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The government devalues ​​the dinar and opens the door to new appointments… contradictions that strain the budget.

The government’s decisions in the budget law have sparked political criticism, particularly its move to devalue the dinar against the dollar to secure liquidity and address the financial deficit, while simultaneously burdening the budget with new appointments and the regularization of contracts.

Former member of the parliamentary finance committee, Mohammed Ibrahim, told Al-Maalomah, “There are many questions surrounding the government’s decision to devalue the dinar against the dollar to provide liquidity and increase revenues, while the existing deficit and liquidity shortage raise questions about the government’s motives for releasing appointments and creating new job positions.”

He added, “The issue of appointments to permanent positions does not necessarily translate into economic returns for the state or increased revenues through the productivity of the new employee,” noting that “there is no problem with some employees remaining on contracts; this is a successful practice in other countries and has proven that such employees will be productive.”

He explained that “releasing appointments in the budget while the exchange rate is changing confirms the existence of contradictions, especially since securing liquidity, providing it, and addressing the deficit cannot be achieved by increasing financial burdens and straining the budget with new appointments.”

Almaalomah.me

Barak: Iraq holds the key to dialogue with Iran, and we encourage strengthening trade and visits between them.

US envoy Tom Barrack asserted on Wednesday that Iraq possesses the “magic key” to resolving regional crises and managing dialogue with Iran, emphasizing that Washington encourages Baghdad to strengthen its trade relations and religious visits with Tehran instead of adopting a hostile stance. Iraqeconomic reports

Barak said during a dialogue session hosted by the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, in London, and followed by Shafaq News Agency, that “the United States wants to learn from the lessons of the past and acknowledge the importance of the rule of law and democracy,” adding that “we must review what we have done for 23 years in Iraq; we were guests in this country, and many times we were bad guests, and we were not the owners of the house.”

The US envoy explained that “Iraq has a special and difficult situation as a result of the religious commonalities and extensive borders with Iran, which requires following a special policy towards the two countries,” noting that “Washington’s position is not to make Iraq an enemy of Iran, but rather to enable it to be the magic key to the doors of solutions, and to conduct dialogues that the United States cannot lead directly, in parallel with the continuation of the US economic embargo on Tehran and the threat of the military option if necessary.”

Regarding the withdrawal of the US-led international coalition against ISIS from Iraq, Barak said: “Our position has been clear from the beginning; the international coalition will withdraw from Iraq and as guests we have left, but we will remain as a permanent partner and we will not leave Iraq,” adding: “Washington will not stay forever to directly guarantee security and stability, but rather seeks to support Iraq’s unity, stability and the rule of law so that it can protect itself in a region that is constantly changing.”

Shafaq.com

The regional government calls on the Patriotic Union’s ministerial team to end the boycott and return to its meetings.

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Council of Ministers announced on Wednesday its support for the initiative of Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, who called on all political parties in the region to sit down at the negotiating table and resolve the existing disputes between them. At the same time, it called on the ministerial team of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to end its boycott of the council’s sessions and return to carry out its duties in the regional government. ReadDaily News

This came during the Regional Council of Ministers’ regular weekly meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, where it discussed a number of important issues related to Masoud Barzani’s initiative, the outcomes of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s high-level delegation’s visit to Baghdad, as well as the terrorist attack on the Kormor gas field and its repercussions.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Council of Ministers, in an official statement, expressed its welcome and support for Barzani’s initiative to call on political parties to engage in dialogue and address differences, in order to strengthen the foundations of the political system and consolidate legitimate and constitutional institutions in the Kurdistan Region.

The Cabinet also called on “colleagues” in the ministerial team of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to resume Cabinet meetings and resume their work and carry out their governmental duties, stressing that the institutional framework of the Cabinet is the natural way to raise any observations or proposals they have to be discussed and addressed within the framework of the Council meetings.

On another note, the Cabinet discussed the outcomes of the recent visit of the high-level Kurdistan Region delegation, headed by the Prime Minister, to Baghdad, and its meeting with the federal government delegation, headed by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

During his talks in Baghdad, the Prime Minister stressed the need to respect the federal system in Iraq and the constitutional entity of the Kurdistan Region, and to secure the financial entitlements and the region’s share of the federal general budget fairly and justly.

The Cabinet directed the negotiating delegation to continue its discussions and negotiations regarding the draft federal general budget for the year 2027, based on the understandings and positive atmosphere that resulted from the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Baghdad, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive, final and fair agreement that guarantees salaries, financial entitlements and the Kurdistan Region’s share in the federal general budget.

