Some “Iraq News” Posted by Tishwash at TNT 4-17-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: The Speaker of Parliament affirms the commitment to supporting the independence of monetary policy and monitoring the performance of the Central Bank.
Official statement…
The Speaker of Parliament, Hebat Al-Halbousi, received the Governor of the Central Bank, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, on Thursday.
The meeting discussed the reality of monetary policy in Iraq and prospects for enhancing its stability, in line with the requirements of macroeconomic stability, and stressed the importance of continued coordination between the House of Representatives and the Central Bank, in order to enhance the effectiveness of economic policies and achieve the desired development goals.
During the meeting, the Speaker of the Council emphasized the House of Representatives’ interest in monitoring the performance of the Central Bank of Iraq and its commitment to supporting the independence of monetary policy, stressing the importance of strengthening effective coordination between monetary and fiscal policies in order to contribute to achieving economic balance and reducing inflationary pressures.
He pointed out that the House of Representatives, based on its oversight and legislative role, affirms its monitoring of the procedures and policies adopted by the Central Bank, in order to enhance transparency and strengthen confidence in the banking sector, stressing the House’s readiness to provide the necessary legislative cover to support financial and banking reforms.
For his part, the Governor of the Central Bank reviewed the most prominent measures taken to enhance monetary stability, regulate the exchange market, and develop the banking sector, stressing that the bank will continue to work in accordance with best international practices and in a way that supports financial stability.
Media Office of the Speaker of Parliament,
April 16, 2026 link
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Tishwash: An Iraqi expert says approving the 2026 budget is almost impossible, and postponement until the end of the year is possible.
Economic and financial expert Haider Al-Sheikh confirmed on Thursday that the discussions circulating within the House of Representatives regarding moving to legislate the federal budget law for 2026 are “almost impossible” given the limited time and its insufficiency for the government and parliament to accomplish this obligation.
The sheikh explained to “Roj News” that “the next Iraqi government is expected to be formed in about a month, but it will need at least three months to prepare and approve the draft budget law before sending it to the House of Representatives, which means that the draft law, if prepared, may reach Parliament during October or the end of this year.”
He pointed out that “Iraq relies primarily on oil exports to maximize its revenues,” noting that “the cessation of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz has directly affected oil exports, as revenues have decreased from about $7 billion to only about $2 billion.”
He explained that “the Iraqi government needs at least $120 billion to prepare and finance the federal budget in order to secure employee salaries and cover the state’s public expenses.” link
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Tishwash: Is there an American and an Iranian “veto” on the second Sudanese term, or is it a fabricated political narrative?
Some claim there is an Iranian veto on the nomination of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for the premiership of the new government, and that there is also an American veto on the same issue, but this is untrue. According to observers, the Iranians are too bold to conceal their position, and if they have an opinion or reservation, they do not reject it outright, but rather express their stance indirectly. This has not happened at all with al-Sudani; on the contrary, there are numerous positive signals coming from the Iranian side that are in Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's favor.
Similarly, the Americans are the most outspoken and direct in declaring their position, and no one is clearer in expressing their political stance on such an issue. Certainly, no negative statement or insinuation regarding al-Sudani's premiership came from the Washington government or its representatives. In contrast, we find a clear American statement against al-Maliki's nomination, issued personally by US President Donald Trump, in which he unequivocally expressed his rejection of Abu Israa assuming the premiership for a third time.
The Americans, especially President Trump, feel no hesitation in declaring their position against any official in the world.
For example, their stance on the government in Venezuela was clear, and Trump himself stated it publicly on numerous occasions.
The Americans undoubtedly have many ways of expressing their position, including through the American ambassador to Iraq, who speaks frankly, or the chargé d'affaires, or through Trump's envoys and representatives.
But this never happened in the matter of Al-Sudani’s nomination. Those who promote this lie are “promoting it for purely political and self-serving purposes that have no relation to reality and truth.” The head of the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, Bahaa Al-Araji, said it frankly: The American veto on Al-Sudani is a clear lie.
Yes, America has no veto, ban, or objection to al-Sudani. The rumors and propaganda spread by some forces within the Coordination Framework are a blatant lie and nothing more than a deliberate attempt to confuse the situation. When they claim there is a veto on al-Maliki and a veto on al-Sudani, they are pursuing a self-serving objective: to present a "third candidate"
—a candidate carefully tailored to their own interests and utilitarian needs.
