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Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER:

October 13, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

We need to address some WOW! WOW! WOW! news today.

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I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are.

 Let’s all try to chip in!

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Proverbs 19:17

“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.”

STATUS OF THE RV

I just wanted to let everyone know that I did try again to put together and publish a Thursday Newsletter, but I got very little support for it. Did anyone even read it? I am not going to work so hard to bring the news if no one cares about it. Get it? I am now getting close to 25,000 hits on the blog yet very little consideration to help keep it going. Are you still in the workforce? Will you go to work every day and work for nothing? This RV is taking too long and it is wearing me out too. Just remember this. Be considerate! Enough said….

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As many of my readers may now know, the official rate of the dinar has been changed by the CBI from 1320 to 1520. We shall review later what this means to the rate when they remove the zeros. Also, we will talk more about the parallel market and what is being done to end it. What is the connection between this current rate change and removing the zeros?

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I need to start off today’s news by reminding everyone of the past article titled “THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT REASSURES MARKETS: THERE IS NO DECISION TO CHANGE THE CURRENCY OR REMOVE ZEROS.” Do you remember this one from my October 6, 2026 Newsletter ?

I quote from it – “A responsible government source confirmed on Wednesday that the Iraqi government is closely monitoring the slowdown in buying and selling activity in local markets and is working on approving a package of measures to stimulate the economy and protect the purchasing power of citizens.“

So how does a devaluation of the dinar to 1520 stimulate the economy and protect the purchasing power? It simply does not. But there is much more to this recent move by the CBI. Let’s take on this challenge today and look into what really just happened.

There is lots of controversy over this change to 1520. We need to take a deeper dive into this move by the CBI today and learn what’s going on. Is this change connected to the next move they intend to make in 2027 which is removing the zeros. Was this move a temporary move to end the parallel market or at least deaden it.     

I will tell you what I learned from my CBI contact and it may shock all of us what she said. Just continue reading on. I will get to it.

In the article titled “ECONOMIST: RAISING THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE IN THE BUDGET REQUIRES LEGISLATION, AND CURRENT STATEMENTS ARE MERELY TESTING THE WATERS” we get a taste of the controversial issue. This makes us wonder if the rate really changed or not.

This is the information that sparked off the controversy, especially the last sentence:  “Economic researcher Ali Tamr confirmed on Tuesday that the proposal to raise the dollar exchange rate within the budget comes as part of attempts to address the financial deficit. He explained that changing the exchange rate cannot be done through proposals or decisions, but rather requires a law voted on by the Council of Representatives.”

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Then in the article titled “BASEM AL-GHARIBAWI: THE GOVERNMENT CHOSE THE EASIEST PATH BY DEVALUING THE DINAR.”

“Former MP Bassem Al-Gharibawi confirmed on Thursday that the measure taken by the government regarding raising the dollar exchange rate was not well thought out, indicating that the difficult economic conditions that Iraq is going through and the delay in salaries require taking multiple measures before resorting to burdening the citizen with the cost of treatment.”

So, did they just ‘devalue’ the dinar by raising the rate to 1520 dinars per 100 dollars?

Yes, it is final. The CBI said it is final and will not be changed back to 1320 for now but gives hints it may be a temporary measure.  

IRAQI CITIZENS REACT TO GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO ADJUST THE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE DINAR AGAINST THE US DOLLAR

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In the article titled “THE CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR TELLS PARLIAMENT: THE NEW EXCHANGE RATE IS FIXED AND CAN NEVER BE CHANGED” we learn from the CBI and what they have to say about this rumor. Is it a rumor or did it actually happen?

“The Central Bank announced yesterday, Wednesday, the adoption of new exchange rates, according to which it set the price of buying the dollar from the Ministry of Finance at 1500 dinars, and selling it to banks at 1510 dinars, and to the public at 1520 dinars, starting from October 7, 2026.”

“A parliamentary source reported on Thursday that the governor of the Central Bank informed members of the parliamentary finance committee that the exchange rate of the dollar would remain fixed at 1,500 dinars, stressing that it could not be changed.”

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the Central Bank Governor explained to the committee members that any change in the dollar exchange rate within the general budget law would lead to a change in all the budget tables and items that were built on the basis of an exchange rate of 1,500 dinars per dollar.”

“He added that the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank did not come to the House of Representatives building, while the Governor merely informed the members of the Finance Committee of the Central Bank’s position on the new exchange rate.”

The parliamentary finance committee was scheduled to hold a meeting with the finance minister and the central bank governor to discuss the decision to change the dollar exchange rate and its repercussions, in addition to discussing the draft federal budget law, but the officials did not attend parliament.

So, YES to answer this question is it certainly appears they did devalue the dinar by raising the rate to 1520 dinars per 100 dollars. We read in this article fall out from what happens when you don’t give the courtesy to work with the other branches of government on the exchange rate. Oh… but there is more! This reaction by parliament is important because it tells us the CBI should NEVER change the exchange rate alone, even though it technically and legally can. All branches of the government should be included in these kinds of decisions. So much for all this intel guru talks telling their listeners the CBI will change the rate whenever they want. Yes, they can but should they? There is repercussions if they do. This includes then devaluing and revaluing. We see the repercussions playing out now. Get it?

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Now let’s look at some more articles for the news from all the fallout from this decision that was made by the CBI and the Finance Committee without attending Parliament to discuss it more before doing it. It appears Parliament was left out of the final decision and is angry over it.

“THIS EVENING, A GOVERNMENT-PARLIAMENTARY MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL HALL TO DISCUSS THE “EXCHANGE RATE”.

“An informed source reported on Thursday 10/8 that the House of Representatives will hold a joint government-parliamentary meeting regarding changing the dollar exchange rate. The source told Shafaq News Agency that “a meeting will be held in the Constitutional Hall inside the Iraqi Parliament at 8 pm.”

He added that “the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank did not come to the House of Representatives building, while the Governor merely informed the members of the Finance Committee of the Central Bank’s position on the new exchange rate.”

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So, are you following this rate change saga? Here is the real problem here. Take a look at what this article says. It is titled “MINISTRY OF FINANCE: THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED; THE PROPOSED RATE RANGES BETWEEN 1400 AND 1500 DINARS.”

THE PROBLEM: It appears that the CBI ‘jumped the gun’ and should have discussed this with both the Finance Committee and Parliament to get a buy in. As the article says it was not yet even finalized and could have ranged from 1400-1500. The CBI arbitrarily put it to 1520 without any discussions.

The Ministry of Finance denied on Sunday that a specific exchange rate for the US dollar had been set in the 2027 budget already, while indicating that the proposed rate of 1400-1500 dinars would likely be adopted.

The statement from the ministry, reported by Al-Maalomah News Agency, quoted the Minister of Finance as saying that the exchange rate had not yet been determined and that the proposed rate ranged between 1400 and 1500 dinars. The statement added that the diversification of oil export sources, the coherence of the government program, and the ability to cover the budget deficit were all factors in the budget.

It further explained that all contracts would be made permanent and salaries converted to Contract 315. The statement also noted that 100,000 contracts had been created in the budget, with 50,000 allocated to security forces and another 50,000 to civilian positions.

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THE CONNECTION OF THE 1520 RATE TO THE PARALLEL MARKET:

Folks, its not rocket science to see why the CBI went all the way to 1520 purposefully and did it now. They are in a liquity crunch. Remember from the CBI’s own list of the five (5) main issues that need to be resolved prior to the reinstatement. Ending the parallel market or at least equalizing it must be accomplished and was on the list. I have already explained why this is an important issue to address. You can go to my Archives Section and catch up on the September 16, 2026 Newsletter which talks all about these issues in detail.

Why this high (or low) of a rate 1520? This was chosen because it is about the optimum/average trending rate of the parallel market in Iraq. So this is now the new CBI ‘official’ rate. What will the parallel market now do for its spread? Can it charge any higher even?

What are all these currency exchangers now going to charge for their spreads?

Remember at the old 1320 official rate the black market was charging upwards of 1520 (or 200 dinars over the official rate). That would buy only one, 100 US Dollar bill. Yes, merchants would spend 200 dinars over the official rate to get only one 100 US Dollar bill. Many still don’t get it why they just didn’t go the bank for dollars, which is much cheaper. I will tell you why.

They can’t get the dollars from the banks because Iraq deals in dinars not dollars. There are quotas for getting dollars and specific reasons for getting them. If you recall over the last four years Iraq has almost completely converted back to dinars for all purchases. So, even the banks are not well stocked with these $100 US dollar bills. Later on in the news we read of an article where the CBI is saying they will go 100% to all dinars for all purchases of everything, nationwide. So, we must ask why do citizens then even need the dollars if not to pass them on to Iran or some other illicit party? Will this too add to the fire to kill the parallel market?

Okay, so now the proverbial shoe is on the other foot. Do the merchants want to pay the exorbitant fee of 1720 dinars to get only one 100 US Dollar bill? Already the merchants are complaining about these fees from the black market are too high. But the government does not listen to them. Why do they need dollars anyhow, the government asks. So the citizens really can’t push their point of lack of dollars as they are not supposed to have them other than specific purposes. The CBI challenges them on this.

This article below will shock you since the black market is actually illegal. Oh… we all knew this didn’t we? It looks to me like they are going to have some difficulties and maybe the CBI strategy might work to close the parallel market down. It is titled “THE MONEY EXCHANGE UNION CONDEMNS THE SETTING OF THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE AT 155,000 DINARS AND THREATENS A GENERAL STRIKE”

“The General Syndicate of Exchange and Mediation in Iraq condemned on Sunday the video circulating and attributed to the Ministry of Interior regarding the buying and selling prices of the dollar in exchange companies, demanding that the ministry issue an official clarification regarding setting the dollar exchange rate in the parallel market at 155,000 dinars per 100 dollars, according to what was stated in the statement.”

I laugh at this article…lol..lol..lol.. Of course, the street exchangers condemn the 1555 rate. They are not making their huge profits anymore. They liked it the way it was. They are going to go our of business.

Two reasons for 1520:

Pinch the Parallel Market: So, you see this recent move by the CBI is hoping to squash or pinch the parallel market. It is going to force merchants to go to banks and not the street venders. If the street exchangers can’t make any money on their spreads, then they will go out of business. At least this is the plan by the CBI. I hope this clarifies the main reason for this rate change.

Fill The 2027 Budgetary Gap: Yes, the 2027 budget is also said to be based on this new rate, now that it is announced. But remember revenues from oil are still in US dollars and revenues streams in dollars dictate the budget for now not the rate of the dinar. Yes, they can now convert the dollar equivalent needed into dinars and so this is what they did to help balance the 2027 budget. Remember that dollars are shipped to Iraq and then the CBI converts them into dinars for expenditures.

There is an interesting article asking why Iraq can’t pay salaries in US dollars instead of dinars? There are many reasons and my readers should educate themselves as to the real reasons why Iraq must use the currency of their own country, which is dinars not dollars. Please see the article titled “

Take a peek at the article titled “PROMINENT IRAQI CLERIC URGES DOLLAR SALARIES AFTER DEVALUATION”

“The Iraqi government should reconsider its decision to devalue the dinar and pay public employees in US dollars if the measure remains in place, senior leader in the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq Sadr Al-Din Al-Qubbanji said on Friday.”

What? Did this idiot just say to consider paying salaries in US dollars? Didn’t Iraq just move away from the dollars in preparation for the reinstatement? What planet does this idiot Al-Qubbanji live on? Trust me on this one, we certainly would not want this to occur.

Soon after Al-Qubbanji’s article this next article came out by an economist as to why paying salaries in US dollars would not work. Take a peek at the article titled “AN ECONOMIST EXPLAINS WHY IT’S NOT POSSIBLE TO PAY EMPLOYEE SALARIES IN DOLLARS”

“Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi explained on Friday (October 9, 2026) the reasons why it is not possible to pay employee salaries in Iraq in dollars, noting that this step may deplete foreign reserves and limit the Central Bank’s ability to manage monetary policy.”

“Al-Marsoumi explained that this step may limit the Central Bank’s ability to control monetary policy and the money supply, as well as it does not guarantee a decrease in demand for the dollar in the currency auction, with continued speculation to achieve quick profits, which may lead to a widening of the gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel rate.”

The FACT is the CBI just revealed a future plan to do just the opposite and adopt the dinar in ALL TRANSACTIONS in Iraq. The article is titled “GOVERNMENT POLICY TO ADOPT THE IRAQI DINAR IN TRANSACTIONS WITHIN IRAQ”

Did you read it? Is says a future plan for ALL TRANSACTIONS. Maybe the lack of this policy has left too many loopholes and necessities to get dollars and the gaps need to be ended. This is yet another measure to kill the parallel market.

“On Saturday, October 10, 2026, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, an advisor to Prime Minister Ali al-Zidi, revealed a government plan to adopt the Iraqi dinar for transactions within Iraq.”

“Saleh said in a statement followed by “Ultra Iraq” that “there is a governmental trend to adopt the Iraqi dinar in transactions within Iraq in accordance with the relevant legal provisions, which supports confidence in the national currency and regulates transactions in the market,” as he put it.”

I know, I know it took four (4) article to make a point. So, what is my point?

The point being is for the clerics to manage religion and to let the Finance Committee and the CBI manage the economy. Keep your noses from where they don’t belong. Maybe this has been the problem all along in Iraq. Unqualified people trying to run the country of Iraq behind the scenes from their remarks made in public.  

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THE CONNECTION OF THE 1520 RATE TO REMOVING THE ZEROS:

So, now let’s move on and make the connection with removing the zeros to the new 1520 rate change that just happened. When these articles, that I am about to show you, were published, I took them to my contact in the CBI and we discussed them in my Saturday chat call to Iraq. I am now about to tell you what she told me about them.

She said that there is a strategic plan in motion. Although it seems wrong of the CBI to make such a move to devalue the dinar, it is temporary. Yes purchasing power will suffer. She said that if the CBI and the Finance Committee followed protocol and waited for Parliament to decide, this plan of removing the zeros would most likely be delayed indefinitely. She said they always find a reason to delay, delay and delay. So, the CBI independently changed the provisional rate, something it is allowed by law to do.

She referenced the parallel market and how this issue had to be resolved too prior to removing the zeros, or at least under control. She said to remember that removing the zeros leads to the reinstatement shortly afterwards and so to get ready these other issues must be resolved too. Once they remove the zeros there is no turning back.

She then went on to reference the Oil and Gas Law and how they are stalling that too. She said sometimes it is better to be sorry later than to ask permission upfront and be refused. Once refused you are totally wrong. But if you do it first and ask for forgiveness usually you just move along. This way there are only regrets.

She told me not to lose sight of the monetary issue of liquidity that must be solved now and can’t wait. It is VERY urgent. The CBI said they only have monies at the 1/12 till December in the reserves. I asked – But how does devaluing the dinar help the economy? Won’t the burden of higher costs flow downstream to the citizens?  She told me the goal is to preserve the reserves. She said: yes there will be less purchasing power in the short term but in the long term it will rise quickly when the overall plan moves ahead later.

But why 1520, I asked?

She then told me: The CBI needs to collect the large amount of currency outside the banking system and do it economically. So, I did the math. With this change in the official rate of the dinar to 1520 per 100 each dinar will now be worth about 66 cents not the 76 cents as we previously calculated under the 1320 official rate. To me this is a huge change of about 10 cents per dinar. I then asked if there is going to be an incentive enough to get the citizens to turn in the three zero notes at all, when they remove the zeros. She told me this is one of the main reasons for the rate change, but they are not of course advertising it.

I responded with – WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? We then continued……

I asked: Why would anyone want to turn in their dinar at only 66 cents since they would have a pretty good idea, based on previous rate changes, that the rate always bounces back after the crisis is over?

She replied: The current crisis is fallout from lack of oil revenues during the blockading of the Strait of Hormuz. We have determined that we can no longer wait to remove the zeros. It must be completed. The time is now. she added what was in one of the articles she gave me and I quote – “there is an impact on the poor from the change in the exchange rate, but not with the expected impact because the state will subsidize a range of goods,” noting that “prices will rise by a much smaller percentage compared to the amount of the change in the exchange rate.”

I then reviewed the recent article titled “THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ: THE HORMUZ CRISIS FORCED AN INCREASE IN THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE TO PROTECT RESERVES” with her. Since this information came directly from the CBI I read it and it satisfied me. We all should read it. I quote part of it for you below.

“The Central Bank of Iraq revealed the economic and financial reasons that prompted it to adjust the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar, stressing that the repercussions of the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the decline in oil revenues imposed increasing pressure on foreign reserves, and placed monetary policy before challenges related to financing government spending and maintaining financial stability.”

This next article was a real shocker to me. What does it mean? It titled “THE CENTRAL BANK CONFIRMS ITS VAULTS ARE FULL OF IRAQI DINARS”

“The Director General of the Statistics and Research Department at the Central Bank of Iraq, Samir Fakhri Naama, confirmed on Tuesday that the Central Bank’s vaults are full of dinars.”

“Naama said in a statement followed by (Al-Mada), “The vaults of the Central Bank of Iraq are currently full of dinars,” noting that “at no time has it been permissible to say that the Central Bank of Iraq does not have dinars.”

☹ Now I am really confused! But wait, let’s think this one over……

Hasn’t the CBI been telling us for years, and especially recently, that nearly 80-90% of the issued currency (3 zero notes) are outside the banking system? So what is this article all about then? They know where a lot of them are. They are in the banking system. Is the CBI not in the banking system? I am confused.

Are they really in the hands of the corrupt, or in stashes like they told us? Yes, I believe all this past information has been true. But today they are telling us that large amounts of this currency is actually inside the vaults of the Central Bank. But here’s the clincher – Are they talking about the newer lower denominations yet to be issued? It would have to be or else this is a gross contradiction of the past news. I think they are the lower denominations.

So, what the heck is going on here?

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She then my CBI contact sent me three particular articles to review. I am now going to talk about them as we discussed them during the call to Iraq. There is a strong connection to the ‘removing the zeros project’. You may not realize it or see it for yourself, so I will try to explain it as clear as I can and include tidbits that I point out (in italics) from each of the three articles:

NOTE: Why would they talk about the new rate of 1500 and in the same article make reference to removing the zeros, if somehow they were not related subjects or some sort of dependency on each other?  These kind of headings on the articles we must pay close attention to. Then read the article to see if it all makes any sense.     

—————————- Article 1 of 3 ————————–

“THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING RAISING THE DOLLAR TO 150,000 AND THERE IS SERIOUS DISCUSSION ABOUT REMOVING ZEROS… BUDGET LEAKS”

“Member of the Sadiqun parliamentary bloc and the parliamentary economic committee, Safaa al-Jabri, revealed a government plan to raise the official exchange rate of the dollar to 1,500 dinars instead of 1,310, in addition to proceeding with changing the Iraqi currency, potentially by removing zeros. “

“He also predicted that the 2027 budget revenues would exceed $110 billion.” 

Al-Jabri said, “The size of the upcoming budget is changing due to the increase in customs and tax revenues, and achieving an increase of between 8 and 10 billion dollars in unprecedented domestic oil sales, with expectations that oil export sales will exceed 85 billion dollars, bringing total revenues to about 110 billion dollars.”

“Al-Jabri explained that “the average daily oil sales price is currently stable between $80 and $82 per barrel, generating monthly revenues of around $5 billion,” adding: “Iraq has emerged from the bottleneck and the biggest economic crisis it faced as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of Basra oil exports after finding solutions that have begun to gradually improve the situation.”

So, if we read this article carefully, as she pointed out to me, this rate change is NOT just all about the budget. In fact, she said this is the least of the issues it plans to resolve. She said to remember that Iraq can always cut back on the projects, thus expenditure, and does not need to borrow money or deplete the reserves.  

—————————- Article 2 of 3 ————————–

“BAGHDAD RAISES THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE AFTER 4 MONTHS OF DENIAL… AND HIDES THE DATE OF THE CURRENCY REPLACEMENT FROM THE “BIG PLAYERS”

“The framework was approved at Al-Hakim’s house… and (Al-Mada) revealed the plan to change the exchange rate in June.”

Yes, I confirmed that the target for the reinstatement moved to June in case you are wondering. They have moved our cheese because of this issue with the factions.

“Raising the dollar exchange rate to over 1,500 dinars may not be the last surprise Baghdad has in store.”

“While Iraqi markets have begun adjusting to the new rate, the government, according to informed sources speaking to Al-Mada, is preparing for a more sensitive step: replacing the currency and removing zeros. “

“The sources say the process could begin within a few months, perhaps at the start of next year, but no later than the first quarter of 2027.”

“But there’s another reason behind the timing. Sources believe that replacing the currency could help track down at least $200 billion believed to be held by corrupt individuals.”

—————————- Article 3 of 3 ————————–

“THE DOLLAR RISES FIRST… BAGHDAD IS KEEPING THE DATE FOR CURRENCY REPLACEMENT SECRET FOR FEAR OF A MOVE BY “BIG PLAYERS”

“As Iraqi markets began to deal with the new dollar exchange rate, the government is preparing for a more sensitive step, which is replacing the currency and removing zeros from it.”

“The process may begin within a few months, perhaps at the beginning of next year, but should not exceed the first quarter of 2027, according to Al-Mada newspaper” .

The newspaper, in a report seen by Al-Sa’a Network, quoted its sources as saying that “replacing the currency could help to lock up at least $200 billion believed to be in the hands of corrupt individuals, and therefore the procedure is being kept secret until now .”

She added that “talking too early about changing the currency may give those with illicit funds time to act. They can buy dollars, real estate, or convert the money into assets that are difficult to link to the cash they will be asked to exchange later,” indicating that “Baghdad wants the money to reach the moment of exchange before the news reaches it .”

I think the tidbits in italics, as taken from the articles, say it all, don’t you? What else do you want? For months now we have been reading about alternatives to get these hoards of cash back into the banks to liquify them. I told you that the only real, practical solution is to remove the zeros and place strict timelines on the effort. So, at 66 cents for the dinar there are going to be very tight deadlines, and I don’t believe they are going to stretch out/drag out the turn-in exchange period. This article just told us why I am saying this. I could be wrong. What do you think?

Will they remove the zeros more gradual or quicker? I believe, based on what these three articles just told us, that the CBI would want to set hard timelines and be less gradual and more aggressive. I quote from the article – “talking too early about changing the currency may give those with illicit funds time to act. They can buy dollars, real estate, or convert the money into assets that are difficult to link to the cash they will be asked to exchange later,” indicating that “Baghdad wants the money to reach the moment of exchange before the news reaches it .”

They need the currency back into the banks…right? They do not want to give the holders of the cash time to convert the cash into other assets such as land, buildings, metals, etc. Remember that nearly 80-90 percent of the money mass is outside the banking system. Part of this cash is our dinars too. When will they come for ours?

The next question I asked my CBI contact is if the CBI will do something within this timeframe (to be determined) to get our stashes of dinar from holders outside Iraq? She told me there are plans to do so but would not give any other details even when I asked. She told me to wait a few months and the news will come out. They are afraid of speculators.

So, there you have the essence of my call last Saturday to Iraq to my CBI contact. What do you think is going to happen? Please comment in the comment block at the end.  

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Update on removing the militias and factions:

I will try to continue to update my readers on this ongoing saga of disarming and disbanding these terrorist Factions inside Iraq. This is also one of those HOT issues on the list from September that my CBI contact said must be resolved prior to any reinstatement.

“AL-ZAIDI: FIVE FACTIONS HAVE AGREED TO HAND OVER THEIR WEAPONS, AND IRAQ AIMS TO PRODUCE 10 MILLION BARRELS PER DAY.”

“Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi praised on Monday the tribes’ supportive stance towards the state and their contribution to maintaining order during difficult times, noting that no one who tries to weaken the state or threatens its existence will be allowed to do so.”

“Al-Zaydi said during his meeting with tribal sheikhs and dignitaries, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, that the government avoided imposing international isolation on Iraq and extended its hand to the world for partnership, stressing the government’s work on establishing a successful economic growth.”

I find it amazing too that just after this news comes out about these Factions in the news channels, these other articles came out talking about removing the zeros again. So, you see sometimes it’s the timing too that helps us make the connection between events to other events such as the timing of the 1500 rate change and the removing of the zeros.

“EXTENDING THE DEADLINE FOR HANDING OVER WEAPONS… WILL THE AL-ZAIDI GOVERNMENT RENEGE ON ITS MOST PROMINENT PLEDGES?”

“Questions are increasing in Iraqi political circles regarding the decision of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government to back down from the September 30 deadline for resolving the issue of restricting weapons to the state, amid political interpretations that see the extension of the deadline as a retreat from one of the most prominent principles on which the government was founded.”

“DISARMAMENT IS NOT FREE… NEW MINISTRIES AND A RISE IN THE DOLLAR TO COVER ADDITIONAL EXPENSES. THE FACTIONS WILL MANAGE “ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE” AND TOURISM!”

You have to be kidding me,,, right? AI and tourism? I just wanted to bring the headline to you since the actual article itself does not talk about disarmament or the fact of giving the factions the managing of the AI or tourism sectors in Iraq. Yes, this is rediculous notion for them to even propose it. Instead, it reads all about devaluating the rate of the dinar. Not a very good article as it repeats.

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THE OTHER TOPICS OF CONCERN:   

 “IRAQ RANKS 28TH GLOBALLY IN FOREIGN CURRENCY RESERVES AT $85 BILLION”

This is down from $120 billion dollars just six months ago.

Iraq ranked 28th globally among the countries with the largest foreign exchange reserves out of 30 countries listed in the table, with a total of about $85 billion, according to a ranking published by the Canadian website “Visual Capital East” based on the latest data from the International Monetary Fund.  According to the ranking, Iraq came after France, which ranked 27th with reserves of $86 billion, and before Romania, which ranked 29th with $78.2 billion, while Turkey came in 30th and last place with $76.6 billion.

China topped the list with reserves of $3.41 trillion, followed by Japan with $1.259 trillion, then Switzerland with $932.3 billion, Taiwan with $602.5 billion, and India with $543 billion.

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SUMMARY

So, we take the bad news with the goods news today. We must get through it to get to it. Yes, someone moved our cheese again. But come’on folks no one really moved our cheese it only looks that way because you may not see the overall plan behind the scenes being played out to get to the reinstatement. Remember:

These five (5) issues must be resolved first. The zeros must be deleted first. Iraq can’t move to FOREX with a huge revaluation unless they first shrink down their monetary mass and change over their sanction-like notes to nominal value reflected notes.

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PRAYER WORKS: As I have declared so many times before. It is our prayers that will help this investment come to reality sooner than later. They are working and we must continue. We must continue to pray and pray harder than before even. Are we willing to even make this little of a sacrifice for God to tell him what we desire?

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What do you think will happen next? (Leave a comment)

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

                                         

These prophecies are an important tool we have to lead us on our path. They are more important now than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?

It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.

NOTE: These prophecies tell us also of things happening in the background that either the main stream news media does not know about or the crooked news media refuses to talk about. They do this to keep us in the dark to continue the Trump hating senario and for us to keep thinking that nothing is changing, thus Trump is not successful. But it is just the opposite happening. The proof is all around us if we look for it.

Prophetic Words from the prophets:  Julie Green

“Something Is Coming That Will Shake This Earth And Everyone In It“

Go to the 11:08 mark on the video. Given on Sept 29, 2026

Chuck Schumer will soon die. Nancy Pelosi will get justice for what she has done.

PROPHECIES FULFILLED—GREENLAND

Word received on March 20, 2023 and January 10, 2026 about Greenland.

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Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

I keep this one out here to view. Everyone should take the time to watch it. It will awaken you about the Muslim so-called religion (or should we call it for it is — a ‘cult‘.)

— And the truth the world forgot about the so-called Muslim religion.

Fr.Don Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth,  particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.  

KATIE ZACHARIA PICKED FOR NEW WHITEHOUSE PRESS SECRETARY.

HERE’S WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR AT ILHAN OMAR’S DC HOME

ILHAN OMAR RAID INDICATES SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE

THE U.S. TREASURY JUST OPENED THE DOOR TO GOLD

Treasury yields are surging, central banks are buying gold, and Washington is openly discussing inflation as a way to manage the debt. Could a gold revaluation be closer than most people think?

AMERICA’S 7 NEW ENERGY BREAKTHROUGHS ARE SHOCKING THE ENTIRE WORLD!

Why is the news media not talking more about these new energy sources? Is it because they hate president Trump so much that anything of progress or innovation is kept silent from the citizens? Simply put, they don’t want Trump’s administration to succeed.

A BATTLE IRAN DOES NOT WANT THE WORLD TO SEE

EUROPE IS ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE

7 European Countries on the Edge of Collapse: The Alarming Truth Europe Doesn’t Want You to Know

NEW TACTICS OF THE LEFT, EXTREMIST, DEMOCRAT LIBERALS

This is the only way they can get votes – just lie to the American people. What they do once elected is appalling. But you get what you vote for….

There is also news Leavitt may be joining FOX News. This could be the best thing that could happen to FOX.

THE GLOBAL DEBT CRISIS HAS BEGUN (WHY GOLD IS FALLING FIRST)

I was in the dentist not long ago and the nurse and doctor joked about how many scams there were about how to make money. They mentioned the Iraqi dinar and laughed. Then I mentioned silver and how silver has the potential to rise suddenly. They made a joke about it and pretended it was just another money-making scheme off the internet. Remember silver climbed from $25 an ounce to over $100 in a short time and then settled back to over $70. It recently climbed again over $100. Soon $100 will be the new norm. There is just too much going on financially to reset that silver at $300 an ounce cannot be a reality soon. This is how these metals work.

Am I telling you to buy silver? No, I do not give financial advice only tell you what I know from what I read. Of course, if you buy silver now you would have to wait for it to climb again and again and go through it process of ups and downs again until it settled to a new norm. You already missed the first phase. Will you miss the second?

THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING RAISING THE DOLLAR TO 150,000 AND THERE IS SERIOUS DISCUSSION ABOUT REMOVING ZEROS… BUDGET LEAKS

Member of the Sadiqun parliamentary bloc and the parliamentary economic committee, Safaa al-Jabri, revealed a government plan to raise the official exchange rate of the dollar to 1,500 dinars instead of 1,310, in addition to proceeding with changing the Iraqi currency, potentially by removing zeros.

He also predicted that the 2027 budget revenues would exceed $110 billion. During an interview with journalist Laith al-Jazaeri on iNews channel, which was monitored by 964 Network, al-Jabri stated that Iraq has “emerged from its predicament,” accusing previous governments of pursuing what he described as populist policies, particularly regarding the proposed budget with a planned deficit ranging between 25 and 30 trillion dinars.

Al-Jabri said, “The size of the upcoming budget is changing due to the increase in customs and tax revenues, and achieving an increase of between 8 and 10 billion dollars in unprecedented domestic oil sales, with expectations that oil export sales will exceed 85 billion dollars, bringing total revenues to about 110 billion dollars.”

Al-Jabri explained that “the average daily oil sales price is currently stable between $80 and $82 per barrel, generating monthly revenues of around $5 billion,” adding: “Iraq has emerged from the bottleneck and the biggest economic crisis it faced as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of Basra oil exports after finding solutions that have begun to gradually improve the situation.”

The member of the Economic Committee pointed out that “there is a proposal from the Minister of Finance to amend the official exchange rate to 150,000 dinars per 100 dollars, but there is no final decision yet, according to the leaked document of the budget proposal, whose planned deficit ranges between 25 and 30 trillion dinars.”

Al-Jabri pointed out that “changing the Iraqi currency and the possibility of removing zeros is being discussed very seriously within the corridors of the Prime Minister’s office and the Central Bank, and the current delay is limited only to determining the entity with the legal authority to approve the step and proceed with it as soon as the legal classification is resolved.”

The MP criticized the performance of previous financial policies, noting that “previous governments were populist, and budgets were prepared in a ‘copy-paste’ manner and on the ‘hand’ since 2006 for 20 years by the same person who progressed from Director General of the Budget to Undersecretary and then Minister of Finance,” referring to former Finance Minister Taif Sami, stressing that the current stage is witnessing corrective measures.

Al-Jabri added that “the Iraqi citizen ate bread during the current and previous year from the pockets of farmers who have not received the dues for marketing wheat until now, and the Al-Awais Company is demanding the dues for the food ration for the current and previous years, in addition to the existence of debts worth 33 billion on road and bridge projects, at a time when the Prime Minister canceled all the contracts of the previous government whose completion rate did not exceed 20%.”

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ECONOMIST: RAISING THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE IN THE BUDGET REQUIRES LEGISLATION, AND CURRENT STATEMENTS ARE MERELY TESTING THE WATERS.

(Mnt Goat: we already seen this statement in the heading did not pan out to be true. The rate was changed by the CBI)

Economic researcher Ali Tamr confirmed on Tuesday that the proposal to raise the dollar exchange rate within the budget comes as part of attempts to address the financial deficit. He explained that changing the exchange rate cannot be done through proposals or decisions, but rather requires a law voted on by the Council of Representatives.

Tamr told Al-Maalouma, “The proposal to raise the dollar exchange rate in the budget came as a result of the existing financial deficit, but it will not be implemented unless a law is passed by the Council of Representatives to become an enforceable decision.”
He added, “The data and statements circulating regarding raising the exchange rate may be to gauge public opinion in Iraq and assess reactions and the potential impact of the decision.” He pointed out that “the Iraqi public has become aware of the repercussions of raising the dollar exchange rate, especially since past experiences have not led to a permanent solution to the problem.”

Tamr explained that “the previous increase in the dollar exchange rate also occurred during a financial crisis, but the exchange rate did not return to its previous level after the crisis ended; rather, it negatively impacted the economic and living conditions.”
He pointed out that “all previous attempts aimed at achieving convergence between the official exchange rate and the parallel market rate have failed to close the gap,” noting that “repeatedly resorting to raising the exchange rate may not be the best option for addressing the fiscal deficit.”

He explained that “addressing the deficit should focus on increasing revenues, diversifying income sources, and maximizing state resources, rather than burdening citizens with the consequences of the financial crisis through measures that affect purchasing power. Furthermore, the issue of state funds and revenues must be addressed more effectively.” Iraq Banking Reforms

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THE CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR TELLS PARLIAMENT: THE NEW EXCHANGE RATE IS FIXED AND CAN NEVER BE CHANGED.

(Mnt Goat: So here is the evidence it was changed by the CBI.

A parliamentary source reported on Thursday that the governor of the Central Bank informed members of the parliamentary finance committee that the exchange rate of the dollar would remain fixed at 1,500 dinars, stressing that it could not be changed.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the Central Bank Governor explained to the committee members that any change in the dollar exchange rate within the general budget law would lead to a change in all the budget tables and items that were built on the basis of an exchange rate of 1,500 dinars per dollar.

He added that the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank did not come to the House of Representatives building, while the Governor merely informed the members of the Finance Committee of the Central Bank’s position on the new exchange rate.

The parliamentary finance committee was scheduled to hold a meeting with the finance minister and the central bank governor to discuss the decision to change the dollar exchange rate and its repercussions, in addition to discussing the draft federal budget law, but the officials did not attend parliament.

The Speaker of Parliament decided to cancel today’s scheduled session, which was to include hosting Finance Minister Faleh Sari and Central Bank Governor Nizar Nasser Hussein to discuss the repercussions of the decision to raise the exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar, and to settle for holding a meeting of the Finance Committee.

The Central Bank announced yesterday, Wednesday, the adoption of new exchange rates, according to which it set the price of buying the dollar from the Ministry of Finance at 1500 dinars, and selling it to banks at 1510 dinars, and to the public at 1520 dinars, starting from October 7, 2026.

(Mnt Goat: This is what happens when you don’t give the courtesy to work with the other branches of government on the exchange rate. This is why the CBI will NEVER change the exchange rate along, even though it technically and legally can. )

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MINISTRY OF FINANCE: THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED; THE PROPOSED RATE RANGES BETWEEN 1400 AND 1500 DINARS.

(Mnt Goat: It appears that the CBI ‘jumped the gun’ and should have discussed this with both the Finance Committee and Parliament to get a final rate. As the article says it was not yet even finalized and could have ranged from 1400-1500. The CBI arbitrarily put it to 1500 without any discussions.)

The Ministry of Finance denied on Sunday that a specific exchange rate for the US dollar had been set in the 2027 budget, while indicating that the proposed rate of 1400-1500 dinars would likely be adopted.

The statement from the ministry, reported by Al-Maalomah News Agency, quoted the Minister of Finance as saying that the exchange rate had not yet been determined and that the proposed rate ranged between 1400 and 1500 dinars. The statement added that the diversification of oil export sources, the coherence of the government program, and the ability to cover the budget deficit were all factors in the budget.

It further explained that all contracts would be made permanent and salaries converted to Contract 315. The statement also noted that 100,000 contracts had been created in the budget, with 50,000 allocated to security forces and another 50,000 to civilian positions.

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MALIKI’S BLOC: CALLS TO WITHDRAW CONFIDENCE FROM AL-ZIDI’S GOVERNMENT DUE TO THE RISE IN THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE

MP Falah al-Khafaji, from the State of Law Coalition, revealed that there are parliamentary trends to withdraw confidence from the government of Prime Minister Ali al-Zidi if the decision to raise the dollar exchange rate continues, stressing that the decision surprised the House of Representatives and it was not informed of it beforehand.

Al-Khafaji said that the House of Representatives will host the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank, with the possibility of summoning the Prime Minister, noting that the continued repercussions of the decision may push parliamentary voices to demand a vote of no confidence in the government.

He added that changing the exchange rate is a decision for which several parties bear responsibility, including the coordinating framework, the heads of political blocs, and the Minister of Finance, stressing that the decision was taken without putting in place solutions to protect the middle and poor classes.