In another item on the meeting’s agenda, the Minister of Electricity and Acting Minister of Natural Resources presented a report on the repercussions of the terrorist attack on the Kormor gas field, which resulted in the cessation of gas production at the field and a decline in electricity supply to citizens. He also addressed the Ministry of Electricity’s efforts to compensate for some of the resulting shortfall through power generation plants operating on heavy fuel oil, diesel, hydroelectric power, and associated gas.

The Interior Minister then reviewed the details of the work of the joint security committee formed between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to investigate the facts and follow up on the circumstances of the attack, stressing that the ongoing investigations are continuing, according to the statement.

The Council of Ministers condemned in the strongest terms this terrorist attack on the Kormor field, which aims to undermine and sabotage the economic and energy infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in general, and to harm the public interest of citizens, stressing the need to put a final end to these attacks.

Shafaq.com

The Integrity Commission warns those appointed to government positions: 90 days to end conflicts of interest

The authority concluded by saying that removing the conflict of interest does not exempt the person in charge from the legal responsibility resulting from harming public funds or breaching job duties.

On Wednesday, the Integrity Commission issued a code of conduct regarding conflict of interest rules for those assigned to government positions, while granting them a 90-day period to resolve and end conflict of interest cases. ReadDaily News

The commission stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the regulation, which was based on Articles (1, 3, 6, 9, 10, 20) of the Integrity and Illicit Gains Commission Law No. 30 of 2011 as amended, indicated that the term conflict of interest refers to any situation in which the person in charge, or his spouse, children, or a relative up to the second degree, has a material interest that conflicts with his position or job.

She pointed out that she obligated the person in charge to prioritize the public interest over the private interest when performing duties and job tasks, and to preserve public funds and not use or exploit them to achieve personal interests.

She explained that it aims to prevent the exploitation of public funds, positions, or public jobs for personal gain or benefits, and to ensure justice, equal opportunities, impartiality, and professionalism in the performance of public functions, as well as to improve the performance of public service, prevent corruption, and prevent the emergence of an environment conducive to it.

She added that its provisions apply to those required to submit a financial disclosure statement, pointing to cases of conflict of interest, including combining public office with any other official work or position, exploiting influence or position to achieve material interests at the expense of the public interest, practicing political activities within government institutions, as well as appointing relatives of the person required to the second degree to permanent positions under his direct management, engaging in commercial activities and owning companies or contributing to private projects that have dealings or contracts with government entities, as well as selling or leasing movable or immovable property of the state or buying, leasing or investing state funds, and participating in auctions and tenders conducted by state institutions.

The statement clarified that the regulation also obliges the person in charge to remove the conflict of interest when he assumes the position or job or when it arises during the period of service, stressing that if it is proven to the authority that a conflict of interest has occurred with respect to the person in charge, he is given a period of 90 ninety days from the date of notification, which is renewable once, to remove it by giving it up or leaving the position or job. If the person in charge refuses to do so, the legally prescribed procedures will be taken against him.

Shafaq.com

US envoy: Washington’s position supports the unity of the Kurdistan Region and ending the proliferation of uncontrolled weapons in Iraq.

US envoy Tom Barrack reiterated on Wednesday the United States’ support for the unity of the Kurdistan Region and the end of the proliferation of uncontrolled weapons, calling for the state to have a monopoly on weapons in Iraq. He also called for the protection of foreign investments and companies and for addressing security and political challenges with shared responsibility between Baghdad and Erbil. Iraqeconomic reports

Barak said during a special dialogue session on the sidelines of the Chatham House Royal Institute of International Affairs forum in London, as reported by Shafaq News Agency, that “Washington always encourages the unity of the Kurdish parties, and considers the strength and cohesion of the region to be an essential element for the stability of Iraq and the region.”

The US envoy stressed the need to end the presence of armed factions and unify the security forces under the umbrella of the state, pointing in this context to the importance of organizing security files and involving regular forces in line with successful security models in order to strengthen the rule of law.

Barak added that “the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdish leadership, whether Barzani or Talabani, have been and remain friends, allies and trusted partners of the United States,” adding that “the issue of guaranteeing the rights of the region and other components is an internal Iraqi matter to be decided through dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil, and Washington’s role is limited to providing advice and political support.”

Regarding the economic and security aspect, Barak condemned the attacks targeting investment companies operating in the Kurdistan Region, especially the recent attack on the Kormor gas field, stressing the need to take deterrent measures to counter these attacks in order to protect the investment environment.

The US envoy concluded by saying that “there is a real golden opportunity for Baghdad and Erbil to resolve all outstanding issues,” noting that “Baghdad is tired of the long disputes and outstanding issues, which calls on both sides to take advantage of these understandings to end the pending files and coordinate joint work.”

Shafaq.com

Masrour Barzani: We agreed with Al-Zaidi on a unified budget for Kurdistan and held excellent talks.

