TNT:
Tishwash: With an increase of one ton, Iraq strengthens its gold reserves and continues its global progress.
Data from the World Gold Council for August 2026 showed that Iraq maintained its position among the world’s largest gold holders, with an increase in its holdings compared to its last data.
According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, Iraq’s gold reserves amounted to 175.6 tons, ranking it 28th globally, with gold constituting about 24.8% of its total reserves. The latest data for Iraq dates back to May 2026.
Compared to previous data, Iraq’s holdings increased from 174.6 tons to 175.6 tons, an increase of one ton.
Iraq comes in third place in the Arab world in terms of gold holdings, after Saudi Arabia, which has 323.1 tons, and Algeria, with 173.6 tons.
Globally, the United States topped the list with reserves of 8,133.5 tons, followed by Germany with 3,349.5 tons, then the International Monetary Fund with 2,814 tons, Italy with 2,451.8 tons, and France with 2,437 tons. link’
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Tishwash: Baghdad and Erbil on the table for a decisive meeting… Kurdistan delegation aims to resolve the oil, salaries, and budget issues by 2027
On Tuesday (September 8, 2026), Wafa Muhammad Karim, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, revealed details of a visit by a high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government to Baghdad, indicating that the visit aimed to hold comprehensive talks to resolve the issues of the budget, oil, and salaries.
Karim told Baghdad Today that the delegation will primarily discuss reaching understandings regarding the 2027 federal general budget law, securing financial allocations for the salaries of the region’s employees, as well as Kurdistan’s share of investment projects and the operational budget.
He explained that the talks will also address the draft oil and gas law and the outstanding issues between the two sides, stressing that “the goal is to move from the stage of managing disputes to finding legal, technical and sustainable solutions under the umbrella of the constitution.”
Karim added that the regional government views the 2027 budget discussions as a real opportunity to address the accumulated issues in order to prevent a recurrence of financial crises, indicating that the delegation seeks to bring viewpoints closer and reach practical agreements that guarantee the stability of the financial and oil relationship between Baghdad and Erbil link
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Tishwash: After two decades of stagnation, the oil and gas law has a chance to be resolved.
Parliamentary assurances to proceed with the enactment of the oil and gas law during the current session have clearly expanded, coinciding with the inclusion of the file among the priorities of the legislative and executive authorities, and the existence of serious political intentions to end the disputes that have hindered its legislation since 2007, thus opening the door to regulating the management of oil wealth, defining powers and obligations, and controlling production, sale, and export operations.
These assurances come after the “Coalition for State Administration,” during its last meeting, stressed the need to discuss a draft version of the Oil and Gas Law in preparation for sending it to the House of Representatives, in a step that brings the law back to the forefront of legislative work after years of disruption, amid hopes that its approval will contribute to addressing the existing problems between the federal government, the Kurdistan Region and the producing governorates, and end the multiplicity of interpretations in managing the oil sector.
Parliamentary efforts
Zainab Al-Tamimi, a member of the Parliamentary Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee, told Al-Sabah: “The Speaker of Parliament, the head of the committee and its members give great importance to the oil and gas law,” indicating that “the previous session witnessed serious work to finalize the law, but it did not reach the expected result.”
She added that “the representatives of the current session, especially the representatives of Basra Governorate, emphasize the need to finalize the law during this session,” noting that there are “real and serious intentions to proceed with its legislation, as the law topped the list of the main topics discussed by the Oil and Gas Committee during its meetings.”
Al-Tamimi expressed her hope that “the law will see the light during the current session,” stressing that it “will address a number of obstacles and problems facing the oil sector, and provide a clear legal framework to regulate its work in general.”
Two decades of disruption
For his part, committee member MP Banas Al-Douski told Al-Sabah: “The oil and gas law should have been discussed and legislated since 2007, due to its importance in defining the rights, duties, obligations and general powers in the oil sector.”
He explained that “the Iraqi oil sector is facing a state of stagnation due to the absence of a federal law regulating its work, at a time when the old frameworks are no longer able to keep pace with the developments witnessed by the sector,” noting that “the continued absence of the law has contributed to the exacerbation of a number of failures.”
“And the existing problems.” Al-Douski stressed that “the current stage requires a genuine political will to enact the law, now that Iraq needs a federal framework that regulates the management of oil wealth and oil sales and export operations, and clearly defines the responsibilities and powers of the concerned parties.”
Adel Al-Mahalawi, a member of the “Progress” bloc, had previously confirmed to Al-Sabah that there was a political agreement among the majority of blocs to proceed with the oil and gas law and put it on the table of the House of Representatives, as it is one of the most prominent economic legislations related to managing national wealth and regulating the relationship between the federal government and the producing governorates.
