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Tishwash: US Dollar Shipments to Iraq Resume After Temporary Halt, Advisor Says
After a temporary halt, U.S. dollar shipments to Iraq have resume caused by regional tensions and financial restrictions
Dollar shipments from the United States to Iraq have resumed after a temporary halt, with the first transfer arriving in Baghdad, according to an economic advisor to the Iraqi prime minister.
On Friday, Mazhar Mohammed, economic advisor to the Iraqi prime minister, told Kurdistan 24 that the first batch of U.S. dollars had been delivered from New York following the resumption of air traffic and relative stabilization of the regional security situation.
He said the cash shipment arrived via aircraft, marking the restart of a key financial channel used to supply Iraq’s domestic market with U.S. currency.
According to Mohammed, the physical cash shipments account for only about 5% of total dollar flows into Iraq, while approximately 95% of U.S. dollars are held within the Central Bank of Iraq and used to meet market demand through financial mechanisms.
He added that the United States transfers Iraq’s oil revenues on a monthly basis in two installments, totaling around $1 billion, which are deposited into accounts linked to the Iraqi government.
Iraq maintains two accounts at the U.S. Federal Reserve, known as Iraq1 and Iraq2. The first is used by the Central Bank of Iraq for currency reserves, while the second is designated for oil revenues.
The resumption follows a period in which U.S. dollar shipments to Iraq were temporarily halted, largely due to heightened regional tensions and security risks linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
During that period, disruptions to air travel and logistical concerns delayed physical cash deliveries, contributing to fluctuations in Iraq’s currency market and increased pressure on the Iraqi dinar.
In parallel, Washington had also tightened oversight of dollar transactions flowing into Iraq as part of broader efforts to prevent illicit financial transfers and limit access by Iran-backed networks. These measures included stricter compliance requirements on Iraqi banks and closer monitoring of dollar auctions conducted by the Central Bank of Iraq.
The combination of security concerns and financial controls had effectively slowed the flow of physical dollars into the country, even as electronic transfers and reserves remained available.
The arrival of the first shipment signals a return to more stable financial operations between Washington and Baghdad, as authorities work to normalize currency flows and maintain stability in Iraq’s monetary system. link
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Tishwash: Al-Zaidi briefed the Framework’s leaders on the details of his contact with US President Donald Trump.
2026-05-01 | 00:19 Baghdad
On Thursday (April 30, 2026), the Coordination Framework held its meeting in the presence of Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi to discuss the government formation process. Al-Zaidi briefed the Framework’s leaders on the details of his contact with US President Donald Trump. The meeting was also marked by the absence of the Secretary-General of the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, Abu Ala alWalai, for the third time.
The term of the current Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, ended without a visit to the White House, as did that of his predecessor, Adel Abdul Mahdi. As for the Prime Minister-designate, Ali al-Zidi, he received a direct invitation from the US President to visit Washington even before his government was formed, according to a statement from his media office. Since his designation, many world leaders have been dealing with al-Zidi as the de facto Prime Minister, as in the statement from the Syrian Presidency, which omitted the word “designated” from al-Zidi’s title.
So far, al-Zaidi has garnered a diverse basket of congratulations, both internal and external, ranging from Shiite and Sunni forces and the Kurdistan region to some neighboring countries such as Syria, the UAE, and Jordan.
The term of the current Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, ended without a visit to the White House, as did that of his predecessor, Adel Abdul Mahdi. As for the Prime Minister-designate, Ali al-Zidi, he received a direct invitation from the US President to visit Washington even before his government was formed, according to a statement from his media office. Since his designation, many world leaders have been dealing with al-Zidi as the de facto Prime Minister, as in the statement from the Syrian Presidency, which omitted the word “designated” from al-Zidi’s title. So far, al-Zaidi has garnered a diverse basket of congratulations, both internal and external, ranging from Shiite and Sunni forces and the Kurdistan region to some neighboring countries such as Syria, the UAE, and Jordan.
A statement issued by the Coordination Framework, a copy of which was , stated that“the Coordination Framework held its received by regular meeting No. 275 today, Thursday, at the office of Hadi al-Amiri, in the presence of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Prime Ministerdesignate Ali Falih al-Zaidi. The attendees discussed all political, security, and economic issues and the challenges resulting from the ongoing war in the Middle East and its impact on Iraq.”