On Monday, Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced that an agreement had been reached with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zaidi regarding the allocation of a unified budget covering all parts of the region, stressing that the talks between the two sides were “excellent”. Iraqeconomic reports

Barzani said in a speech from Baghdad, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, that the talks with the Iraqi government were excellent, expressing his pleasure at the good understanding between the two sides, especially regarding the allocation of a single and unified budget for the Kurdistan Region, which includes all its regions.

Regarding the Kormor field, he explained that both sides agreed on the need to put an end to attacks targeting oil and gas fields, noting the formation of an investigative committee on this matter to reach conclusions.

He expressed hope that the investigations would identify those involved in these attacks, so that anyone found responsible would receive the appropriate legal punishment. Earlier today, Federal Prime Minister Ali Zaidi discussed outstanding issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. These issues included the management of oil fields, revenues, employee salaries, the region’s share of the 2027 federal budget, and the oil and gas law.

The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region arrived in the federal capital, Baghdad, on Monday morning to discuss the federal budget law and other issues.

Shafaq.com

Another postponement… The Cabinet will not discuss the 2027 budget.

An informed source revealed on Monday that the Cabinet will not discuss the 2027 budget schedules during its session on Tuesday, indicating that the discussion will be postponed until further notice.

The source explained to Al-Maalomah that “available indicators suggest the Cabinet will not discuss the 2027 budget schedules in its session on Tuesday.”
He clarified that “the postponement is due to several reasons, most notably the lack of agreement between Baghdad and Erbil regarding the Kurdistan Region’s share of the budget, in addition to other discussions concerning the handling of financial entitlements, the regional development budget, and other financial matters.”

The source added that “postponement is necessary until a decisive agreement is reached,” noting that “the visit of a delegation from the Kurdistan Region to Baghdad was aimed at reaching an agreement between Baghdad and Erbil, but so far there are no indications of a comprehensive agreement.”

Almaalomah.me

Carrying Trump’s proposal, al-Zaidi makes an “unannounced” visit to Tehran

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited the Iranian capital, Tehran, last Friday, in an “unannounced visit” that lasted for hours. Iraqeconomic reports

The Iranian news agency Fars reported that al-Zaidi’s talks with the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and the negotiating delegation, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, focused exclusively on Iraqi efforts to end the war between Iran and America.

Fars added that Qalibaf expressed to Al-Zaidi his appreciation for Iraq’s efforts and reviewed the Iranian proposal based on the two-day deadline, stressing the need for the United States to respect Iran’s rights within the framework of the proposed plan, which would allow negotiations to proceed.

The agency noted that al-Zaidi met with Qalibaf during his visit to Tehran, which lasted several hours last Friday, and that he was accompanied by the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Faleh al-Fayyad.

For his part, an informed source told Shafaq News Agency that al-Zaidi carried with him an offer from US President Donald Trump to end the war.

In this context, the Iraqi ambassador to Iran, Yasser Abdul Zahra Al-Hajjaj, confirmed on Monday that Al-Zaidi’s visit to Tehran was of a special and unannounced nature, and aimed to discuss ways to reduce tension and defuse the war in the region.

Al-Hajjaj told the official Iraqi News Agency that Iraq is not on the sidelines of what is happening in the region, but is actively acting in accordance with its supreme national interests, under the leadership of Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi, putting its diplomatic efforts at the service of calming tensions, preventing escalation, and promoting regional stability.

He added that Iraq is working to support stability in the region and prevent the conflict from escalating, through its diplomatic efforts.

Last Thursday, Al-Zaidi received a phone call from US President Donald Trump, during which they discussed the latest developments in the region, security developments, prospects for the next phase, the importance of coordination and consultation between the two countries regarding current challenges, and prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy in addressing crises, according to Al-Zaidi’s media office.

Shafaq.com

US imports of Iraqi oil collapse as 24.2 million barrels are lost in months

U.S. imports of Iraqi crude oil and petroleum products fell sharply in August 2026 to 1.387 million barrels, compared to 10.234 million barrels in the same month last year, a decrease of 86.4%. Iraqeconomic reports

Data from the US Energy Information Administration, reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, showed that total oil imports from Iraq during the first eight months of this year amounted to 37.482 million barrels, compared to 61.692 million barrels for the same period in 2025, a decrease of 24.21 million barrels, or 39.2%.

The data indicates that US imports of Iraqi oil fell from 10.649 million barrels in January 2026 to 504,000 barrels in June, before rising to 1.486 million barrels in July, and then falling again to 1.387 million barrels in August.

This decline demonstrates the continued decrease in Iraqi oil flows to the US market during the current year.

Shafaq.com