He explained that most of the MPs were not aware in advance of the change in the exchange rate, despite the issue being raised in a limited way during the Finance Committee meeting with the Minister of Finance, who informed the MPs at the time that there was no intention to change the exchange rate.

He pointed out that raising taxes, customs duties and prices of petroleum products, in conjunction with changing the exchange rate, has led to harm to citizens and a state of stagnation in the markets.

The Cabinet had decided to amend the exchange rate of the dollar, so that the final selling price for citizens and non-bank financial institutions would be 1520 dinars per dollar instead of 1320 dinars.

(Mnt Goat: Looks like they did it. They changed the official exchange rate and just devalued the dinar. This is worse then during the pandemic period even.)

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AN ECONOMIST: 3 FACTORS PROMPTED THE GOVERNMENT TO RAISE THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE

Economic expert Mustafa Hantoush revealed the reasons for the rise in the dollar exchange rate, pointing out that the decision came in light of financial pressures facing the state, including:

1. the decline in oil revenues and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz .

Hantoush said in a televised interview followed by Al-Sa’a Network, “Iraq’s revenues are in dollars, as its revenues in the 2027 budget are estimated at 90 billion dollars, and at a rate of 1320, it does not equal 117 trillion in the face of the size of operational spending and appointments.”

2,He pointed out that “going to a price of 1500 could bring revenues to 128 trillion,” explaining that “as long as the state does not know how to deal with the private sector, it will not have a source of revenue .”

He added that “due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the collapse of oil prices, the depletion of the central bank’s reserves, and appointments, the state resorted to raising the exchange rate.” 

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BASEM AL-GHARIBAWI: THE GOVERNMENT CHOSE THE EASIEST PATH BY DEVALUING THE DINAR.

Former MP Bassem Al-Gharibawi confirmed on Thursday that the measure taken by the government regarding raising the dollar exchange rate was not well thought out, indicating that the difficult economic conditions that Iraq is going through and the delay in salaries require taking multiple measures before resorting to burdening the citizen with the cost of treatment.

Al-Gharibawi told Al-Maalomah that “the citizen has become the primary target of government measures in every crisis the country faces,” noting that “the decision to raise the exchange rate was made without sufficient study of its repercussions, which will put additional pressure on the economy and could lead to a recession in the markets.”

He added that “before resorting to raising the dollar’s value, the government should have worked on controlling border crossings and combating waste and smuggling, in addition to searching for alternative revenue sources to help reduce dependence on oil revenues, instead of taking the easiest solution by raising the exchange rate.”

Al-Gharibawi explained that “Iraqi employees have lost more than a third of their purchasing power as a result of rising prices and exchange rate fluctuations,” questioning the ability of those with limited incomes, daily wage earners, and the poor to cope with the repercussions of the rising cost of living under the current economic conditions.

He pointed out that “there are questions about whether some political parties benefited from raising the exchange rate,” indicating that “the political class was aware beforehand of the possibility of raising the dollar’s value, and that some entities bought dollars before the decision, which led to an inflation of their wealth after the exchange rate increase.”

Al-Gharibawi questioned the rationale behind creating new positions, such as deputy prime ministers or other posts, at a time when the government acknowledges the country is facing difficult economic circumstances and is simultaneously raising the dollar exchange rate. He called for a reduction in government spending and unnecessary expenditures.

He noted that the repercussions of the decision have already begun to be reflected in market prices, warning of continued price hikes and worsening living conditions. He indicated that the continuation of these policies could lead to increased public anger towards the government.

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THIS EVENING, A GOVERNMENT-PARLIAMENTARY MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL HALL TO DISCUSS THE “EXCHANGE RATE”.

An informed source reported on Thursday that the House of Representatives will hold a joint government-parliamentary meeting regarding changing the dollar exchange rate.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “a meeting will be held in the Constitutional Hall inside the Iraqi Parliament at 8 pm.”

He added that “the meeting will be attended by the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, the heads of the blocs, the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank to discuss the issue of raising the dollar exchange rate and its repercussions.”

Today, a parliamentary source reported that the governor of the Central Bank informed members of the parliamentary finance committee that the exchange rate of the dollar would remain fixed at 1,500 dinars, stressing that it could not be changed .

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the Central Bank Governor explained to the committee members that any change in the dollar exchange rate within the general budget law would lead to a change in all the budget tables and items that were built on the basis of an exchange rate of 1,500 dinars per dollar .

He added that the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank did not come to the House of Representatives building, while the Governor merely informed the members of the Finance Committee of the Central Bank’s position on the new exchange rate.

The Central Bank announced yesterday, Wednesday, the adoption of new exchange rates, according to which it set the price of buying the dollar from the Ministry of Finance at 1500 dinars, and selling it to banks at 1510 dinars, and to the public at 1520 dinars, starting from October 7, 2026.

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BAGHDAD RAISES THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE AFTER 4 MONTHS OF DENIAL… AND HIDES THE DATE OF THE CURRENCY REPLACEMENT FROM THE “BIG PLAYERS”.

The framework was approved at Al-Hakim’s house… and (Al-Mada) revealed the plan to change the exchange rate in June.

Raising the dollar exchange rate to over 1,500 dinars may not be the last surprise Baghdad has in store.

While Iraqi markets have begun adjusting to the new rate, the government, according to informed sources speaking to Al-Mada, is preparing for a more sensitive step: replacing the currency and removing zeros.

The sources say the process could begin within a few months, perhaps at the start of next year, but no later than the first quarter of 2027.

But there’s another reason behind the timing.
Sources believe that replacing the currency could help track down at least $200 billion believed to be held by corrupt individuals. Therefore, according to these sources, the measure is being kept secret until now. Early talk of a currency change could give those with illicit funds time to act. They could buy dollars, real estate, or convert the money into assets that are difficult to link to the cash they will later be asked to exchange.

For this reason, the sources say, Baghdad wants the money to reach the point of exchange before the news reaches them.

THE DOLLAR COMES FIRST.
This potential move follows a decision by Baghdad regarding the dollar, a decision it had denied for nearly four months. Yesterday, the government announced that the selling price of the dollar to the public would become 1,520 dinars, compared to the previous 1,320 dinars.

In June, the government confirmed that there were no plans to print money or devalue the dinar to compensate for the liquidity shortage.

The Central Bank at the time denied any intention to adjust the exchange rate, after media outlets circulated a forged document indicating the possibility of raising the dollar price to 1,600 dinars.

According to Central Bank Law No. 56 of 2004, the exchange rate of the local currency against foreign currencies is determined by the Central Bank’s board of directors. However, the bank stated yesterday that the decision was made “in light of the current economic and financial circumstances,” and based on a recommendation from the Council of Ministers, with the aim of meeting the financial requirements of the general budget, relying on the provisions of the amended Central Bank Law No. 56 of 2004.

The Central Bank attempted to reassure the market that the decision did not signify a shortage of foreign currency. He stated that the bank’s reserves were “sufficient” to meet foreign trade financing demands, settle bank card payments abroad, and facilitate cash sales to travelers.

In the parallel market, however, the reaction was swifter than the official figures. The dollar surpassed 1,800 dinars, up from less than 1,500 before the amendment, while wholesale markets in Baghdad closed due to the price volatility. The decision came approximately three and a half months after Nizar Nasser Hussein assumed the position of Central Bank Governor, succeeding Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq in June.

For the government, the decision to raise the exchange rate by 20 trillion dinars is not without its clear benefits. Initial estimates indicate that the new exchange rate will add approximately 20 trillion dinars to the budget.

However, this figure comes at the expense of a larger one: a projected deficit of around 65 trillion dinars in the 2027 budget.

In response to the exchange rate adjustment, MP Miqdad al-Khafaji called on members of parliament to convene an immediate emergency session to compel the government to reverse the increase in the dollar exchange rate.

In a statement, al-Khafaji said the decision comes “at a time when political blocs are preoccupied with ministerial appointments and creating new positions that further burden the state budget,” adding that the exchange rate increase “adds a new burden to the Iraqi citizen.” He emphasized that raising the exchange rate directly leads to price increases and a decline in the purchasing power of employees and citizens with low incomes. He stated that “the public, already burdened by crises, cannot bear any new burdens.” He demanded that the interests and livelihoods of citizens be prioritized above all other considerations and that the decision be immediately reversed to avoid its repercussions on local markets.

Economic researcher and consultant Ziad al-Hashemi sees the matter from a different angle. For him, changing the exchange rate is not reform so much as it is “buying time” and delaying the path of financial reform. He says that genuine reform requires stringent measures and decisions that “the powerful will not accept.”

Therefore, according to al-Hashemi, the easiest option becomes devaluing the dinar and making the public bear the responsibility for the government’s financial and administrative failures.

This disagreement places the dollar decision within a broader economic plan that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi presented as a reform plan for the economic system. According to what was presented about the plan, it was supposed to be implemented in coordination with the US administration and include American investments in exchange for resolving the issue of weapons, a path that is now faltering.

Al-Mada was the first to reveal, in a report published on June 11, that the plan is based on three tracks: changing the exchange rate, selling indebted institutions, and recovering funds from corrupt individuals. The plan was discussed and approved at a meeting of the Shiite Alliance held that same month at the home of Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Hikma Movement.

Since then, the government says it has recovered more than one trillion dinars, in the form of cash and real estate, through its anti-corruption campaigns.

Al-Zaydi says this money will be added to a new fund.
“We established the Generations Fund, and allocated 1.5 trillion dinars to it,” he said.
In a recent meeting with tribal sheikhs in Baghdad, al-Zaydi said that reforming the Iraqi economy requires attracting foreign investment, asserting that by 2031, Iraq’s oil production will reach 10 million barrels per day.
But Iraq is not living in 2031, and the government, according to previous statements, needs at least 10 trillion dinars monthly to cover salaries and public expenditures.
Oil constitutes about 90% of the budget revenues.

But al-Hashemi fears that a large portion of these savings will go toward funding an already bloated government apparatus. He believes that much of the difference resulting from exchange rate fluctuations will likely be used to further increase the number of employees in a government that already suffers from a significant surplus, with reports of new appointments.

The parliamentary finance committee had reported that approximately one million contract workers and temporary employees would be given permanent positions within the 2027 budget. Former MP Majid Shenkali believes these appointments are difficult to separate from the new financial calculations.

He stated that changing the exchange rate to cover the budget deficit, while the government continues to expand its regularization and appointment programs, represents a “complete disconnect from reality, both financially and politically,” amidst rapidly evolving regional and international developments.

A budget that pays the price for the past, and the initial figures for the 2027 budget reveal the extent of the pressure. According to the Finance Committee and experts, the budget amounts to approximately 218 trillion Iraqi dinars.

Oil revenues are estimated at around 144.720 trillion dinars. Public expenditures reach 217.239 trillion dinars, including 47.897 trillion dinars for investment spending and 169.342 trillion dinars for operational expenses. Salaries for permanent employees amount to 68.125 trillion dinars, an increase of 8.951 trillion dinars.

Al-Hashemi states in a post that the details of the new draft budget confirm that the Iraqi government has done little to overcome the painful repercussions of the war with Iran, and that it aims to burden the people with a large share of the suffering they “do not deserve.”

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THE DOLLAR RISES FIRST… BAGHDAD IS KEEPING THE DATE FOR CURRENCY REPLACEMENT SECRET FOR FEAR OF A MOVE BY “BIG PLAYERS”.

Raising the price of the dollar to more than 1500 dinars may not be the last surprise that Baghdad has in store.

As Iraqi markets began to deal with the new dollar exchange rate, the government is preparing for a more sensitive step, which is replacing the currency and removing zeros from it.

The process may begin within a few months, perhaps at the beginning of next year, but should not exceed the first quarter of 2027, according to Al-Mada newspaper .

The newspaper, in a report seen by Al-Sa’a Network, quoted its sources as saying that “replacing the currency could help to lock up at least $200 billion believed to be in the hands of corrupt individuals, and therefore the procedure is being kept secret until

now .”

She added that “talking too early about changing the currency may give those with illicit funds time to act. They can buy dollars, real estate, or convert the money into assets that are difficult to link to the cash they will be asked to exchange later,” indicating that “Baghdad wants the money to reach the moment of exchange before the news reaches it .”

She pointed out that “real reform requires strict measures and decisions that the big players will not accept,” adding that “the easiest option is to reduce the value of the dinar and hold the public responsible for the government’s financial and administrative failures .”

The report noted that “this dispute places the dollar decision within a broader economic plan that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had presented as a reform plan for the economic system,” indicating that “it was supposed to be carried out in agreement with the US administration, and to include the entry of US investments in exchange for ending the arms issue, a path that is now faltering .”

He explained that “the initial figures for the 2027 budget reveal the extent of the pressure, and according to the Finance Committee and experts, the budget amounts to about 218 trillion Iraqi dinars,” indicating that “oil revenues amount to about 144 trillion and 720 billion dinars .”

He added that “public expenditures amount to 217 trillion and 239 billion dinars, including 47 trillion and 897 billion dinars for investment expenditures, and 169 trillion and 342 billion dinars for operational expenditures,” noting that “the salaries of employees on the permanent staff amount to 68 trillion and 125 billion dinars, an increase of 8 trillion and 951 billion dinars .”

He explained that “the details of the new draft budget confirm that the Iraqi government has not done much to overcome the painful repercussions of the war on Iran, and that it aims to burden the people with a large part of the pain that they do not deserve. 

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AL-JALABI: WASHINGTON DOMINATES KEY IRAQI DECISION-MAKING POSITIONS, AND TRUMP IS PLANNING TO PLUNDER IRAQ’S WEALTH.

Zuhair al-Jalabi, a member of the Coordination Framework, affirmed that the United States continues to exert its direct hegemony and influence over political, economic, and even security decisions in Iraq, warning of US President Donald Trump’s plans to seize the country’s wealth and resources.

(Mnt Goat: Really? How can al-Jalabi dare to day this in the midst of trillions of dollars (not dinars) that has been stolen from Iraq due to corruption  and most of it sent to Iran. What did it do for Iran? It paid for its military and nuclear ambitions. This is ironic.

Why don’t they first look in the their own backyard before mouthing off against America. Trump has repeatedly said any deals with Iraq will help Iraq to grow and  beome very weathy but US investors must also make money. This is only common sense. Why would you invest if you can’t make any money? Oh who is Al-Jalabi? Of course he is an Iranian influence politician in the Coordination Framework. Go figure…. They would like everything to stay the same, wouldn’t they? To keep plundering Iraq all for themselves. The fact that Trump is stopping this they don’t like.

This brings us to our investment as we too are investors in the dinar and have been supporting their economy through hard times. Where is our payoff?)

In a statement to the Information Agency, al-Jalabi said, “American hegemony is no longer limited to the political arena or security presence, but has extended to the very heart of the Iraqi economy and the pillars of the country’s financial sovereignty.” He explained that “Washington controls vital sectors and imposes restrictions that hinder the state’s progress and the independence of its national decision-making.”

He added that “the Trump administration is clearly and blatantly seeking to establish complete control over Iraq’s funds, resources, and vital economy to exploit them for its own destructive agendas,” while simultaneously criticizing “the complete silence and submissiveness displayed by Prime Minister Ali Abdullah Saleh regarding this ongoing foreign encroachment on the Iraqi people’s resources.”

Al-Jalabi stressed “the necessity of adopting a firm and courageous national stance that breaks the shackles of foreign tutelage, ends subservience to Washington, and safeguards the country’s full sovereignty in economic, security, and political matters.

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AL-ZAIDI: FIVE FACTIONS HAVE AGREED TO HAND OVER THEIR WEAPONS, AND IRAQ AIMS TO PRODUCE 10 MILLION BARRELS PER DAY.

Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi praised on Monday the tribes’ supportive stance towards the state and their contribution to maintaining order during difficult times, noting that no one who tries to weaken the state or threatens its existence will be allowed to do so.

Al-Zaydi said during his meeting with tribal sheikhs and dignitaries, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, that the government avoided imposing international isolation on Iraq and extended its hand to the world for partnership, stressing the government’s work on establishing a successful economic identity through a budget of programs that focused on electricity infrastructure.

He pointed to the move towards building and strengthening the existence of a state that honors Iraqis, explaining that they are fighting an approach that views the state as an individual benefit at the expense of the interest of all segments of the Iraqi people.

He added that the current economic crisis has greatly affected the Iraqi economy, explaining that Iraq needs a beneficial international partnership, especially with major and economically advanced countries.

Al-Zaydi explained that reforming the Iraqi economy requires attracting foreign investments and the withdrawal of any foreign forces from Iraq, stressing that in 2031 Iraq’s oil production will reach 10 million barrels per day.

He continued, saying, “We established the Generations Fund and allocated 1.5 trillion dinars to it,” adding that “the funds recovered from anti-corruption operations will be added to the Generations Fund account.”

He affirmed: “We spoke with the Turkish side on multiple issues, and there is a withdrawal from the locations where the Turkish army is present inside Iraqi territory,” indicating that “we held talks with the Kuwaitis, and there is a sincere intention to resolve all bilateral problems and obstacles.”

He noted that 5 factions had agreed to hand over weapons, and 3 of them had already handed over their weapons, and dialogue was continuing with the others, pointing out that 500 billion dinars had been released monthly to pay the farmers’ dues.

According to Al-Zaydi, the project of one million residential plots will be completed and will contribute to solving the housing problem with full services, adding that he will start building new cities in each governorate, bearing its identity and history.

He concluded by saying that unifying ranks is required, and we must preserve Iraq’s honorable history and our strength by making decisions Iraqi, noting the effort to keep Iraq away from any consequences of conflicts in the region, and that the stability of our society and our people is our goal.

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EXTENDING THE DEADLINE FOR HANDING OVER WEAPONS… WILL THE AL-ZAIDI GOVERNMENT RENEGE ON ITS MOST PROMINENT PLEDGES?

Questions are increasing in Iraqi political circles regarding the decision of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government to back down from the September 30 deadline for resolving the issue of restricting weapons to the state, amid political interpretations that see the extension of the deadline as a retreat from one of the most prominent principles on which the government was founded.

Observers believe that restricting weapons to the state was not a secondary issue in Al-Zaydi’s government program, but was presented as one of the government’s main priorities, within the framework of consolidating state authority and ending any manifestations of weapons outside its official institutions.

According to these readings, failure to adhere to the September 30th deadline puts the government before a political test, especially since the date was linked to a phase that official discourse described as “Sovereignty Day,” coinciding with the end of the international coalition’s mission and the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.

Observers believe that the scene that accompanied the celebrations of Sovereignty Day carried a political paradox, as some of those clinging to weapons appeared presenting their armed presence as part of the force that contributed to the withdrawal of American forces, which, according to them, put the government in a political and popular embarrassment, especially since the government’s discourse was simultaneously moving towards emphasizing that the decision of war, peace and weapons should be within the institutions of the state.

Observers believe that backing down from resolving the issue on the announced date may open the door to questions about the extent to which the al-Zaidi government is able to implement its basic commitments, especially since the weapons issue was one of the most sensitive issues in the relationship between Baghdad and Washington, and between the government, political forces, and armed factions.

The debate is not limited to the Iraqi interior, as observers believe that any setback in this matter may also be reflected in the shape of American policy towards the al-Zaidi government during the next stage, considering that Washington may reassess its approach to the relationship with Baghdad if it concludes that the government is unable or unwilling to implement its commitments regarding restricting weapons to the state.

On the other hand, extending the deadline may be interpreted from another perspective as a governmental attempt to manage a highly complex political and security issue, and to avoid a sudden shift to measures that could trigger an internal confrontation, especially given the entanglement of the issue with political forces and factions that possess broad influence.

Between these two paths, the Al-Zaidi government finds itself facing a delicate equation: either to proceed with implementing its pledge to restrict weapons to the state, even gradually, or to face political accusations of backtracking on one of the most prominent promises upon which its government was founded.

As the debate continues, the most prominent question in political circles remains: Does extending the deadline merely postpone the procedures for resolving the weapons issue, or is it an indication of a broader change in the approach of the Al-Zaidi government towards one of the most sensitive issues in the Iraqi scene?

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DISARMAMENT IS NOT FREE… NEW MINISTRIES AND A RISE IN THE DOLLAR TO COVER ADDITIONAL EXPENSES

(Mnt Goat: Who runs the government, the prime minister once in office or the coordination framework?)

The factions will manage “artificial intelligence” and tourism? What?

The Coordination Framework was apparently surprised by the extent of the anger sparked by the decision to raise the dollar exchange rate.

According to Al-Mada, it began promoting the possibility of dismissing Ali al-Zaidi in an attempt to contain the public pressure.

Ironically, however, the decision was not a surprise within the Shiite alliance itself. According to informed sources, its constituent forces had agreed to raise the exchange rate before some of them found themselves facing the repercussions of a decision that now required political containment.

Since the end of last week, political and popular movements have been organizing demonstrations and protests against the measure, which has devalued the Iraqi dinar by about 15%.

In a late-night session of Parliament on Thursday, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi defended the decision, declaring himself solely responsible. However, this admission of responsibility, which appeared to be an attempt to end the controversy surrounding who made the decision, did not resolve the debate about its political motivations.

According to Ali al-Jurani, a member of the Hikma Movement, the dollar exchange rate increase originated from the Coordination Framework and received the approval of the heads of the political blocs and the State Administration Coalition.

Al-Mada newspaper revealed in a report published on June 11 that the economic plan being discussed among political forces is based on three tracks: changing the exchange rate, selling indebted institutions, and recovering funds from corrupt individuals. According to this information, the plan was discussed and approved during a meeting of the Shiite Alliance held that same month at the home of Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Hikma Movement.

In this climate, the possibility of a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister emerged. Falah al-Khafaji, a member of parliament from the State of Law Coalition, stated that several parliamentary blocs might move to withdraw confidence from al-Zaidi’s government if the decision to raise the exchange rate continues.

However, informed sources who spoke to Al-Mada believe that promoting the possibility of a no-confidence vote is also being used to try to absorb public anger and redirect attention to the fate of the government, rather than focusing the discussion on the decision itself and the parties that approved it.

Three options… but where is the austerity?

In Parliament, al-Zaidi explained that his government faced three unpalatable options to secure salaries and overcome the financial crisis: “forced savings and leaving employees to live on promises, distributing salaries every 45 days, or borrowing and plunging the country into debt.”

According to a statement from his media office, al-Zaidi said his government “took over the task with the economy under siege,” and that borrowing was not a suitable option given the size of the existing debt. He added that Iraq is going through “a dire situation and an undeclared siege” due to the war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that his government does not want to resort to further borrowing to avoid overburdening the economy.

In defending the adjustment of the exchange rate, al-Zaidi said that the difference in the previous dollar price “was being exploited by speculators,” emphasizing that the government is continuing its fight against corruption and that the economy must be treated with an “economic mindset.” He also announced that “good amounts”—estimated at more than $3 billion—of foreign currency will arrive in the coming days, confirming that the government will inject them into circulation.

But what sparked objections from economic experts was not only what the Prime Minister said, but what he did not address in his speech: reducing public spending, abolishing some privileges, reviewing salaries and positions, and investigating the areas of waste that drain public funds.

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IRAQ RANKS 28TH GLOBALLY IN FOREIGN CURRENCY RESERVES AT $85 BILLION.

(Mnt Goat: Down from $110 billion dollars)

Iraq ranked 28th globally among the countries with the largest foreign exchange reserves out of 30 countries listed in the table, with a total of about $85 billion, according to a ranking published by the Canadian website “Visual Capital East” based on the latest data from the International Monetary Fund.  According to the ranking, Iraq came after France, which ranked 27th with reserves of $86 billion, and before Romania, which ranked 29th with $78.2 billion, while Turkey came in 30th and last place with $76.6 billion.

China topped the list with reserves of $3.41 trillion, followed by Japan with $1.259 trillion, then Switzerland with $932.3 billion, Taiwan with $602.5 billion, and India with $543 billion.

In the Arab world, Saudi Arabia came in sixth place globally with reserves of $458.6 billion, and the UAE in 12th place with $251.4 billion, while Iraq came in third place among the top thirty countries with the largest reserves.

The classification, based on data from the International Monetary Fund’s International Reserves and Foreign Exchange Liquidity Database, indicated that foreign exchange reserves are a key tool for coping with economic shocks, supporting currency stability, financing imports, and servicing external debt. The classification excludes gold from foreign exchange reserves and is based on the most recent reporting periods available between mid-2025 and the second quarter of 2026.

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GOVERNMENT POLICY TO ADOPT THE IRAQI DINAR IN TRANSACTIONS WITHIN IRAQ

On Saturday, October 10, 2026, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, an advisor to Prime Minister Ali al-Zidi, revealed a government plan to adopt the Iraqi dinar for transactions within Iraq.

Saleh said in a statement followed by “Ultra Iraq” that “there is a governmental trend to adopt the Iraqi dinar in transactions within Iraq in accordance with the relevant legal provisions, which supports confidence in the national currency and regulates transactions in the market,” as he put it.

Saleh spoke about “government oversight measures” and considered them “a fundamental pillar for controlling markets and limiting unjustified price increases, and confronting monopoly, speculation and exploitation of citizens’ need for food and consumer goods,” stressing that “the continuation of oversight campaigns, strengthening institutional coordination, supporting local production, facilitating the flow of goods and holding violators accountable, represent important factors for protecting the consumer and enhancing market stability.”  

He pointed to “the importance of coordination between the concerned authorities to ensure the smooth flow of goods to the markets, in parallel with government measures aimed at facilitating trade and addressing obstacles facing the processing and distribution operations, which enhances market efficiency and contributes to price stability and the availability of basic materials,” as well as “the importance of adhering to the applicable legislation that regulates financial and commercial transactions,” indicating that “the integration of the work of commercial and regulatory bodies contributes to monitoring markets, detecting violations and applying legal measures against violators, which enhances fair competition and protects the purchasing power of citizens, especially those with limited income.”

The advisor pointed out that “price stability is not achieved by monitoring alone, but requires its integration with economic and supply policies and procedures that facilitate commercial activity, in order to support living, economic and social stability in Iraq.”

He also said that “effective oversight does not target legitimate business activity, but rather seeks to prevent monopolistic practices, price manipulation, and exploitation of economic conditions to achieve unjustified profits, while maintaining a balance between the rights of consumers and the interests of committed traders, and establishing a business environment based on transparency and fairness.”

On October 7, 2026, the financial authorities in Iraq announced a reduction in the value of the dinar for the third time in six years, bringing it to 152,000 dinars per 100 dollars, for the currency sold to the public, or the “end user”.

The Central Bank decided to adopt a new exchange rate for the dollar, according to a document issued by the bank, which stated: “With reference to the Cabinet’s decision taken in its twenty-second session on October 6, 2026, which included amending the exchange rates of the Iraqi dinar against the US dollar in a way that meets the relevant financial, economic and monetary requirements.”

He added: “Based on the provisions of the Central Bank of Iraq Law No. 56 of 2004, as amended, it was decided to adopt the following exchange rates:

• The purchase price of the US dollar from the Ministry of Finance: (1500) dinars per dollar.
• The selling price of the US dollar to banks: (1510) dinars per dollar.
• The selling price of the US dollar to the public: (1520) dinars per dollar.

The Iraqi parliament hosted Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to “clarify the details and necessities related to changing the foreign currency exchange rate.”

Al-Zaydi told the House of Representatives that “the government had three options: the first was to resort to mandatory savings and leave the employee to live on promises, the second was to distribute salaries every 45 days, and the third was to resort to borrowing and drown the country in debt, which it is already burdened with.”

Al-Zaydi revealed that “the difference in the dollar exchange rate was previously taken over by speculators,” adding: “I took over the task when the size of the public debt was more than 208 trillion dinars, and the government is required to provide 10 trillion dinars monthly, and despite the crisis, we provided the salaries.”

Al-Zaydi pointed out that “in the coming days, good quantities of dollars will arrive and we will inject them into circulation.”

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THE ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE BANKS REVEALS THREE PILLARS FOR BANKING REFORM.

The Association of Private Banks revealed on Monday three pillars of banking reform, noting that the banking reform plan is reviewed every six months.

The association’s executive director, Ali Tariq, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The Central Bank has launched a central reform plan for 2025-2027, and this plan concerns private banks, which must implement it on several axes, including governance, the work plan, financial indicators, in addition to compliance and combating money laundering.”

He added that “the banks are working on this plan and reviewing it every six months, with the aim of all banks implementing it,” indicating that “there are paths to reform, whether reform individually, mergers, or outside the market.”

He added that “the banking reform plan is a large plan with many requirements that private banks must fulfill within the set timeframe.”

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CENTRAL BANK: OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO MAINTAIN THE VALUE OF THE DINAR AGAINST FOREIGN CURRENCIES

The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed on Tuesday that its current mission is to maintain the value of the Iraqi dinar against foreign currencies.

The representative of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Samir Fakhri, said at the Middle East Forum for Research and Peace (MERI), held in Erbil, and attended by a correspondent from the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The issue of the exchange rate and its relative importance differs from one country to another,” explaining that “the exchange rate is important for Iraq, because the Iraqi economy is rentier in nature and depends on dollar revenues.”

He added that “Iraq’s sources of income depend on external demand, and the most important equation in the Iraqi economy is government spending in dinars.” He pointed out that “the use of the dinar as a means of government spending is a fundamental driver, representing a component of aggregate demand, which is linked to oil revenues, and the exchange rate is the link to all of this.”

He added that “the central bank’s mission is to maintain the value of the local currency against foreign currencies,” explaining that “growth in the private sector boosts GDP and reduces demand for the dollar.”

He stressed that “every dinar spent by the general budget generates a demand for dollars through the central bank, given the limited contribution of local economic sectors to the gross domestic product.”

He stressed “the importance of working to develop the private sector and enhance its actual contribution to the gross domestic product, which will contribute to reducing the demand for the dollar,” noting that 60 to 70% of the dinars spent are returned in the form of demand for the dollar, while the remaining part accumulates within the central bank’s reserves.

He explained that “the Central Bank’s reserves are owned by the state, and the government represents the equivalent of the dinars that were spent through the exchange rate mechanism,” stressing that “Iraqi exports depend on crude oil by 98%, while oil revenues constitute more than 93% of total public revenues.”

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THE CENTRAL BANK CONFIRMS ITS VAULTS ARE FULL OF IRAQI DINARS

 

The Director General of the Statistics and Research Department at the Central Bank of Iraq, Samir Fakhri Naama, confirmed on Tuesday that the Central Bank’s vaults are full of dinars.

Naama said in a statement followed by (Al-Mada), “The vaults of the Central Bank of Iraq are currently full of dinars,” noting that “at no time has it been permissible to say that the Central Bank of Iraq does not have dinars.”

(Mnt Goat: Now I am really confused! ☹ Hasn’t the CBI been telling us for years that nearly 80-90% of the issued currency(3 zero notes) is outside the banking system. Today they are telling us that large amounts of this currency is actually inside the vaults of the Central Bank. Are they talking about the newer lower denominations yet to be issued? It would have to be  or else this is a gross contradiction. I think they are.)

He added that “there is an impact on the poor from the change in the exchange rate, but not with the expected impact because the state will subsidize a range of goods,” noting that “prices will rise by a much smaller percentage compared to the amount of the change in the exchange rate.”

He added that “the bank’s reserves are in a comfortable position,” calling for dealing in dinars to reduce dependence on the dollar.

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THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ: THE HORMUZ CRISIS FORCED AN INCREASE IN THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE TO PROTECT RESERVES.

The Central Bank of Iraq revealed the economic and financial reasons that prompted it to adjust the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar, stressing that the repercussions of the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the decline in oil revenues imposed increasing pressure on foreign reserves, and placed monetary policy before challenges related to financing government spending and maintaining financial stability.

These clarifications come at a time when the Iraqi economy is facing complex challenges as a result of its heavy reliance on oil to finance the general budget, coinciding with regional turmoil that has affected the movement of oil supplies and dollar revenues, bringing the issue of the exchange rate back to the forefront of economic and political debate.

Samir Fakhri Naama, Director General of the Statistics and Research Department at the Central Bank of Iraq, said during his participation in the ninth dialogue session of the “Miri 2026” forum in Erbil that the decision to amend the exchange rate represents, from the Central Bank’s point of view, the ideal solution to confront the financial shock resulting from the Strait of Hormuz crisis and to preserve Iraq’s foreign currency reserves.

Naama explained that the Iraqi economy differs from the economies of countries with diversified production bases, as it depends almost entirely on oil revenues, which constitute more than 93% of the state’s public revenues. This means that any disruption in oil production or export directly affects the government’s ability to finance its obligations.

THE HORMUZ CRISIS REVEALS THE FRAGILITY OF DEPENDENCE ON OIL.

According to the central bank official, the crisis related to the Strait of Hormuz during 2026 caused a negative shock to oil production and the revenues generated from it, which led to increased pressure on economic indicators and foreign reserves.

He pointed out that the repercussions of the crisis did not appear immediately in the first months, due to the nature of oil transactions based on forward sales, but they began to be reflected in the financial situation during the months of May and June, leading to a sharp decline in oil revenues, which he described as being close to a near-total halt.

According to an economic analysis, these statements reveal that the crisis was not only related to the movement of the dollar exchange rate, but also to a deeper imbalance between the dollar revenues entering the country and the government’s ongoing expenditures in dinars, especially salaries, operating expenses and other financial obligations.

Why did the central bank choose to adjust the exchange rate?

Na’ma explained the relationship between oil revenues and the dinar exchange rate, clarifying that every billion dollars converted into the local currency at a rate of 1,300 dinars per dollar provides the government with about 1.3 trillion dinars.

When the accounting price of the dollar is raised, the public treasury receives a larger number of dinars for the same dollar revenues, giving the government additional accounting power to finance expenditures denominated in the local currency.

However, this mechanism does not mean an increase in oil revenues in dollars or an improvement in the actual output of the economy, but rather represents a change in the dinar value of those revenues.

The price adjustment also has corresponding effects, most notably the increase in the cost of imported goods and dollar-linked services, and the possibility that part of this increase will be passed on to consumers, which makes the evaluation of the decision linked to the size of inflationary pressures and the ability of the authorities to manage them.

Naama explained that a large part of government operating spending returns to the market in the form of demand for dollars, which puts repeated pressure on the central bank’s reserves, especially when foreign inflows resulting from oil exports decline.

Government bonds and pressure on monetary policy

Naama addressed the mechanism for financing the government deficit through the issuance of bonds purchased by government banks, explaining that the central bank may intervene to exchange dinars in certain cases when those banks face difficulties in dealing with the bonds.

He pointed out that the presence of large quantities of local currency in the central bank’s vaults does not necessarily mean the availability of additional financial resources, as monetary obligations must be managed in a manner consistent with the economy’s ability to provide foreign resources and maintain monetary stability.

A key economic problem here is that expanding financing in dinars without a parallel growth in production and foreign revenues may lead to increased demand for the dollar, which will compound the challenges facing monetary policy in light of declining oil resources.

Will raising the dollar protect reserves or increase the burdens on citizens?

Naama stressed that the main objective of adjusting the exchange rate is to protect foreign reserves and ensure the continuation of economic activity, considering that the inflationary impact of this measure is less than the repercussions of alternatives that the state may be forced to adopt in crisis conditions.

However, this assessment raises questions about the ability of the Iraqi economy to absorb the effects of the adjustment, especially since local markets are heavily dependent on imported goods priced in dollars.

The Iraqi cabinet had approved on October 7 an amendment to the exchange rate, setting the purchase price of the dollar from the Ministry of Finance at 1,500 dinars, and the selling price to banks and financial institutions at 1,510 dinars, according to details of the decision reported by Reuters.

This move means that the government can obtain additional dinars in exchange for its limited dollar revenues, but in return it transfers part of the cost of the adjustment to the local economy through the increased cost of imports.

From an economic standpoint, the success of the decision does not depend on its ability to improve short-term government accounts, but rather on the stability of commodity prices, the central bank’s ability to meet legitimate demand for dollars, and the protection of citizens’ purchasing power.

Central Bank statements reopen the issue of foreign reserves

The monetary official’s statements gain additional importance when compared to a previous statement by the Central Bank, issued on September 19, 2026, in which it confirmed the adequacy of its foreign reserves to cover requests for financing foreign trade, bank cards, and travelers according to the approved mechanisms.

This does not necessarily mean there is a contradiction between the two positions; reserves may be sufficient to meet current demands, while future expectations require precautionary measures to maintain them.

However, this raises the need to disclose the latest data on foreign reserves, the extent of the decline they experienced during the crisis, and the approved estimates of their continued ability to finance Iraq’s dollar needs.

The disruptions to Iraqi oil exports during the Hormuz crisis add another dimension to these concerns, as transportation and export difficulties have led to a decrease in the quantities available to markets compared to pre-crisis levels.

The future of the dinar is linked to the fate of the Hormuz crisis.

Economic data indicates that continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz may keep pressure on Iraqi public finances, even with an adjustment to the exchange rate.

If oil exports continue to decline, the government will face the challenge of providing sufficient resources to cover its expenses, while the central bank may have to balance preserving reserves with meeting the demand for foreign currency.

An improvement in oil shipping and a return of exports to their normal levels would alleviate pressure on dollar revenues, although this alone does not guarantee a return of the exchange rate to its previous levels.

The current crisis reveals that the price of the dollar in Iraq is no longer just an indicator of market movement, but has become directly linked to the regional situation, the movement of oil, and government financial policy.

In conclusion, Samir Fakhri Nehme’s statements provide an explanation for the justifications the Central Bank relied on in supporting the exchange rate adjustment, but they leave important economic questions regarding the size of the consumed reserves, the duration for which the decline in oil revenues can be tolerated, and the extent of the decision’s impact on price levels.