Al-Mahalawi pointed to “Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s readiness to cooperate with the House of Representatives in finalizing important legislation,” explaining that “the Oil and Gas Law is at the forefront of the package of economic and service laws that are expected to be worked on in coordination between the two authorities, given its importance in expanding the role of the governorates, regulating powers, and ending the disputes that have delayed its approval throughout the past years.”
Expert opinions
Economic expert Dr. Nabil Al-Abadi told Al-Sabah newspaper: “The oil and gas law is not just a passing piece of legislation, but rather the cornerstone for restructuring the Iraqi economy, which depends on oil revenues for up to 90% of its income.” He explained that “the obstruction of this law for years, since 2005, due to political disputes and the prioritization of narrow interests, has cost the public treasury enormous losses and kept the country in a state of…”
“From financial instability.” He explained that “the enactment of this law will establish a clear and transparent legal framework to regulate the management of national wealth, which will enhance the confidence of international investors and open the door to major investment inflows that will increase production and boost the flow of hard currency to the Central Bank, directly supporting the dinar’s exchange rate.” He emphasized that “this law will end the state of conflicting constitutional interpretations and reliance on temporary understandings, and will establish fair mechanisms for distributing revenues between the federal government and the producing regions and governorates, thus preventing the duplication of oil policies and protecting the unity of national wealth.” Regarding the contentious clauses, Al-Abadi believes that “the optimal solution lies in adopting a consensus-based formulation that guarantees the producing governorates greater autonomy in managing their affairs, while the sovereign decision regarding contracting and marketing remains unified with the federal government.”
Al-Abadi added, “Continuing to obstruct this law is not a strategic choice, but rather a sacrifice of Iraq’s future for immediate political gains. It is time for political forces to overcome their differences and put the national interest above all else, as passing this law is the true gateway to economic reform and financial stability.”
Essential step
Hadi Hindas, a member of the Baghdad Economic Forum, told Al-Sabah newspaper, “Enacting the oil and gas law is a fundamental step towards regulating the Iraqi oil sector and enhancing Iraq’s ability to manage one of its most important resources according to a clear and sustainable vision.”
Hindas explained that “Iraq possesses significant oil reserves, but the current stage requires a comprehensive legal framework that clearly defines the powers and responsibilities of the entities involved in managing the oil sector and regulates the relationship between the federal government and the governments of the producing regions and governorates, thus ensuring the protection of national wealth and achieving fairness in the distribution of financial revenues.”
He added that “the oil and gas law not only addresses existing administrative and legal issues but also plays a crucial role in strengthening the investment environment, as it provides investors and international companies with a clearer and more stable vision regarding the mechanisms for operating and investing in the oil and gas sector.”
He pointed out that “the legislation contributes to laying the strategic foundations for managing oil fields, investing in associated gas, and developing infrastructure, as well as regulating production and export plans in line with Iraq’s need to increase its resources and diversify its energy sources.”
Hindas noted that “the importance of the law lies in its ability to unify the national vision for managing the oil sector, moving away from multiple interpretations, and enhancing transparency and efficiency in revenue management. Enacting the oil and gas law has become a national and economic necessity, given its direct role in regulating this vital sector, ensuring the sustainability of its resources for future generations, and supporting the economy.” The Iraqi in general.
Doubling production
For his part, Dr. Sadiq Al-Rikabi, Director of Economic Research at the Global Center for Development Studies in the United Kingdom, stressed the importance of passing the federal oil and gas law for Iraq and the national economy, especially in light of the current circumstances, indicating that Iraq needs to double its oil production to higher levels to absorb the shock of declining revenues and compensate for it in the future.
Al-Rikabi explained that increasing production requires, first and foremost, a stable and clear legislative environment, which can be provided by the Oil and Gas Law through the creation of a legal and institutional framework that regulates the management of the sector and contributes to ending the disputes between Baghdad and Erbil, thus enabling an increase in oil wealth and the exploitation and management of oil and gas fields, as well as defining the responsibilities of each party and putting an end to the disputes related to some constitutional articles and financial disputes that have contributed to disrupting the movement of production and the work of companies.
Al-Rikabi pointed out that the repercussions of the disputes witnessed in the past period were reflected in the investment environment, and led some companies to avoid going to the Kurdistan Region or increasing their investments in it, stressing that the absence of legislation increases investment risks, especially for foreign companies that are looking for a stable environment with clear laws, in which contracts are strongly protected by law and decisions are more stable.
He added that the enactment of the oil and gas law would encourage global energy companies to increase their investments, whether in developing existing fields or exploring new fields, which would contribute to raising Iraq’s production capacity, which would reflect on financial stability, support the federal budget and increase its revenues, as well as enhance the national economy’s ability to cope with energy price fluctuations and political tensions.
