Economic expert Ahmed Abdel Rabbo confirmed on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) that the Central Bank of Iraq has taken a series of measures during the past period aimed at controlling the exchange market and enhancing financial stability, in light of the monetary challenges that Iraq has recently witnessed.
Abd Rabbo explained in an interview with “Baghdad Today” that the current stage requires speeding up the completion of the private banks reform project, as it is the cornerstone for achieving permanent stability in the dollar exchange rate within the local market, noting that the continued existence of some banks under sanctions contributes to creating bottlenecks in the supply of foreign currency and negatively affects the level of confidence in the banking sector.
Supporting Restructuring
He added that it is necessary to intensify efforts to support the work of Oliver Wyman, which is concerned with the restructuring of banks, in order to complete the banking compliance requirements within clear and announced timetables, which will contribute to removing a number of banks from the circle of restrictions and returning them to normal activity in accordance with transparent standards and strict supervision.
Reducing The Gap Between The Two Prices
Abdel Rabbo pointed out that achieving tangible progress in this direction will not only reduce the gap between the official and parallel dollar exchange rates, but will also send a genuine message of reassurance to the markets that the path of financial reforms is proceeding steadily, and that monetary stability is no longer a temporary measure, but a long-term strategic option to enhance confidence in the Iraqi financial market.
Over the past two years, Iraq has witnessed fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate as a result of tightening foreign transfer procedures and international compliance requirements, which prompted the Central Bank of Iraq to adopt stricter regulatory and supervisory mechanisms to control the currency sale window and enhance transparency.
Some private banks were also subjected to restrictive measures and sanctions, which affected the supply of foreign currency in the local market and widened the gap between the official and parallel exchange rates.
In this context, the restructuring of the banking sector has emerged as one of the most important paths of financial reform to ensure sustainable monetary stability and enhance confidence in the banking system. https://baghdadtoday.news/293908-.html
Al-Mada Newspaper: An Anticipated Shift Within The Coordination Framework May Remove Maliki And Enhance Sudani's Chances Of Securing A Second Term.
Baghdad – One News Al-Mada newspaper reported that political data indicates the possibility of a shift within the forces of the Coordination Framework that may lead to the removal of the leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, from the race for the premiership, with the current Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, having increased chances of assuming the position again.
The newspaper explained that the tour of Tom Barrack, the envoy of US President Donald Trump, in Baghdad was interpreted by political circles as an American green light to grant Al-Sudani a second term, in light of Washington’s search for a partner capable of maintaining stability and preventing escalation.
She added that the Sudanese is seen by some circles as a suitable guarantee for Washington to curb the movement of the factions, especially in the event that the United States carries out a new military strike against Tehran, which gives him an advantage in international calculations.
https://1news-iq.net/جريدة-المدى-تحوّل-مرتقب-داخل-الإطار-ال/
Iraq Exports 107M+ Oil Barrels In January
2026-02-25 Shafaq News- Baghdad Iraq exported more than 107,616,220 barrels of crude oil in January, generating $6,485,294,000 billion in revenue, according to data released on Wednesday by the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO).
Crude shipments from fields in central and southern Iraq accounted for 101,160,349 barrels, while exports from the Kurdistan Region via Turkiye’s Ceyhan port totaled 6,445 barrels.
No crude was exported to Jordan or from the Qayyarah field during the month.
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Iraq-exports-107M-oil-barrels-in-January
Dollar Steadies In Baghdad, Slips In Erbil On Closure
2026-02-25 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil The US dollar closed Wednesday’s trading flat in Baghdad, hovering near 154,000 dinars per 100 dollars, while edging lower by about 150 dinars in Erbil.
According to a Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 153,750 dinars per 100 dollars, unchanged from the morning session.
In Baghdad, exchange shops sold the dollar at 154,250 dinars and bought it at 153,250 dinars, while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 153,300 dinars and buying prices at 153,200 dinars.
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Dollar-steadies-in-Baghdad-slips-in-Erbil
Iraqi Resistance Coordination blasts “US interference” in Iraqi affairs
2026-02-25 Shafaq News- Baghdad The Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee on Wednesday condemned what it described as US interference in Iraq’s political affairs, accusing Washington of “determining which political figures are allowed to assume government positions and which are excluded.”
In a statement, the committee, an umbrella group that includes armed factions allied with Iran, said relations between Iraq and the United States are not based on equality between sovereign states. It added that “the occupation continues to violate Iraqi airspace, whether through drones or warplanes,” calling this a serious security threat that undermines the country’s stability and territorial integrity and constitutes “a blatant violation of sovereignty and national dignity.”
The group also accused the United States of failing to fulfill its commitments. “We have not seen any real steps to implement the remainder of the agreement concluded with the Iraqi government, which stipulates the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Iraqi territory and airspace.”
It warned that what it called continued evasion and delay “leaves us with no choice but to assume our legal and moral responsibilities in taking positions befitting the dignity of our people and their legitimate right to end the occupation, if US forces insist on maintaining their presence and imposing their will on the country.”
A senior White House official reiterated the US administration’s opposition to the nomination of Nouri Al-Maliki for the post of prime minister, according to remarks reported on Wednesday by Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. The official was quoted as saying that “a government controlled by Iran cannot put Iraq’s interests first, keep Iraq out of regional conflicts, or strengthen a mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Iraq.”
Speaking to Shafaq News, a senior source within Iraq’s Coordination Framework (CF) said the US extended a deadline for the CF until February 27 to withdraw Al-Maliki’s nomination. He noted that the deadline was discussed during a meeting held on Monday, where Al-Maliki made clear he would not step aside, adding that any reversal would have to come from the bloc that nominated him.
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraqi-Resistance-Coordination-blasts-US-interference-in-Iraqi-affairs
Trump's Pressure Goes Public... Maliki's Fate To Be Decided Friday Night
2026-02-24 Shafaq News – Baghdad On Tuesday, an official source within the Coordination Framework revealed details of the meeting of the Coordination Framework leaders, which was held last night at the home of the head of the Supreme Islamic Council, Humam Hamoudi, explaining that it witnessed the absence of both the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, and the Secretary-General of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Qais al-Khazali.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that "the framework obtained a new extension of the American deadline for withdrawing al-Maliki's nomination, and the deadline will end next Friday. This was discussed during the meeting, and al-Maliki informed them that he does not intend to withdraw his nomination at all. He told them that the two-thirds who nominated al-Maliki should withdraw his nomination, and he does not object to that. This is the closest thing to the scene in the next few days."
He added that "the Sunni objection is no longer just from Halbousi, but there is now a Sunni political consensus from all blocs, parties and frameworks. This was officially communicated and discussed during a meeting last night."
According to the responsible source within the coordination framework, before Friday, that is, before the end of the new and final American deadline, there will be an important and decisive meeting of the coordination framework.
The source concluded by noting that the US Special Envoy to Iraq and Syria, Tom Barrack, clearly conveyed during his meetings in both Baghdad and Erbil the firm and clear US position of rejecting al-Maliki’s nomination for Prime Minister, and outlined what decisions Washington could make if the framework insisted on proceeding with al-Maliki’s nomination.
The issue of deciding on the presidency and the Iranian-American escalation topped the agenda of the coordination framework talks on Monday evening, where the need to finalize the formation of the new government was emphasized, without mentioning the candidate for its leadership, the leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki.
https://www.shafaq.com/ar/سیاسة/ضغوط-ترمب-تنتقل-للعلن-مصير-المالكي-يحسم-ليلة-الجمعة