The most prominent question remains: Is adjusting the dollar exchange rate a temporary measure to overcome the Strait of Hormuz crisis, or is it the beginning of a new phase of Iraqi monetary policy whose repercussions may continue even after the end of regional turmoil?

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THE MONEY EXCHANGE UNION CONDEMNS THE SETTING OF THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE AT 155,000 DINARS AND THREATENS A GENERAL STRIKE.

The General Syndicate of Exchange and Mediation in Iraq condemned on Sunday the video circulating and attributed to the Ministry of Interior regarding the buying and selling prices of the dollar in exchange companies, demanding that the ministry issue an official clarification regarding setting the dollar exchange rate in the parallel market at 155,000 dinars per 100 dollars, according to what was stated in the statement.

The union said in a statement seen by “ Al-Jarida ” that exchange companies of categories (A and B) do not receive cash dollars from the Central Bank of Iraq inside their premises, explaining that the delivery of dollars allocated to travelers is done through approved outlets at airports, in accordance with the applicable regulations and instructions.

She added that Class (C) exchange and brokerage companies have not received any cash dollars from the Central Bank since July 1, 2024, noting that their activity in the local market depends on buying and selling currencies according to market mechanisms, and not on obtaining dollars at the official rate from the Central Bank.

The union stressed that trading prices in the parallel market are subject to the supply and demand mechanism, questioning the possibility of obligating exchange companies to buy dollars from citizens at a price of 1545 dinars and sell them at a price of 1550 dinars per dollar, at a time when the market price, according to the statement, is 1650 dinars per dollar.

She warned that setting prices without clarifying the legal and regulatory basis could lead to market confusion and expose licensed exchange companies to pressure and complaints, calling on the Ministry of Interior to clarify the legal basis for the traded price and to differentiate between the dollar allocated for official purposes and the dollar traded in the local market outside of official mechanisms.

The union stressed its respect for the Ministry of Interior and the security services, and its appreciation for their efforts in maintaining security and enforcing the law, but it rejected, according to the statement, any measures that might affect the rights of licensed exchange companies or expose them to accountability outside the legal frameworks and instructions issued by the Central Bank and the competent authorities.

In a notable escalation, the union threatened to call for protest measures, including a general strike and a work stoppage in exchange and brokerage companies, if the pressure on companies continues without a clear legal basis, stressing that it retains its right to take the necessary judicial and administrative measures.

The union concluded its statement by emphasizing that licensed exchange companies are part of the Iraqi financial and economic system, calling for addressing imbalances in the exchange market through realistic solutions and institutional coordination, instead of holding companies responsible for price differences resulting from supply and demand conditions.

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PROMINENT IRAQI CLERIC URGES DOLLAR SALARIES AFTER DEVALUATION

 The Iraqi government should reconsider its decision to devalue the dinar and pay public employees in US dollars if the measure remains in place, senior leader in the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq Sadr Al-Din Al-Qubbanji said on Friday.

Al-Qubbanji, who also leads Friday prayers in Najaf, expressed support for public calls to reverse the decision during his sermon, citing Iraq’s reliance on oil for roughly 90% of its revenues, compared with 3% from religious tourism.

Iraq’s new official exchange rate of 1,520 dinars per US dollar took effect on Wednesday, marking the country’s first devaluation since 2020, as disruptions to oil exports during the US war with Iran strained government revenues.

Under the revised structure, the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) purchases dollars from the Finance Ministry at 1,500 dinars, sells them to banks at 1,510, and to end users at 1,520, compared with the previous official rate of 1,320 dinars. The adjustment raises the official cost of $100 by 20,000 dinars.

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AN ECONOMIST EXPLAINS WHY IT’S NOT POSSIBLE TO PAY EMPLOYEE SALARIES IN DOLLARS.

Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi explained on Friday (October 9, 2026) the reasons why it is not possible to pay employee salaries in Iraq in dollars, noting that this step may deplete foreign reserves and limit the Central Bank’s ability to manage monetary policy.

Al-Marsoumi stated in a clarification followed by “Baghdad Today”, that foreign reserves are not free funds at the disposal of the Ministry of Finance, nor do they represent a financial allocation within the budget, but rather they are external assets managed by the Central Bank to achieve the objectives of monetary policy, foremost among which are price and exchange rate stability, ensuring the financing of imports and external payments, and enhancing confidence in the dinar and the financial system.

He added that the adequacy of reserves is usually measured by their ability to cover imports and external obligations, not by the number of months during which salaries can be funded.

He pointed out that paying salaries in dollars could, in his estimation, deplete the central bank’s cash reserves, estimated at about $76 billion, in just eight months, explaining that financing imports and paying salaries in dollars could require about $10 billion per month.

Al-Marsoumi explained that this step may limit the Central Bank’s ability to control monetary policy and the money supply, as well as it does not guarantee a decrease in demand for the dollar in the currency auction, with continued speculation to achieve quick profits, which may lead to a widening of the gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel rate.

He added that among the possible repercussions are the loss of part of the independence of monetary policy, the impact on one of the symbols of national identity and sovereignty, in addition to the problem of the inconsistency of the currency used in evaluating the assets and liabilities of economic units.

He pointed out that adopting the dollar for paying salaries will entail administrative and technical costs, including readjusting accounting records and converting prices, as well as losing part of the proceeds from issuing currency, and reducing the central bank’s ability to perform the function of lender of last resort for banks.

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

Auf Wiedersehen

Much love to ya all,

Mnt Goat

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Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER:

October 6, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

More news today. Some good news, some bad news. Let’s get started!

GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT

I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are.

 Let’s all try to chip in!

___________________________________________

Matthew 25:40

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. ‘”

STATUS OF THE RV

As we move into October it is a new month to consider preserving the Latest Mnt Goat Newsletter. Have you already helped out? The Newsletter will only be published if my viewers support it. If you have not yet shown your appreciation, please try to help out for this month, but only if you can afford it.  

Remember that I don’t need to publish anything for anyone. I do this because I care about the public and because I don’t agree with the bizarre, stupid stuff that is going on to wrongly promote this Iraqi dinar investment as a three-ring circus. Yes, there are many idiots making a lot of money off their nonsense, yet, I bring FACTUAL and HONEST news. Yes, some this news from time to time may not be what you want to hear, but it is the TRUTH. There are always surprises in this investment. This is not a get rich proposition as we learned now waiting for more than 23 years for it. So what if we have to wait maybe a bit more, it is worth it? This is a decision you must make. Believing lies is not going make it happen any sooner. This only brings yet more frustration and stress.

The modern-day prophet Kim Clement told us what God had to say about the Iraqi dinar many times when he was still alive. God does not lie. God also talked about peace that would finally come to the middle east. Prophets today tell us of the same message again as it grows near. We can clearly now see a path to this peace. I don’t know about you, but I see the Iraqi dinar revaluation as we travel down this path to peace. Can you see how it is all interconnected?

Click on picture to listen

There is something very mystical and spiritual about what is happening. This is the real effort that I believe God is trying to bring out to us. He is trying to use this investment to convert many of my readers. Do you believe yet in God? Can you see already what He is doing for us? This ‘shift’ is happening as the prophet Julie Green talks about daily to us.

A CONFESSION: I have to be honest to you. If you would had told me 23 years ago this all would have been playing out this way I would have not believed you. I would have said you were foolish. But God has proved me wrong over and over again. I too had some conversion upon me. I actually thought for sure we would have lost our gasthaus in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. My family and I prayed and prayed and God gave us what we needed. It is now four years later and we are still operating. Yes, business is slow, but we survive somehow. So, I too had my conversion and how can I deny God now? How can I deny the miracles in my life? I need every one of readers to understand that this investment goes way beyond just exchanging and maybe getting rich. It is much more than just a financial reset. God is using it to convert us all to his higher glory. God does not want to lose any souls. Yes, even the greediest of us will be saved if we truly believe it is God that is bringing this prosperity and abundance to us all.

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There is lots of news for this period of reporting. All the articles can be found in the Articles Section of today’s Newsletter. I am just going to point out the more important points to you to help you understand the minds of those involved.

WELCOME to October!

No, there is no RV yet and no one is exchanging their dinars in the U.S. or any country outside Iraq. It is all lies. I know this is FACTUAL for many reasons:

1. because U.S. Treasury OFAC sanctions are still in place and any bank would be crazy to handle the dinar at this point in time. Oh…. did I mention it is also ‘ILLEGAL’. Tell me something – why would any bank circumvent US Treasury sanctions, exchange your currency at risk? What would they do with it? The U.S. Treasury is NOT yet accepting this currency;

2. Iraq must first process the removal of the zeros (we all should know by now why).

If you remember the overall plan for exchanges in the U.S., the Treasury Dept. will be collecting our dinar through the banks, allowing them a spread, inventorying them for the CBI and then destroying most of them. A small amount will be returned to Iraq for inter-banking transactions, as needed. Remember we are outside Iraq and so different rules will apply to us than from inside Iraq during removing the zeros process. The money we receive in exchange is essentially to go to pre-paid oil credits from Iraq.

As we move into October it is a new month to consider preserving the Latest Mnt Goat Newsletter. Have you already helped out? The Newsletter will only be published if my viewers support it. If you have not yet shown your appreciation, please try to help out for this month, but only if you can afford it.  

Remember that I don’t need to publish anything for anyone. I do this because I care about the public and because I don’t agree with the bizarre, stupid stuff that is going on to wrongly promote this Iraqi dinar investment as a three-ring circus. Yes, there are many idiots making a lot of money off their nonsense, yet, I bring FACTUAL and HONEST news. Yes, some this news from time to time may not be what you want to hear, but it is the TRUTH. There are always surprises in this investment. This is not a get rich proposition as we learned now waiting for more than 23 years for it. So what if we have to wait maybe a bit more, it is worth it? This is a decision you must make. Believing lies is not going make it happen any sooner. This only brings yet more frustration and stress.

The modern-day prophet Kim Clement told us what God had to say about the Iraqi dinar many times when he was still alive. God does not lie. God also talked about peace that would finally come to the middle east. Prophets today tell us of the same message again as it grows near. We can clearly now see a path to this peace. I don’t know about you, but I see the Iraqi dinar revaluation along the way of this path. Can you see how it is all interconnected?

There is something very mystical and spiritual about what is happening. This is the real effort that I believe God is trying to bring out to us. He is trying to use this investment to convert many of my readers to his glory. Do you believe yet in God? Can you see already what He is doing for us? This shift is happening as the prophet Julie Green talks about daily to us.

A CONFESSION: I have to be honest to you. If you would had told me 23 years ago this all would have been playing out this way I would have not believed you. I would have said you were foolish. But God has proved me wrong over and over again. I too had some Godly conversion upon me. I actually thought for sure we would have lost our gasthaus in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. My family and I prayed and prayed and God gave us what we needed. It is now four years later and we are still operating. Yes, business is slow, but we survive somehow. So, I too had my conversion and so how can I deny God now? How can I deny the miracles in my life? The miracles of this investment?

I need every one of readers to understand that this investment goes way beyond just exchanging and maybe getting rich. If this is all you want you will surely be poor a short period afterwards once again. It is much more than just a financial reset. God is using it to convert us all to his higher glory. He is enriching us spiritually. God does not want to lose any souls. Yes, even the greediest of us will be saved if we truly believe it is God that is bringing this prosperity and abundance to us all.

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There is one article in particular that I have to first cover today. It is titled “THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT REASSURES MARKETS: THERE IS NO DECISION TO CHANGE THE CURRENCY OR REMOVE ZEROS.”

 I need to clarify what this all important article is telling us today. This is chock-full of information for us investors. Just bear in mind that the liquidity issue has come to a new heightened urgency pitch, even more than when I last talked about it.

I quote from the article “A responsible government source confirmed on Wednesday that the Iraqi government is working on approving a package of measures to stimulate the economy and protect the purchasing power of citizens.”

In the past we learned that there is a needed law to conduct the removing of the zeros. In this last paragraph of this article today we see this again. This law is going to be part of a package of measures and will be presented to parliament soon.

I quote again – that “the government is seeking to address internal obstacles and stimulate commercial and productive activity, as well as facilitate the financing of productive projects and provide support to the private sector.”

Okay, so we read that there are obstacles to this package of measures. We read many articles in the recent past about alternatives to conducting the removing of the zeros. I presented this notion to you in my September 3, 2026 Newsletter. Was it more than just a notion? We know that the only solution is to remove the zeros and they know it. So why the hesitation to do it? They hesitate because they know it has to be followed very closely with the reinstatement to FOREX. Are all the other pieces also in place to move to FOREX? Think about this move to FOREX as the last ‘explosive’ piece. As an analogy: when you rig explosives you have to be careful. When you finally pull the trigger, everything has to be just right and in place to get the desired outcome.

Do you remember this Newsletter going back to early September? What did they tell us then? They said ‘advanced stages’ not ‘initial discussion phase.’ for removing the zeros. Then at that time my CBI contact told me they already had the draft law to conduct the project all written and ready for parliament. So they must already know what they are going to do and how they are going to do it. I firmly believe we may see the beginning of the project to remove the zeros begin in early January 2027, the beginning of a new fiscal year.

I quote again – “Regarding what is being circulated about changing the national currency, the source explained that “proposing a change of currency or removing zeros does not mean approving it or starting to implement it immediately,” stressing that “the file is still in the initial discussion phase and no official decision has been made about it yet.”

So, in this last statement we now have our answer. Did you read it? Seems to me they most probably we will wait until early 2027 to begin removing the zeros. But they did not tell us this even today. We will wait for more news to come. What is in this draft bill they are proposing?

He added that “strengthening confidence in the markets requires providing clear information and practical steps, along with close cooperation between the government, financial institutions and the private sector to alleviate pressures and improve economic performance.”

The government source, through the statement, called on all citizens, merchants and business owners to “deal calmly with the news circulating on social media, and to rely on news and information only from official sources.”

What I believe this last nugget of information is telling us is to be patient. BE CALM. It is coming but there is still some work to be done prior

Stay away from these crooked intel gurus on the internet. They are confusing you with over speculative statements. Listen to only official sources from Iraq. Oh boy, does this resonate with me. Is this not what I have been telling all my readers to do now for over a decade. Yes, it has been over a decade already since I formally began my Newsletter. Remember I began it when TNT Tony kicked me off his site in 2013 for challenging his nonesense. Yes, it is thirteen years already of bringing you HONEST news.

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There is another article in today’s news that goes hand-in-hand with the news we just read. It is titled “CURRENCY SPOKESPERSON DENIES DINAR DEVALUATION RUMORS AMID MARKET PANIC”.

I quote from the article:  

 At a glance

• Market Spokesperson Jabar Goran clarified that changing the exchange rate is an exclusive constitutional power of the Central Bank of Iraq, not the Ministry of Finance.
• Contacts within the Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed that the proposal is entirely speculative and has not been drafted into any formal bill.
• Goran labeled a devaluation as “suicidal,” warning it would devastate living standards.

Unverified reports originating from an Iraqi MP claiming a proposed devaluation from 132,000 to 150,000 IQD per $100 triggered a massive parallel market panic

So, we can see from this news that false information cause harm to any economy. This also applies to us investors who over speculate on the timing of this investment. Please read again what this is telling us. The three points At a Glance.

It seems that whenever the dollar takes a rise there are politicians and economist who find the solution always in devaluing the dinar and revaluing the dollar. Do they not know that these hiccups are temporary. They happen solely because the dinar is still pegged exclusively to the dollar. So why wouldn’t hiccups effect it so much. It only stand to reason. My advise to Iraq – Then get off the sole peg to the dollar and execute Dr. Shabibi’s plan! 😊  

So, in this most interesting article, we also find out the culprit as to why the dollar rose so much in the first place.

I quote from the article – “He further said that the ASYCUDA system fails to adequately facilitate trade by significantly delaying dollar allocations for merchants importing essential goods, forcing them to purchase dollars directly from the parallel market and thereby driving up demand.”

Yes, there is always a cause and effect relationship. But what if they merchants didn’t have to rely on the dollar so much to buy goods? What if they could use the dinar currency and oil was sold using only Iraqi dinars instead of US dollars. OH boy!!!!!

Once again will the CBI most likely devalue the dinar and bring the official rate to around 1500? I doubt it. As usual we go around and around on this issue every time there is a hiccup in the economy.

I quote from the article –

“The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has not issued any official statement regarding the matter so far. “ 

“However, the apex bank has previously and repeatedly reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to maintaining the official exchange rate at 1,320 IQD per dollar without any alterations.”

But this article says it all. It is titled “AN ECONOMIST ACCUSES “INFLUENTIAL PARTIES” OF FABRICATING THE DOLLAR CRISIS AND CALLS ON THE CENTRAL BANK TO INTERVENE URGENTLY.”

 I quote “On Saturday, economist Abdul Rahman Al-Mashhadani accused influential parties of fabricating the current rise in dollar exchange rates in local markets, explaining that the goal of this rise is to achieve exorbitant profits for specific banks that are not subject to sanctions.”

Do you see now the harm that is being caused by staying on the sole peg to the US dollar. How much long can Iraq go on with this foolishness? Yes, it is exacerbating the corruption even more the longer they stay on it.

Enough said on this topic of devaluation…..

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Update on removing the factions:

I know, I know we are all getting bored with hearing so much about the disarmament of these factions inside Iraq. There are many articles in today’s news on this subject matter. Please feel free to go read them in the Articles Section. I will bring only a few to the surface for you today. The first is titled “AMERICAN MESSAGE TO THE BARZANI GOVERNMENT… WHAT DOES IT CONTAIN?”

 So, we get this article about the Factions still remaining in Iraq and not disarming any time soon,” if ever, so they claim”. This is one last desperate attempt by Iran to control Iraq now that the Islamic Revolution Jehad regime is falling apart. What will happen to Hezbollah in Iraq when Iran does eventually fall. This will most likely not happen until after the US midterm elections. I think we are all adults and can understand why I am saying this?  What does this article say to us?

“A responsible source in Sulaymaniyah province revealed on Tuesday the contents of an American message to the Kurdistan Regional Government, which he said included Washington’s options regarding the region’s status during the next phase.”

The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “Masoud Barzani’s government received a message carried by US envoy Tom Barak, which included two options with no third alternative:

1.the first is to integrate the region’s forces with the regular forces under the supervision of the federal government,

2.and the second is to stop the financial aid provided by Washington to the regional government, in addition to stopping the air support provided to the Peshmerga forces and protecting the region’s airspace from external attacks.”

The source indicated that “the gist of the message confirms that the Barzani government has no option but to respond to the demands of the Trump administration regarding the integration of Kurdish forces of all kinds into the regular forces, without any restrictions or conditions.”

He indicated that “the US administration threatened dire consequences that the Barzani government might bear if the message’s contents were not implemented on the ground.” 

The second article is titled “THE (Iranian Factions) BRIGADES WILL BEGIN MONITORING IRAQI AIRSPACE TONIGHT AND THREATEN TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT AND CLOSE BORDER CROSSINGS.”

I first have to say ‘really’. These are very bold statements. Like statements trying to lur someone into a trap of some kind. Maybe like to trap Trump just before the midterms to take illegal actions of force against these factions. Remember the US was invited back into Iraq in 2014 to fight ISIS and this expired at the end of September 2026. This is why they had to pull out. Will Iraq make a new agreement to have them come back in to fight these factions? Let’s see what happens.

I quote from this article – “The security official of Kataib Hezbollah, Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, considered September 30 an occasion to celebrate “the expulsion of the American and NATO occupation at the hands of the resistance fighters,” and the beginning of achieving full sovereignty in the country.” 

You have to remember that this is a contradiction for Hezbollah to say this since their presence proofs that Iraq still DOES NOT have full sovereignty as long as they still exist inside Iraq. yes, they are now the occupiers not the U.S. This withdrawal of NATO and the US forces had nothing to do with their efforts, get it?

“He warned Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi against bringing down his government by all means, and threatened to close the border crossings with neighboring countries if the air embargo on Iran continues.”

So, we see Hezbollah is bringing the conflict with Iran into Iraq with these kind of statements. This is exactly why they can not continue to exist inside Iraq. They are threatening Iraq from actions the US is making against Iran. They want Iraq to pressure the US to stop the air embargo. Why do they want this? Go figure they want more ammo, weapons and food smuggled in. Iran is being choked.

He indicated that “the Islamic resistance will begin monitoring Iraqi airspace to ensure that it is not violated by hostile aircraft, and will first warn and then work to shoot them down, according to him.”

“Although former US President Barack Obama continued to boast about withdrawing his forces from Iraq in 2011, he was forced, under intense pressure, especially from the Iraqi government, to begin redeploying troops to Iraq.”

The third article is yet more alarming and it is titled “A FACTION DESCRIBES THE SURRENDER OF WEAPONS AS “DELUSIONS” AND THREATENS TO TARGET COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.”

“The “Companions of the Cave” faction, in a statement issued on the occasion of the withdrawal of the international coalition forces from Iraq, asserted that the issue of handing over weapons is merely “illusions,” while also issuing a threat to the countries participating in striking Iran.”  

The faction said in a statement: “The issue of surrendering weapons is a delusion dreamt of by the weak, the humiliated, and the dollar slaves. Starting tonight, any foreign presence, whether on land or in the air, will witness a military response from us. This is a legitimate right guaranteed by international conventions to confront the occupation.”

Enough said on this topic…..

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Is there any good news? As this drama with the factions continues, the banking reforms as reorganizing the banks in Iraq continues. If you recall the IMF and the World Bank, along side the consulting firms that came into Iraq, simply told the CBI there are too many banks and many are not following the banking laws. It is too ripe for corruption and too complicated to enforce the law. Based on these kinds of statements we learn today that the consolidation of many banks is taking place. Finally… some good news. We have been waiting for this news.

The article is titled “KURDISTAN MERGES 94 GOVERNMENT BANKS INTO NATIONAL BANK”

You can find the entire article here: link This is just snippet. Yes, it is finally a reality. Did this have to happen prior to the reinstatement?

At a Glance

• The Kurdistan Region is consolidating 94 government banks as part of a wider banking sector restructuring.
• Only four banks will remain in central Slemani during the current phase of the merger.
• The National Bank is expected to eventually bring the remaining government banking operations under one institution.
• Authorities aim to complete the merger and accounting procedures across Slemani by the end of 2026.

“The Kurdistan Region is undertaking a major restructuring of its government banking system, with dozens of state banks being consolidated ahead of the planned expansion of the National Bank.”

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In this next article we find that there is still much work to be done with the economy. It is titled “A PARALLEL ECONOMY OPERATING OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM… AL-ZAYDI BEGINS A LONG JOURNEY TO REGULATE THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE LABOR MARKET.”

 The Al-Zaidi government is moving to reorganize one of the largest economic blocs that has operated for decades outside the formal economy. This involves developing a national strategy for transitioning to the formal economy, aiming to broaden the private sector and bring hundreds of thousands of businesses, projects, and workers into the formal registration, social security, financing, and market system.

The figures reveal the scale of the challenge facing this transformation. The latest national labor force survey showed that 66.6% of all workers in Iraq are employed in the informal sector, while approximately 54.8% of the total workforce is employed within the informal sector.

These are workers not paying taxes or social security. They also are not using the banks as they hide their income. Their money does not flow through the economy. This must be broken (changed) to get out of the rentier economy.

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The other topic of concern is the 2027 budget.

Like I told all my readers there would be no 2026 budget. It would be rolled into the 2027 and it has. How foolish to track the 2026 even when we were half way through 2026 already and a new government was barely still in place. Oh…. but they thought the RV rate was going to be in it, hype, hype and more hype!  So, once again today we see the rate is not in the 2027 as it uses the price per barrel of oil not the rate of the dinar. As usual Mnt Goat was right on target again…. 😊

Remember that the Iraqi fiscal year begins January 1^st not October 1^st, as many  of the intel gurus tell you. The budget for the next year must be ready by the end of October and then passed in parliament by January 1^st ready to use. They are given 2 months to discuss and get it passed. This is has NEVER happened before as they always still argue over the budget way into the following year. They go with the 1/12 rule until it is passed. This greatly effects/impedes any real progress in Iraq as budgeted projects can’t be completed in such a short period remaining in the year when it does get passed easly enough in the year. There is so much left-over funds. Where does all this money go? It gets rolled into next year’s funding.  

In the article today we hear again that the “program-based budget” in the annual budgeting effort may change all these budgeting delays and may finally get a decent budget completed and passed by the beginning of the fiscal year.

It is titled  “MP: THE 2027 BUDGET WILL BE SENT THIS MONTH AND APPROVED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR”. Were they trying to tie a new budget to a new dinar rate that is reinstated. Was this going to be a convergence of events also tying it into the WTO full accension?  Is this now spoiled with the lingering issues of the Iranian backed factions? Can they start anyhow the removal of the zeros project in early January anyhow?

Al-Moussawi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “the Council of Ministers will send the proposed 2027 budget law to the House of Representatives during this month,” explaining that “the Parliamentary Finance Committee will immediately begin studying the budget and reviewing all its items upon its arrival so that it can be submitted for discussion and voting at the beginning of the tenth month.”

He added that “next year’s budget will be significantly different from its predecessors, as it will focus primarily on development programs and activating the productive sectors in the country, as well as reducing many unnecessary government spending items,” predicting that “the House of Representatives will pass the budget and vote on it definitively before the start of the new year.”

It is worth noting that the parliamentary finance committee hosted Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari last week to discuss key amendments to the draft budget law, including a detailed discussion of changing the current operating mechanism and transitioning to a “program-based budget.”

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SUMMARY

So, we take the bad news with the goods news today. We must get through it to get to it. Yes, someone moved our cheese again. What can happen between now and early January? I doubt if they can begin removing the zeros and most probably won’t until early 2027. Then will we still have to wait till June for the dismantling of the Iranian factions? I doubt that Iran will last much longer past mid-terms in the USA. What will Hezbollah do then to support themselves?  

All the other news is very good. It shows progress. It may be not what we wanted to hear but banking reforms are essential to cleaning up the structure.

We know the fundamentals of what has to be accomplished to prevent much of the fraud and corruption still with the dollars. How can you ship plane loads of dollars into a country to meet their budget and then expect no corruption with all this paper currency around. So, this all has to change in the future too.

Again, I will say what if Iraq could sell its oil for dinars? Would this not force the international market to demand dinars? Would the US ever allow this or do they maintain the dollar dependency as leverage with Iraq? When can they finally end this necessity to have this leverage over Iraq? Is Al-Zaidi going to be their savior?

These are all questions closely related to see our RV. I am not saying that all these events must occur because remember Dr Shabibi was going to reinstate the dinar way back in 2013 and none of these banking reforms were in place nor any of these other measures done. So, anything can happen for these issues as long as SECRITY and STABILITY are achieved. We have been told over and over again these are the two main ingredients necessary for the reinstatement.  

Now let me pose some questions in this regard:

• Do you believe Iraq is more secure with terrorist factions occupying Iraq i.e. Hezbollah.

• Do you believe the CBI will ever combat the parallel market to the point of making the two rates equal (parallel vs official CBI rate) ? Remember the parallel rate   can be 2% below or above the official rate as acceptable by the IMF. So, we know it is recognized already they can most probably not be equal.

• Do you believe the conflict with Iran is close to completed?

Remember we are dealing with Iraq and so things could change suddenly. There is also much more progress than what we read in the news. We don’t need a ‘perfect’ Iraq to have a reinstatement. Only to follow ‘the plan’ and get enough security and stability to attract investors to grow the economy. Remember that in 2013 ISIS had not yet attacked Iraq. That did not happen until 2014.

I firmly believe statements I hear from the IMF and the CBI that Iraq is to be the ‘financial center’ for the middle east. I don’t see how they can do this with a 1320 rate. Do you see now why president Trump is paying so much attention to the country?

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PRAYER WORKS: As I have declared so many times before. It is our prayers that will help this investment come to reality sooner than later. They are working and we must continue. We must continue to pray and pray harder than before even. Are we willing to even make this little of a sacrifice for God to tell him what we desire?

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What do you think will happen next? (Leave a comment)

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

                                         

These prophecies are an important tool we have to lead us on our path. They are more important now than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?

It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.

NOTE: These prophecies tell us also of things happening in the background that either the main stream news media does not know about or the crooked news media refuses to talk about. They do this to keep us in the dark to continue the Trump hating senario and for us to keep thinking that nothing is changing, thus Trump is not successful. But it is just the opposite happening. The proof is all around us if we look for it.

Prophetic Words from the prophets:  Julie Green

“Martial Law Is Not That Far Off   “

Go to the 13:49 mark on the video. Given on Sept 22, 2026.

How many times does God have to bring this news to us before we listen?

I am bringing this to you so you don’t freak out when it occurs and understand why this has to happen and what it is truly accomplishing. My guess is the democrats will

try something to rig the elections come November. We are very close.

They are VERY. VERY desperate people!

“The Wolf Pack Will Make A Move They Will Soon Regret “

Go to the 10:08 mark on the video. Given on Sept 25, 2026.

Again God talks about martial law and rounding up those for treason. This time is VERY near. Will it come just after the midterm elections?

If you recall God told us through Julie Green at least twice already that he is taking the oil along with the gold and silver out of the hands of the enemy. The oil will SHIFT from the enemy’s hands. The U.S. and Israel will be shifted the oil. Remember God said everything will shift. This is the time of shifting. What happens when you shake things up? They SHIFT! God says ‘what can be shaken will be shaken’. This includes all the developed countries and also Iraq.

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Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

I keep this one out here to view. Everyone should take the time to watch it. It will awaken you about the Muslim so-called religion (or should we call it for it is — a ‘cult‘.)

— And the truth the world forgot about the so-called Muslim religion.

Fr.Don Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth,  particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.  

AMERICA’S 7 NEW ENERGY BREAKTHROUGHS ARE SHOCKING THE ENTIRE WORLD!

Why is the news media not talking more about these new energy sources? Is it because they hate president Trump so much that anything of progress or innovation is kept silent from the citizens? Simply put, they don’t want Trump’s administration to succeed.

A BATTLE IRAN DOES NOT WANT THE WORLD TO SEE

EUROPE IS ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE

7 European Countries on the Edge of Collapse: The Alarming Truth Europe Doesn’t Want You to Know

NEW TACTICS OF THE LEFT, EXTREMIST, DEMOCRAT LIBERALS

This is the only way they can get votes – just lie to the American people. What they do once elected is appalling. But you get what you vote for….

There is also news Leavitt may be joining FOX News. This could be the best thing that could happen to FOX.

THE GLOBAL DEBT CRISIS HAS BEGUN (WHY GOLD IS FALLING FIRST)

I was in the dentist not long ago and the nurse and doctor joked about how many scams there were about how to make money. They mentioned the Iraqi dinar and laughed. Then I mentioned silver and how silver has the potential to rise suddenly. They made a joke about it and pretended it was just another money-making scheme off the internet. Remember silver climbed from $25 an ounce to over $100 in a short time and then settled back to over $70. It recently climbed again over $100. Soon $100 will be the new norm. There is just too much going on financially to reset that silver at $300 an ounce cannot be a reality soon. This is how these metals work.

Am I telling you to buy silver? No, I do not give financial advice only tell you what I know from what I read. Of course, if you buy silver now you would have to wait for it to climb again and again and go through it process of ups and downs again until it settled to a new norm. You already missed the first phase. Will you miss the second?

AMERICA’S NEW INVENTION COULD END OIL FOREVER

THE LARGEST SINGLE OIL RESERVE EVER DISCOVERED IN THE UNITED STATES

THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT REASSURES MARKETS: THERE IS NO DECISION TO CHANGE THE CURRENCY OR REMOVE ZEROS.

A responsible government source confirmed on Wednesday that the Iraqi government is closely monitoring the slowdown in buying and selling activity in local markets and is working on approving a package of measures to stimulate the economy and protect the purchasing power of citizens.

The source said in a statement published by the official agency and followed by “Iraq Observer”, that “the current economic challenges are not limited to Iraq alone, but most countries in the region are facing them as a result of the ongoing regional tensions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz”, noting that “the government is seeking to address internal obstacles and stimulate commercial and productive activity, as well as facilitate the financing of productive projects and provide support to the private sector.”

Regarding what is being circulated about changing the national currency, the source explained that “proposing a change of currency or removing zeros does not mean approving it or starting to implement it immediately,” stressing that “the file is still in the initial discussion phase and no official decision has been made about it yet.”

He added that “strengthening confidence in the markets requires providing clear information and practical steps, along with close cooperation between the government, financial institutions and the private sector to alleviate pressures and improve economic performance.”

The government source, through the statement, called on all citizens, merchants and business owners to “deal calmly with the news circulating on social media, and to rely on news and information only from official sources.”

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CURRENCY SPOKESPERSON DENIES DINAR DEVALUATION RUMORS AMID MARKET PANIC  

 At a glance

• Market Spokesperson Jabar Goran clarified that changing the exchange rate is an exclusive constitutional power of the Central Bank of Iraq, not the Ministry of Finance.
• Contacts within the Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed that the proposal is entirely speculative and has not been drafted into any formal bill.
• Goran labeled a devaluation as “suicidal,” warning it would devastate living standards.
• Unverified reports originating from an Iraqi MP claiming a proposed devaluation from 132,000 to 150,000 IQD per $100 triggered a massive parallel market panic.

The Slemani Currency Exchange Market spokesperson warned that recent unverified rumors of an official dinar devaluation to 150,000 IQD per $100 are triggering severe parallel market panic and volatility, labeling any such policy move as a “suicidal decision” for the economy.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Currency Market spokesperson Jabar Goran stated that the instability in local exchange markets “was triggered by statements from an Iraqi Member of Parliament claiming that the Minister of Finance discussed adjusting the exchange rate—devaluing it from 132,000 dinars to 150,000 dinars [per $100].”
• “This inherently created a highly negative reflection on the market and caused a massive panic. However, this proposal has neither become a draft bill nor has it been presented to the members of the Parliamentary Finance Committee,” Goran affirmed.
• A currency trader told Channel8 that “any rumor circulated in the market—whether accurate or inaccurate, and whether it drives up demand or supply—directly impacts individuals and traders alike.”

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Briefing reporters in Slemani on Monday, including Channel8, spokesperson Goran stated that according to the constitution and the regulations of the Central Bank of Iraq, “these powers reside exclusively with the Central Bank.”

He noted that decisions of this nature require comprehensive analysis by Central Bank experts, adding, “a decision like this is never made haphazardly.”

“This would be a suicidal decision,” he stressed, adding that it would create a severe negative impact on the market and drastically lower the citizens’ standard of living.

“In my personal opinion, this decision will not be implemented,” he reaffirmed.

The spokesperson highlighted that “at a time when customs tariffs have already been increased on the public due to the ASYCUDA system, coming along and devaluing the currency on top of that would ultimately have a devastating impact on people’s lives.”

Goran confirmed that according to sources within the Parliamentary Finance Committee and the Central Bank, the exchange rate adjustment remains entirely speculative and has not been drafted into a formal legislative proposal.

Answering questions regarding the motives behind the circulated reports, he said that “the intention of the parliamentarians who circulated this news is either to gauge the public’s reaction first or, in one way or another, to manipulate the market.”

He called on media outlets not to broadcast this news until the source has been officially verified.

Meanwhile, a currency trader noted that the market witnessed intense volatility as the dollar rate surged past 160,000 IQD before retracing to 159,000 IQD, warning that the instability will persist until the Central Bank officially refutes the devaluation rumors.

He further said that the ASYCUDA system fails to adequately facilitate trade by significantly delaying dollar allocations for merchants importing essential goods, forcing them to purchase dollars directly from the parallel market and thereby driving up demand.

FYI

The instability in the parallel market across the Kurdistan Region comes as Iraqi Parliamentary Finance Committee member Dilan Ghafoor revealed that the draft 2027 budget proposes setting the exchange rate at 150,000 IQD per $100.

Lawmaker Ghafoor explained that this fiscal measure, developed by the Ministry of Finance, aims to completely eliminate the gap between official and parallel trading figures by aligning both rates at the 150,000 dinar threshold.

She added that while a principal agreement has been included in the initial budget draft to inject an additional 20 trillion dinars into state revenues, the adjustment is not yet final as it still requires formal approval and votes from both the Council of Ministers and Parliament.

The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has not issued any official statement regarding the matter so far.  

However, the apex bank has previously and repeatedly reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to maintaining the official exchange rate at 1,320 IQD per dollar without any alterations.

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AMERICAN MESSAGE TO THE BARZANI GOVERNMENT… WHAT DOES IT CONTAIN?

 (Mnt Goat: So, first we get this article following closely by the next article from the Factions still remaining in Iraq and not disarming any time soon,” if ever, they claim”. This is one last desperate attempt by Iran to control Iraq now that the Islamic Revolution Jehad regime is falling apart.)

A responsible source in Sulaymaniyah province revealed on Tuesday the contents of an American message to the Kurdistan Regional Government, which he said included Washington’s options regarding the region’s status during the next phase.

The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “Masoud Barzani’s government received a message carried by US envoy Tom Barak, which included two options with no third alternative: the first is to integrate the region’s forces with the regular forces under the supervision of the federal government, and the second is to stop the financial aid provided by Washington to the regional government, in addition to stopping the air support provided to the Peshmerga forces and protecting the region’s airspace from external attacks.”

The source indicated that “the gist of the message confirms that the Barzani government has no option but to respond to the demands of the Trump administration regarding the integration of Kurdish forces of all kinds into the regular forces, without any restrictions or conditions.”