Indeed, these rumors are being circulated by certain parties seeking to bring in a weak prime minister who can be controlled and manipulated as they please.
As for Iran, it has no reservations about al-Sudani.
Tehran certainly knows al-Sudani's nature better than anyone else, and is aware of his skill in keeping Iraq out of the conflict zone, and his ability to maintain a neutral stance, specifically on the safe path. This is a point the Iranians value and are very concerned with. Therefore, officials in Tehran have sent several positive and favorable signals to the Iraqi government and its president, al-Sudani.
Iran is also well aware of the al-Sudani government's supportive stance towards the Lebanese people, the resistance, and Hezbollah, and its prevention of any leniency or inclination by any party within the government towards any axis hostile to Iran or its allies.
Therefore, the American and Iranian veto card is a false card, and whoever promotes it as a rumor should look for another card.
Then how can this strange paradox be believed, which says that the Sudanese are facing a veto from both opposing sides together?
Logic means standing with America or standing with Iran, and this means that the veto will come from one of them and not from both of them together.. as they cannot possibly agree on one position.
Therefore, some parties within the coordination framework must look for excuses or justifications other than this narrative, which, according to many observers, has lost credibility in the eyes of a public that is now more open than ever! link
Tishwash: Minerals and “white gold” put Najaf on the investment map in Iraq
The Iraqi Geological Survey Authority confirmed that Najaf Governorate represents one of the most prominent areas for mining investment in Iraq, due to its strategic mineral wealth and high-quality silica sand (white gold).
Senior Geologist Haider Hadi Abdul Zahra, director of the Najaf office of the commission, said, “The commission is working to promote mineral investment within an integrated industrial, geological and economic environment, given the importance of this sector in supporting the national economy and diversifying sources of income.”
He added that “the Authority seeks to develop and promote mineral investment in various regions of Iraq by developing the mining industry and making use of natural resources, while opening the door to investments in accordance with the amended Mineral Investment Law No. (91) of 1988, in a manner consistent with market requirements and contributing to the development of the industrial sector.”
He explained that “the Najaf office provides facilities for the work of the Authority in the covered governorates, through monitoring the field activities of mineral investment operations, providing scientific and technical expertise related to mineral wealth and ways to invest in it, as well as supporting the field teams with experts and technicians to complete mining projects.”
He pointed out that “Najaf Governorate possesses important mineral resources, most notably high-quality limestone deposits used in the manufacture of cement, marble substitutes, and building materials, making it a key factor in supporting housing and urban development projects.”
He added that “the governorate also contains strategic reserves of pure quartz sand and sand suitable for casting used in the ceramics and industrial molds industries, as well as high-quality silica sand used in the manufacture of colored glass.”
He explained that “there are other types of sand used in filtration systems (water filters), in addition to the sand used in the manufacture of concrete bricks, clay bricks, and standard sand used in the manufacture of cement, as well as valley deposits that provide building sand, gravel, and aggregates used in construction work.”
He pointed out that “one of the most prominent indicators of the presence of strategic minerals in Najaf is the mineral strontium sulfate, which is used in advanced industries such as radar and television screens, which enhances the opportunities for advanced industrial investment in the governorate.”
He stressed that “the diversity of mineral reserves in Najaf provides promising investment opportunities in the mining sector, especially in the cement and silica sand industries, which contributes to supporting the national economy and promoting sustainable industrial development.”
Official reports and geological experts confirm that Iraq possesses huge reserves of high-purity silica sand, which is called “white gold” in economic circles, ranging between 350 million confirmed tons and expectations of up to one billion tons in the Anbar and Najaf deserts.
This resource is of paramount strategic importance as it is the primary raw material for the clean energy revolution and the manufacture of solar panels, electronic chips, and optical fibers.
With the purity of these sands reaching 99%, Iraq seeks to transform them from a raw material into advanced manufacturing industries, which could boost the general budget by billions of dollars and provide more than 10,000 job opportunities, coinciding with expectations that the global silica market will grow to reach $85.86 billion by 2033. link