Al-Rikabi pointed out that the existence of a clear legal framework for oil and gas can also reflect on internal political stability, by regulating the relationship between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region, and contributing to addressing many of the problems related to the region’s oil revenues, which have been a frequent cause of disputes related to the budget, its formulation, the obligations incurred by the region, and the demands of the federal government.
He concluded by saying that passing the law would represent an important step towards developing the oil and gas sector, attracting more investments to it, and increasing its production capacities, which would contribute to achieving greater political and economic stability in the country.
Legal perspective
In a related context, lawyer Talib al-Ziyadi told Al-Sabah newspaper, “The oil and gas law embodies the people’s ownership of their national resources, as affirmed by Article 111 of the Iraqi Constitution, the supreme law of the land, which stipulates that oil and gas belong to the Iraqi people in all regions and governorates.” He added, “The enactment of this law establishes a mechanism for distributing a portion of the profits generated from crude oil sales to several funds, including the Citizen’s Fund and the Reconstruction Fund, among others. It also regulates how this national wealth is held by the state and under the control of the federal government, ensuring that its revenues are distributed fairly and equitably, in proportion to the population distribution throughout the country, as indicated in Article 112 of the Iraqi Constitution.” Al-Ziyadi explained that “since the fall of the previous regime in 2003 until now, there has been injustice and unfairness inflicted on some of the oil and gas producing governorates,” noting that “the Kurdistan Region monopolizes the largest share of oil exports, in addition to receiving a share of the budget like the rest of the governorates, while Basra and other oil-producing governorates produce a large percentage of the oil and gas in Iraq,” as he put it.
He stressed that “the enactment of the law will place the management of this wealth exclusively in the hands of the federal government, and will ensure that its revenues are distributed fairly and equitably according to the population census.” link
Tishwash: Special statement from the Central Bank regarding Al-Taif Bank deposits
Based on the responsibility of the Central Bank of Iraq to protect the banking sector and enhance its safety and stability, the bank affirms that the rights of depositors of Al-Taif Islamic Bank are preserved, and that imposing guardianship on the bank is a preventive supervisory measure aimed at protecting depositors’ funds, preserving their rights, and ensuring the stability and continuity of banking operations in accordance with applicable regulations and instructions.
The Central Bank of Iraq, in coordination with the appointed guardian of the bank, is working to take the necessary measures to enhance its liquidity and regulate withdrawal operations and fulfill its financial obligations in a gradual and organized manner, in a way that ensures the management of these operations in accordance with the approved supervisory priorities, while giving priority to the salaries of employees deposited with the bank.
The Central Bank of Iraq assures depositors that the measures taken are within its supervisory responsibility aimed at protecting their rights and enhancing confidence in the banking sector.
The bank also calls on the public and the media to rely exclusively on data and information issued by it through its official channels, and to avoid circulating unreliable news or information.
Baghdad – Media Office
September 8, 2026 link
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Tishwash: The Central Bank sends a message to depositors of Al-Taif Bank: Withdrawals will be gradual and organized.
On Tuesday, the Central Bank of Iraq reassured depositors of Al-Taif Islamic Bank that their financial rights are protected, stressing that imposing guardianship on the bank comes within supervisory and preventive measures aimed at protecting depositors’ funds.
The Central Bank stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “the rights of depositors of Al-Taif Islamic Bank are preserved,” explaining that “imposing guardianship on the bank is a preventive supervisory measure aimed at protecting depositors’ funds and preserving their rights, and ensuring the stability and continuity of banking operations in accordance with applicable regulations and instructions.”
He added that “the bank is working in coordination with the appointed trustee to take the necessary measures to enhance its liquidity and regulate withdrawal operations and fulfill its financial obligations in a gradual and organized manner, in a way that ensures these operations are managed in accordance with the approved supervisory priorities.”
He pointed out that the procedures will prioritize the salaries of employees whose accounts are held at the bank, within a plan to regulate withdrawal operations and fulfill financial obligations, stressing that the measures taken come within the framework of his supervisory responsibility aimed at protecting the rights of depositors and enhancing confidence in the banking sector.
It is worth noting that Al-Taif Islamic Bank announced last Sunday that it would soon hand over the funds of its depositors, after the Central Bank of Iraq began taking over its administration.
A number of depositors demonstrated in front of Al-Taif Islamic Bank in the Karrada district of Baghdad on Sunday to protest the freezing of banking services and the suspension of withdrawal and deposit operations, following measures taken by the Central Bank of Iraq against the bank.
The Central Bank of Iraq had decided to place Al-Taif Islamic Bank for Investment and Finance under guardianship for 18 months, due to violations that it said affected the bank’s financial position and depositors’ funds.
The Central Bank confirmed later yesterday that imposing guardianship does not mean the bank is bankrupt, but rather comes within precautionary supervisory measures aimed at protecting the rights of depositors, noting that depositors’ funds are protected under applicable laws and regulations. link