He indicated that “the US administration threatened dire consequences that the Barzani government might bear if the message’s contents were not implemented on the ground.” 

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THE BRIGADES WILL BEGIN MONITORING IRAQI AIRSPACE TONIGHT AND THREATEN TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT AND CLOSE BORDER CROSSINGS.

The security official of Kataib Hezbollah, Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, considered September 30 an occasion to celebrate “the expulsion of the American and NATO occupation at the hands of the resistance fighters,” and the beginning of achieving full sovereignty in the country.

He warned Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi against bringing down his government by all means, and threatened to close the border crossings with neighboring countries if the air embargo on Iran continues.

He indicated that the Islamic resistance will begin monitoring Iraqi airspace to ensure that it is not violated by hostile aircraft, and will first warn and then work to shoot them down, according to him.

Obama brought the Americans back to Iraq in September 2014, and Trump withdrew them in September 2016. I do not believe Trump withdrew them. As we saw that he visited the troops in Kurdistan that Christmas time. Go figure more lies to bash Trump.

Although former US President Barack Obama continued to boast about withdrawing his forces from Iraq in 2011, he was forced, under intense pressure, especially from the Iraqi government, to begin redeploying troops to Iraq.

He announced this in a famous speech in the early hours of September 10, 2014, when ISIS artillery reached the outskirts of Erbil and continued its advance across Iraq. At that time, a major US contribution began in building an international coalition that provided fighter jet and artillery support, training, and advice throughout the war, which ended in the summer of 2017.

During this period, the number of US troops in Iraq reached 5,000, distributed across several bases throughout the country. With their withdrawal on Wednesday, their second deployment to Iraq will have lasted 4,491 days, or 12 years and 3.5 months.

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THE PEOPLE OF THE CAVE WILL ALSO BE WATCHING THE SKIES OF IRAQ: WE WILL STRIKE ANY AMERICAN AIRCRAFT STARTING TOMORROW.

 (Mnt Goat: it says 10 points but only gives eight)

After Kataib Hezbollah announced that it had begun monitoring the skies over Iraq in search of American aircraft on Monday (September 28, 2026), the Ashab al-Kahf faction announced on Tuesday (September 29, 2026) that it would monitor any American aircraft or any similar ground movement and would respond to it.

In a statement, which was monitored by Network 964 , the faction outlined ten points explaining the withdrawal of the international coalition forces:

First: The issue of surrendering weapons is a delusion dreamt of by the weak, the humiliated, and the slaves of the dollar.

Second: Starting tomorrow night, any foreign presence, whether on land or in the air, will be met with a military response from us. This is a legitimate right guaranteed by international conventions to confront occupation.

Third: What the terrorist “Tom Barrack” dreams of, which is to remove Iraq from the arena of the axis of resistance, is a difficult goal and will not be achieved. We will continue to participate according to the policy of the axis, and according to what is required by the ongoing battle between right and wrong, as described by the religious authority.

Fourth: Any country that participates in any aggression against the Islamic Republic must evacuate all its military and economic interests, and some of them should expect a response at any time, in revenge for the martyrs of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Fifth: In the near future, we will unveil our new weapon that will please our friends and infuriate our enemies.

Sixth: We affirm that we are not subject to any political or partisan entity, and that our close ideological connection is to the religious authority; and whoever wants us to hand over our weapons, let him bring us a written text from it that requires that.

Seventh: We clarify that any hand that reaches out to our fighters will be cut off, and we will use weapons to defend our weapons against anyone, and we will not accept any humiliation, conspiracy, or infringement on our weapons, our existence, or our legitimacy.

Eighth: The brothers, the leaders of the Popular Mobilization Forces, must confront the conspiracies being hatched in the military decision-making office to weaken the Popular Mobilization Forces and pressure them to leave the vulnerable areas. We do not rule out that there may be pressures from “Tom Barrack” and Saudi influence in this office, and the wise understand what we are saying.

It is a jihad… victory or martyrdom.

Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.

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THE AMERICAN WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ: BETWEEN ILLUSION AND REALITY

One day later, on September 30, 2026, the withdrawal of the United States and international coalition forces from Iraq will reach its announced and final date. Thus, a military phase that has extended, in various forms, since 2003 will end, and the Iraqi state will enter a new phase in which it is supposed to bear greater responsibility for its security, its airspace, the pursuit of ISIS, and the protection of its institutions and borders.

But the problem begins precisely here, because the end of the foreign military presence does not necessarily mean the completion of sovereignty, and the departure of the forces does not automatically resolve the question of who possesses power, who decides to use it, and who has the ability to protect the state when it is threatened.  

The official Iraqi discourse has treated September 30 as a moment of restoring sovereignty, a description that is politically understandable, but not sufficient from a strategic standpoint. Sovereignty is not merely the absence of foreign forces from the land, but rather the state’s ability to monopolize security and military decisions, protect its airspace, pursue armed groups outside its institutional structure, and prevent its territory from being used as a platform for others’ conflicts. Therefore, the day after the withdrawal will, in reality, be the most difficult test for the Iraqi state, not the end of the test.

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A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT CALLS FOR THE REMOVAL OF CORRUPT FIGURES AND THE OPENING OF MAJOR CASES WITHOUT FAVORITISM.

Member of Parliament Abdul Hamza Al-Khafaji called on Wednesday for oversight and judicial bodies to open and activate major pending financial and administrative corruption cases, stressing the need to pursue the big fish of corruption and recover the looted funds away from any pressures or political settlements.

Al-Khafaji told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “the current stage requires taking courageous and unconventional steps by the Integrity Commission and the Public Prosecution by immediately opening the huge files that witnessed the waste of billions in fictitious contracts and projects that affected vital and strategic sectors,” indicating that “financial corruption is no less dangerous than terrorism in undermining the pillars of the state and draining the people’s wealth.”  

He added that “anti-corruption campaigns should not be limited to junior employees, but should reach the big bosses and influential parties who provided political cover for the waste of public money,” noting that “silence or procrastination in resolving these cases disrupts the development process and weakens public confidence in regulatory and executive institutions.”

Al-Khafaji stressed “the necessity of supporting the judiciary and investigative bodies to deter anyone who dares to infringe upon citizens’ rights and the country’s resources,” affirming that “the House of Representatives will firmly exercise its oversight role to ensure that those involved are exposed, brought to justice, and every dinar stolen from the state treasury is recovered.”

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AL-ZAYDI ANNOUNCES THE END OF THE INTERNATIONAL COALITION’S MISSION AND AFFIRMS: NO WEAPONS OUTSIDE THE LAW.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaidi presided over the official ceremony marking Sovereignty Day and the end of the mission of the international coalition forces fighting ISIS in Iraq, in the presence of the coalition forces commander and leaders of various military branches and security formations.

In a speech delivered on the occasion, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces announced the official end of the mission of the international coalition to fight ISIS, proving that cooperation between friendly forces and friendly peoples has resulted in a victory over one of the darkest chapters of extremism and brutality in history.

He added: “ The uprising of our people alongside our armed forces was the starting point for a phase in which our forces reorganized their command systems, were able to mobilize resources, unify efforts, and seize the initiative. Friendly countries also extended a helping hand to Iraq in that decisive confrontation, and our armed forces successfully reorganized and rearmed themselves. ”

He continued: “Throughout the years of the war on terror, the Joint Operations Command has been the heart of coordination, and the mind that gathers information and carries out planning and leadership within a major national battle.”

He added: We extend our thanks and appreciation to all the friendly countries that participated in the international coalition, and to its leaders, officers, trainers and advisors who worked alongside our security forces.

He explained that the end of the international coalition’s mission does not mean the end of our battle with terrorism, but rather that Iraq is moving to a stage in which it assumes full responsibility for its security and stability, and the transfer of joint operations tasks to the office of the Commander- in-Chief of the Armed Forces embodies an institutional formula for managing this effort under the authority of the state and its supreme leadership.

He continued: A new phase has begun, characterized by Iraq’s sovereignty, the strength of its institutions, the readiness of its forces, the unity of its decision, and balanced partnerships with its friends. Security cooperation will remain an open path with friends from the international coalition and will be more effective and focused.

He explained: Cooperation will involve employing technology and digital techniques to serve the goals that support security and stability. The mission has ended in victory, and the responsibility for protecting this victory now rests on all of us.

He concluded his statement with, ”No weapons outside the umbrella of the law, and no power outside the institutions of the state, in accordance with what the constitution stipulates, what our wise leadership has called for , and what our people want.”

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A FACTION DESCRIBES THE SURRENDER OF WEAPONS AS “DELUSIONS” AND THREATENS TO TARGET COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.

The “Companions of the Cave” faction, in a statement issued on the occasion of the withdrawal of the international coalition forces from Iraq, asserted that the issue of handing over weapons is merely “illusions,” while also issuing a threat to the countries participating in striking Iran.  

The faction said in a statement: “The issue of surrendering weapons is a delusion dreamt of by the weak, the humiliated, and the dollar slaves. Starting tonight, any foreign presence, whether on land or in the air, will witness a military response from us. This is a legitimate right guaranteed by international conventions to confront the occupation.”

He added that what Tom Barak dreams of, which is removing Iraq from the arena of the axis of resistance, is a difficult goal and will not be achieved. We will continue to participate according to the policy of the axis, and any country that participates in any aggression against the Islamic Republic must evacuate all its military and economic interests, and some of them should expect a response at any time, in revenge for the martyrs of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

He continued, ” In the near future, we will unveil our new weapon that will please our friends and anger our enemies. We affirm that we are not subject to any political or partisan authority, and that our close ideological connection is with the religious authority. Whoever wants us to hand over our weapon, let him bring us a written text from it that requires this.”

He added: The leaders of the Popular Mobilization Forces must confront the conspiracies being hatched in the military decision-making office to weaken the PMF and pressure them to leave the vulnerable areas. We do not rule out that there may be pressure from Tom Barrack and Saudi influence in this office.

The US Department of Defense, the Pentagon, announced this morning that the United States and its partners in the international coalition have officially concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.

Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaidi also sponsored the official ceremony on the occasion of Sovereignty Day and the end of the mission of the international coalition forces to fight ISIS in Iraq, and stressed that “there is no weapon outside the umbrella of the law, and no force outside the institutions of the state, in accordance with what the constitution stipulates and in accordance with what our wise religious authority called for and what our people want.”

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TWO WITHDRAWALS SEPARATED BY A RETURN: IRAQ FACES A TEST OF SECURITY AND WEAPONS.

In December 2011, the last American convoy crossed the Iraqi border into Kuwait, ending a military deployment that began with the invasion of Iraq. Nearly fifteen years later, Washington announced on Wednesday the end of another mission in the country, this time from Erbil Air Base, from which coalition forces and equipment departed.  

Between the two departures, US forces returned to Iraq to fight ISIS, and their size and role changed, while the state’s ability to manage its security remained the most pressing question after the departure.

When President Barack Obama announced the withdrawal of his forces on October 21, 2011, there were about 39,000 American soldiers still in Iraq. In September 2024, when the plan to end the coalition mission, which was to be completed under President Donald Trump, was announced, the size of the declared American force was about 2,500 soldiers.

The two figures do not refer to the number of people who left on the last day of each withdrawal, as the 39,000 were what remained in 2011 from a much larger deployment leading to a complete withdrawal.

The difference in numbers reveals the difference in missions. Obama’s withdrawal came at the end of a war launched by the United States in 2003 to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s regime, while today Washington is ending its military role within a coalition that was formed after the fall of Mosul to ISIS in 2014.

In both cases, the withdrawal of the forces was preceded by the announcement of the end of their combat role, in 2010 in the first case, and at the end of 2021 in the second, when the coalition’s mission officially shifted to advising and assisting.

The deadline that Obama fulfilled was set before he took office. The security agreement concluded by President George Bush and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in 2008 stipulated the withdrawal of American forces by the end of 2011, and negotiations later faltered on keeping an additional force, especially regarding the legal protection of American military personnel.

In his speech announcing the withdrawal, Obama promised a normal relationship between two sovereign states and said that his country would continue to explore training and equipping Iraqi forces. However, the fall of Mosul less than three years later prompted Baghdad to request international military assistance, and American forces returned under the leadership of a new coalition.

The initial withdrawal alone is not enough to explain the rise of ISIS, as it was intertwined with Iraqi political and security crises and the war in Syria. Nevertheless, the return of troops in 2014 made the question of the capabilities of the Iraqi army and the continuation of intelligence support an inseparable part of any discussion of a subsequent American withdrawal.

The second withdrawal plan also began under a president who preceded the one completing it. In September 2024, the Joe Biden administration and the government of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani agreed to end the coalition’s military mission in Iraq by September 2025, while continuing to support operations against ISIS in Syria launched from Iraq until at least September 2026, depending on field conditions and consultations.

After the evacuation of coalition sites in federal areas, including Ain al-Asad base, according to the announcement by the Iraqi Supreme Military Committee last January, the sites in the Kurdistan Region remained the last stop.

A U.S. military official said most of the remaining troops would be redeployed to Jordan and other countries in the region, and that the equipment being moved included air defense systems.

The Pentagon announced today the end of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, saying that the withdrawal of troops and equipment from the Erbil base represents the end of the coalition’s military mission in the country, but stressed that targeted training and intelligence support for Iraqi partners will continue, while Iraqi forces take the lead in operations aimed at securing the country and pursuing ISIS cells.  

In Baghdad, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi celebrated the end of the mission in the presence of the coalition forces commander and Iraqi military leaders. He said that the end of the military coalition’s presence did not mean the end of the confrontation with terrorism, and pledged to continue security cooperation with the countries that participated in it.

Al-Zaidi had described September 30, during his meeting with the commander of the US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, in August, as the deadline for departure. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also confirmed, during his talks with the Prime Minister in Washington, his country’s commitment to implementing the 2024 understandings.

However, the end of the military mission inside Iraq does not end the international coalition as a framework for confronting ISIS. In an exclusive statement to Shafaq News at the end of August, a senior White House official spoke of reducing military operations and transitioning to a permanent bilateral security partnership.

The form of this partnership, particularly what Washington will provide in terms of training, information, maintenance and armament, remains subject to arrangements agreed upon by the two countries after the departure. The departure of the coalition forces remains separate from the presence of Turkish forces, as Baghdad and Ankara announced an agreement to gradually hand over the Bashiqa-Zilkan camp to the Iraqi government according to an agreed mechanism and timetable.

With the coalition’s departure, Baghdad’s attention is turning to the issue of weapons, which some factions have linked to the American withdrawal. MP Abu Turab al-Tamimi told Shafaq News Agency that the government can resolve the issue if the withdrawal is completed, and suggested that there are understandings with Washington that help it to do so, without providing details to prove this assessment.

On the other hand, a source within the coordination framework warned that setting a deadline could complicate negotiations with the faction leaders. The government’s deadline for restricting weapons does not end today. The plan presented by Al-Zaydi begins with the factions refraining from launching attacks for 90 days, followed by the process of handing over weapons, to be completed by June 30, 2027.

This leaves approximately nine months between the end of the coalition’s mission and the announced date for completing this file. Discussions about weapons are taking place in more than one direction. Al-Tamimi distinguished between two draft laws concerning the structure of the Popular Mobilization Forces and the service and retirement of its members, and the “sovereignty” proposal related to regulating the weapons of the factions and the mechanism for managing them in coordination with the Popular Mobilization Authority.

In response to Shafaq News, the US State Department said it supports al-Zaidi’s efforts to extend state authority and prevent attacks inside or from Iraq. Miles Caggins, the former military spokesman for the international coalition, believes that the agreement between Baghdad and Washington and the decline in ISIS’s ability to control territory paved the way for the withdrawal, along with the political pressure exerted by pro-Iranian parties to end the American presence.

According to his assessment, training, advice, and cooperation in the maintenance of F-16 fighter jets and C-130J aircraft can continue without a permanent deployment of US forces at Iraqi bases. Kagenz says Washington is not asking Iraq to close its borders with Iran, but wants to limit what he describes as Tehran’s influence within Iraqi institutions and the activities of armed groups supported by it.

He believes that bringing these groups under state control is more difficult than disarming them of their missiles and drones because they have political, economic, and social networks. He warned of potential American retaliation if attacks on American and international interests, or on the Kurdistan Region and neighboring countries, continue.

In the Kurdistan Region, the immediate concern is what will replace the coalition’s capabilities, and days before the withdrawal date, the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Masoud Barzani, warned against a repeat of what followed the withdrawal of US forces in 2011.

In a television interview, he recalled the discussions from that year regarding the ability of Iraqi forces to protect the country, expressing his fear of a return to the scenario of ISIS’s rise, although he acknowledged the difference in current circumstances.

In contrast, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, stated in remarks republished by his office on September 27 that the withdrawal comes at a sensitive time and that leaving the region without defensive systems is a cause for concern. Today, he thanked the coalition countries, affirming the readiness of Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga to face the challenges after the mission’s conclusion.

Kurdish leader Sirwan Barzani also warned, in an interview with Reuters, of the impact of losing intelligence, logistical support and drones.

In contrast, the spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Sabah al-Nu’man, said that Baghdad is close to obtaining air defense systems from South Korea, Turkey and the United States, as part of plans that include protecting the region’s airspace. In his speech today, Al-Zaidi linked the end of the coalition’s mission to Iraq assuming full responsibility for its security.

He said: “There is no weapon outside the umbrella of the law, and no power outside the institutions of the state.” His government will have until next June to implement the timetable it set for inventorying weapons, after the last coalition soldiers left their Iraqi bases.

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FOREIGN MINISTER: THE PLAN TO RESTRICT WEAPONS WILL BE PRESENTED IN THE COMING DAYS.

 Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said that the government’s plan to restrict weapons will include specific timelines for implementation, noting that the deadline for its completion will be in June of next year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ media office stated in a statement that “the Atlantic Council in the American capital, Washington, hosted on Wednesday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein, in a dialogue session entitled ‘Iraq after September 30,’ moderated by Victoria Taylor, Director of the Iraq Initiative and the Syria Project at the Council.”

He added that “the dialogue addressed the latest political and security developments in Iraq and the region, the prospects for Iraqi-American relations, the future of security cooperation, and efforts to combat the ISIS terrorist organization.”

He continued: “He also discussed Iraq’s position on regional conflicts, the impact of sanctions imposed on Iran on Iraq and its economic relations, as well as the Iraqi government’s efforts to restrict weapons to the state and to deal with the issue of armed factions.”

In this context, the minister explained, according to the statement, that “the Iraqi government has prepared a draft plan to restrict weapons to the state, which is scheduled to be presented in the coming days, and will include specific timeframes for its implementation,” noting that “the Prime Minister announced that the final date for completing the plan will be in June of next year.”

He added that “the dialogue also touched on border security and developments in Syria and their repercussions on Iraqi national security, in addition to discussing opportunities to strengthen economic relations between Iraq and the United States, and encouraging American companies to invest in Iraq, which would contribute to expanding the prospects for economic and trade  cooperation between the two countries.

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AL-HASNAWI: WE ARE READY TO PASS THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES LAW WITHOUT ANY COMPROMISES OR BARGAINING.

MP Mohammed al-Hassnawi, from the Rights Movement, confirmed the intention and determination to pass the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law in Parliament, away from any political bargaining or compromises, after the government announced the completion of the law and placed the onus on Parliament.

Al-Hassnawi told Al-Maalouma, “The PMF law will be passed in Parliament, and it will absolutely not be allowed to become a bargaining chip or subject to political maneuvering, given that this group defended Iraq and protected its land and honor.”

He added, “Voting and passing the PMF law is not a favor or a gift from the Parliament to this large segment of society that has sacrificed for the nation. No one will be allowed to claim that passing this law is a charitable act towards the PMF.”

He explained that “the law will be passed in Parliament as soon as it arrives from the government, despite some dissenting voices that do not wish Iraq well and seek to keep its sovereignty incomplete,” noting that “there is a strong push to pass the PMF law and keep it out of the realm of political maneuvering.”

The Cabinet voted during its last session to approve the Popular Mobilization Forces Law in order to send it to the Council of Representatives for review, discussion, and legislation, after the government failed to pass the law during the previous parliamentary session. Iraqtravel guides

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COORDINATION FRAMEWORK: ENDING THE OCCUPATION IS A NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, BUT SOVEREIGNTY IS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT LIBERATING THE ECONOMY.

  Ali al-Zubaidi, a member of the Coordination Framework, affirmed on Wednesday that the evacuation of American forces and the end of their military presence represents a national achievement and a long-overdue entitlement, given the record of catastrophic crimes and violations committed by the occupation army since 2003. He stressed that the restoration of national sovereignty will remain incomplete unless the withdrawal is accompanied by ending the financial dependence on American hegemony and regaining full control over Iraqi airspace.

Al-Zubaidi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “the American presence was and still is the root cause and basis for the crises and setbacks that have plagued Iraq throughout the past two decades,” explaining that “Washington possesses a military destruction machine capable of overthrowing regimes by brute force, but it has proven a resounding failure and complete inability to manage the state, which has plunged the country into systematic chaos and enabled the occupation to exploit Iraqi airspace, along with the airspace of neighboring countries, to carry out repeated attacks against Iran in flagrant violation of international laws.”

He added that “the American military withdrawal is an urgent and deserved step, but it requires the government to complete the pillars of sovereignty by liberating the economic and financial decision from the restrictions and hegemony of the American Federal Reserve,” noting that “talk of the return of sectarian conflict or the outbreak of a civil war after the departure of the occupier is nothing but misleading promotion and a losing bet that is refuted by the reality of the cohesion and coexistence of the established mujahideen and intermarriage among all segments of the Iraqi people, and that any tensions that may arise are limited to narrow political squabbles and conflicts only.”

Earlier, Mu’in al-Kadhim, a member of the Coordination Framework and former MP, affirmed that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq played the largest and most fundamental role in forcing the American occupation forces to leave Iraqi territory, emphasizing the rejection of any attempts to maintain foreign forces under any name or new pretext.

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FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT ON “EVERY DINAR” IN IRAQ… THE ALLOCATIONS AUTHORITY REVEALS MECHANISMS FOR MONITORING FUNDS.

 The Federal Revenue Allocation Monitoring Authority confirmed today, Saturday, that the flow of funds in the Iraqi treasury is subject to continuous monitoring and supervision, starting from their allocation to the stages of disbursement and utilization.

The head of the authority, Susan Abdullah, stated in a statement followed by the news agency that the authority plays a role of “early warning against corruption” by monitoring allocations and overseeing the funding provided by the Ministry of Finance to ministries and provinces, in addition to tracking the expenditures of funds and verifying sources of federal revenues.

Abdullah clarified that the authority has identified several corruption files and referred them to the competent bodies, including the Integrity Commission, the judiciary, and the Board of Supreme Audit. She emphasized that the authority’s work does not conflict with the tasks of the Board of Supreme Audit, but rather comes within the framework of integration among oversight institutions, confirming that the authority monitors funds before they are disbursed and also oversees their usage after disbursement.

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MP: THE 2027 BUDGET WILL BE SENT THIS MONTH AND APPROVED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR

Member of Parliament Mohammed Al-Moussawi revealed on Saturday the expected date for sending the proposed federal general budget law for 2027 to Parliament, stressing that there is a governmental and parliamentary trend to reduce expenditures and activate the productive sectors.

Al-Moussawi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “the Council of Ministers will send the proposed 2027 budget law to the House of Representatives during this month,” explaining that “the Parliamentary Finance Committee will immediately begin studying the budget and reviewing all its items upon its arrival so that it can be submitted for discussion and voting at the beginning of the tenth month.”

He added that “next year’s budget will be significantly different from its predecessors, as it will focus primarily on development programs and activating the productive sectors in the country, as well as reducing many unnecessary government spending items,” predicting that “the House of Representatives will pass the budget and vote on it definitively before the start of the new year.”

It is worth noting that the parliamentary finance committee hosted Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari last week to discuss key amendments to the draft budget law, including a detailed discussion of changing the current operating mechanism and transitioning to a “program-based budget.”

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IRAQ IS THE THIRD LARGEST ARAB COUNTRY IN TERMS OF GOLD HOLDINGS DURING THE MONTH.

Data from the World Gold Council for September 2026 showed that the total gold reserves of the Arab countries listed in the table of the top 100 holders amounted to 1,649.1 tons. Businessnews alerts

Saudi Arabia topped the list of Arab countries with reserves of 323.1 tons, followed by Lebanon with 286.8 tons, then Iraq with 175.6 tons, Algeria with 173.6 tons, and Libya with 146.7 tons.

The list also included Egypt with 129.7 tons, Qatar with 116.2 tons, Kuwait with 79 tons, Jordan with 77.8 tons, the UAE with 74.5 tons, Syria with 25.8 tons, Morocco with 22.1 tons, Tunisia with 6.8 tons, Oman with 6.7 tons, and Bahrain with 4.7 tons.

The total gold reserves of all countries and entities listed in the table of the top 100 holders amounted to approximately 36,478 tons, with the holdings of Arab countries, amounting to 1,649.1 tons, constituting approximately 4.52% of the total gold listed in the table.

The World Gold Council’s table includes the top 100 gold holders, and in addition to countries, it includes some official institutions. The Council’s data shows that the data sources include central banks, the International Monetary Fund, and other official sources.

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AL-ZARKOUSHI: FOUR NAMES ARE ON THE TABLE FOR DECIDING THE MINISTRIES OF INTERIOR AND DEFENSE… AND THE DECISION AWAITS CONSENSUS AND VOTING.

Member of the Coordination Framework, Abdul Samad al-Zarkoushi, confirmed on Friday that four names have been put forward as candidates for the Ministries of Interior and Defense, noting that the final selection of candidates will be made through political consensus and a vote in Parliament.

Al-Zarkoushi explained to Al-Maalouma that “the Ministries of Interior and Defense are important sovereign security ministries, and they shape the management of the security file in the country in general.”

He added that “four names have been put forward so far for the two ministries, including three high-ranking officers, and it is not possible at this time to definitively say who will head each ministry, as the matter is subject to political agreement and the presentation of names to Parliament.”

He indicated that “all signs point to the remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali al-Zaidi’s government being finalized in the coming days, given the intensified meetings scheduled for next week.”

He pointed out that “the intensified meetings may pave the way for scheduling a parliamentary session to proceed with presenting and finalizing the names of candidates for the nine remaining ministerial portfolios, particularly the Ministries of Interior and Defense.”

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AL-KHAFAJI TOLD: THE CABINET WILL BE FINALIZED AND VOTED ON NEXT THURSDAY.

 Member of Parliament Miqdad al-Khafaji predicted that the cabinet formation process would be finalized and voted on in Parliament next Thursday.

Al-Khafaji told Al-Mada in an exclusive interview that “the end of this week will be the expected date for finalizing the cabinet and voting on it.” Regarding the most prominent candidates, he explained that several names were put forward during the negotiations, but none of them has been definitively decided yet, noting that an agreement has been reached on most of the names put forward.

(Mnt Goat: I have lost track of how many times they have told us this already…lol..lol..lol.. ☹)

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IRAQ PROPOSES MAJOR DINAR DEVALUATION IN 2027 BUDGET 

 At a Glance

• The draft 2027 budget proposes setting the official exchange rate at 150,000 IQD per $100 to eliminate the gap with the parallel market.
• MP Dilan Ghafoor said fixing the dollar rate at this level is projected to inject an additional 20 trillion dinars into national revenues, bringing the total estimated budget to 218 trillion dinars.
• The draft bill benchmarks the budget on an estimated crude oil price of $58 per barrel.
• While public employee salaries are secured in the draft, other KRG demands remain unresolved.

Iraqi Parliamentary Finance Committee member Dilan Ghafoor, quoting Minister of Finance Faleh al-Sari, stated that the value of $100 has been set at 150,000 dinars in the draft 2027 budget, adding that there are numerous unresolved issues regarding the rights of the Kurdistan Region in the draft bill.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• MP Dilan Ghafoor told Channel8 that according to the decision, the gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market rate will be eliminated. 
• Ghafoor noted that the committee’s meeting with the Finance Minister was dedicated entirely to gathering comprehensive details on the draft budget bill, emphasizing that the dollar exchange rate was discussed as one of the most critical aspects of the budget. 

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Speaking to Channel8, Lawmaker Ghafoor said that if the decision is implemented, both the parallel market rate and the official government rate will align at 150,000 dinars. 

She stressed that fixing the dollar rate at 150,000 dinars will inject an additional 20 trillion dinars into the budget revenue.

Ghafoor also clarified that the approval and vote of the Council of Ministers and Parliament are required; although the Ministry of Finance has thoroughly studied the matter, “it does not mean this is a final decision. Principal agreement, however, is included in the draft.” 

The lawmaker confirmed that the total estimated draft budget will reach 218 trillion dinars. The Next year’s draft budget is estimated at 200 to 240 trillion dinars, with the Kurdistan Region requesting roughly 29 trillion dinars. 

This proposed allocation is intended to cover KRG public employee salaries, job promotions, new hires, and the permanent integration of contract teachers and civil servants. 

Ghafoor highlighted that, thus far, only the salaries of the Kurdistan Region’s public employees have been secured in the draft budget, adding that all other demands from the Kurdistan Region remain under discussion, with no guarantees provided yet. 

She underlined that it is critical for the Kurdistan delegation to remain continuously engaged in Baghdad at this stage to resolve outstanding budget issues with the Iraqi government and effectively lobby for its interests.

While the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has historically resisted shifting its formal baseline from the 1,300 to 1,320 range to protect domestic purchasing power, intense pressure from the Ministry of Finance may force the bank to administer this shift.

If the draft budget passes, the administrative realignment will allow the ministry to convert oil dollars into a higher volume of local currency, though financial experts warn it could cause an immediate spike in consumer inflation and drive parallel market rates past 160,000 dinars per $100.

Concurrently, the draft 2027 general budget law is under evaluation by the Iraqi Cabinet and is slated for official submission to parliament by mid-month. 

The Kurdistan Regional Government is demanding a full 14.14% share of the 2027 federal budget, calculated using recent census data to expand funding beyond public salaries into regional investment and infrastructure projects. 

(Mnt Goat: I can tell everyone that this shift to 150,000 dinar per 100 dollars is NOT going to change the parallel market. The parallel market will only shift along with it and this move may bring the parallel market even higher at upwards of 160,000 to 175,000 to dangerous levels. There is only one (1) way for certain to deal with the parallel market and that is to eliminate not let it exist any longer. This can only be done by repegging to a basket of currencies and getting off the sole peg top the dollar. But they can’t make this repeg until they go back to FOREX. Do you see the process? Why don’t they just do it? Well….. first they have to remove the zeros. Also by repegging the rate of the dinar is set to rise significantly.)

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AN ECONOMIST ACCUSES “INFLUENTIAL PARTIES” OF FABRICATING THE DOLLAR CRISIS AND CALLS ON THE CENTRAL BANK TO INTERVENE URGENTLY.

 On Saturday, economist Abdul Rahman Al-Mashhadani accused influential parties of fabricating the current rise in dollar exchange rates in local markets, explaining that the goal of this rise is to achieve exorbitant profits for specific banks that are not subject to sanctions.

Al-Mashhadani told Al-Maalouma that “the local market is witnessing clear confusion due to the unjustified rise in exchange rates,” calling on the Central Bank of Iraq to “conduct a real and urgent review of the monetary policy mechanisms currently in place.”

He added that “it has become necessary for the Central Bank to intervene immediately and inject sufficient quantities of foreign currency (dollars) to save the market and curb speculators,” while warning of “the continued rise in exchange rates and the worsening of the crisis if the situation remains as it is without radical solutions.”

Economist Dirgham Muhammad Ali had previously confirmed to Al-Maalomah that the main reason behind the rise in the dollar exchange rate was related to the withdrawal of Al-Taif Bank, which is a major official gateway for dollars entering the country through the Western Union network. 

(Mnt Goat: Yes, we witness that there is always a reason behind any rise. Then they do a knee-jerk recation and always want to raise the official rate to some crazy rate. Simply put the CBI is NOT going to go a long with  it. They haven’t in the past and will not now.)

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A PARALLEL ECONOMY OPERATING OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM… AL-ZAYDI BEGINS A LONG JOURNEY TO REGULATE THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE LABOR MARKET.

 The Al-Zaidi government is moving to reorganize one of the largest economic blocs that has operated for decades outside the formal economy. This involves developing a national strategy for transitioning to the formal economy, aiming to broaden the private sector and bring hundreds of thousands of businesses, projects, and workers into the formal registration, social security, financing, and market system.

The figures reveal the scale of the challenge facing this transformation. The latest national labor force survey showed that 66.6% of all workers in Iraq are employed in the informal sector, while approximately 54.8% of the total workforce is employed within the informal sector. Another study, conducted jointly by the Ministry of Planning and the United Nations Development Programme, indicated that around 80% of the Iraqi private sector operates informally.

The most recent step in this process began with the formation of the National Steering Committee for the Transition to the Formal Economy. At its first meeting last August, the committee approved a roadmap for developing the national strategy. Subsequently, in early September, the first national workshop was held in Baghdad, with the participation of 39 representatives from government institutions, employers, workers, and experts from the International Labour Organization.

The committee includes the Ministries of Planning, Labor, Trade, Finance, Industry, Agriculture, and Reconstruction, along with the Central Bank, the Statistics Authority, the Private Sector Development Council, and federations of chambers of commerce, industries, and trade unions. Its aim is to address the informal economy as a complex economic, financial, and social issue, rather than simply a process of registering companies and workers.

In practice, informal employment means that a large segment of the Iraqi population works without adequate social security or formal employment arrangements. The International Labour Organization estimated in 2024 that there were more than five million workers without social security coverage, in addition to hundreds of thousands of private sector companies operating informally.

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KURDISTAN MERGES 94 GOVERNMENT BANKS INTO NATIONAL BANK

You can find the entire article here: link This is just snippet.

At a Glance

• The Kurdistan Region is consolidating 94 government banks as part of a wider banking sector restructuring.
• Only four banks will remain in central Slemani during the current phase of the merger.
• The National Bank is expected to eventually bring the remaining government banking operations under one institution.
• Authorities aim to complete the merger and accounting procedures across Slemani by the end of 2026.

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The Kurdistan Region is undertaking a major restructuring of its government banking system, with dozens of state banks being consolidated ahead of the planned expansion of the National Bank.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Slemani Consolidation: “We are continuing the process of integrating and merging the banks. Only the banks of Bakhan, Azmar, Slemani, and Tanjaro will remain in central Slemani.” — Hersh Tahir, Director of Slemani Bank 1, to Channel8.
• Completion Timeline: “The committee expects the entire bank and accounting-unit merger process across Slemani Governorate to be finalized by the end of this year.” — Zmnako Mahmood, Member of the Inspection Board for Private and Public Banks, to Channel8.
• Focus Area: The restructuring is designed to consolidate government banking operations under the National Bank while reorganizing accounts, debts, and surplus staff.

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

Auf Wiedersehen

Much love to ya all,

Mnt Goat

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Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER:

September 29, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

More news today about disarming the Iranian-backed Factions operating inside Iraq. Some good news, some bad news. Let’s get started!

GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT

I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are.

 Let’s all try to chip in!

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Charity is love in action – In the New Testament of the Bible, “charity” often means agape love. Jesus and the apostles show that true charity is demonstrated through deeds, not just words.

STATUS OF THE RV

As we move into October it is a new month to consider preserving the Latest Mnt Goat Newsletter. Have you already helped out? The Newsletter will only be published if my viewers support it. If you have not yet shown your appreciation, please try to help out for this month.  

Remember that I don’t need to publish anything for anyone. I do this because I care about the public and because I don’t agree with the bizarre, stupid stuff that is going on to wrongly promote this Iraqi dinar investment as a three-ring circus. Yes, there are many idiots making a lot of money off their nonsense, yet, I bring FACTUAL and HONEST news.

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There is lots of news for this period of reporting. All the articles can be found in the Articles Section of today’s Newsletter. I am just going to point out the more important points to you to help you understand the minds of those involved. Hang on to your seat as this is going to be a very long one today. Get your cup of coffee or tea, sit back, relax and slowly read every bit of it to get exactly what is being said today. It is not complicated just a lot to absorb. But you will never understand if you don’t take some time to inform yourself.

IS TRUMP ACCEPTING THE JUNE 2027 DEADLINE FOR FACTION REMOVAL shifted from Sept 30th?

Answering this question is vital to the timing of payoff of our investment as, if Trump does accept the new deadline all set timelines may be shifting for us. This may affect the timing of the removal of the zeros and later the reinstatement. Remember I was told specifically the US will NEVER signoff on the reinstatement unless these militias and factions are gone from Iraq. In today’s news we find that the US and Iraq have two VERY different views as to the measures to be taken with these factions. This is in itself a dilemma.

I first need to cover the issue of the meeting between president Trump and prime minister of Iraq, Al-Zaidi after the UN council meeting to begin answering this question. Did Trump accept moving the date of September 2026 to June 2027 for disarmament of the Hezbollah factions? Is disarmament really all he wants?

Does the US use the term ‘disarmament’ loosely, but really means something else altogether?

In one article titled “TOM BARRACK: DISARMING ARMED GROUPS IS CRUCIAL FOR IRAQ AND ITS PEOPLE” we get some information on this subject matter.

Praising the Iraqi prime minister’s efforts, Barrack said: “The prime minister of Iraq is doing a great job disarming the factions.”

Barrack had previously told Al-Monitor that the weapons of all armed groups in Iraq would be brought under control by 2027, with the state becoming the country’s sole armed authority.  

Following a meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Barrack said both sides had reached the view that, by the end of June next year, the state should be the only authority responsible for armed forces and that all weapons should come under official control.

