Sunday Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 9-6-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Currency exchange offices closed at Baghdad airport; travelers warned of delays.
The Baghdad International Airport administration announced on Saturday that the Central Bank of Iraq has closed a number of exchange companies operating inside the airport, warning travelers of congestion and delays in currency exchange procedures .
The airport administration said in a statement seen by “Al-Sa’a” that “passengers whose travel requires them to complete currency exchange procedures must come to the airport early and well before the flight time.”
She added that "this comes as a result of the closure of a number of exchange companies operating at the airport by the Central Bank of Iraq, which may lead to a surge and delay in the currency exchange process."
The Baghdad Airport administration urged the concerned passengers to "arrive well before the flight time, in order to avoid any delay that may affect their travel procedures link
Tishwash: The Central Bank warns against fake news aimed at destabilizing the economy.
The Central Bank's media director, Haider Ghazi, denied on Saturday that the dollar exchange rate had been officially changed.
Ghazi told Shafaq News Agency that "the news circulating about changing the dollar exchange rate is false and baseless."
He added that "the news aims to destabilize the economy and the exchange rate, for specific purposes."
A short while ago, news spread on social media that the exchange rate had changed, and that the Central Bank had announced that deposits would be at a rate of 1460 dinars per dollar, starting tomorrow link
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Tishwash: Al-Zaydi's advisor: The Iraqi economy is hostage to oil, and liberating it begins with activating other sectors.
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Saturday that the Iraqi economy depends almost entirely on oil export revenues, explaining that the movement of oil revenues is directly reflected in the Iraqi balance of payments, whether in cases of surplus or deficit.
Saleh told Al-Maalomah that “any shocks or crises that the global economy is exposed to from the outside directly affect the Iraqi economy, given the high level of dependence on oil as a main source of public revenues.”
He added that "one of the main ways to avoid the repercussions of global economic crises is to diversify the economy and sources of financial revenues," stressing "the need to gradually move towards a more diversified economy that is less dependent on oil."
Saleh pointed out that "Iraq should, during the next ten years, work to raise the percentage of non-oil revenues to constitute about 45 percent of the total budget revenues, which will enhance financial stability and reduce the economy's sensitivity to fluctuations in oil prices."
He emphasized that "supporting the general budget requires diversifying funding and revenue sources, along with strengthening productive sectors, especially agriculture and industry, in order to contribute to building a more sustainable economy capable of withstanding crises." link
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Tishwash: Former MP: Washington is pushing for its conditions to be met in exchange for completing the government cabinet.
Former MP Rasoul Radhi confirmed that the US administration is exerting pressure on Iraq to achieve its conditions in exchange for giving the green light to Ali al-Zaidi to complete his cabinet.
Radhi told Al-Maalouma, "The government has an agreement and a specific date for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq on September 30th. Resistance factions and political parties are monitoring this matter to see the seriousness of implementing this agreement before beginning a new phase."
He added, "The US administration has imposed conditions on Iraq, preventing the government from completing its cabinet or filling vacant ministerial posts until after September 30th, the date set for the withdrawal of US forces."
He explained that "America is pressuring the government and setting conditions for completing the cabinet, seeking through this pressure to disarm the Islamic resistance in Iraq." link
Tishwash: Central Bank Rejects Rumors Of Devaluing Iraqi Dinar
At a Glance:
The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) on Saturday refuted widely circulating rumors regarding plans to increase the official USD/IQD exchange rate.
CBI Media Director Haider Ghazi reaffirmed that the official exchange rate remains fixed, dismissing claims that deposits or official transactions would be repriced to 1,460 IQD per dollar.
The central bank cautioned that false reports aim to destabilize financial markets, urging media platforms and the public to verify information via official channels.
The CBI's official selling rate stands unchanged at 1,310 IQD per USD for commercial operations and transfers.
The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) issued a firm denial on Saturday, September 5, 2026, rejecting unverified reports and social media claims that federal monetary authorities intend to devalue the Iraqi dinar against the US dollar. Reaffirming its official policy baseline, the CBI confirmed that no adjustments to the exchange rate have been enacted, describing circulated rumors of a rate hike to 1,460 IQD as unfounded attempts to destabilize local currency markets.
Key Statements and Focus Area:
Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) Official Statement (Carried via State Media):
"Reports claiming an intention to raise the exchange rate of the US dollar are completely unfounded. No decision has been issued in this regard, and the official exchange rate approved by the Central Bank has undergone no change. We urge all news outlets and social media users to exercise accuracy and rely exclusively on official sources for monetary policy updates."
Haider Ghazi, Media Director of the Central Bank of Iraq:
"The rumors suggesting a rate shift to 1,460 dinars per dollar are designed to create market anxiety and undermine economic stability. The bank maintains its established exchange rate framework, and operational indicators remain grounded in official standards."
Official vs. Parallel Market Currency Benchmarks
Exchange Framework
Benchmark Rate (IQD per $1 USD)
Policy / Operational Status
Budgetary Base Rate
1,300 IQD
Government fiscal accounting baseline
CBI Official Bank Rate
1,310 IQD
Standard rate for commercial bank foreign transfer sales
Parallel Market (Baghdad)
~1,547 IQD (154,750 per $100)
Unofficial exchange bureau rate
(subject to continuous market changes)
Parallel Market (Erbil)
~1,540 IQD (154,000 per $100)
Unofficial regional exchange rate
(subject to continuous market changes)
Social Media Rumors and CBI Clarification
The central bank's statement followed a wave of digital posts claiming that starting September 6, official financial institutions would adjust dollar conversion pricing to 1,460 IQD per USD. Rebutting the speculative claims, the CBI clarified that monetary policy remains firmly anchored to the structural framework established alongside the Ministry of Finance.CBI officials highlighted that foreign exchange reserves and trade processing mechanisms remain stable, preventing the need for currency devaluations.
Monetary Control and Market Volatility
The CBI continues to manage the structural spread between official bank transfer rates and informal exchange markets. While local exchange bureaus in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra traded between 1,540 and 1,547 IQD per dollar on Saturday, central bank regulators reiterated that official trade imports and foreign transfers continue to be processed at the pegged rate. Regulators warned that spreading forged notices or unauthorized policy claims would trigger legal oversight to preserve financial system security.
FYI
By immediately countering exchange rate rumors, the CBI aims to prevent speculative hoarding and artificial inflation spikes across local consumer markets. Maintaining a firm peg at 1,310 IQD reinforces the government's commitment to fiscal continuity, though persistent parallel market spreads highlight the ongoing challenge of meeting cash-dollar demand outside official banking channels. link