He added, “Regarding the government formation file, the attendees reviewed the results of the committees formed for this purpose, which have made clear progress in resolving the national entitlement within its constitutional timeframe.” He pointed out that“the Prime Minister-designate reviewed the steps for forming the government, the details of the ministerial program, and the telephone call he received from the US President.” The coordination framework stressed the importance of building the state on sound foundations that enhance its strength, prestige, and sovereignty.
On Monday evening (April 27, 2026), the Coordination Framework announced the nomination of Ali al-Zidi for the premiership, praising the “historic stances” of the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri Kamel al-Maliki, and the head of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, by relinquishing their candidacy for the premiership and for forming the next government. link
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Tishwash: The Central Bank of Iraq is discussing with Azerbaijan the opening of bank branches and the development of electronic payment systems.
The Governor of the Central Bank, Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, discussed today, Thursday, with the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Baghdad, Eldar Selimov, the development of cooperation, including opening branches of banks in the two countries and activating electronic payment cards.
The Central Bank said in a statement received by “Al-Eqtisad News” that “Al-Alaq received Salimov, and during the meeting, ways to enhance financial and banking cooperation between Iraq and Azerbaijan were discussed, with a focus on developing mechanisms for bilateral financial transfers, especially those related to the banking sector.”
He added that “both sides expressed their desire to expand the scope of banking cooperation, including the possibility of opening bank branches and strengthening financial partnerships, in a way that serves common interests and supports the movement of economic exchange between the two countries. The two sides also discussed the importance of developing the electronic payment card system in a way that contributes to facilitating the movement of travelers and raising the efficiency of financial operations, stressing the smoothness of transactions and their reaching ideal levels.”
He added that “Salimov extended an official invitation to the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq to participate in the Islamic Development Bank meetings scheduled to be held in Baku from June 16 to 19, 2026.” link
Tishwash: 47 banks and payment companies in the heart of Baghdad… a broad campaign to break the dependence on cash
2026-05-01
As part of the “Financial Inclusion Week” activities, Dream City Mall in Baghdad was transformed into a meeting place that brought together more than 47 financial institutions, including government and private banks and electronic payment companies.
The initiative, launched by the Association of Private Banks and sponsored by the Central Bank, aims to break the stagnation among citizens in interacting with electronic services and provide banking services and open accounts for free to citizens, in a step to expand the culture of electronic payment and spread financial awareness away from the corridors of official banks.
electronic transactions, facilitating access to loans and transfers via telephone, in addition to encouraging the use of payment cards and POS devices, to reduce reliance on cash and enhance financial transparency
The Association of Banks is holding similar events in the Kurdistan Region, Mosul, Maysan, Nasiriyah and Muthanna
Majed Michel, Director of Relations at the Association of Banks, told that“the campaign began on April 27 and will continue until May 3,” indicating that “the events held in Dream City are witnessing the participation of 47 financial entities, including government, private and Islamic banks, in addition to companies supporting the banking sector.”
He added that“the goal of this participation is to provide free banking services to citizens, promote the use of the electronic system, open bank accounts and spread financial awareness and culture.”
For her part, Yasmine Hamza, director of the Bank of Beirut branch in Baghdad, explained that“the bank’s participation comes in support of the national economy and the banking sector, and in appreciation of the efforts of the Central Bank of Iraq in developing financial services.”
She explained that“during Financial Inclusion Week, the bank offers free services including opening accounts and issuing bank cards, in addition to giving citizens the opportunity to learn about the various services offered by participating banks, such as remittances and electronic services, as part of an initiative supported by the Central Bank.”
In the same context, Mohammed Ali Saad, Assistant Director of the Financial Inclusion Department at Key Card Company, said that“the company is participating in the Arab Financial Inclusion Week by providing informational services about bank cards issued by Al-Rafidain Bank, in addition to electronic payment solutions for merchants.”
He added that“the company provides citizens with services through the “Super Key” application and cards dedicated to employees and retirees, while it provides merchants with electronic payment systems and payment and installment platforms (BOS),” noting “a remarkable development in the adoption of electronic payment by citizens and the protection of their financial data.” link