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Then in another article titled “TRUMP MET WITH AL-ZAIDI ALONE… GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REVEALS DETAILS OF THE NEW YORK MEETING” we get a bit more information about what they talked about.

 Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said on Monday (September 28, 2026) that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York addressed indicators of stability in Iraq, attracting investments, and the presence of American companies in the oil and energy sectors, noting that al-Zaidi presented during the meeting what he described as the government’s steps to strengthen the authority of the state and the law.

Al-Aboudi explained, in a conversation with journalist Hossam Al-Hajj, via Dijlah TV, which was followed by 964 Network , that Al-Zidi is working on translating the government program into an executive program through “bridging the relationship with the world” and restoring confidence in Iraq, noting that the government aims to reach a production of 10 million barrels of oil per day by 2030, considering that these figures can attract international economic partners.

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There is yet another article on this subject matter that really hits home what has to happen with the Hezbollah factions inside Iraq. It is the policy of the U.S. spelled out clearly. It goes way beyond just ‘disarmament’. It is instead complete “but rather dismantling. It is as if they are saying to the Iraqis: ‘We don’t know what you Iraqis are doing!’ But they do not want these militias to exist.” I want to remind everyone we have heard many articles about just ‘disarmament’ but is this all the U.S. really wants. Let’s read this article as proof and find out exactly what president Trump needs. It all now makes sense. The article is titled “IS THE DIVISION OF IRAQ ON TRUMP’S MIND? RUBIO SPOKE OF IT AND BROKE THE PROMISES MADE BY AL-ZAIDI AND THE FRAMEWORK.”

 Since the crushing of the ISIS-led insurgency in Iraq, any mention of the country’s unity or concerns about its future has disappeared from the lips of officials. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revived the term “Balkanization” at his press conference on Wednesday, following two consecutive meetings with Ali al-Zaidi, one of which was attended by Trump, and the absence of any other Iraqi representative.  

He answered journalists by saying “the continued presence of militias would mean the Balkanization of Iraq, referring to one of the most horrific cases of bloody partition witnessed in the 20th century, centered on the former Yugoslavia. My colleague Adnan al-Tai chose this topic for his episode today with one of the most prominent Iraqi experts on American affairs, Ramadan al-Badran, who summarized the matter in two words: Trump authorized Rubio to handle this file, and he is a man who will not recognize al-Zaidi’s schedules or the coordination framework. He suggested that the matter was very clear during the New York meeting. Although the White House will try to maintain its support for al-Zaidi as much as possible.”

They conveyed a brief message in their statement, saying:

‘Dismantling the terrorist militias.’ This does not mean disarmament, containment, organization, or integration, but rather dismantling. It is as if they are saying to the Iraqis: ‘We don’t know what you Iraqis are doing!’ But they do not want these militias to exist. This is the brief message with which the Americans commented on what Al-Zaidi said. I believe that Washington’s position is now more stringent regarding the militias, especially after what happened with Saudi Arabia recently.”

This prior paragraph is VERY IMPORTANT to understand. So, by June 2027 the U.S. does not want just disarmament, containment, organization, or integration, but rather dismantling. They do not want these militias to exist any longer in Iraq…. period!

He added: “I don’t have details about the reasons why the government team didn’t accompany al-Zaidi during the meeting with Trump, but I think that the one handling the militias file is Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, who has a deep understanding of ideas, doctrines, and many other things. At the same time, Trump is still keen on al-Zaidi and committed to him, and still wants to give him a chance. “

So, this last paragraph above tells us Trump is going to give this June 2027 policy a chance. Trump is giving Al-Zaidi time to work on this issue. However, I can bet come June there will be no compromise.

This next paragraph also explains what has happened to Iraq since its so-called liberations in 2003. Was it really liberated or just turned over to Iran as a proxy state? Then in 2014 to fight ISIS the excuse came for Iran to formally send fighters into Iraq and secure its influence in politics.

Thomas Barrack says “But the truth that must be understood is that there are two states in Iraq: the state of the political system and the Iraqi state.”

What does he mean by two states: He then goes on to say “All that remains of the Iraqi state is the position of Prime Minister, which al-Zaidi represents. As for what remains, al-Zaidi carried the message of the political wing of the political system in his previous trip, and now he carries the message of the military wing of the political system.”

Sounds a lot like what is going on in the U.S. with the conservatives vs the extreme liberals, in their social communists attempt to take over the political system in the U.S.

Here is the worst part about this situation in Iraq. Come June Rubio believes nothing much will change and the factions will still exist.

He explained: “The factions are here to stay, whether anyone likes it or not, because they are ideological factions affiliated with an ideological state, namely Iran. They view Iraq as a host country, so they will remain and continue by all means and methods.”

“Anyone who thinks that these factions will give up their weapons is mistaken, because this contradicts the ideological dimension of these factions. What guarantees the political system will remain if the factions are gone?”

He says “What guarantees the continuation of the coordinating framework if the factions are gone?”

“There is a state with a political system in Iraq, an ideological political system, and there is the Iraqi state, which is a state of constitution and citizenship. Iraq now has an ideological state that has been competing with the Iraqi state since 2003,”  

“Thus, the factions must realistically understand that their chances of survival lie either in clashing with the state or in disbanding. I doubt there is a rosy future in this matter, as the political system does not allow for relinquishing control of the factions.”  

So, we must take Rubio on his word. He is much more familiar than we are in the matters of Iraq. Seems eventually, either now or later, there is going to be a bloody clash between the state and these factions. Also, can the Coordination Framework continue to exists even, after listening to what Rubio has to say in this article.

So, in the next elections cycle things have to also change drastically on how they run their elections. I know I keep telling you over and over again about the upcoming election cycle. Are you listening to me? I surely pray that we are out of this investment before this time period.

If we are still here in this investment or not these changes will be positive and remember that even though positive for the overall benefit of Iraq change is still hard to make when who or what is being changed does not want to be  changed. They always resist!

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Take a peek at the article titled “IRAQ’S FM: NEW WEAPONS CONTROL PLAN COMING, ECONOMY IS THE IRAN WAR’S FIRST VICTIM”.  

 “Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced on Friday, September 25, 2026, that the government is preparing a new plan to address the issue of unlicensed weapons and bring arms under state control, warned that Iraq’s economy is the first casualty of the Iran war currently engulfing the region, and confirmed that Iraq is in discussions with the United States about the sanctions imposed on aviation services for Iranian aircraft landing at Iraqi airports.”

Again, is seems even Hussien is missing the boat when it comes to what to do with these factions. It is not just a matter of bringing the arms under control such as disarming them, but as we read in a previous article the real and of what the complete policy of the U.S. is and I quote – “but rather dismantling. But they do not want these militias to exist.”

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Ahhhh….ya, ya, ya – a very important article to understand what is being said here. I encourage everyone to go read the entire article. It is titled: “THE WEAPONS DEADLINE IS TO BUY TIME… AND THE FACTIONS DID NOT AGREE”.

This buying for more time – has this not been the strategy of Iran all along in the Iranian conflict and its ongoing negotiations with the US? Why stop there? They are doing the same in Iraq by extending the deadline to June from September for the faction’s disarmament.

Why would they do this?

There are two reasons for stalling by Iranian-backed politicians inside Iraq:

First, I believe they are hoping that negotiations between Iran and the US can stall for time for them the rebuild. Inside Iraq the factions are hoping by June, that’s 9 months from now, that there will be a turn of events, any turns of events in their favor in the Iranian conflict they can capitalize on, thus stay in Iraq.  

Second, the US elections-  for the midterms in the U.S. they are hoping the liberals will win both houses and end the U.S. funding for the conflict with Iran. Thus, also the factions might be allowed to stay in Iraq. Then they are working towards the liberals in the US winning the Whitehouse in the 2028 elections ending the siege on Iran altogether. This of course is faulty, irrational thinking with this logic in that time is NOT on their side and the situation inside Iran is worsening every day and the people have had enough already.

“The Iraqi newspaper Al-Mada, in a report followed by Al-Mustaqilla, revealed new details regarding the deadline proposed for limiting the weapons of armed factions, amid a clear difference between the Iraqi vision and the American position regarding the nature of the steps that should be taken and the fate of the weapons during the next stage.”

So, here it is again a difference of vision between the US and Iraq on how to handle these factions. It is not just about disarmament but full exiting of them from Iraq.

According to the report, sources and analysts believe “that the new date proposed for addressing the weapons issue may be more of an attempt to buy more time than a final and binding timetable for handing over the factions’ arsenal, especially in light of the fact that a final agreement has not yet been reached with them.”

The newspaper pointed out that there is a fundamental difference in the terminology used between Baghdad and Washington. While Iraqi parties speak of “restricting weapons,” “regulating them,” and integrating factions into state institutions and the Popular Mobilization Forces, American parties use expressions such as “dismantling militias” and integrating weapons with the army, which reflects a continuing gap in perceptions between the two sides.

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Yet another article we get more news from Hussein from the news channels. It is titled “FUAD HUSSEIN ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON: WE WANT A POLITICAL AND SECURITY PARTNERSHIP AND WE WILL DISCUSS THIS IN THE MOST IMPORTANT THINK TANKS.”

  “Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced on Sunday (September 27, 2026) his arrival in Washington, D.C., to hold meetings with the U.S. administration, with the aim of moving the two countries’ relations towards a broader partnership based on developing political, security and economic cooperation, noting that the discussions that will bring the two countries together will be in the most important think tanks in the U.S. capital.”

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Here is an article that might make the hair curl on the back of your neck. I will tell you why. It is titled “AMERICAN COMPANIES ARE WAITING… INTENSIVE IRAQI NEGOTIATIONS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF FACTIONS’ WEAPONS.

  “An informed source revealed on Saturday that private meetings are continuing between the Quartet Committee and the leaders of the armed resistance factions, with the aim of reaching final agreements on the management, storage and organization of weapons, stressing that resolving this issue paves the way for more than 40 American companies to enter Iraq to start their projects.”

Every week we get more confirmations of the plan by president Trump to get more and more American companies investing in Iraq. Did I not tell all my readers a year ago or more that Trump has a plan for Iraq and that it was not just restricting weapons but what comes afterwards. Now in this article we get more proof of what I told you. However that factions and militias are in the way. They create a liability for these companies. Iraq will have to deal with these factions if they truly want Trump to help bring economic development to their country. They will have to deal with them on the terms of the U.S. not their own terms. We already read what the true terms were for the U.S. in Rubio’s comments in a prior article.

This next paragraph shows an urgency to get these factions under control. We read words like ‘to intensify’. Why an urgency now? It is because this June timeline interferes with an already established timeline of September 30^th 2026. Timeline for what? I already tried to explain about a ‘convergence’ of events and this timeline was important for them to occur. Now does it all have to be adjusted and moved out until June 2027?

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi asked the political leaders within the coordination framework, specifically the four-party committee concerned with negotiating with the factions, to intensify dialogues and meetings to reach understandings that end the controversy over the management and organization of weapons, in a manner consistent with the interest of Iraq and the region.”

He added that “Washington demanded from al-Zaidi guarantees that American companies, which number more than 40 investment companies in various fields, would not be targeted by resistance factions.”

So, do you think Iran will keep its promises and not attack these companies? What a joke as we all know they will not keep any promises. It seems to me that lots is riding on addressing these factions inside Iraq. Am I wrong?

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THE TRUE NATURE OF THE IRANIAN-BACKED FACTIONS INSIDE IRAQ:

These next couple articles show us the true nature of the Iranian-backed factions inside Iraq and why they don’t want to give up and move on out of Iraq. They have become very ingrained in politics. The proverbial ‘eye opener’ for the Washington on this subject of factions is when they used inside Iraq to launch attacks on the Sadie’s. Anyone who criticizes Iraq for having US forces inside Iraq is out of their mind. Trust me on this one – a new s U.S.–Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, will soon be completed between Iraq and the US and these troops will return prior to June 2027.

Remember that lots of Iranian backed goods are shipped from Iran to Iraq via air travel. Iran is already economically hurting real bad and so go figure why the factions would put out such statements. They are a politically sewn into the fabric of the economy to enforce Iranian policies on Iraq. The titled to this one is “HEZBOLLAH CALLS ON THE IRAQI PEOPLE TO BREAK THE SIEGE ON IRAN”

Can it get any clearer now why Iranian factions inside Iraq are stalling for time and resisting disarmament.

I quote from the article – “Hezbollah in Iraq, according to a statement it published today, Thursday, September 24, described what it called “entities and companies that participated in the air blockade on Iran” as “without dignity,” and called for the purchase of Iranian goods”.

The party said, according to what Baghdad Today received, that the companies and entities “that agreed to submit to the unjust American decisions in exchange for crumbs of interests have chosen for themselves the role of the submissive backer of the American-Zionist decisions,” stressing, “they are entities without dignity,” in reference to the decision to impose an air embargo on Iranian airlines.”

Oh boy…. The true nature of these factions really comes out in these kinds of statements. They hate America and so do you actually think they can exist inside Iraq while American companies invest into Iraq?

In its statement, the party issued what it called a “call to the Iraqi people” to break the siege imposed on Iran, declaring, “We call upon the sons of the Iraqi people to break this siege by every possible means in support of the brotherly Iranian people, especially by supporting its products and encouraging their exchange.”

It seems to me these factions are now trying to stir up the Iraqi people to go against the US sanctions. Remember that these sanctions are also hurting the Iraqi people too as Iran is a major trading partner with Iraq. Much of their goods and food products come from Iran.

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😊 I can see that many of my readers are concerned about the withdrawal of the US from Iraq. Let me tell you something. The US only had about 2,500 soldiers in Iraq, most were sent to Kuwait, many units are rotating home. Kuwait is a neighboring country very close by. Fool us once in 2011 when the US pulled out under Obama we are not going to be fooled again. I would not be worried about this move by the U.S. In the article titled “THE U.S. HAS MORE LEVERAGE IN IRAQ THAN IT THINKS”

By James Durso – Sep 22, 2026  

I quote from the article – “The U.S. withdrawal should mark a shift from control to influence, with Washington relying more on investment, financial leverage, intelligence and defense cooperation rather than a permanent military presence.”

“Militia reform should be gradual and Iraqi-led.

Washington still holds considerable leverage after withdrawal, particularly through the dollar system, sanctions and Western investment, but using those tools coercively could ultimately weaken U.S. influence.”

“If U.S. forces leave Iraq by 30 September 2026, Washington should view the departure not as the end of its relationship with Baghdad but as an opportunity to redefine it. The U.S. will retain influence in Iraq, but it will have to exercise that influence differently. America’s challenge will be transitioning from control to influence.”

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😊Then there is this news that explains that just because the U.S. pulls out of Iraq, its influcne does not end. It is titled “AMERICAN WEBSITE: US INVESTMENT, FINANCIAL INFLUENCE, AND INTELLIGENCE COOPERATION WILL REMAIN IN IRAQ AFTER THE WITHDRAWAL.”

A report by the American news website Oil Price indicated that the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq at the end of this month does not mean the end of American influence and interests in the country, but rather a transition to building long-term communication across the fields of economy, investment, security, intelligence and financial cooperation, as Iraq still needs American and Western technological expertise in the field of energy, infrastructure and reform of the banking sector, especially cooperation in the field of combating terrorism and priority in confronting any possible return of ISIS.

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SUMMARY:

IS THE DINAR SHIFTING FAVORABLY TOWARDS THE DOLLAR?

I have a few articles on the topic of this shift and what the CBI is doing to make it happen. Before I get into these articles I want to remind everyone that Iraq is way overdue to get off the sole peg to the dollar. I firmly believe the only major leverage the US now has to fight Iran inside Iraq, is the dollar.

If you keep Iraq dependent on the dollar for trade, then they must follow your policies for their very survival and existence. Is it fair to do this since the UN Chapter VII sanctions are all lifted? I will answer this with another question. Is it fair for Iran to come into Iraq and govern it as a proxy state, stealing trillions from the people. This revenue is their money not Iran’s. But this is the nature of Iran in the middle east as they have done this to Libya, Lebanon, Syria and now Iraq. This is how they fund their military buildup and nuclear ambitions. This funding is now also helping them push Muslim ideology throughout Europe and the US. That is a large part of what this mass migration and open borders was all about. But the tide is shifting, just watch it! 😊

These policies with the dollar are not new policies.  Actually, they were policies all along from the Chapter VII sanctions, only no other US administration enforced the new Iraqi constitution upon them before. If they had maybe we would not be where we are today. They let Iran infiltrate and stay inside Iraq. As Rubio says, they have become the politics of Iraq disregarding what the state says even. They continue to do this because the state is afraid to have a head-on bloody confrontation with the Iranian factions which also means a confrontation with the Iranian-backed politicians such as with the Coordination Framework. Remember Trump did not cause these problems but wants to end them and clean this up.

The first article is titled: “MP AMER ABDUL-JABBAR CALLS FOR AMENDING ECONOMIC POLICIES TO STOP THE “BLEEDING OF WEALTH” IN THE DOLLAR MARKET.”

MP Amer Abdul Jabbar revealed on Saturday (September 26, 2026) statistics.  

Said in a statement received by “Baghdad Today” that “the losses of the Iraqi people as a result of the price gap during the period of the previous government amounted to more than 27 billion and 312 million dollars,” indicating that “the average daily losses during that period amounted to about 21 million dollars every 24 hours.”

Abdul Jabbar called on the Prime Minister to “urgently review economic, monetary, financial and trade policies to stop the bleeding of national wealth and transform it into sources that enhance the economic capabilities of the state and the people instead of depleting it.”

I will inform MP Amer Abdul Jabbar that his situation will not change and will only get worsen as any oil crisis arises, such as it has since the Iranian conflict. The real cause the sole peg to the US dollar. I will emphasis this again and again in my blog. As long as Iraq is still on the sole peg to the dollar, any hiccup in the oil industry will cause an economic crisis. What can they do about it?

Of course, they must get off the sole peg and repeg to an IMF basket of currencies. This basket as already been exposed and the willingness to do it. The plan was for early 2027 and now we see this shifting. But the US still in the meantime needs the leverage of the sole peg and US dollar to get Iraq to OBEY to force them to fight these Hezbollah factions inside Iraq one way or the other. I mean peacefully through dialogue or by gun point.

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Here is another recent article on this subject matter. It is titled “WHY IS THE DOLLAR RISING? PARLIAMENTARIANS DEMAND THE REASONS BE REVEALED BEFORE PARLIAMENT.”

 “Member of Parliament Ghufran Al-Shammari called on the government and the Central Bank yesterday to take urgent measures to limit the fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate and reduce the gap between the official rate and the parallel market rate, warning of the impact of the rise on purchasing power and the prices of goods and services.”

First, I want to say this gap reduction will NEVER happen as long as the Dinar is still on the sole peg to the US dollar. Aren’t you sick and tired already of reading these kinds of articles? When will Iraq actually do what they must do to end these fluctuations? We were told a year ago that the CBI is not worried about the parallel market as they know it will go away once the dinar is off the sole peg to the dollar. Even the CBI knows there is no absolute way to prevent or reduce this gap.

Next, I want to add that we are seeing the URGENCY once again of doing something. The current currency peg is ‘bleeding the wealth’ of Iraq. READ MY LIPS – artificial suppression. Let me explain why this has not yet gone away. Yes, the CBI knows about all the corruption associated with it and the parallel market. But dealing with the militias and factions inside Iraq is holding up any real change. If we say that going to FOREX can end the parallel market and much of the corruption, then why hold it up. It’s called ‘leverage’. Staying on the sole peg to the US dollar gives the US enormous leverage. Get it?

But leverage for what?

Leverage against the politicians to force them to rid Iraq of the militias and factions inside Iraq. This is literally where we stand today for the RV besides getting the Oil and Gas Law passed. These are the two main issues remaining. Yes, I hate to connect the RV to any single event or events, but this removing of the zeros was planned for the fall of 2026 and then the reinstatement in January 2027. I have solid confirmations on this timetable. Seems these events are now maybe going to be pushed out. I am still waiting for my CBI contact me to confirm this situation. It is not definite until she says it is. But this is what she is hearing in her office now, as I write this Newsletter today. It could change as meetings with Washington are ongoing. This change of dates from Sept to June created a shakeup.

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This article again is just more rhetoric for the citizens to help them believe there is something the CBI can do to make a difference…bla, bla, bla. How much of this nonsense can we take, as investors? For a decade now we read these article, just like this one. But nothing much ever really changes. We read in the past many approaches to get the parallel market under control. By the way the black market or parallel market is illegal. So, who has gone to jail over it? Maybe that’s a problem too, no enforcement of the law. These money exchangers walk the streets daily and nobody does anything to stop the flow of these dollars. Where do they come from?

But we all know the reality and what can actually make a difference, a huge difference, don’t we? But the CBI cannot yet do the reinstatement without the approval of the US Treasury and they know it. The article is titled “CENTRAL BANK MOVES TO LOWER DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE AGAINST IRAQI DINAR”

“The Central Bank of Iraq has taken a new set of measures aimed at reducing the gap between the official and parallel exchange rates, and restoring stability to the dollar exchange rates in local markets.”   bla, bla, bla…….. ☹

Hey CBI….would you kindly like to tell us what these so-called measures are? lol…lol…lol…

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The answer to the question of whether this shift is occurring is NO. A big fat NO! These articles I even hesitated to bring you today as I believe whole-heartedly that any measures the CBI can take short of the reinstatement, will not solve this issue of a parallel market. How many of these FAKE articles must we read? The system they had set up in 1991 under sanctions created this issue of the parallel market and only only way to resolve it is to end the reason why it exists and thrives in the first place.  

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UPDATE: Oil and Gas Law

There is a recent article titled “THE ABSENCE OF A FEDERAL LAW ON OIL AND GAS SINCE 2007”.

This law, for those who do not know it, represents the basic pillar of the structure of the economy, which is subject to the dominance of oil revenues by (90 percent). Its enactment will enhance the confidence of international investors and support the exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar through the flow of hard currency and establish fair mechanisms for the distribution of revenues. This is their words not mine!

Now can everyone see why the US demands to have this constitutional requirement completed prior to any reinstatement? It truly is just common sense.

National Wealth Unit

“The absence of a federal law on oil and gas since 2007 until today has led to alternating periods of stagnation and escalating conflicts between the federal government and the producing provinces.”

We have witnessed this many times in boycotting parliament to vote on laws. So why not stop taking about it and do something about it?  

“Throughout that period, there were no serious intentions to resolve this vital issue related to the state’s economy, which allowed for a competitive war of corruption, smuggling, and the exorbitant enrichment of many figures and names who established financial empires that could finance the budgets of small countries in our regional vicinity.”

 The Oil and Gas Law embodies the people’s ownership of their national wealth, as confirmed by Article (111) of the Iraqi Constitution. This article stipulates that oil and gas are the property of the Iraqi people. It also regulates how this national wealth is to be held by the state and under the control of the federal government, taking into account the fair and just distribution of its revenues in proportion to the population distribution throughout the country, as indicated by Article (112) of the Iraqi Constitution. 

Enough said…….

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 Q and A

Question from ashleypikes:

So MG, if ISX Iraqi companies are trading on forex, do we assume the trading conversion rate is 1310! I would think so, can you elaborate for us, thank you….

Answer from Mnt Goat:

Guten Tag Ashley. Until the CBI changes the official rate it will stay at 1310. This news told of the event and did not specify a timeframe. Are they lining it up to target early 2027 along with the reinstatement and a new rate? Even if they remain at the 1310 it shows us they are going to make one more step (an important step) to the international level of doing business. This is wonderful news! 😊

What do you think will happen next? (Leave a comment)

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

                                         

These prophecies are an important tool we have to lead us on our path. They are more important now than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?

It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.

NOTE: These prophecies tell us also of things happening in the background that either the main stream news media does not know about or the crooked news media refuses to talk about. They do this to keep us in the dark to continue the Trump hating senario and for us to keep thinking that nothing is changing, thus Trump is not successful. But it is just the opposite happening. The proof is all around us if we look for it.

Prophetic Words from the prophets:  Julie Green

“Violent Shakings Are Coming To Corporate America“

Go to the 11:47 mark on the video. Given on  Sept 17^th 2026.

“Interest Rates Will Collapse“

Go to the 14:53 mark on the video. Given on  Sept 18^th 2026.“

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Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

I keep this one out here to view. Everyone should take the time to watch it. It will awaken you about the Muslim so-called religion (or should we call it for it is — a ‘cult‘.)

— And the truth the world forgot about the so-called Muslim religion.

Fr.Don Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth,  particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.  

PM ALI AL-ZAIDI AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: IRAQ’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION, SECURITY & INVESTMENT

US-LED COALITION PREPARING TO END ITS MISSION IN IRAQ DESPITE KURDISH FEARS OF ISIS RESURGENCE

I also have a very good article in the Articles Section today on this topic.

HOW 2 RIVAL ARMIES ARE DESTROYING TEHRAN FROM INSIDE

The IRCG can be compared to the SS in Hitlers army to the regular army for Germany. It was Hitler’s insurance policy to protect his socialist government should the old Weimar Republic forces oppose him. Listen to this video news and see if history is not repeating itself. Did the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei study and copy Hitler and how he managed to get into power and insured to keep it?

NATIONWIDE UPRISING IN IRAN! ISLAMIC REGIME & IRGC PANIC AS IRANIANS PLAN COMPLETE SHUTDOWN 

IRAN JUST GAVE TRUMP EVERYTHING…

AMERICA’S NEW INVENTION COULD END OIL FOREVER

THE LARGEST SINGLE OIL RESERVE EVER DISCOVERED IN THE UNITED STATES

WHY THEY ARE SPRAYING THE SKY? ARE THEY SPRAYING THE SKIES?

Many still don’t believe this Geoengineering of the weather is going on around the globe. This began during WWII by the British in the hope it might gain an advantage on the battle field. From then it was realized it could be a huge money maker, an industry even. Oh boy….here we go again….!

Any idiot with only half a brain can see the flume patterns in the sky from the spaying. There are not that many flights passing over in these zones daily to create exhaust fumes from the engines. So disregard this ridiculous notion they try to push out to us. If this spraying is not so harmful then why are they trying to cover it up and even decided in some largely inhabited areas to spray only at nighttime? Why do they deny the spraying and even go out their way to create conspiracy theory videos on the internet to confuse us?

One day I counted 32 flumes as the planes (or drones) passed first one way and then can back the other way over our village. We are so far from any airport and not even on any flight paths. So what goes?

Then the flumes then combined and the air got sticky and stinky. The next day we had a lot of rain. Today we take a more in-depth look into this subject matter. Are these chemicals causing an environmental disaster so slow it is not recognized even by most until it is too late. Do you see that vegetation on the top crowns of most trees is barren? Then if you watch the tree over a couple years it eventually dies. What about the water? This slop they are spraying also ends up in our water supply. We drink it too.

Yes, vegetation and trees are dying at an alarming rate. Did these idiots bring back acid rain in their efforts to control the weather and only God knows what else they are doing to us? Is it time to speak up and pull the plug on all of this? The High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) project radiation into the skies also combines with these spraying operations and so what does it do to our health?  Is it no wonder why cancer and other body disorders are pandemic. We never had such high rates when I was growing up.

TOM BARRACK: DISARMING ARMED GROUPS IS CRUCIAL FOR IRAQ AND ITS PEOPLE

The US special envoy for Syria and Iraq says disarming armed factions is a crucial issue for Iraqis and voices Washington’s support for Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s efforts to bring weapons under state control.

US Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack has described the disarmament of armed factions in Iraq as a crucial issue for the country and its people, while praising Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s efforts to bring weapons under official state control.

Barrack made the remarks on Tuesday, in comments to Al Arabiya, where he addressed the ongoing process of bringing uncontrolled weapons in Iraq under state authority.

Barrack expressed hope that the process of disarming armed factions in Iraq would succeed, stressing the importance of the issue for Iraq and Iraqis.

He also voiced Washington’s support for the steps being taken by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, praising his efforts to address the issue of weapons held by armed groups.

In his remarks, Barrack said: “We hope that the disarmament of the factions in Iraq will succeed.”He also described the disarmament of armed factions as “an important issue for Iraq and Iraqis.”

Praising the Iraqi prime minister’s efforts, Barrack said: “The prime minister of Iraq is doing a great job disarming the factions.”

Barrack had previously told Al-Monitor that the weapons of all armed groups in Iraq would be brought under control by 2027, with the state becoming the country’s sole armed authority. He indicated that Washington and Baghdad were approaching one of Iraq’s most sensitive issues, placing the question of multiple armed forces under a decisive timeline.

Following a meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Barrack said both sides had reached the view that, by the end of June next year, the state should be the only authority responsible for armed forces and that all weapons should come under official control.

The joint step between Washington and Baghdad opens what Barrack described as a decisive phase toward ending the influence of unofficial armed forces across the country, with security and military decisions no longer being made outside legitimate institutions and the authority over weapons consolidated under the law.

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TRUMP MET WITH AL-ZAIDI ALONE… GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REVEALS DETAILS OF THE NEW YORK MEETING

 Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said on Monday (September 28, 2026) that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York addressed indicators of stability in Iraq, attracting investments, and the presence of American companies in the oil and energy sectors, noting that al-Zaidi presented during the meeting what he described as the government’s steps to strengthen the authority of the state and the law.

Al-Aboudi explained, in a conversation with journalist Hossam Al-Hajj, via Dijlah TV, which was followed by 964 Network , that Al-Zidi is working on translating the government program into an executive program through “bridging the relationship with the world” and restoring confidence in Iraq, noting that the government aims to reach a production of 10 million barrels of oil per day by 2030, considering that these figures can attract international economic partners.

He added that during the meeting, Al-Zaydi reviewed “the indicators of strength and the files in which the government has achieved progress,” including combating corruption, restricting weapons to the state, strengthening the rule of law, as well as economic and investment files.

Regarding the possibility of discussing the details of the September 30th date during the meeting, Al-Aboudi said that the file is “Iraqi in all its dimensions,” and that what Al-Zaidi presented focused on restoring the state’s health and its ability to manage internal stability in accordance with the constitution and the law.

He noted that the meeting also addressed the investment environment and the presence of American companies in Iraq, particularly in the oil and petroleum industry sector, as these are among the issues in which the government seeks to expand cooperation. Al-Aboudi explained that Iraq has made a decision to implement the Banias pipeline project, and there is a consortium of important international companies that will implement the project. The contracts between the Ministry of Oil and these companies are being finalized. He clarified that once the technical aspects and details are completed, things will be implemented on the ground, and the two countries will participate in implementing this project.

(Mnt Goat: Drill baby drill, baby drill!!! 😊)

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PRIME MINISTER: THE GOVERNMENT IS PROCEEDING WITH RESTRUCTURING THE FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF FISCAL POLICY IN IRAQ.

 Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi affirmed on Wednesday that the government is proceeding with restructuring the fundamental pillars of fiscal policy in Iraq.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a press release received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that “Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi met in New York, after midnight on Tuesday, Baghdad time, with Jihad Azour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and his accompanying delegation.” The statement added that “the meeting addressed developments in the global economic landscape, the repercussions of the crisis in the region and its impact on markets, prices, supply chains, and inflation rates, as well as its effects on energy consumption and oil prices.”

According to the statement, the Prime Minister emphasized that “the government is proceeding with restructuring the fundamental pillars of fiscal policy in Iraq through expanding the automation system and gradually transitioning towards a program and performance-based budget, within the framework of the 2027 budget project.”

For his part, Azour affirmed the IMF’s readiness to continue cooperating with Iraq and strengthening the path of economic and financial reforms, in a way that contributes to consolidating financial and economic stability in Iraq.

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AL-KINANI: WASHINGTON HAS SET 10 POINTS FOR THE CONTINUED TRANSFER OF IRAQI FUNDS

 Economic and strategic expert Nasser al-Kinani revealed on Monday that the United States has set ten conditions for the continued transfer of Iraqi funds, including the surrender of weapons. He emphasized that these funds belong to Iraq and are not a US grant.

He added, “Any funds Iraq needs must be requested by the Central Bank of Iraq from the US Federal Reserve for transfer. 

He explained that “the solutions are simple; a request can be submitted to the United Nations to confirm that Iraq is not indebted and that controlling Iraqi funds constitutes an infringement on Iraqi sovereignty.” He also noted that “the Iraqi negotiator was weak from the beginning and was unable to defend the rights of the Iraqi people.”

Al-Kinani pointed out that “an agreement was reached in 2010 to end the transfer of Iraqi funds to the Federal Reserve, and it included three obstacles imposed by the United States, which previous and current Iraqi governments have been unable to overcome.”

He added that “the argument that funds were going to entities claiming financial dues from Iraq has ended, especially after the payment of the last amount claimed by Kuwait, which was $1.65 billion.” He considered that the absence of other entities claiming financial dues from Iraq eliminates the justifications for continuing to control Iraqi funds.

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A POLITICIAN STATED THAT FORCES LINKED TO WASHINGTON ARE PROMOTING LINKING THE DOLLAR TO THE WITHDRAWAL PROCESS AND THE FACTIONS.

 Political analyst Ali Al-Tawil believes that some political forces that consider themselves representatives of the American side in Iraq are seeking to promote the imposition of economic sanctions and reduce the sending of dollar shipments to Iraq after September 30.

Al-Tawil told Al-Maalouma, “American hands in Iraq have the most prominent role in the issue of the rise in the dollar exchange rate in local markets, as Washington seeks to send a message that the American withdrawal from Iraq will negatively affect the Iraqi economy.”

He added that “America is threatening to reduce dollar shipments to the country if it does not move towards fulfilling its desires,” noting that “there are parties inside and within the political class who benefit from the American threats against the resistance.”

He pointed out that “some political parties stand with the American plans against the resistance, as they support Washington’s actions and intentions, in addition to standing with ISIS terrorists and some regional countries.”

He explained that “some political forces are closely linked to the American administration and work to serve Washington’s interests. These forces are promoting economic sanctions, reducing dollar shipments to Iraq, and linking and linking this to the American withdrawal and the issue of factions after September 30th.

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IRAQ HAS A SAY

 Iraq’s participation in the (81) session of the United Nations General Assembly coincides with a number of crucial transitional milestones that Iraq wants to emphasize and announce, and there is no better occasion and international platform than this to convey them to the world.

1.The most prominent of these steps is the reaffirmation of Iraq’s independent decision-making, which was best exemplified by its stance on the regional conflict.

2.The second is the focus on ambitious plans to reform the economy and address the weaknesses it has suffered as a result of ineffective economic policies, both past and present.

3.Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there is the completion of sovereign agreements with the United States and the presentation of the Iraqi state’s plans regarding arms control and the transition of relations between the two countries from security matters to a phase of sustainable partnership.

The presence of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and the anticipation surrounding his speech there will have a significant impact on reaching conclusions on these issues that align with the Iraqi government’s objectives. Yesterday’s statement by the US Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq, Tom Barrack, was particularly noteworthy. He announced a “decisive agreement to restrict weapons to the Iraqi state and to resolve the issue definitively by the end of June (2027),” a development considered a victory for Iraq’s position as it comes in response to a proposal put forward by al-Zaidi’s government.

The speech that the Iraqi Prime Minister will deliver will certainly include a detailed presentation of all positions on regional and international developments, but the most important thing in it will be a statement of Iraq’s position on the challenges it faces, both politically and economically.

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IS THE DIVISION OF IRAQ ON TRUMP’S MIND? RUBIO SPOKE OF IT AND BROKE THE PROMISES MADE BY AL-ZAIDI AND THE FRAMEWORK.

 Since the crushing of the ISIS-led insurgency in Iraq, any mention of the country’s unity or concerns about its future has disappeared from the lips of officials. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revived the term “Balkanization” at his press conference on Wednesday, following two consecutive meetings with Ali al-Zaidi, one of which was attended by Trump, and the absence of any other Iraqi representative. Before anything could leak out amidst one of the rare moments of tension between the two sides over the disarmament timetable, which is almost being torn apart by conflicting schedules and rendered meaningless, the US Secretary of State made a statement that left observers wondering.

He answered journalists by saying that the continued presence of militias would mean the Balkanization of Iraq, referring to one of the most horrific cases of bloody partition witnessed in the 20th century, centered on the former Yugoslavia. My colleague Adnan al-Tai chose this topic for his episode today with one of the most prominent Iraqi experts on American affairs, Ramadan al-Badran, who summarized the matter in two words: Trump authorized Rubio to handle this file, and he is a man who will not recognize al-Zaidi’s schedules or the coordination framework. He suggested that the matter was very clear during the New York meeting. Although the White House will try to maintain its support for al-Zaidi as much as possible.

Ramadan Al-Badran, an international affairs researcher, stated in an interview with journalist Adnan Al-Tai on UTV, which was monitored by 964 Network , that “the Americans were clear through the State Department’s statement after the meeting with the Iraqi delegation. I believe that the Americans are not taking into account the new timing agreed upon by the government with the factions, and they did not pay attention to it or consider it. They conveyed a brief message in their statement, saying:

‘Dismantling the terrorist militias.’ This does not mean disarmament, containment, organization, or integration, but rather dismantling. It is as if they are saying to the Iraqis: ‘We don’t know what you Iraqis are doing!’ But they do not want these militias to exist. This is the brief message with which the Americans commented on what Al-Zaidi said. I believe that Washington’s position is now more stringent regarding the militias, especially after what happened with Saudi Arabia recently.”

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(Mnt Goat: This last paragraph is VERY IMPORTANT to understand. So by June 2027 the U.S. does not want just disarmament, containment, organization, or integration, but rather dismantling. It is as if they are saying to the Iraqis: ‘We don’t know what you Iraqis are doing!’ But they do not want these militias to exist.)

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He added: “I don’t have details about the reasons why the government team didn’t accompany al-Zaidi during the meeting with Trump, but I think that the one handling the militias file is Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, who has a deep understanding of ideas, doctrines, and many other things. At the same time, Trump is still keen on al-Zaidi and committed to him, and still wants to give him a chance.

On the other hand, Thomas Barrack is succeeding in obtaining exemptions and permissions for al-Zaidi to do what he can. But the truth that must be understood is that there are two states in Iraq: the state of the political system and the Iraqi state. All that remains of the Iraqi state is the position of Prime Minister, which al-Zaidi represents. As for what remains, al-Zaidi carried the message of the political wing of the political system in his previous trip, and now he carries the message of the military wing of the political system.”

(Mnt Goat: Sounds a lot like what is going on in the U.S. with the conservatives vs the extreme liberals (social communists attempt to take over the political system in the U.S.) )

He explained: “The factions are here to stay, whether anyone likes it or not, because they are ideological factions affiliated with an ideological state, namely Iran. They view Iraq as a host country, so they will remain and continue by all means and methods.

Anyone who thinks that these factions will give up their weapons is mistaken, because this contradicts the ideological dimension of these factions. What guarantees the political system will remain if the factions are gone?

What guarantees the continuation of the coordinating framework if the factions are gone?

There is a state with a political system in Iraq, an ideological political system, and there is the Iraqi state, which is a state of constitution and citizenship. Iraq now has an ideological state that has been competing with the Iraqi state since 2003, and this does not apply only to the Shiites, but also to the Sunnis, especially ISIS and al-Qaeda, as they wanted to establish a state at the expense of the Iraqi state, but they have all ended.”

He emphasized: “The US State Department statement consisted of three points, each complementing the others. It not only addressed the importance of dismantling the militias but also preventing any attacks launched from Iraqi territory, in addition to Iraq exercising its full sovereignty. Therefore, the presence of these factions is considered an infringement on Iraqi sovereignty.

Thus, the factions must realistically understand that their chances of survival lie either in clashing with the state or in disbanding. I doubt there is a rosy future in this matter, as the political system does not allow for relinquishing control of the factions. Even one of the leaders of al-Nujaba said that the framework is negotiating with the factions and subtly hinting to them not to give up their weapons. How can the political system protect itself, which came to power after isolating Sunni and Shiite political forces? Through achievements? Of course not. Rather, it does so by transforming the system into a police state. The political system employs the factions to protect itself.”

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CENTRAL BANK MOVES TO LOWER DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE AGAINST IRAQI DINAR

The Central Bank of Iraq has taken a new set of measures aimed at reducing the gap between the official and parallel exchange rates, and restoring stability to the dollar exchange rates in local markets.  

An informed source at the Central Bank of Iraq stated that these measures were taken due to the rise in the exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar in local markets on Saturday, exceeding the level of 160,000 dinars per 100 dollars.

The bank continues to take measures and policies to develop the banking environment, raise the efficiency of the financial system, and provide the necessary elements to support sustainable economic growth, thereby achieving long-term financial stability and maintaining the stability of the exchange rate and the integrity of financial channels.

Earlier yesterday, the Central Bank of Iraq confirmed that it continues to finance foreign trade according to approved purposes and channels, while noting that foreign reserves meet all demands for foreign currency.

The bank said in a statement that “in light of what some media outlets are reporting about rising prices and a slowdown in market activity, the Central Bank of Iraq announces that it has sufficient foreign reserves to meet the demands for foreign currency for financing foreign trade, settling bank cards, and travelers’ requests for cash dollars at the official approved exchange rate.”

He added that “the rise in the exchange rate in the local markets is due to market speculation, expectations, and the misuse of geopolitical conditions in the region to disrupt the economic and financial situation by some beneficiaries of this situation,” stressing “his continued financing of foreign trade according to the approved purposes and channels, in a way that ensures the smooth flow of imports and the provision of the needs of the local market.”

According to the statement, the Central Bank of Iraq called on citizens to “rely exclusively on official information and data issued by it, and not to be swayed by news or information circulating through unreliable sources,” indicating that in case of any violations or inquiries, citizens can submit complaints and reports through the official complaints website of the Central Bank of Iraq.

Burathanews.com

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THE ABSENCE OF A FEDERAL LAW ON OIL AND GAS SINCE 2007

National Wealth Unit

The absence of a federal law on oil and gas since 2007 until today has led to alternating periods of stagnation and escalating conflicts between the federal government and the producing provinces. Throughout that period, there were no serious intentions to resolve this vital issue related to the state’s economy, which allowed for a competitive war of corruption, smuggling, and the exorbitant enrichment of many figures and names who established financial empires that could finance the budgets of small countries in our regional vicinity.

 This law, for those who do not know it, represents the basic pillar of the structure of the economy, which is subject to the dominance of oil revenues by (90 percent). Its enactment will enhance the confidence of international investors and support the exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar through the flow of hard currency and establish fair mechanisms for the distribution of revenues. In addition to providing an investment environment for the development of fields and the investment of associated gas, the existence of a stable legislative framework encourages global energy companies to double production to confront the shocks of declining revenues and absorb financial disputes.

 The Oil and Gas Law embodies the people’s ownership of their national wealth, as confirmed by Article (111) of the Iraqi Constitution, which is the supreme and highest law in the country. This article stipulates that oil and gas are the property of the Iraqi people in all regions and governorates. It also regulates how this national wealth is to be held by the state and under the control of the federal government, taking into account the fair and just distribution of its revenues in proportion to the population distribution throughout the country, as indicated by Article (112) of the Iraqi Constitution. 

On another front, the enactment of this law establishes a mechanism for distributing a portion of the profits generated from crude oil sales to several funds, including a Citizen’s Fund, a Reconstruction Fund, a Generations Fund, and other long-term financial reserves. Since the fall of the regime until today, some oil- and gas-producing provinces may have suffered injustice. The management of the country’s wealth must be exclusively in the hands of the federal government, and its revenues must be distributed fairly and equitably according to population size. This can only be guaranteed by the Oil and Gas Law, as it is not merely a passing piece of legislation, but rather the cornerstone for restructuring the Iraqi economy.

The continued obstruction of such a law for years, 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 financial instability. Therefore, it has become imperative for the House of Representatives to end the state of conflicting constitutional interpretations and reliance on temporary understandings, and to establish fair mechanisms for distributing revenues between the federal government and the producing regions and governorates, and to put an end to the duality of oil policies and protect the unity of national wealth.”  

As for the contentious clauses, the best solution lies in adopting a consensual formulation that guarantees the producing governorates a wider scope in managing their affairs, while the sovereign decision to contract and market remains unified in the hands of the federal government. Continuing to obstruct this law is not a strategic option, but rather a sacrifice of Iraq’s future for immediate political gains. It is time for the political forces to overcome their differences and put the national interest above all considerations, in order to find a real entry point for economic reform and financial stability.

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THE WEAPONS DEADLINE IS TO BUY TIME… AND THE FACTIONS DID NOT AGREE

The Iraqi newspaper Al-Mada, in a report followed by Al-Mustaqilla, revealed new details regarding the deadline proposed for limiting the weapons of armed factions, amid a clear difference between the Iraqi vision and the American position regarding the nature of the steps that should be taken and the fate of the weapons during the next stage.

According to the report, sources and analysts believe that the new date proposed for addressing the weapons issue may be more of an attempt to buy more time than a final and binding timetable for handing over the factions’ arsenal, especially in light of the fact that a final agreement has not yet been reached with them.

The newspaper pointed out that there is a fundamental difference in the terminology used between Baghdad and Washington. While Iraqi parties speak of “restricting weapons,” “regulating them,” and integrating factions into state institutions and the Popular Mobilization Forces, American parties use expressions such as “dismantling militias” and integrating weapons with the army, which reflects a continuing gap in perceptions between the two sides.

Al-Mada quoted informed sources as saying that the talks with the factions, which were said to have lasted for about 40 days, were not continuous negotiations, but rather witnessed pauses and changes in the negotiators, and did not ultimately reach a final agreement on the handover of weapons or mechanisms for dealing with them.

According to the same sources, talk of a new deadline came after a question was raised within the coordination framework regarding the period needed for the weapons inventory file, with one of the proposed answers being that about eight months might be sufficient, before the new date appeared just before Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi headed to New York.

The newspaper’s sources linked the timing of the new schedule to American pressure regarding the arms file and to an attempt to avoid a political or security confrontation when the previous deadline expires on September 30, 2026. The sources described this path as potentially providing the government with additional time to address the issue.

The factions have not announced their approval.

On the other hand, there are still no indications that all armed factions have agreed to give up their weapons.

In a post published on September 22, Abdul Qadir al-Karbalai, the military aide to the al-Nujaba Movement, confirmed the movement’s continued stance on the survival of what it calls the “resistance” and the Popular Mobilization Forces, using harsh rhetoric towards US President Donald Trump and US envoy Tom Barrack.

According to Al-Mada’s report, this position reinforces questions about the ability of any government timetable to turn into a viable agreement unless the government obtains clear approvals from the relevant factions.

Baghdad and Washington: A dispute that goes beyond the deadline

The newspaper quoted Ihsan al-Shammari, a professor of strategic and international politics at Baghdad University, as saying that the success of al-Zaidi’s government in obtaining the Trump administration’s approval to extend the deadline for restricting weapons is not a foregone conclusion.

According to Al-Shammari’s analysis, the disagreement is not limited to the duration of implementation, but extends to the definition of the process itself. While Washington, in his estimation, adheres to the concept of “disarmament,” the Iraqi vision is moving towards “regulating weapons” and confining them to state institutions.

The information reported by Al-Mada indicates that there is more than one formula being put forward within the Iraqi political forces, including “restricting weapons to the state” and “regulating weapons with the state,” which are expressions that carry an important political and security difference regarding the future of the factions and their arsenal.

According to the sources, it has not yet been decided whether the weapons will be placed in warehouses belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces or transferred to other security institutions, given the objections and lack of confidence among some factions regarding the proposed storage options.

A new schedule is on the table in New York.

Researcher and politician Zulfiqar Hussein, as quoted by the newspaper, believes that Al-Zaidi’s visit to New York and the meetings he is holding on the sidelines of the United Nations meetings provide an opportunity to present the government’s vision regarding the management of the weapons file.

According to Hussein, the government may try to convince the American side that restructuring the security file needs additional time, and may link the implementation of the weapons control plan to economic and investment files and broader agreements with the United States and other countries.

However, he estimated that any potential US extension, if it were to occur, would likely be time-limited, given Washington’s desire to obtain a clear program that moves from political pledges to concrete steps on the ground.

In conclusion, the data reported by Al-Mada reveals that the essence of the crisis is no longer related only to setting a new date, but to the more complex question: Is the intention to dismantle the factions’ weapons and hand them over to the state, or to organize them and reintegrate them into the security institutions?

Between these two options, the implementation of any new deadline remains contingent on the position of the factions themselves, on understandings between Baghdad and Washington, and on the ability of the Iraqi government to translate pledges and timetables into actual actions on the ground.

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AL-SALEHI WARNS OF BARAK’S PLAN TO END THE ROLE OF THE RESISTANCE AND DISARM IT.

 On Thursday, Abdul Sattar al-Salihi, a leader in the Anbar Alliance, warned against the plan of US envoy Tom Barrack, which aims to disarm the resistance and end its deterrent role in the region. 

Al-Salihi told Al-Maalouma News Agency, “The plan of the American envoy, Tom Barak, to Iraq has been exposed to everyone and its features have become clear after Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi demanded the preparation of a plan to hand over the weapons of the resistance and end its deterrent role in the region. However, this demand was met with rejection, and the resistance confirmed that its weapons will not be handed over until the last foreign soldier leaves Iraqi territory, and the country’s sovereignty is prevented from being violated, and foreign interference in internal affairs is rejected. These are conditions prepared by specialists that are consistent with the demands of the people, who reject the foreign occupation in all its forms.” 

He added that “Tom Barak’s plan paves the way for ending the role of the resistance and allowing the Peshmerga and Asayish forces to retain their weapons as a military force outside the authority of the federal government, in a clearly defined scheme to strengthen one side over the other in an equation that appears to be the end of a conspiracy directed against the resistance by the axis of evil.

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HEZBOLLAH CALLS ON THE IRAQI PEOPLE TO BREAK THE SIEGE ON IRAN

(Mnt Goat: Can it get any clearer now why Iranian factions inside Iraq are stalling for time and resisting disarmament.)

Hezbollah in Iraq, according to a statement it published today, Thursday, September 24, described what it called “entities and companies that participated in the air blockade on Iran” as “without dignity,” and called for the purchase of Iranian goods.

The party said, according to what Baghdad Today received, that the companies and entities “that agreed to submit to the unjust American decisions in exchange for crumbs of interests have chosen for themselves the role of the submissive backer of the American-Zionist decisions,” stressing, “they are entities without dignity,” in reference to the decision to impose an air embargo on Iranian airlines.

In its statement, the party issued what it called a “call to the Iraqi people” to break the siege imposed on Iran, declaring, “We call upon the sons of the Iraqi people to break this siege by every possible means in support of the brotherly Iranian people, especially by supporting its products and encouraging their exchange.”

It is noted that air handling companies operating at Iraqi airports have begun implementing the US sanctions on Iranian airlines for fear of being subjected to direct economic sanctions.

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IRAQ’S FM: NEW WEAPONS CONTROL PLAN COMING, ECONOMY IS THE IRAN WAR’S FIRST VICTIM

Fuad Hussein tells reporters Friday that Iraq is entering a new phase after the coalition withdrawal, is discussing Bessent’s Iranian airline sanctions with Washington, and that negotiations on weapons handover with armed factions are ongoing

 Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced on Friday, September 25, 2026, that the government is preparing a new plan to address the issue of unlicensed weapons and bring arms under state control, warned that Iraq’s economy is the first casualty of the Iran war currently engulfing the region, and confirmed that Iraq is in discussions with the United States about the sanctions imposed on aviation services for Iranian aircraft landing at Iraqi airports.

“After the completion of the international coalition’s withdrawal process from Iraq, a new phase begins,” Hussein told reporters on Friday, framing the September 30 coalition departure as a turning point rather than a security vacuum.

On the weapons control file, Hussein said: “The issue is an internal Iraqi matter, and in this regard we are presenting a new plan for this file. Negotiations and discussions regarding the handover of weapons with the relevant parties are ongoing.” The statement confirms that the phased disarmament plan announced by Prime Minister al-Zaidi at the UN General Assembly this week, setting June 30, 2027, as the new deadline with a 90-day mutual ceasefire as its first phase, remains an active negotiation rather than a concluded agreement, with Baghdad still in dialogue with the armed factions about the terms of compliance.

Iraq’s Economy: The War’s First Victim

Hussein’s most striking statement came in his warning about the economic consequences of the regional conflict for Iraq. “Iraq’s economy is the first victim of the war currently taking place in the region related to Iran,” he said, in the most direct Iraqi official acknowledgment yet of the concrete economic damage that the US-Iran war has inflicted on Baghdad. The war has disrupted Iraq’s oil export revenues, generated instability in energy markets, created volatility in the Iraqi dinar, and placed Baghdad in the politically difficult position of being caught between its American partners and its Iranian neighbors simultaneously.

Iranian Airline Sanctions

On the aviation sanctions announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on September 22, 2026, grounding all Iranian airlines worldwide from September 23, Hussein confirmed that Iraq is discussing the matter with the United States. He clarified that Iran has been formally notified by Iraq of the decision to ban Iranian aircraft from Iraqi airports, a diplomatic step that places Baghdad in compliance with the American sanctions framework while managing the notification through official channels rather than unilateral action.

The Iranian airline shutdown, which Bessent announced by threatening dollar system exclusion for any entity worldwide that fuels, services, or sells tickets to Iranian aircraft, directly affects Iraqi airports that had been servicing Iranian carriers throughout the conflict. Hussein’s confirmation that Iraq is coordinating with Washington on implementation and has formally notified the Iranian side reflects Baghdad’s attempt to manage the compliance requirement without further inflaming its relationship with Tehran at a moment when the diplomatic environment is showing its first positive movements in months.

The foreign minister’s statements on Friday come as Iraq navigates its most diplomatically complex week since al-Zaidi took office, with the coalition withdrawal five days away, the militia disarmament file still unresolved, the Saudi pipeline drone attack from Iraqi territory generating regional pressure, and the indirect US-Iran talks through Qatar and at the UNGA margins producing the first concrete Iranian proposal for a Hormuz deal in months.

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AMERICAN WEBSITE: US INVESTMENT, FINANCIAL INFLUENCE, AND INTELLIGENCE COOPERATION WILL REMAIN IN IRAQ AFTER THE WITHDRAWAL.

A report by the American news website Oil Price indicated that the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq at the end of this month does not mean the end of American influence and interests in the country, but rather a transition to building long-term communication across the fields of economy, investment, security, intelligence and financial cooperation, as Iraq still needs American and Western technological expertise in the field of energy, infrastructure and reform of the banking sector, especially cooperation in the field of combating terrorism and priority in confronting any possible return of ISIS.

The report argues that this withdrawal should not be seen as the end of Washington’s relationship with Baghdad, but rather as an opportunity to redefine it. The United States will retain influence in Iraq, but it will have to exercise that influence in different ways. The challenge lies in shifting from direct control to indirect influence. Washington will still possess significant instruments of power, including the dollar-based global financial system, sanctions, arms sales, intelligence cooperation, diplomatic leverage, investment, technology, and access to Western markets.

The post-withdrawal relationship should become less focused on security and more comprehensive and strategic. The United States can continue to provide defense assistance and counterterrorism cooperation, particularly in the face of a potential resurgence of ISIS, which will remain a key priority.

However, the economic aspect may become even more important. Iraq needs American and Western technology and investment in energy, electricity, infrastructure, banking, transportation, and other sectors. Thus, the United States can maintain its influence through trade and investment relations, rather than relying on a military presence.
The report notes that this approach is consistent with the 2008 US-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, which stipulated that cooperation between the two countries should extend beyond the defense field to include diplomacy, the economy, energy, education, and other areas.

The report notes that US financial leverage will remain even after the withdrawal of US troops. Iraq’s oil revenues are integrated into the dollar-based international financial system, and Iraqi banks rely on access to dollar transactions and international correspondent banking networks.

Washington demonstrated this leverage in 2026 when it restricted cash dollar shipments to Iraq amid concerns about Iranian-backed militias and illicit financial activities. These restrictions were later eased after Baghdad took steps that included strengthening financial controls, reforming the banking sector, and disarming armed groups. The question remains: Will Washington halt dollar shipments again if the militias defy the September 30 deadline?

This gives Washington a powerful tool for exerting influence after the military withdrawal. It can restrict access to the international financial system, impose sanctions on banks and individuals, and pressure Iraqi institutions to prevent money laundering and sanctions evasion. Iraqi banks seeking access to the international financial system must adhere to international standards of transparency, anti-money laundering, and sanctions compliance.

The more Baghdad manages to rein in armed factions, improve oversight of the banking system, and prevent money laundering and sanctions circumvention, the more American investment it can attract, the more defense cooperation it can expand, and the more integrated it can be into the international financial system. Conversely, those who continue to carry out armed attacks, engage in money laundering, or violate sanctions could face targeted financial measures and sanctions.

The report notes that Washington supports the principle of all armed groups being subordinate to the civilian government and the military chain of command, but it should be cautious in demanding that Baghdad disarm all factions immediately. There seems to be a consensus among Iraqis that armed factions will not begin handing over their weapons to Baghdad until after September 30.

Many of these factions are not merely armed groups; they have political parties, parliamentary representation, businesses, and social networks, and some are even officially part of the Iraqi security apparatus. Attempting to eliminate them all at once could trigger a civil war, leading to political disintegration and economic collapse.
Accordingly, September 30 should be viewed as a significant political milestone, not a deadline for the disarmament of all factions, even though it is noteworthy to hear Americans complaining about private entities possessing weapons. Washington should insist that progress toward state control be genuine and irreversible, leaving the determination of the appropriate pace and mechanisms to Baghdad.

The report indicates that Iraq in 2026 is not the Iraq of 2011, at the time of the American withdrawal. Today’s Iraqi political elite increasingly views the strategic partnership with the United States as a necessity, at a time when political competition is gradually shifting from identity-based divisions to competition over issues and programs. This makes sectarian polarization less appealing and strengthens the United States’ position as a partner that provides investment, technology, and prosperity.

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THE U.S. HAS MORE LEVERAGE IN IRAQ THAN IT THINKS

By James Durso – Sep 22, 2026  

The U.S. withdrawal should mark a shift from control to influence, with Washington relying more on investment, financial leverage, intelligence and defense cooperation rather than a permanent military presence.

Militia reform should be gradual and Iraqi-led.

Washington still holds considerable leverage after withdrawal, particularly through the dollar system, sanctions and Western investment, but using those tools coercively could ultimately weaken U.S. influence.

If U.S. forces leave Iraq by 30 September 2026, Washington should view the departure not as the end of its relationship with Baghdad but as an opportunity to redefine it. The U.S. will retain influence in Iraq, but it will have to exercise that influence differently. America’s challenge will be transitioning from control to influence.

For two decades, the military presence gave Washington an extraordinary degree of leverage over Iraq. Once U.S. troops leave, leverage will diminish, but the U.S. will retain important instruments of power: the U.S. Dollar-based financial system, sanctions, defense sales, intelligence cooperation, diplomatic influence, investment, technology, and access to Western markets. But will Washington use those instruments to influence Iraqi choices or try to use them to attempt to control Baghdad?

The latter approach will probably fail.

The post-withdrawal relationship should become less securitized and more broadly strategic. Washington can continue providing defense assistance and counterterrorism cooperation, particularly against an Islamic State resurgence, which will remain important.

But economics may become more important. Iraq needs American and Western technology and investment in energy, electricity, infrastructure, banking, transportation, and other sectors. America can maintain its influence through commercial relationships rather than military occupation.

Related: Saudi Arabia Restarts East-West Oil Pipeline

This would be consistent with the 2008 U.S.–Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, which envisioned cooperation extending beyond defense into diplomacy, economics, energy, education, and other fields.

American financial power will remain when American troops leave. Iraq’s oil revenues are integrated into the international dollar system, and Iraqi banks depend on access to dollar transactions and correspondent banking.

Washington demonstrated this leverage in 2026 by restricting physical-dollar shipments to Iraq amid concerns about Iran-backed militias and illicit financial activity. The restrictions were eased after Baghdad took steps involving financial controls, banking reform, and militia disarmament. Will Washington stop dollar shipments if the militias defy the 30 September mandate?

This gives Washington a powerful post-withdrawal instrument. It can restrict access to the international financial system, sanction banks and individuals, and pressure Iraqi institutions to prevent money laundering, sanctions evasion, and militia financing.

But there is a distinction between protecting the integrity of the U.S. Dollar system and using the dollar to dictate Iraqi political decisions. The former is legitimate and sustainable, but the latter could encourage Baghdad to seek alternatives to the dollar.

A smarter policy is conditional access: Iraqi oil revenues remain Iraqi revenues, but Iraqi banks seeking access to international finance must meet international standards for transparency, anti-money-laundering enforcement, and sanctions compliance.

The most complicated issue will be Iraq’s Iran-aligned militias, “the resistance” in the eyes of many Iraqis.

Washington should support the principle that all armed formations must answer to the civilian government and the military chain of command, but it should be cautious about demanding that Baghdad disarm every militia immediately.

One thing Iraqis appear to agree on is that the militias will not start surrendering weapons to Baghdad until after 30 September. Hopefully, the American embassy is keeping the White House apprised of this, so we do not wake up on 1 October to a storm of angry tweets.

Many militias are not simply armed gangs. They have political parties, parliamentary representation, businesses, social networks, and some are officially part of Iraq’s security structure. Trying to eliminate them simultaneously could start a civil war, triggering political fragmentation, economic deterioration, and Iranian intervention.

Consequently, 30 September should be a political milestone rather than a deadline for collecting every militia weapon, though it is odd to hear Americans complaining about private ownership of firearms. Washington should insist that progress toward state control be genuine and irreversible while allowing Baghdad to determine the pace and mechanics.

The objective should be transformation instead of immediate demobilization. Iraqis remember the violent consequences of America’s heedless decision in 2003 to suddenly disband Iraq’s army. Many of the cashiered soldiers joined the resistance against the U.S. -led coalition, and their officers helped organize the Islamic State. Militia personnel who accept Baghdad’s authority can join the military or police, while independent chains of command, unauthorized military operations, and heavy weapons gradually disappear, though the economic enterprises may become assets of allied political parties.

Disarmament needs specific conditions. From Northern Ireland to Bosnia, successful militia transitions required three items:  a strong state, political and economic incentives, and voluntary disarmament. Iraq lacks these conditions, making externally imposed disarmament a potential trigger for civil conflict.

Several militias recently proposed putting the heavy weapons into storage, but under their control, and refraining from military activity for two years; Baghdad rejected the offer and negotiations are ongoing. Also proposed was the demobilization of the Kurdish militia, the

Peshmerga, but Washington will probably oppose that as the armed Kurds are a useful “thumb on the scale” in Iraq and regionally, and Iraq’s constitution allows the Kurdish Regional Government to establish and organize its own internal security forces. (However, in Fiscal Year 2027, the Pentagon has proposed slashing funding for Kurdish security forces.)

Washington should also avoid demanding that Iraq choose between the United States and Iran. Iraq’s geography, history, religious ties, and economic relationships make a substantial relationship with Iran inevitable. The U.S. administration’s “Operation Economic Outcast” is aimed at Iran but will probably hit Iraq, which cannot afford more economic disruption as it is still recovering from three wars and decades of economic sanctions. And like Russians in the 1990s, many Iraqis may associate the Americans’ gift of “democracy” with disorder and privation.

An Iraqi politician can be pro-Iran. Iraq can trade with Iran. Iraq can buy Iranian electricity. None of those things threaten American interests and are more about Washington’s grievances with Tehran than Iraqi sovereignty.

The red line should instead be whether Iranian influence operates through Iraqi politics or through an Iranian-backed parallel military structure inside Iraq. A mature Washington will tolerate some Iranian influence while opposing Iranian control over Iraqi armed forces, borders, or illicit financial networks.

American financial leverage can also be used to strengthen rather than undermine Iraqi sovereignty. Instead of telling Baghdad, “Disarm by 30 September or face punishment,” Washington could establish a positive relationship between Iraqi institutional performance and American cooperation.

Greater control over armed groups, stronger banking regulation, and protection against sanctions evasion could produce greater American investment, defense cooperation, and access to financial markets. Conversely, militia attacks, money laundering, and systematic sanctions evasion could trigger targeted sanctions and financial restrictions.

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WHY IS THE DOLLAR RISING? PARLIAMENTARIANS DEMAND THE REASONS BE REVEALED BEFORE PARLIAMENT.

  Member of Parliament Ghufran Al-Shammari called on the government and the Central Bank yesterday to take urgent measures to limit the fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate and reduce the gap between the official rate and the parallel market rate, warning of the impact of the rise on purchasing power and the prices of goods and services.

Al-Shammari said, in a press conference attended by a correspondent from (Al-Mada), that the rise of the dollar has direct effects on the cost of living and commercial and economic activity, which calls for coordinated institutional action to protect citizens, especially those with limited and middle incomes.

She referred to the Central Bank’s statement issued on September 19, 2026, which confirmed the adequacy of its foreign reserves and the continued financing of foreign trade through official channels, and attributed the rise in the exchange rate to speculation and exploitation of expectations and geopolitical conditions, demanding that these clarifications be translated into practical and transparent measures that restore stability to the market.

Al-Shammari called for ensuring the smooth flow of foreign trade financing and meeting legitimate demands for foreign currency, while simplifying banking procedures and tightening control over speculation, manipulation, money laundering and currency smuggling operations.

It also called on the Central Bank to issue periodic statements clarifying the size of the demand for the dollar, foreign currency sales, the reasons for the change in the exchange rate, and the measures taken to address it, in order to limit rumors and misleading information that affect the markets.

She stressed the need to activate coordination between the government, the central bank, the ministries of finance, trade, and planning, and regulatory bodies to address the causes of the increase, as well as to protect the incomes of employees, retirees, and vulnerable groups from the effects of inflation.

Al-Shammari called for a detailed report to be submitted to the House of Representatives that includes the reasons for the rise of the dollar, the size of foreign reserves, trade financing mechanisms, and the challenges facing monetary and fiscal policies, with the identification of measurable corrective measures, stressing that the stability of the dinar requires an integrated economic policy that supports local production and enhances confidence in the banking system.

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AMERICAN COMPANIES ARE WAITING… INTENSIVE IRAQI NEGOTIATIONS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF FACTIONS’ WEAPONS.

  An informed source revealed on Saturday that private meetings are continuing between the Quartet Committee and the leaders of the armed resistance factions, with the aim of reaching final agreements on the management, storage and organization of weapons, stressing that resolving this issue paves the way for more than 40 American companies to enter Iraq to start their projects.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi asked the political leaders within the coordination framework, specifically the four-party committee concerned with negotiating with the factions, to intensify dialogues and meetings to reach understandings that end the controversy over the management and organization of weapons, in a manner consistent with the interest of Iraq and the region.”

He added that “Washington demanded from al-Zaidi guarantees that American companies, which number more than 40 investment companies in various fields, would not be targeted by resistance factions.”

According to the source, an important meeting will be held under the auspices of the Prime Minister after his return from Washington, between the Quartet Committee emanating from the Coordination Framework and the leaders of the factions that are hesitant to hand over weapons, in the presence of the Iranian ambassador or his representative, to discuss limiting and regulating the management of weapons officially, and to ensure that American companies that will arrive in Iraq after the official withdrawal of American forces from the country are not targeted.

He pointed out that “the meeting will also discuss the issue of integrating elements of those factions into the Popular Mobilization Forces within three months,” noting that “the faction leaders reject this, but their position may change after the meeting, and everyone is counting on that.”

For his part, Abdul Rahman al-Jazaeri, a leader in the National Oath Movement, which is part of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that “the leaders of the four factions with whom negotiations are being conducted by the Quadripartite Committee have demanded the enactment of a special law to restrict, manage and regulate weapons by the House of Representatives, so that it acquires legal and official status, and preserves the rights of those factions under one name in the Popular Mobilization Forces.”

Al-Jazairi explained that “the issue of restricting weapons has become directly linked to the Iraqi-American relationship, as it is no longer an internal matter.”

He continued, saying that “the Prime Minister will work upon his return to expedite the procedures for completing the cabinet, especially the Ministries of Interior and Defense, given that the withdrawal process, according to the approved protocol, requires that the handover and American withdrawal be carried out through the signing of an official protocol with the ministers concerned with the security file, and therefore it is necessary to choose the Ministers of Interior and Defense.”

In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi stressed that one of his government’s priorities is for the state to be the decision-maker in peace and war, emphasizing that weapons and instruments of power must remain in the hands of the constitutional state institutions, and that the law should be the arbiter and the national interest the compass.

The issue of armed factions is one of the most sensitive issues facing the Iraqi government, with the approach of September 30, which the main political forces have set as the deadline for restricting weapons to official institutions.

The State Administration Coalition, which includes the most prominent Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces, stressed during its meeting on August 5 the need to restrict weapons to the state, and considered the parties that carry out activities that threaten the security of the country outside the framework of official institutions as “outlaws and must be fought.”

The coalition warned that any armed activity outside the framework of the state after September 30 would be dealt with according to the anti-terrorism law. Last month, Baghdad witnessed security tensions coinciding with threats by armed factions to retaliate against Saudi Arabia, following strikes targeting Popular Mobilization Forces sites. The tensions ended with contacts and a dawn meeting between Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi and Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri, which led to a mutual calming of tensions and opened the way for diplomatic action to address the crisis.

Al-Amiri later called on the “Islamic Resistance” factions to postpone any military response against Saudi Arabia and to prioritize “Iraq’s higher interest,” but he returned and stressed during a meeting with a number of Popular Mobilization Forces leaders the importance of maintaining a high level of readiness.

The plan to restrict weapons does not have a unified position among the armed factions, as some forces have expressed a willingness to reorganize their military and security relationship with the state.

Other factions, including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, have announced their refusal to give up their military capabilities, and have linked any discussion about their weapons to the end of the presence of foreign forces and ensuring the protection of Iraq from external attacks.

The September 30th date also coincides with the deadlines related to ending the military presence of the international coalition in Iraq, which some factions use as a basis for linking the future of their weapons to the withdrawal of foreign forces.

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THE IRAQI CURRENCY IS A WALL OF MEMORIES FOR SOME AND A “SHAMEFUL” SPACE FOR OTHERS (PHOTOS)

 (Mnt Goat: The only reason why I am bringing this article today is to make the case for the coins that can’t be defaced. These coins are part of removing the zeros effort. Are they trying to make this case now with the citizens via this article? Are they psychologically prepping the people for them?)

Zahraa Khaled bought some necessities from a grocery store, and when she finished, she took out a 25,000 dinar banknote to pay for the purchases, but she noticed that there were “indecent” phrases written on the banknote.

The girl refused to hand the paper to the grocer, and she also did not want to go to the exchange office to exchange it. She thought about going to a bank, but she realized that it might take time to wait, in addition to the transportation costs to the bank. Finally, she gave up and chose to destroy the paper and get rid of it.

For some time now, banknotes have become like a personal memory wall for some Iraqis, on which they write important dates in their lives or to express their emotions and sorrows, while others have made them a space for “indecent” phrases or a canvas for expressive drawings. This is with regard to the local currency. As for the dollar, it is “precious” and only a few dare to deface it with writings, but it has not escaped the stamps of exchange offices.

BIRTH OF LIFE

Citizen Haifa Ali told Shafaq News Agency: “I kept a 25,000 dinar banknote for two years because I wrote the birth date of my first child on it.”

She adds: “I didn’t carry this paper with my money out of pride, but I had to spend it one day because of need,” explaining that what prompted her to record her child’s birth date on a banknote was because “money is precious, and that’s why I wanted to keep this banknote, but need overcame my desire.”

It has become commonplace to see cryptic phrases, girls’ names, or mementos written on local currency. There are also phrases or drawings deemed “offensive,” and even phone numbers.

MONETARY VALUE

Many questions revolve around the extent to which banknotes are affected by writing, and whether writing changes their identity, causes them to lose value, or prevents their circulation.

In this regard, Osama Al-Mushrifawi, owner of an exchange outlet and company, explains that the exchange rate varies depending on the banknote that has writing on it. Writing on the US dollar causes confusion for exchange companies, as many of these companies do not deal with dollar bills that have writing on them.

He points out that exchange offices and companies usually use their own seals to stamp the dollar, “and the high value of the dollar prevents it from being defaced with writings and drawings.”

He adds: “Generally, there is very little writing on the dollar compared to the local currency,” adding, “Also, company and exchange stamps are used in dealing with the fifty thousand Iraqi dinar note due to the prevalence of counterfeiting in this denomination.”

UNCIVILIZED PHENOMENON

Citizen Mu’ayyad Abdul Hamid believes that writing on banknotes is an uncivilized phenomenon.

He adds in an interview with Shafaq News Agency that “writing on banknotes   harms others because it sometimes makes the currency unusable. As for me, I have banknotes from the 1960s with phrases and phone numbers written on them, and this indicates that this phenomenon is old in Iraqi society.”

For his part, economist Mustafa Hantoush told Shafaq News Agency that the phenomenon of writing on currency causes it to be consumed quickly, and this is not in line with monetary policy.

He adds that “the consumption of currency costs considerable sums, as some banknotes become unfit for circulation,” stressing that some banknotes bearing writings give the impression that this currency is counterfeit and needs to be examined. “The process of defacing currency is unacceptable and does not help in preserving the value of money, and the media must play an active role in stimulating awareness in preserving currency instead of defacing it.”

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES

With the spread of this phenomenon, questions are being raised about the legal position on these practices, and whether they affect the validity of the banknote for circulation, which is explained by legal expert Ali Al-Tamimi in an interview with Shafaq News Agency.

He says that Iraqi law differentiates between counterfeiting currency and defacing or writing on it, explaining that counterfeiting or imitating banknotes is a felony according to the Penal Code No. 111 of 1969, while the Central Bank of Iraq Law No. 56 of 2004 dealt with the penalties related to deliberately minting or possessing counterfeit currency.

Al-Tamimi explains that “writing, drawing, or placing seals on banknotes does not fall under the crime of counterfeiting, but it is considered a case of defacing or damaging the currency,” noting that the Central Bank has set controls to determine which banknotes are valid and which are not valid for circulation, including banknotes that contain writings or seals or have been damaged.

He adds that a banknote that contains writing or a stamp and does not significantly affect its external appearance may be classified as unfit for circulation, and its holder will be compensated according to regulations, provided that it is withdrawn from circulation and referred to the Central Bank for the purpose of destroying it.

Al-Tamimi points out that “responsibility varies according to the nature of the act. Just because a paper with writing on it reaches a person in daily transactions does not mean that he has committed a violation, while responsibility may arise when the currency is deliberately defaced or damaged to a large extent.”

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MP AMER ABDUL-JABBAR CALLS FOR AMENDING ECONOMIC POLICIES TO STOP THE “BLEEDING OF WEALTH” IN THE DOLLAR MARKET.

MP Amer Abdul Jabbar revealed on Saturday (September 26, 2026) statistics with figures relating to the size of the losses resulting from the price gap between the official exchange rate of the dollar and its price in the parallel market.

Abdul-Jabbar said in a statement received by “Baghdad Today” that “the losses of the Iraqi people as a result of the price gap during the period of the previous government amounted to more than 27 billion and 312 million dollars,” indicating that “the average daily losses during that period amounted to about 21 million dollars every 24 hours.”

Abdul-Jabbar added that “the losses continued to record more than $2 billion and 155 million during the current government’s term until the end of last July,” noting that “the price difference rose in the current month of September to 290 dinars per dollar, which is the highest since 2003.”

Abdul Jabbar called on the Prime Minister to “urgently review economic, monetary, financial and trade policies to stop the bleeding of national wealth and transform it into sources that enhance the economic capabilities of the state and the people instead of depleting it.”

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FUAD HUSSEIN ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON: WE WANT A POLITICAL AND SECURITY PARTNERSHIP AND WE WILL DISCUSS THIS IN THE MOST IMPORTANT THINK TANKS.

 Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced on Sunday (September 27, 2026) his arrival in Washington, D.C., to hold meetings with the U.S. administration, with the aim of moving the two countries’ relations towards a broader partnership based on developing political, security and economic cooperation, noting that the discussions that will bring the two countries together will be in the most important think tanks in the U.S. capital.

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IRAQ BETWEEN OIL AND THE DOLLAR

 The Iraqi oil crisis is no longer fundamentally a production crisis, but rather a crisis of access, cost, and marketing flexibility.

The economic value of a barrel is not realized at the wellhead, but rather upon its arrival at the market and its conversion into actual revenue for the state. Hence, the Strait of Hormuz crisis has redefined the concept of energy security for Iraq, not only in terms of reserve size or production capacity, but also in the state’s ability to guarantee exportability and maintain the highest possible net return per barrel.

During September, Iraq’s exports averaged around 2.6 million barrels per day, according to the Ministry of Oil, indicating a recovery of a significant portion of the flows after the declines imposed by the crisis. However, this was achieved within a high-risk and costly logistical environment. 

The fundamental problem is that Iraq has a highly concentrated geographical area in its export system, with the majority of its exports relying on its southern ports and then transiting the Strait of Hormuz. When this maritime passage becomes a geopolitical chokepoint, the risks immediately extend to tanker rates, insurance, and crude oil pricing. The Iraqi oil minister stated that the cost of transporting Iraqi crude had risen from approximately $26 to $37 per barrel, while Saudi Arabia described regional shipping costs as having reached exceptional levels due to the war and disruptions to maritime navigation. 

In response, the government, the Ministry of Oil, and the State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) moved toward a more flexible management of Iraqi crude: expanding the buyer base, using price incentives to maintain market share, and leveraging the expanded ship-to-ship (STS) network in the Gulf of Oman to reduce the time large tankers are exposed to the risks of the Strait of Hormuz.

The northern route was also revitalized, and a pilot program was launched to transport crude from the south to Kirkuk by truck to boost exports to Ceyhan. However, overland transport remains a limited-capacity tactical solution and cannot be economically comparable to large-capacity pipelines. 

Most importantly, there are the economics of the barrel. ADNOC purchased large quantities of Iraqi crude during August and September at discounts ranging from approximately $18 to $27 per barrel in some deals. This flexibility helped market volumes that might otherwise have struggled to reach buyers, but it also means that increased export volumes do not necessarily translate into a proportional increase in revenue. 

Here, a distinction must be made between three indicators:

1.the global price of oil,

2.the actual selling price of Iraqi crude,

3.and the net return or “netback” after accounting for pricing differences, logistical costs, and risks.

Brent crude may rise, but Iraq may not fully benefit from this increase if discounts widen and transportation and risk premiums rise.

This equation leads directly to the dollar. The selling price in Baghdad’s exchange shops exceeded 160,000 dinars per 100 dollars on September 19, before declining to about 157,750 dinars by the close of trading on September 22. 

Technically, the rise of the dollar cannot be automatically linked to the decline in oil exports. There is a difference between the flow of sovereign oil revenues and the supply of dollars in the local market. The central bank affirmed the adequacy of its foreign reserves to meet legitimate demand and attributed the rise in the parallel market to speculation, expectations, and geopolitical conditions. Nevertheless, the structural relationship remains clear: oil is the primary source of foreign currency and public finance, and therefore, the continued erosion of net revenue per barrel gradually reduces the financial margin available to the state.

The strategic lesson of the crisis is that Iraq needs to move from managing exports to building export security: multiple outlets, alternative pipelines, strategic storage, greater national capacity in maritime transport, and marketing flexibility that reduces the cost of risks.

The real measure is no longer how many barrels Iraq exports, but how many net dollars it retains from each barrel, and the extent to which this revenue can support the budget, reserves, and the stability of the dinar. Here, the oil file shifts from managing quantities to managing value and economic security.

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FULL US WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ: OFFICIAL REVEALS COMPLETION OF OPERATION

An Iraqi government official announced on Sunday the completion of the US troop withdrawal from Iraq, noting that all combat and logistical support forces have left the country.

The official told the German Press Agency (DPA) that the withdrawal process is fully complete, although there has been no official confirmation from the US side yet. Iraq and the United States had agreed on a timeline to end the US military presence in the country. According to the US Department of Defense, approximately 2,500 US troops had been stationed in Iraq in recent years.

Prior to the withdrawal, US forces were deployed across Erbil in the Kurdistan Region, a base near Baghdad Airport, and locations within the capital’s Green Zone.

US forces had returned to Iraq in 2014—at the request of the Iraqi government and as part of the international coalition to combat ISIS—three years after their withdrawal following the 2003 US invasion of the country.

(Mnt Goat: No this last sentence is incorrect. It was rather two years after their withdrawal following the president Obama era pullout in 2012. Why did they forget about this pullout that happened and left the void for ISIS to come in. This is important to remember. Will something like this happen again once the US is out and the militias and factions are gone? Remember ISIS is not part of Iranian influence and work as a terrorist group on their own. They raid countries for their funding.)

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

Auf Wiedersehen

Much love to ya all,

Mnt Goat

a

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER:

September 22, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

More news today about disarming the Iranian-backed Factions operating inside Iraq. In fact, this is again just about all the news there is and is a major concern now inside Iraq. This new plan comes with a new extended timetable and comes with a complication of other issues associated with it. One of which may be our timetable for removing the zeros and the later reinstatement. How will President Trump react to this new plan (extended plan way beyond Sept 30th) to disarm the terrorist factions inside Iraq? What will happen to the overall security of Iraq once the US completes it’s part of the agreement to pull out by Sept 30th yet leaving the Factions inside Iraq for nine more months? Will this new plan backfire on Iran as the US might decide to just delay its pullout too? So many questions and we hope to answer many of them in today’s ‘Latest Mnt Goat Newsletter’.

GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT

I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are.

 Let’s all try to chip in!

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1 John 3:17

Warns that if someone has resources but ignores another’s need, God’s love cannot dwell in them.

STATUS OF THE RV

The news this week is a lot like last week just more detailed since we have more details shared by Iraq. It is mostly about the resistance of the Iranian factions inside Iraq that are resisting the disarmament process and want to delay it. What will Trump do? So, here we are again dealing with this ongoing saga of disarmament.

I know this saga may seem boring and the tendency may be to ignore the news today. If you did you would be doing yourself an injustice since it is chock-full of details on how this may all play out. You do want your RV by January 2027, don’t you?

Why do we have so many ‘ongoing sagas’ when it comes to Iraq?

UPDATE: On disarming the militias/factions:

Speaking about being a SECURE and SOVERIEGN Iraq, what about the Iranian militias and factions?

Today’s news is all about extending the Sept 30^th deadline to disarm the Iranian-backed militia and factions inside Iraq.

There are only eight (8) more days until the deadline of the end of the month is here. Will the Iranian backed Factions in Iraq be disarmed, as agreed to by Al-Zaidi last July in his visit to Washington with president Trump? According to the recent news Al-Zaidi was expected to revisit Washington this week, on his trip also to the UN.

I just want everyone to remember that this issue of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) which is the Iranian-backed militia and factions is still on the radar of the US and must be settled prior to any reinstatement. In order to reinstate we need to see the removal of the zeros. The removing of the zeros takes time and so time is running out if we are going to see any movement in early January 2027 of the IQD.

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Al-Zaidi is to speak at the United Nations in NYC this week. What will he say? Let’s take a peek at the article titled “AL-ZAIDI RETURNS TO AMERICA NEXT WEEK… A SPEECH IN NEW YORK AND A MEETING WITH TRUMP”.

“Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said on Thursday (September 17, 2026) that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will go to the United States next week, explaining that al-Zaidi will deliver a speech before the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and will meet with US President Donald Trump and a number of heads of state.”

I could be wrong, but I don’t believe so, when I say that President Trump wants all the Iranian influence out of Iraq, not some law to restrict them or even pay them retirement pensions and salaries. How stupid is that?

We have read many very recent articles about the sanctions being imposed and these were strict demands from Washington without any compromises.

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The titled to this recent article is “ANALYSIS: TRUMP WILL NOT MEET WITH A PRIME MINISTER WHO BROKE HIS PROMISE… AND BAGHDAD IS OFF THE NEW YORK AGENDA”

 The title is tricky to read since it does not mean the meeting with president Trump has been cancelled, as of yet, although it could not go well. See the next article below. What it is saying is that even thought they do have a meeting will it be productive to resolve the issue of the factions? Can Al-Zaidi be allowed to delay this action any longer? Everyone should go read the entire article to really understand fully.

“The surprise that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi may bring to New York, in a possible meeting this week with Donald Trump, could be more than just a fleeting encounter.

“The apparent setback in the dismantling of armed factions in recent weeks may not mean the plan is over. It could simply be a political maneuver before the government’s September 30th deadline.”

“In Baghdad, sources close to the matter speak of the possibility of a more confrontational plan resurfacing. This plan might include arrests of those who refuse to surrender their weapons, while the government denies that there is a final deadline for negotiations.”

“The surprise may emerge in New York. The Iraqi government has stated that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will meet with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings this week.”

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See most recent article titled “AL-ZAYDI: THE WEAPONS CONTROL PROCESS BEGINS WITH A 90-DAY DEADLINE AND ENDS IN JUNE 2027.”

 “Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi pledged on Monday to disarm armed factions in Iraq by June 2027, stressing that the factions have 90 days after which they will be outlawed.”

“Al-Zaydi told the New York Times that the disarmament plan would be implemented in stages, explaining that this step would be a key focus in Iraq’s management of its relations with its two main allies, the United States and Iran, in light of the ongoing war between them.”

“He added that “the disarmament plan is not optional, but a necessity.”

“An Iraqi official revealed on Monday (September 21, 2026) a government plan to disarm the factions that extends until the middle of next year. Al Jazeera quoted the official’s statements, which were followed by Network 964 , that “the Iraqi government has a plan to disarm the factions that extends until the middle of next year.”

He added: “It is likely that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will inform US President Donald Trump of this plan during their meeting in New York.”

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Take a peek at the recent article titled “AFTER “COMPREHENSIVE AMENDMENTS,” PARLIAMENT AWAITS THE GOVERNMENT’S SUBMISSION OF THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES (PMF) LAW.”

 “Iskandar Watout, a member of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, confirmed on Thursday that the amended Popular Mobilization Forces Law will reach parliament soon for the purpose of passing it, after amendments are made to it.”

Shafaq News Agency that “the committee is waiting for the law to arrive, in order to include it on the parliament’s agenda.”

I have not seen the contents of this proposed draft law for the PMF but if it the same law from years ago it is disastrous and legalizes the PMF paying them salaries and retirement. This law was just the opposite of what Washington wants. If you recall there were objections to the draft law about the PMF by Washington at that time. Trump wants disarming not embellishments or support.

He does not want them ‘protecting’ Iraq any longer since they are terrorist organizations and vow to destroy the U.S. and its way of life. They have openly made their convictions clear. These factions inside Iraq have already demonstrated many times their willingness to launch rockets at Iraqi bases which contain US forces. In the midst of what is happening in Iran their presence should not be welcome in Iraq. Will it be up to the Iraqi people to throw them out? The real problem stems from the question of whether the Iraqi forces are even strong enough in both willpower and physical strength to do it themselves.  

How can president Trump then get large scale investors into Iraq to grow the economy and maybe someday even get off the petro-dollar. There are vast resources to yet exploit in Iraq and it only needs investment money to do it. It just does not make any common sense to allow Iranian influences in Iraq. Also, I need to remind everyone that the US forces inside Iraq would not be pulling out if not for some brilliant trap Trump is most likely setting for Iraq and the factions. Did he really believe Al-Zaidi could make good on his promise to disarm them all?

Yes, I too don’t get why the US would agree to pull out all US forces by Sept 30^th, yet leave the Iranian-backed factions intact. I only have to surmise that there is a trap set of some kind in place ready to spring upon them given Sept 30^th timeframe. I am not giving an ‘opinion’ just warning everyone of what may happen if these factions are not disarmed soon.

Here is a follow up news in article titled “BEFORE SENDING IT TO PARLIAMENT, AL-ZAYDI DRAFTED THE “POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES LAW” IMMEDIATELY UPON HIS RETURN FROM NEW YORK.” This article is telling us that Al-Zaidi had to let the U.S. first review the draft law while in Washington before he could pass it on to parliament. As we all should know the U.S. disapproved the last version of the law because it was not disarming the militias and factions but supporting them financially and giving them legality.

“An informed source reported on Tuesday that Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi will submit the draft Popular Mobilization Forces Law, whose clauses have been amended according to the observations of parliamentary and political forces, to the House of Representatives as soon as he returns from the United States.“

“The source told Shafaq News Agency that the paragraph regarding amending the “legal age of the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces” needs to be amended or reformulated, as it indicates that the extension, renewal, and referral to retirement of the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces will be in the hands of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.“

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Why won’t Iran just pull the armed groups out of Iraq?

“IRAQ IS IRAN’S LAST ROUTE FOR SMUGGLED DOLLARS, IRAQI MP SAYS”

Iraq has become Iran’s only remaining route for obtaining smuggled US dollars following intensified American economic pressure on Tehran, an Iraqi lawmaker told Iran International.

The United States is cutting off Iran’s access to the global financial system, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said earlier this month, through its Operation Economic Outcast which has already led to sanctions against banks in Turkey, the UAE and Russia.

The Iraqi lawmaker warned that Iraq could face sweeping US sanctions, potentially extending to its oil sector, if Baghdad failed to bring armed groups outside state control under government authority.

The warnings come ahead of the planned September 30 withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq, with efforts to disarm Iran-aligned forces yet to produce an agreement.

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So, who will then protect Iraq after the US pulls out?

We get a glimpse of ideas as to how protection and security will be handled by Iraq in the following article titled “KURDISTAN PRESIDENCY: BAGHDAD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING OIL FACILITIES AFTER SEPTEMBER 30”

 “On Monday, the spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Presidency, Dilshad Shahab, confirmed that the federal government will bear a great responsibility for defending Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, after September 30, particularly in the airspace, noting that protecting the region’s oil facilities is part of this responsibility.

Remember that in December 2012 after Obama pulled all US troops out of Iraq that the Federal Government failed to defend Iraq later in 2014 when ISIS invaded, thus the Iranian Kud forces came into to help. Are we about to repeat this same senario again under Trump? Will we ever learn our lessons with these Arabs?

Shahab said in a press conference, attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, that the protection of oil facilities by air in the Kurdistan Region comes in accordance with the agreement between the regional government and the federal government, noting that a major part of Iraq’s revenues comes from the region.

He explained that the threats to oil facilities in the region have had a significant and negative impact on the Iraqi economy, stressing that the issue is not only related to the Kurdistan Region, but to the Iraqi economy as a whole.

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What will happen on Sept 30^th should the Iranian factions still occupy Iraq? Will the US carry out its claims of cutting off ‘all’ dollars to Iraq? Let’s take a peek at the recent article titled “THE DOLLAR FUELS POST-SEPTEMBER 30TH FEARS… SPECULATION AND POTENTIAL SANCTIONS PUT PRESSURE ON THE IRAQI DINAR.”

“The Iraqi exchange market has entered a new phase of tension as the end of September approaches, after the selling price of the dollar in some Baghdad markets exceeded the 160,000 dinar mark for every 100 dollars on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in a movement that reflects the widening gap between the official price and the parallel market, and the rising demand for the US currency amid a state of economic and political uncertainty.”

“The rise comes in conjunction with the monitoring by the “Eco Iraq” Observatory of an acceleration in the prices of the dollar, attributing this to a set of overlapping factors that cannot be reduced to one reason, foremost among them speculation and the high demand for the dollar, in addition to fears related to what may happen after September 30 and the increasing talk about the possibility of imposing American sanctions or taking new financial measures.”

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Here is yet another article on this same subject matter. It is titled “WHO IS DRAINING DOLLARS FROM THE MARKET? UNVEILING THE GAP PRESSURING THE DINAR”

 “The rise in the dollar exchange rate against the Iraqi dinar has once again taken center stage in economic and public discourse. This follows a widening gap between the official rate set by the Central Bank of Iraq and the rates circulating outside official channels, raising questions about the factors driving the market upward despite the continued inflow of foreign currency and the Central Bank’s capacity to meet legitimate demand.”

“An analysis of market dynamics suggests that this rise is not attributable to a single cause but rather to a complex interplay of variables. These range from commercial demand for dollars and import financing to hoarding, speculation, banking compliance requirements, customs procedures, and political and regional tensions.”

“The Central Bank of Iraq sets the official dollar rate at 1,310 dinars, whereas the rate outside official channels fluctuates based on different dynamics—specifically, the demand for physical cash dollars, merchants’ access to banking transfers, and the behavior of savers and speculators.”

Just wait until the US dollar sanctions kick in (if they do), post Sept30th should Iraq not meet Washington’s deadline. When the U.S. misses the first shipment of dollars to Iraq things will change quickly in their attitudes towards these Iranian factions. Then again, president Trump may allow a justified delay.

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UPDATE: Oil and Gas Law

“A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT DEMANDS THE GOVERNMENT SEND THE LAWS ON THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES, OIL AND GAS, AND THE SALARY SCALE TO PARLIAMENT: “DELAY IS UNACCEPTABLE.”

 The head of the National Statement Alliance and member of Parliament, Abdul Amir al-Mayahi, affirmed the existence of several priority laws that cannot be postponed within Parliament, urging the government to expedite their submission for enactment.
Al-Mayahi stated that “the Popular Mobilization Forces Law is a very important law, and the government must submit it,” noting that the Oil and Gas Law is also among the important laws awaiting Parliament.
He added, “There was a request from the government in the previous session to submit the Oil and Gas Law, but it was not submitted,” emphasizing the necessity of moving forward with this matter.”

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SUMMARY:

Appears today’s news is all about the disarmament of the Iranian-backed factions stationed inside Iraq. It is hard to believe that this is just about the only news coming from Iraq right now.

There are two interesting articles that summarizes nicely what is going on and what we might expect with Al-Zaidi’s visit this week to Washington.

One is titled:

 “A 90-DAY DEADLINE AND A CRUCIAL CONDITION: WASHINGTON REVEALS DETAILS OF AL-ZAYDI’S PLAN TO DISARM THE FACTIONS”.

then go and please read this entire other article titled:

 “ANALYSIS: TRUMP WILL NOT MEET WITH A PRIME MINISTER WHO BROKE HIS PROMISE… AND BAGHDAD IS OFF THE NEW YORK AGENDA”.

Connect the dots as to how Washington will take this recent news and what might happen next……..

What will come out of Al-Zaidi’s visit with president Trump? Will Trump ignore this new plan and place sanctions on Iraq since they had already since July to disarm and did not disarm the factions? However, most, if not all, of the militias did disarm already and that shows most of the progress made so far. They are now also waiting for the draft bill to go before parliament for governing the PMF after disarmament. What is in this law?

Here is a bit of a ‘taste’ of what is in this draft law for handling the PMF after disarmament:

According to the informed source, “The Prime Minister’s approach is not based on dissolving the Popular Mobilization Forces or altering their legal status, but rather on ending dual military affiliation, so that a fighter is no longer part of an official institution while simultaneously being linked to a separate military structure, command, and decision-making process.”

Personally, I don’t believe Al-Zaidi has enough of highly trained security forces to confront and overcome these Iranian radical terrorists factions inside Iraq if he wanted to dissolve them. He already confronted them and they refused. Prior prime ministers have allowed these factions to get too deep seeded and comfortable in Iraq. This shows a week spot in Al-Zaidi’s leadership. He could have gone to the U.S. for help, if needed.

The source explained that “the proposed approach involves dealing with members of factions who wish to continue their security work individually and integrating those who meet the criteria into official institutions, while simultaneously dismantling independent armed groups and command structures operating outside the state’s military hierarchy.”

Heavy weapons will be prioritized, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to Iraq Observer. The source explained that “priority in the handover process will be given to weapons that represent a military capability that should not exist outside state control, primarily missiles, drones, launch systems, and heavy weapons. The remaining types will be subject to inventory and handover mechanisms determined by the relevant security authorities.”

The source added that “the government does not want a showy handover of limited quantities of weapons, but rather a verifiable mechanism that ensures knowledge of what the formations included in the plan possess, what has actually been handed over, where it will be stored, and the official entity that will be responsible for its control.”

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As investors, in the Iraqi dinar, let’s all stay focused and positive that a sound resolution will occur on this subject matter before the Sept 30^th. I think that we can agree that both sides do not want more bloodshed in Iraq.

However, will this extension of the disarmament process delay the removing of the zeros followed by the reinstatement of the dinar? Iraq wants a 90 day extension (Oct-Dec) to begin the process of disarmament, then complete it by June 2027. Is this just a delay tactic for Iran for some notorious reason or do they really need this much time to complete the process? We know they are always playing games with their strategic delays, yes, delay, delay!

This should be our major concern at this point this is why I believe it is now in the news so much from Iraq. Yes, it is URGENT. So, here we have the CBI and the Finance Committee working on one time table and then this happens. Do they adjust their timetable? Do they need to, since the first 90 days brings us to January 2027. But they are telling us in an article the job of disarmament wouldn’t be completed until mid-year 2027. Are they hoping for democrat majority wins in both houses for the midterm elections in the US to stop president Trumps efforts to disarm them? Is this what they are up to? Seems a week side of Al-Zaidi to go along with the Maliki plan, but politics are involved.  

Can the CBI and Finance Committee adjust their process since January is the beginning of the fiscal year (the best time to RV according to the CBI) and the effort was to get the budget completed based on having a reinstatement going forward along with it. Could this delay in the disarmament put a proverbial ‘monkey wrench’ in the mix?

All we can do not as investors is watch and see what happens. We need to watch for president Trump’s reaction to the new plan for disarmament. We need to watch what happens in the U.S. mid-term elections. As many say let’s sit back and watch the show.

Oh…. but our prayers do work we witnessed it over these last couple months. This monkey wrench is yet just another dig by the dark side to stop or slow down the outcome of our prayers. Remember God has spoken to many prophets about this coming period of great prosperity and wealth. Included in these prophetic words was specific mention of the Iraqi dinar and so God wants this event (RV) to happen as part of all this transfer of wealth.  

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There are many politicians who see the full benefit of getting the Oil and Gas law passed. They are putting pressure on the rest. However, there are also many crooked politicians who still don’t want to end the gorging on the dollars or stealing of the oil since passing the law will make a lot of the corruption in dealing with the oil illegal and will pass on the spoils from the oil revenues to benefit more the citizens of Iraq than those crooked politicians.

I hope everyone of my readers today appreciates the time I took to research, translate the articles and compose this Newsletter today. I am not going to paint a rosy picture for you as you need to know the TRUTH. Gosh, doesn’t anyone have enough common sense to see what is actuall taking place in Iraq? Are we all stupid or what?

It is a lot of work and time consuming to report to my readers. But I do it all for my readers so you can understand the TRUTH of what is going on in this RV saga. Also I want to mention that many of these internet intel gurus out there have been at it again telling you the RV is going to happen on the 30th of September or shortly afterwards. I will summarize their intel in two words – ‘total bullshit’. They claim this because they read some news about Iraqi ‘full sovereignty’ on September 30th when the disarmament of the militias and factions were to be completed. There will be no ‘full sovereignty’ Get it?

I mean to bust their bubble in telling them that the ‘full sovereignty’ of Iraq is a joke. They are not going to get it until they learn to behave like a responsible international entity. Their banks are a disgrace and still need major reforms to meet international guidelines. So far, with all the corruption and then the Iranian influence interfering in their affairs, is not what I call ‘responsible’ by any definition of the word. They can’t be a proxy state for Iran and then call themselves a sovereign nation. It is a contradiction. Get it? Why do they blame the U.S. then for all their problems when we can clearly see they come from Iran.

Yes, Iraq wants the release from the petro-dollar funds, part of the sanctions placed in 1991. Is this so they can have access to these funds and steal them too? But this is the only leverage the US Treasury has on Iraq now to make them behave. The proposed new sanctions to get the factions disarmed is just an example of this leverage. Simply put the U.S. did not fight two Iraqi wars to let Iraqi’s wealth get squandered and go to the corrupt bastards taking advantage of the democratic-like government the US helped set up for them to free the citizens, not giving the wealth to some bastards in control.

What do you think will happen next? (Leave a comment)

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

                                         

These prophecies are an important tool we have to lead us on our path. They are more important now than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?

It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.

NOTE: These prophecies tell us also of things happening in the background that either the main stream news media does not know about or the crooked news media refuses to talk about. They do this to keep us in the dark to continue the Trump hating senario and for us to keep thinking that nothing is changing, thus Trump is not successful. But it is just the opposite happening.

Prophetic Words from the prophets:  Julie Green

“Something Is Coming That Will Bring Down Every Stolen Election“

Go to the 10:49 mark on the video. Given on Sept 15th.

“A Total Govt Reset Is Taking Place“

Go to the 11:35 mark on the video. Given on Sept 13^th.   

“Treason Is Being Dealt With Now“

Go to the 10:13 mark on the video.  

Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

I keep this one out here to view. Everyone should take the time to watch it. It will awaken you about the Muslim so-called religion (or should we call it for it is — a ‘cult‘.)

— And the truth the world forgot about the so-called Muslim religion.

Fr.Don Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth,  particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.  

TRUMP BANS 3 MAJOR NEWS OUTLETS FROM WHITE HOUSE

Why did Trump do this? Is this a violation of freedom of the press? Is he hiding something from us?

This action is an action taken by the president since these three news channels have been disruptive in these news briefings. They keep asking the same questions over and over again with a different spin until they hope to get the answer they want, which is to bash the Trump administration somehow. They use this tactic since they know the cameras are rolling. Also we must remember that they are invited into the Whitehouse. This room is inside the Whitehouse and they are the guest of the president since this is a house given to him to live while president by the people of the U.S. There is no precedence that gives the news media a free rein over the Whitehouse.

How would you like it if someone came into your house invited, then pissed all over it disrespectfully? This goes way beyond freedom of the press since with this freedom also comes responsibility for what you say and print. You must be able to back it up with proof not rumors and hype.

WILL THE U.S. INVADE IRAN WITH BOOTS ON THE GROUND?

420,000 Iranian soldiers on high alert as Trump decides next move! Iran prepares for ground invasion. Iran would luv a blood bath especially during election year. I don’t believe Trump is going to fall for this. He has other plans for Iran and his plan is to neutralize the current regime and let the people decide what comes next. I don’t believe a ground invasion was ever in his plans.

CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITING WASHINGTON

When we hear of sudden announcements as this one, we must ask ourselves why.

A PROFOUND CHANGE IN THE POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEM IN GERMANY AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a news conference about the election in the Baltic coast state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which resulted in his Christian Democratic Union party crashing out of a regional parliament for the first time in the country’s post-World War II history.  

I’d have to say that this is prophecies being fulfilled if you ask me…… Remember what God told us years ago, He would transform the planet starting in the US and then it would branch out to other countries. This movement is a break away from the globalist world domination attitude of one government with overriding control and servitude back to Nationalism, Judeo-Christian freedom, liberty and abundance for all. It has started!

Anyhow….their words not mine. I am just the reporter….. 🙂

CARNEY’S EU PLAN BLOWING UP IN HIS FACE!

This is a perfect example of a patsy not a leader. How do we pick our leaders to lead our nations. Is it on personality or background record of ability?

TOTAL REVOLT! IRAN REGIME IN PANIC!

Iran’s Kurds Plan Complete Shutdown

NATIONWIDE UPRISING IN IRAN! ISLAMIC REGIME & IRGC PANIC AS IRANIANS PLAN COMPLETE SHUTDOWN 

THE LARGEST SINGLE OIL RESERVE EVER DISCOVERED IN THE UNITED STATES

AFTER “COMPREHENSIVE AMENDMENTS,” PARLIAMENT AWAITS THE GOVERNMENT’S SUBMISSION OF THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES (PMF) LAW.

 (Mnt Goat: we have yet to see what this law now contains. Is this acceptable to Washington or are we going to have another saga over this law too. if you remember Washington did not like the first version and prohibited it since it was too radical and supporting the Iranian influence and proxy.)

Iskandar Watout, a member of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, confirmed on Thursday that the amended Popular Mobilization Forces Law will reach parliament soon for the purpose of passing it, after amendments are made to it.

Shafaq News Agency that “the committee is waiting for the law to arrive, in order to include it on the parliament’s agenda.”

 He added: “During the committee’s meeting with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi last month, I asked him to send the Popular Mobilization Forces Law to the House of Representatives for review and referral for reading and voting, and al-Zaidi promised that it would arrive soon.”

 Regarding the amendments, he pointed out that the amendments made by the committee included the entire law, and therefore a draft law was produced   similar to that of the Ministry of Defense because it deals with an integrated security institution.

 Regarding the position of head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, and its equivalence to that of an undersecretary or minister, he indicated that “we did not address this matter in the law.”

 In addition, an informed source revealed that there is a political consensus to change the title of the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces to something equivalent to a ministerial position without a ministry, while the official name of the Popular Mobilization Forces remains unchanged.

 The source confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that changing the title of the head of the commission requires political consensus.  

 Informed sources revealed that the draft laws on the structure of the Popular Mobilization Forces and on service and retirement will soon be referred to the Iraqi Parliament, after the removal of a number of controversial clauses that were subject to an American veto.

 According to the source, there is an American veto on some clauses of the Popular Mobilization Forces laws, and therefore the two drafts will be referred in their final form to the House of Representatives, in preparation for starting the procedures for legislating them according to the approved official contexts.

 The US Treasury Department had placed “Al-Muhandis Company” on the sanctions list in October 2025, on the grounds that it was linked to financing armed factions and facilitating economic activities related to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which was met at the time with rejection and regret from the Iraqi government.

With regard to the military educational institutions affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces, legal or administrative objections related to the terms and conditions of nomination and acceptance, including institutions concerned with qualifying Popular Mobilization officers or admission channels to the Joint Staff College, are subject to official administrative and legal references within the organization.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi recently stressed the need for a revolution in laws, including the Popular Mobilization Forces Law, emphasizing the importance of developing the legislative system in line with the requirements of the next stage. 

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BEFORE SENDING IT TO PARLIAMENT, AL-ZAYDI DRAFTED THE “POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES LAW” IMMEDIATELY UPON HIS RETURN FROM NEW YORK.

An informed source reported on Tuesday that Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi will submit the draft Popular Mobilization Forces Law, whose clauses have been amended according to the observations of parliamentary and political forces, to the House of Representatives as soon as he returns from the United States.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the paragraph regarding amending the “legal age of the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces” needs to be amended or reformulated, as it indicates that the extension, renewal, and referral to retirement of the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces will be in the hands of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

According to the information provided by the source, the aforementioned paragraph will be amended to grant the Prime Minister the authority to extend the term of the head of the authority for a limited period, not exceeding two years, and without renewal.

Last week, Iskandar Watout, a member of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, confirmed that the amended Popular Mobilization Forces Law would soon reach parliament for passage, after amendments were made to it.

There is near-political consensus to change the title of the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces to something equivalent to a ministerial position without a ministry, while the official name of the Popular Mobilization Forces remains unchanged.

Informed sources revealed that the draft laws on the structure of the Popular Mobilization Forces and on service and retirement will soon be referred to the Iraqi Parliament, after the removal of a number of controversial clauses that were subject to an American veto.

However, there is an American veto on some clauses of the Popular Mobilization Forces laws, and therefore the two drafts will be referred in their final form to the House of Representatives, in preparation for starting the procedures for legislating them according to the approved official contexts.

The US Treasury Department had placed “Al-Muhandis Company” on the sanctions list in October 2025, on the grounds that it was linked to financing armed factions and facilitating economic activities related to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which was met at the time with rejection and regret from the Iraqi government.

With regard to the military educational institutions affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces, legal or administrative objections related to the terms and conditions of nomination and acceptance, including institutions concerned with qualifying Popular Mobilization officers or admission channels to the Joint Staff College, are subject to official administrative and legal references within the organization.

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AL-ZAIDI RETURNS TO AMERICA NEXT WEEK… A SPEECH IN NEW YORK AND A MEETING WITH TRUMP

(Mnt Goat: will Trump cancel the meeting with Al-Zaidi due to the Factions that are  not yet disarmed. Says Al-Zaidi reneged on a promise.)

Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said on Thursday (September 17, 2026) that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will go to the United States next week, explaining that al-Zaidi will deliver a speech before the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and will meet with US President Donald Trump and a number of heads of state.

Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi stated in an interview with journalist Sadiq al-Shammari, which was followed by 964 Network : “Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is preparing to head to America in the middle of the week to participate in the United Nations General Assembly as a representative of the Republic of Iraq. He will deliver the speech of the Iraqi people before the world, which carries the message of a state that has dealt with complex issues and opened up with confidence to the world, and conveyed a message that the Iraqi state will not be part of the axes of conflict and will not align itself unilaterally with anyone.”

Al-Aboudi added that “the government has maintained the balance stipulated in its program, which does not allow aggression against neighboring countries, and the Prime Minister will review the measures taken by the government in this matter, as well as matters related to the economic relations that link Iraq with the world.”

Al-Aboudi continued, “The visit schedule that has been prepared includes many meetings with the heads of Arab and foreign states, and there will also be a meeting with His Excellency President Donald Trump to review the features and prospects of the relationship between Baghdad and Washington, which began in mid-July when it was translated into 48 memoranda of understanding and agreements between the two countries in the fields of energy and investment.”

Al-Aboudi concluded, “The Prime Minister will also meet with the American Chamber of Commerce to review the files and sustain the economic relationship between the two sides.”

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WHO IS DRAINING DOLLARS FROM THE MARKET? UNVEILING THE GAP PRESSURING THE DINAR

 The rise in the dollar exchange rate against the Iraqi dinar has once again taken center stage in economic and public discourse. This follows a widening gap between the official rate set by the Central Bank of Iraq and the rates circulating outside official channels, raising questions about the factors driving the market upward despite the continued inflow of foreign currency and the Central Bank’s capacity to meet legitimate demand.

An analysis of market dynamics suggests that this rise is not attributable to a single cause but rather to a complex interplay of variables. These range from commercial demand for dollars and import financing to hoarding, speculation, banking compliance requirements, customs procedures, and political and regional tensions.

The Central Bank of Iraq sets the official dollar rate at 1,310 dinars, whereas the rate outside official channels fluctuates based on different dynamics—specifically, the demand for physical cash dollars, merchants’ access to banking transfers, and the behavior of savers and speculators.

A widening gap between the two rates does not necessarily indicate a shortage in Iraq’s foreign currency reserves; according to experts, the issue stems from a portion of demand that remains outside the banking system or fails to meet the requirements for external transfers.

Shifts in the Dollar Market

Part of the gap between the official exchange rate and the market trading rate stems from shifts in foreign trade financing mechanisms in recent years. These changes involve stricter requirements for auditing transfers, verifying ultimate beneficiaries, and adhering to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards.

As stricter requirements were applied to outward transfers, certain trade transactions failing to meet documentation and compliance criteria struggled to access US dollars through the banking system. This drove a portion of the demand toward alternative channels at higher rates.

Simultaneously, restrictions were imposed on the US dollar operations of several Iraqi banks, coinciding with the Central Bank’s implementation of a banking sector reform program aimed at enhancing compliance and governance standards and expanding relationships with international banks.

The restrictions placed on certain banks do not mean a cessation of all banking activities; rather, they limit the banks’ ability to conduct dollar-based transactions, depending on the specific nature of the restrictions and regulatory requirements imposed upon them. Concurrently, the trade and customs sector has undergone significant changes, marked by the expanded implementation of the ASYCUDA system and stricter scrutiny of import invoices and commercial documents—measures aimed at regulating the flow of goods and revenue while curbing invoice manipulation.

While these measures seek to channel the bulk of foreign trade through the banking system and enhance transparency, the fact that a portion of commercial demand remains outside these channels renders the market highly sensitive to any surge in demand or shift in expectations.

**Traders Withdrawing Dollars from the Market**

Financial expert Dr. Majid Khalid Al-Darraji identifies commercial demand as a primary factor exerting pressure on the exchange rate, particularly when traders and importers resort to purchasing cash dollars to finance transactions that cannot easily be processed through banking channels.

Speaking to *Al-Ahed News*, Al-Darraji explains that a trader needing to settle payment for a shipment on short notice—and unable to secure an external transfer at the official rate due to missing documentation or procedural delays—may turn to licensed exchange bureaus to acquire the currency.

When large numbers of traders seek dollars simultaneously, the demand for cash dollars rises while market supply dwindles, driving up the price even in the absence of changes to official reserve levels.

Al-Darraji notes that a portion of the dollars purchased by importers effectively exits the local circulation cycle to settle trade transactions outside Iraq; this differs from dollars used for speculation, which may return to the market once prices shift.

The impact of this factor intensifies during peak import seasons and religious or social occasions, driven by increased demand for foodstuffs, appliances, vehicles, construction materials, and various other goods.

And whenever [there is a failure]… As banking channels struggled to accommodate legitimate commercial demand with the required speed and efficiency, a portion of this demand found its way to the cash market, placing fresh pressure on the exchange rate.

**Citizen Hoarding: A Different Kind of Pressure**

Demand for the dollar does not stem solely from merchants; another factor is the tendency of some citizens and savers to purchase the US currency and keep it at home or in safes as a means of saving and hedging.

Dr. Faisal Al-Bayati, a professor at the College of Administration and Economics at Wasit University, tells *Al-Ahad News* that this behavior typically intensifies amid rising fears of dinar depreciation, or the spread of rumors regarding exchange rate changes or new restrictions on accessing foreign currency.

While individual purchases may seem limited, the cumulative effect of buying by large numbers of citizens and business owners can withdraw significant amounts of dollars from circulation.

The impact of this type of demand differs from daily speculation; hoarded dollars may remain out of the market for extended periods, thereby reducing available supply and making prices more sensitive to any new wave of demand.

Al-Bayati describes the phenomenon as a self-reinforcing cycle: a price increase stokes fears among some savers of further hikes, prompting them to buy dollars; this reduces available supply and intensifies pressure on the price.

Consequently, demand for the US currency is no longer tied solely to imports; instead, the dollar—alongside gold and other instruments—becomes a savings haven for those with financial surpluses during times of uncertainty.

Shifting the Demand Landscape

Separately, economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi links fluctuations in the exchange rate to the implementation of the ASYCUDA customs system and changes in customs tariffs and procedures.

Al-Marsoumi tells *Al-Ahad News* that stricter scrutiny of import invoices has helped curb inflated invoicing and the phenomenon known as “returned dollars”—a practice involving the acquisition of dollars at the official rate for imports with exaggerated values, followed by the resale of the surplus in the market.

According to Al-Marsoumi, the contraction of this artificial source of supply has contributed to a relative scarcity of dollars circulating outside official channels, coinciding with a shift of some trade activity toward alternative routes.

Al-Marsoumi also attributes part of the demand to the financing of imports passing through Kurdistan Region border crossings, noting the disparities in procedures and costs between different entry points.

This issue highlights the importance of unifying customs procedures; applying stricter regulations at one crossing while procedures differ at another can drive commercial activity toward the less costly route, thereby impacting trade financing methods and the demand for dollars.

Economist Safwan Ghazi concurs with aspects of this analysis, linking previous surges in the dollar’s value to the implementation of advance customs duties and the resulting shift—in his view—of a portion of demand outside the banking system.

Ghazi believes such pressure could prove temporary if imbalances are rectified and official channels succeed in absorbing genuine commercial demand.

Why does the rise in the dollar’s value quickly affect the average citizen? The impact of a rising exchange rate is not confined to currency markets or exchange bureaus; it gradually filters through to the prices of goods and services—particularly in an economy heavily reliant on imports.

Importers who acquire dollars at a higher rate pass the exchange rate differential on to the cost of the goods; this price increase then travels through the supply chain—spanning transport, distribution, and wholesale and retail sectors—until it reaches the consumer.

These repercussions are most evident in imported goods, including appliances, consumer products, certain foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, and various other supplies.

Furthermore, the mere expectation that the dollar will continue to rise can prompt merchants to reprice their goods in anticipation of higher future import costs, meaning the exchange rate’s impact extends beyond the dollar’s ​​actual movement to influence market expectations themselves.

How can this rise be contained?

Hashem Al-Zoubi, a finance and banking expert, argues that addressing the issue cannot rely on a single, isolated measure; rather, it requires a cohesive package of actions, starting with facilitating the financing of genuine trade through the banking sector. Al-Zoubi tells *Al-Ahed News* that enabling merchants who provide valid documents and invoices to secure foreign transfers quickly and at a transparent cost would shift a significant portion of demand from the cash market to the banking system, thereby easing pressure on the dollar circulating outside official channels.

He emphasizes that streamlining procedures does not mean abandoning anti-money laundering and financial compliance requirements; rather, it necessitates building a system that balances speed with oversight.

He also underscores the importance of standardizing procedures and customs tariffs, implementing the ASYCUDA system at all border crossings—including those in the Kurdistan Region—and electronically linking customs systems with the Central Bank, tax authorities, and commercial banks.

Al-Zoubi believes that disparities in import costs and procedures across different border crossings create distortions in commercial activity, which can, in turn, impact the demand for foreign currency.

**Restoring Confidence in the Dinar**

According to Al-Zoubi, addressing dollar hoarding is linked to the issue of confidence; it is difficult to persuade citizens to keep their savings in dinars without a reliable banking sector and savings instruments capable of attracting funds.

He calls for strengthening deposit protection, improving banking services, and offering dinar-denominated savings instruments—such as deposits, certificates of deposit, and government bonds aimed at individuals—alongside transparently publishing economic data and swiftly addressing rumors regarding the exchange rate.

He also stresses the importance of publishing periodic data on foreign transfers and import financing, enabling the market to distinguish between genuine commercial demand and demand driven by speculation or hoarding.

In the longer term, Al-Zoubi highlights the restructuring of the banking sector and the enhancement of its capacity… …establishing international correspondent banking relationships is considered a fundamental solution; an economy the size of Iraq’s cannot sustainably rely on the circulation of physical US dollars to finance a significant portion of its foreign trade.

Conversely, there are warnings that tightening market oversight or shutting down trading channels—without providing effective banking alternatives—could backfire by reducing available supply and driving up prices.

**It Is Not Just a Dollar Crisis**

Expert opinions gathered by *Al-Ahad News* reveal that exchange rate fluctuations in Iraq cannot be explained by a single indicator; focusing solely on speculators or traders fails to provide a complete picture of the situation.

Commercial demand draws dollars to finance imports, while hoarding removes another portion from circulation. Meanwhile, compliance requirements limit the ability of certain transactions to access dollars at the official rate, and customs disparities influence trade routes; furthermore, expectations, rumors, and political and regional tensions exert additional pressure on the market.

Although the motivations of traders and savers differ, the outcome is the same from the perspective of the currency market: a decline in the volume of dollars available for circulation relative to demand.

Moreover, the widening gap between the official rate and the rate in unofficial channels does not, in itself, indicate a shortage of Iraq’s foreign currency reserves. Rather, it reveals a disparity between the demand for dollars and the financial and banking system’s capacity to accommodate that demand within approved channels and regulations.

**What Does the Market Need?**

According to experts, solutions should focus on addressing the sources of demand rather than merely reacting to price hikes. This involves expanding trade finance…

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A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT DEMANDS THE GOVERNMENT SEND THE LAWS ON THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES, OIL AND GAS, AND THE SALARY SCALE TO PARLIAMENT: “DELAY IS UNACCEPTABLE.”

 The head of the National Statement Alliance and member of Parliament, Abdul Amir al-Mayahi, affirmed the existence of several priority laws that cannot be postponed within Parliament, urging the government to expedite their submission for enactment.
Al-Mayahi stated that “the Popular Mobilization Forces Law is a very important law, and the government must submit it,” noting that the Oil and Gas Law is also among the important laws awaiting Parliament.

He added, “There was a request from the government in the previous session to submit the Oil and Gas Law, but it was not submitted,” emphasizing the necessity of moving forward with this matter.

Regarding the salary scale, al-Mayahi explained, “We are also waiting for the government to address the salary scale to ensure fairness for state employees and achieve equality,” indicating that this issue is of great importance given the continuous demands from employees and the Iraqi people for the adoption of a unified salary scale. He added, “There are numerous demands and voices from employees and the Iraqi people constantly calling for a salary scale,” urging the government to finalize the related procedures and submit it to Parliament. He noted that “the previous government started but did not complete it,” calling on the current government to “finalize the remaining aspects of the salary scale and send it to Parliament.”

Al-Mayahi reiterated the importance of the oil and gas law, while also pointing to other laws, including the recovery law, as well as the settlement and recovery law and the establishment of a settlement fund, which he said the government is serious and eager to submit to Parliament.

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NEW IRAQI PRIME MINISTER ALIGNS WITH WASHINGTON

 Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, October 2026, pp. 73-74

Waging Peace

SINCE PARLIAMENTARY elections late last year, Iraqi politicians have engaged in fraught negotiations to form a new government. In April, those negotiations culminated in the country’s Coordination Framework alliance selecting businessman Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister. On July 9, 2026, experts shared insights into the situation during a virtual panel co-hosted by the Arab Center Washington DC and Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies.

Renad Mansour, deputy director of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Program, predicted that President Donald Trump’s personal compatibility with al-Zaidi would inform future relations between Washington and Baghdad. “There is a kind of hope that there could develop a bromance between al-Zaidi and Trump, like what happened with [Syrian President] Ahmed al-Sharaa and Trump,” he said.

However, Iraqi politicians “are terrified of the U.S.,” he said. Already, Trump rejected former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s bid to retake the premiership, prompting al-Maliki to leave the race. Washington influenced Baghdad’s new government formation by threatening to make its full release   of the country’s vital oil revenue (which has been held in New York since the 2003 U.S. invasion) contingent on a candidate favorable to Washington being named prime minister.

According to Mansour, al-Zaidi is intent on winning Washington’s favor. To this end, the new prime minister has launched an anti-corruption campaign. However, Mansour suggested that the campaign is both self-serving and an attempt to appease Washington. “Corruption is the political system” in Iraq, he argued. The government awards contracts to businesses, and a “whole new sort of patronage networks of corruption develop” between the government and businesses. Most business contracts are government contracts, so there is no true private sector, according to Mansour. “To play politics means you have to play corruption.” Anti-corruption campaigns “clear out your predecessor,” he added. 

Popular unrest remains common in Iraq, Mansour said. “Al-Zaidi has [faced] a protest almost every day,” he noted. “There have been many, many protests. They’re often local, they’re often sectoral,” with exceptions such as the doctors’ syndicate that attempted to demonstrate on a national scale.

Even so, it is “unlikely” that protests will succeed, according to Rutgers University associate professor Zahra Ali. She explained that Baghdad effectively structurally suppresses popular movements, in part because the electoral system only permits large parties to gain representation in parliament. That prevents popular movements, which do not form large parties, from gaining representation.

In addition to anti-corruption, one of al-Zaidi’s other major goals is the daunting task of “integrating and demobilizing Iraq’s militias and armed groups,” according to Mansour. Al-Zaidi set a Sept. 30 deadline for integration and demobilization—but the Coordination Framework has already delayed this deadline.

While Shi’i leaders Muqtada al-Sadr and Qais al-Khazali have expressed approval for this process, Shi’i groups linked to Iran—Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba—have rejected the notion.

According to Lahib Higel, senior analyst for Iraq at the International Crisis Group, the “resistance groups…have clearly made their case that they won’t lay down arms until the Americans have left.” 

“The Americans have essentially said, ‘Get rid of these groups,’ but not provided a roadmap,” Higel explained. “Nor have the Iraqis from what I can tell.”

According to Mansour, the issue is: “Is al-Zaidi ultimately willing to go to war with these groups?” Higel does not believe there will be an “inter-Shi’i war” over disarmament. “I think that we’re quite far away from that type of scenario,” she shared. 

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THE DOLLAR FUELS POST-SEPTEMBER 30TH FEARS… SPECULATION AND POTENTIAL SANCTIONS PUT PRESSURE ON THE IRAQI DINAR.

The Iraqi exchange market has entered a new phase of tension as the end of September approaches, after the selling price of the dollar in some Baghdad markets exceeded the 160,000 dinar mark for every 100 dollars on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in a movement that reflects the widening gap between the official price and the parallel market, and the rising demand for the US currency amid a state of economic and political uncertainty.

The rise comes in conjunction with the monitoring by the “Eco Iraq” Observatory of an acceleration in the prices of the dollar, attributing this to a set of overlapping factors that cannot be reduced to one reason, foremost among them speculation and the high demand for the dollar, in addition to fears related to what may happen after September 30 and the increasing talk about the possibility of imposing American sanctions or taking new financial measures.

The price movements of recent days indicate that psychological factors have become a clear influence on the market. On September 14, the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges recorded a rate of approximately 156,500 dinars per 100 dollars, before prices gradually increased, reaching levels approaching or exceeding 160,000 dinars in Baghdad exchange bureaus this past Saturday.

This rapid move does not necessarily mean a change in the official exchange rate of the dinar, as the central bank’s official policy remains separate from the parallel market exchange rate. The central bank also denied, last June, rumors circulating about a change in the dinar’s exchange rate and warned against relying on documents or news not issued through its official channels.

The market is buying dollars in anticipation of the unknown.

The main problem at the current stage is that the market does not necessarily wait for the decision to occur in order to react to it, but rather begins to price in its probabilities in advance.

With increasing talk in recent days about the issue of restricting weapons to the state, the future of the relationship between Baghdad and Washington after the end of September, and the possibility of expanding sanctions related to financial networks dealing with Iran, some traders, speculators, and liquidity holders have begun to hedge by increasing demand for the dollar.

This type of demand is not entirely related to an actual commercial need for foreign currency, but also includes what can be described as “fear demand”; that is, buying dollars in anticipation of its future rise.

The more expectations spread that the dollar might rise further, the more people want to buy it, and the expectations themselves become an additional factor pushing the price upwards.

September 30th: A political date that becomes a factor in the currency market

Concerns are particularly focused on September 30, due to its connection with sensitive political and security issues being discussed in Iraq, especially the issue of weapons control and the future of the security relationship with the United States.

The newspaper Al-Akhbar, in a report published on September 18, quoted a recent Iraqi government official regarding American messages and the possibility of using economic tools if no progress is made on the weapons control file. However, the same report indicated that the Prime Minister’s financial advisor denied the existence of any currently declared American plan to halt dollar shipments due to the file not being completed by September 30.

Here, a distinction must be made between a political possibility that is being discussed and an official, declared American decision.

As of September 19, 2026, no official announcement appears in the public data reviewed by the U.S. Treasury Department specifying September 30 as the date for cutting off dollar shipments to Iraq or imposing comprehensive economic sanctions on the Iraqi state.

But Washington is already tightening its measures against networks it considers linked to Iran or assisting sanctioned entities. On September 10, the US Treasury Department announced new measures against networks it said support Kataib Hezbollah and Hezbollah and help Iran circumvent sanctions.

This means that market concerns are not entirely unfounded, but at the same time they do not constitute evidence of a comprehensive or automatic US decision that will be issued on September 30.

Al-Taif Bank brings the trust file back to the forefront

Another factor that puts pressure on customer behavior is trust in the banking sector.

On September 3, the Central Bank of Iraq announced the imposition of guardianship over Al-Taif Islamic Bank for Investment and Finance.

Following growing concern among depositors, the central bank confirmed that imposing receivership does not mean the bank is bankrupt, but rather represents a precautionary supervisory measure to protect the rights of depositors and ensure the stability of banking operations.

On September 8, the Central Bank reiterated that the rights of depositors at Al-Taif Bank are protected, and that it is working with the appointed trustee to regulate withdrawals and fulfillment of financial obligations in a gradual and organized manner.

Despite these assurances, any crisis involving a bank or customer deposits could have a psychological impact on the market, especially in an economy where a large portion of transactions and liquidity are kept outside the banking system.

When confidence declines, some money holders tend to hold onto cash dollars as a hedge, which increases demand for them in the parallel market.

Speculators get involved

The role of speculation is no less important than the political factor.

The rapid rise in prices creates an opportunity for speculators to buy and resell the dollar, anticipating continued appreciation. With increased demand, price movements may begin to deviate from fundamental economic factors and become driven, for a time, by expectations, rumors, and the behavior of traders.

Therefore, the mere spread of unconfirmed news about “cutting off dollars to Iraq” or “sanctions after September 30” may prompt some traders to buy, even before verifying the news.

In this case, the market is faced with a recurring cycle:

Spreading fears drives up dollar purchases, increased demand raises the price, and the rising price reinforces the belief that there is a dangerous development, so new buyers enter the market.

Can the dollar continue to rise?

The course of events in the coming days will largely depend on the news and official decisions that will be issued from Baghdad and Washington, in addition to the ability of the Central Bank of Iraq to manage the demand for foreign currency and contain speculation.

If no broad new US measures emerge, and concerns related to the period after September 30th subside, it is possible that some of the precautionary demand for the dollar will decrease.

However, if new sanctions are imposed on Iraqi financial institutions, companies, or networks, or if restrictions on dollar transactions are expanded, pressure on the parallel market may increase, especially if this is accompanied by widespread speculative activity.

But it is also important to distinguish between sanctions that target specific individuals, companies, or banks and any action that affects Iraq’s access to the dollar as a country; these are entirely different levels of action and should not be treated as one thing.

The central bank faces a confidence test.

The current battle is not only related to the volume of dollars in circulation, but also to confidence. The market needs clear and quick messages that reduce the space for rumors and clarify the truth about what is happening regarding foreign transfers, dollar shipments, and any changes that may occur in the banking system.

Conversely, continued conflicting news and a lack of quick clarifications may give speculators more room to move the market.

Between the potential sanctions, the post-September 30 obligations, and the crisis of confidence that appears from time to time in some banks, it seems that the dollar in Iraq is not only pricing in the current realities, but also in the fear of the next scenario.

Therefore, the question the market is watching now is not just: What is the price of the dollar today?

But what will happen after September 30th?

The answer, so far, has not come in the form of a decisive official decision from Washington or Baghdad, while the market has already preempted everyone and begun pricing in the fears.

September 30th is approaching… and Al-Zaidi is hiding a card that his opponents have not yet seen!

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ANALYSIS: TRUMP WILL NOT MEET WITH A PRIME MINISTER WHO BROKE HIS PROMISE… AND BAGHDAD IS OFF THE NEW YORK AGENDA

 
The surprise that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi may bring to New York, in a possible meeting this week with Donald Trump, could be more than just a fleeting encounter.

The apparent setback in the dismantling of armed factions in recent weeks may not mean the plan is over. It could simply be a political maneuver before the government’s September 30th deadline.

In Baghdad, sources close to the matter speak of the possibility of a more confrontational plan resurfacing. This plan might include arrests of those who refuse to surrender their weapons, while the government denies that there is a final deadline for negotiations.

The surprise may emerge in New York.
The Iraqi government has stated that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will meet with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings this week.

According to sources close to the government who spoke to Al-Mada, al-Zaidi may bring with him to New York a renewed commitment to the deadline for restricting weapons to the state. But the question preceding the meeting is whether al-Zaidi has actually backed down from the plan to dismantle the factions, or whether the positions have been misinterpreted.

Qasim al-Araji, al-Zaidi’s advisor, says there is no final deadline for resolving the discussions regarding weapons control.
In his latest statement, al-Araji denied the rumors circulating about a set timeframe for the work of the weapons inventory committee, saying that this was “completely untrue,” and emphasizing that “there is no specific deadline for the state to consolidate weapons under its control.”

However, al-Araji’s statement can be interpreted in two ways, according to what Al-Mada learned from sources close to the matter.

First, that the discussions with the factions might conclude before September 30th, a scenario that seems unlikely given the ongoing disagreement over the very idea of ​​surrendering weapons.

Second, that the government has indeed set September 30th as a final deadline, which could be extended for a short period, but during this time, no action will be permitted without al-Zaydi’s approval, and other measures will be taken immediately upon any violation, as happened in the Maysan case.

Three committees… and three deadlines for weapons:
In al-Araji’s recent statements, the outlines of a government committee negotiating with the factions emerge for the first time, in addition to the Shiite framework committee, which began with three parties and then expanded to four.

In a televised interview, al-Araji, a former national security advisor and a leader in the Badr Organization, which opposes the use of force against the factions, stated that the committee negotiating with the factions operates under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister.

This confirms, according to available information, the existence of at least three negotiating channels.

The first is the Shiite framework committee, which includes Nouri al-Maliki, Mohammed al-Sudani, and Hadi al-Amiri, and was later joined by Humam Hamoudi.

The second is a parliamentary committee led by Adnan Faihan, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and a leader in Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq.

The third is a governmental committee headed by al-Araji himself.
However, the three committees do not necessarily operate in unison.
Qais al-Khazali, the leader of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, was excluded from the first committee, despite being one of the leaders of the framework.

According to sources close to him, he had a different opinion regarding the weapons issue and is attempting to implement it through Faihan. Each party seems to have different parameters for what could be termed “the end of the weapons issue.”
Proposals range from a few weeks to four years. This divergence is where the problem lies: who truly has the power to resolve the issue?

The government says one thing, the framework discusses another, and Parliament has a different vision, while the armed factions still refuse to move from dialogue to surrendering their weapons.
Al-Araji goes even further. He says that when weapons are completely in the hands of the state, anyone who retains weapons outside the state will be treated as a terrorist. The plan hasn’t disappeared; it has simply faded from view.

Aqeel Abbas, an academic and political analyst, told Al-Mada that there is a general feeling of backtracking on the original agenda—the dismantling of the factions—but he says the issue is not yet resolved.
He explains that the original plan relied on the judiciary, through Judge Faiq Zaidan, in cooperation with Al-Zaydi, and the use of the Counter-Terrorism Service to arrest those who refuse to surrender their weapons if arrest warrants are issued against them.
But what has changed, according to his analysis, is not necessarily Al-Zaydi’s position alone, but rather the framework’s stance on the plan.

He says there are indications that the framework had given initial and preliminary approval to it before backtracking, especially after the visit of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to Baghdad.

From that moment, the approach to dealing with weapons began to gradually change. From “disarmament” to “storage,” then to “regulation.”

The factions engaged in dialogue but refused to surrender their weapons.
Even this point remains unresolved. Among the proposals are transferring some weapons to Iran, storing them in faction-owned depots, or placing them in special storage facilities within the Popular Mobilization Forces.

The disagreement isn’t solely about location. Another question arises: will the storage include all weapons, or only heavy weapons and ballistic missiles?

Then came the attacks on Saudi Arabia, which presented al-Zaidi with a new political opportunity.
The government dismissed security officials in Maysan, revealed the drone launch sites, and closed the border with Iran. Al-Araji confirmed the accuracy of the Saudi information, despite conflicting narratives pointing to Israel, Ukraine, and even Somalia.

According to sources who spoke to Al-Mada, these measures “turned” public opinion around, transforming al-Zaidi from a prime minister whom Shia forces were attempting to “block” into a figure leading the investigation into the source of the attacks.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of a potential clash after September 30, Shia forces began exploring the formation of a “leadership council” to organize and oversee the state.
According to sources, this council would effectively diminish the role of the government and its prime minister.

One source described the move as “targeting the constitution, Ali al-Zaidi personally,” and the agreement reached between the US and Iraq.
What if this retreat is temporary?

For Abbas, the real question is not whether the plan has changed, but whether al-Zaidi himself has backed down. If this is the case, Abbas believes the prime minister’s political future will be severely impacted.

He estimates that US support for al-Zaidi will cease, and his position could be reduced from prime minister to merely a “director-general” for those who wish to keep him in power. Alternatively, it could open the door to his dismissal or resignation, triggering a competition for the position.

Maliki wants him, Sudani wants him, and others do too, according to Abbas.
The government’s recent actions were interpreted in political circles as a retreat from the disarmament process.

The slogan that appeared on state television and was later removed, comparing the surrender of weapons to the preservation of life, along with the push to legislate the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law, were two indicators of a softening in the government’s rhetoric.

This coincided with high-level Iranian visits to Baghdad, most notably those of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force.
The framework began to speak of the need to consider the “feelings of the factions,” as Maliki stated, while Amiri reiterated that a clash would not occur. According to sources close to the government, Amiri may have been relying solely on this assumption.

Subsequently , the language shifted from disarmament to storage, and then organization. The factions, for their part, engaged in dialogue without agreeing to surrender. Now, the issue has reached New York, and if Zaidi meets with Trump, he may have an opportunity to reaffirm the date—according to sources close to the government—which has been repeatedly postponed in Iraqi discourse. However, even the meeting itself is not as certain as it is being discussed in Baghdad. Kato Saadallah, an expert on Iraqi-American affairs, told Al-Mada that UN meetings are usually packed, and that the US president will be busy meeting with leaders of several countries. He noted that the White House confirmed Trump’s meeting with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE to discuss the Iranian issue and the repercussions of war, while, according to him, no lengthy meeting with the Iraqi prime minister was announced. Saadallah expects the meeting, if it takes place, to be brief; perhaps a greeting or a quick chat.

Al-Zaidi might ask Trump for more time or an extension on the disarmament file, citing the ongoing negotiations with the factions. However, he believes that the importance of this file to Washington may diminish after the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, and that future developments will depend more on what the Trump administration does regarding Iran: will it head towards a new round of war, or a last-minute agreement?

According to Saadallah, al-Zaidi’s visit this time will not be like his previous one, and there may be American displeasure with the lack of progress on the factions file, as well as on the anti-corruption file. Al-Zaidi had promised, publicly, that September 30th would be the last day for the factions.

Saadallah says that Trump initially gives opportunities to those who make promises, but the situation could change if those promises are not fulfilled.

A short meeting… and a long message . Abbas, on the other hand, doubts the narrative that downplays the importance of the meeting. If the meeting does take place, he says, it will greatly strengthen al-Zaidi’s position and may push him to adhere even more firmly to the original agenda. “I believe a meeting with Trump will not happen without American trust or an American understanding that the agreed-upon plan will be implemented,” Abbas says. He adds, “There will be no meeting with a prime minister who broke his promise to the Americans.”

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AL-ZAIDI MEETS TRUMP IN NEW YORK AHEAD OF THE END OF THE COALITION’S MISSION.

 About the news

• All eyes are on the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi to New York next Tuesday to participate in the United Nations General Assembly meetings.

• During the visit, al-Zaidi is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump, at a time when the country is witnessing a withdrawal of coalition forces as the September 30 deadline approaches.
•  This visit comes at a different political juncture, as the Iraqi diplomatic move intersects with an internal debate about restricting weapons to the state and the future of the American military presence in Iraq.

Channel 8 has learned that Al-Zaidi will visit the United States this week to attend the United Nations General Assembly meeting, where he will deliver Iraq’s speech.

• The visit’s schedule will include meetings with Trump and the heads of several states.
• The Zaidi movement embodies the strategic relations between Iraq and those countries.
• Al-Zaidi will attend a meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce, as part of efforts to sustain economic and trade relations between the two countries.
• September 30th represents an important sovereign milestone, which will move the relationship with Washington towards long-term economic cooperation, according to Haider Al-Aboudi.
• Meanwhile, Iraqi Ambassador Krikor Der Hagopian presented his credentials to Trump as Iraq’s resident ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the United States.
• Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The presentation of credentials ceremony took place at the White House.
• The ambassador conveyed the greetings of the Iraqi government to the US president, and affirmed their pride in his appointment as ambassador to the United States.

Iraq is approaching a pivotal moment in its relationship with the United States, with the government’s security advisor, Qasim al-Araji, confirming that the international coalition forces led by Washington will leave the country by the end of September, in accordance with the agreement concluded between Baghdad and Washington in 2024.

While the results of the visit remain contingent on the outcome of the political meetings and contacts, the presence of the arms issue and the relationship with the United States in the Iraqi scene makes the New York visit more than a routine diplomatic stop; it comes at a moment when international obligations intersect with internal questions related to the future of Iraq’s security and sovereign decision-making.

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KURDISTAN PRESIDENCY: BAGHDAD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING OIL FACILITIES AFTER SEPTEMBER 30

 On Monday, the spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Presidency, Dilshad Shahab, confirmed that the federal government will bear a great responsibility for defending Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, after September 30, particularly in the airspace, noting that protecting the region’s oil facilities is part of this responsibility.

Shahab said in a press conference, attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, that the protection of oil facilities by air in the Kurdistan Region comes in accordance with the agreement between the regional government and the federal government, noting that a major part of Iraq’s revenues comes from the region.

He explained that the threats to oil facilities in the region have had a significant and negative impact on the Iraqi economy, stressing that the issue is not only related to the Kurdistan Region, but to the Iraqi economy as a whole.

He added that the President of the Kurdistan Region and the regional government made it clear to the federal government that Kurdistan would support the protection of these oil facilities.

He noted the arrival of federal delegations to the Kurdistan Region and to the oil facilities, indicating that there is an agreement in principle with the federal government regarding the protection of the oil facilities, but he clarified that he does not know the remaining military details.

Regarding military support, Shihab said that the support provided by the coalition forces during the past period came within the agreement with the federal government, and that the date for the end of the coalition forces’ mission will come sooner or later, explaining that there is a strategic agreement between Iraq and the United States, which includes a part related to military matters.

He added that it is possible that in the future the coalition forces will not be present in their current form, but military support is not limited to a military presence on the ground.

He continued: “We heard from senior military leaders that Iraq still needs international support because of the many threats in the region,” noting that unifying the Peshmerga forces was a prerequisite for the coalition forces to continue their support.

Regarding relations between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Shihab said that he is not directly involved in this matter, but he believes that, when comparing the current situation to what it was a month ago, there has been an improvement in relations, with an exchange of views and some meetings, as well as a cessation of mutual media attacks.

Regarding the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Shahab indicated that there was a “good atmosphere,” stressing the need to activate the parliament, and considering that the current developments represent “good hope” for the formation of the government.

The September 30th date coincides with the deadlines related to ending the international coalition’s military presence in Iraq.

In September 2024, Iraq and the United States agreed to end the military mission of the US-led international coalition against ISIS in Iraq, as part of a phased plan to move the security relationship between the two countries from the framework of the coalition to a bilateral partnership.

The first phase of the mission ended in September 2025, while forces remained in the Kurdistan Region to support operations against the organization in Syria, with the final phase to be completed by the end of September 2026.

The international coalition was formed in 2014 to assist Iraqi forces in confronting ISIS, which at the time controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria. The mission of the coalition forces later shifted primarily to training, advising, and intelligence support, while Baghdad asserts that its forces are now capable of assuming responsibility for security and pursuing the organization’s cells.

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 IRAQ IS IRAN’S LAST ROUTE FOR SMUGGLED DOLLARS, IRAQI MP SAYS

Iraq has become Iran’s only remaining route for obtaining smuggled US dollars following intensified American economic pressure on Tehran, an Iraqi lawmaker told Iran International.

“Dollar smuggling from Iraq to Iran or any other destination is continuing,” said Sherwan Doberndani, a member of the Iraqi parliament’s security and defense committee.

Doberndani said Washington stopped dollar transfers to Baghdad about a month ago, contributing to the dollar’s rise against the Iraqi dinar.

The United States is cutting off Iran’s access to the global financial system, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said earlier this month, through its Operation Economic Outcast which has already led to sanctions against banks in Turkey, the UAE and Russia.

The Iraqi lawmaker warned that Iraq could face sweeping US sanctions, potentially extending to its oil sector, if Baghdad failed to bring armed groups outside state control under government authority.

The warnings come ahead of the planned September 30 withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq, with efforts to disarm Iran-aligned forces yet to produce an agreement.

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AL-ZAYDI: THE WEAPONS CONTROL PROCESS BEGINS WITH A 90-DAY DEADLINE AND ENDS IN JUNE 2027.

 Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi pledged on Monday to disarm armed factions in Iraq by June 2027, stressing that the factions have 90 days after which they will be outlawed.

Al-Zaydi told the New York Times that the disarmament plan would be implemented in stages, explaining that this step would be a key focus in Iraq’s management of its relations with its two main allies, the United States and Iran, in light of the ongoing war between them.

He added that “the disarmament plan is not optional, but a necessity.”

Al-Zaydi continued, saying: “Others spoke about this matter and then backed down. They succumbed to pressure or other fears. As for me, this issue, along with the issue of corruption, is a matter of honor.”

According to Al-Zaydi, there will first be a 90-day period during which the factions will refrain from launching any attacks, with a guarantee that they will not be attacked by US forces. After that, the factions will begin handing over their weapons, with the disarmament process to be completed by June 30, 2027.

Regarding oil, Al-Zaidi explained: “We lost 60% of our monthly oil revenues because of the war,” clarifying that “Iran did not allow our tankers to pass through Hormuz, as its goal is to raise global oil prices.”

The issue of armed factions is one of the most sensitive issues facing the Iraqi government, with the approach of September 30, which the main political forces have set as the deadline for restricting weapons to official institutions.

The State Administration Coalition, which includes the most prominent Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces, stressed during its meeting on August 5 the need to restrict weapons to the state, and considered the parties that carry out activities that threaten the security of the country outside the framework of official institutions as “outlaws and must be fought.”

The September 30th date also coincides with the deadlines related to ending the military presence of the international coalition in Iraq, which some factions use as a basis for linking the future of their weapons to the withdrawal of foreign forces.

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A 90-DAY DEADLINE AND A CRUCIAL CONDITION: WASHINGTON REVEALS DETAILS OF AL-ZAYDI’S PLAN TO DISARM THE FACTIONS.

 US Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq, Tom Barrack, announced a strategic agreement stipulating that all weapons would be exclusively in the hands of the Iraqi state and that all illegal armaments would be eliminated by the end of June 2027. He emphasized that, under the new arrangements, official security and military institutions would become the sole legitimate authority possessing military power in the country.

This American revelation, according to a detailed report published by Al-Monitor, came in the wake of high-level talks held by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York, which coincided with the Iraqi government’s announcement of a comprehensive national plan to disarm the factions and dismantle their military structures while integrating their compliant members, within legal frameworks, into the official state institutions.

The agreed-upon implementation plan includes a precise timetable beginning with a 90-day preliminary and confidence-building phase, during which armed factions pledge to completely cease all military operations and attacks, as a crucial preliminary step preceding the actual commencement of inventory and handover of weapons and military equipment to government authorities.

This move is of exceptional importance as it lays the foundations for a new identity in the relationship between Baghdad and Washington. It coincides with Iraqi diplomatic efforts at the United Nations and the approaching deadline of September 30 for the withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq, reflecting the federal government’s desire to fully assert its sovereignty and ensure sustainable security and economic stability, paving the way for the post-coalition era.

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

Auf Wiedersehen

Much love to ya all,

Mnt Goat

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER:

September 17, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

More news today about disarming the Iranian-backed Factions operating inside Iraq. In fact, this is just about all the news there is and is a major concern now inside Iraq. Also how will Iraq defend themselves since the US is also pulling out but Sept 30th? Will they pull out and leave Iraq venerable to these factions? Will Washington give a slight delay for the factions and also then delay the US withdrawal to coiincide? Seems only fair to me. What do you think? Or will they hold fast to the Sept 30th deadline. What will happen if a delay is not granted?

GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT

I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are.

 Let’s all try to chip in!

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Proverbs 19:17

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”

STATUS OF THE RV

The news this period is light but still VERY important to our investment in the Iraqi dinar. Afterall, we had a very long Newsletter on Tuesday and so I am giving all my readers a break today in a shorter version…. Lol… lol… lol…. 😊

The news this week is mostly about the resistance of the Iranian factions inside Iraq that are resisting the disarmament process, as wanted by Washington and the citizens of Iraq. I need to first set the stage for what we are about to study today before going on with all the articles and then review the recent articles on this topic to show you proof of what is going on inside Iraq.

I can guess everyone may be getting a bit bored about this topic of disarming these militias and factions but this is an important topic to cover and a major obstacle to the reinstatement and one of those five (5) main issues that need resolution prior. Trust me I am bored too and wish it was all over and done with. It will get done but will there be delays? What did Washington say right from the start on July 14th about delays?

I believe when we read about the effort of the factions today, we will realize that there efforts by the Coordination Framework to postpone the disarmament process. They are doing this in the hope of helping Iran as the Iranian regime inside Iran is falling apart fast, now from the inside out.  

UPDATE: On disarming the militias/factions:

Speaking about being a SECURE and SOVERIEGN Iraq, what about the Iranian militias and factions?

Washington said no bargaining on this subject matter…period! The factions are using the disarming issue saying the US must also leave as well as Iran to give back full sovereignty to Iraq. That ‘full’ sovereignty is needed for the factions to lay down their arms and go home. I recommend everyone go read the entire article in the Articles Section.

There are two pieces to this effort of disarmament issue we must understand clearly:

One piece is the militias. These are the Iranian Kud forces that came into Iraq in 2014 under Iranian general Soleimani to fight ISIS. Once the war was over they continue to occupy Iraq. I have to believe helping Iraq was just an excuse to remain in Iraq and control it since as a proxy state. We witnessed the corrupt Coordination Framework try to put the treasonous Nouri Al-Maliki back in as prime minister. Again Washington forbid it. These militias more or less have agreed to disarmament and are simulating into Iraq or returning back to Iran.

The second piece is the Hezbollah radical terrorist group that have infiltrated into Iraq blending in with the militias. These terrorists are the major concern now of Washington and so when Washington talks of serious sanctions against Iraq this is why. These radicals can not continue in Iraq if the investment arena president Trump is attempting to create can succeed. These terrorists are aware of what the U.S. is trying to do in Iraq and wants it for themselves as a proxy state for Iran. Once again Hezbollah is being funded by Iran through funds stolen from Iraq.  

Let’s get to the news about this subject matter. Here is the stream of articles:

• “WASHINGTON BRANDISHES THE “DOLLAR CARD”… A WARNING TO BAGHDAD: DISARM THE FACTIONS OR FINANCIAL SHIPMENTS WILL BE HALTED”

It’s called leverage. At this point in time Iraq is NOT yet ready or mature enough to manage their own funds and end the petro dollar accounts with the US Treasury, and this article makes it a point to explain why. You think the banks have a problem now with liquidity, wait till these sanctions kick in, if they do!

“Informed government officials revealed to Kurdistan 24 today (Tuesday, September 15) that Washington has informed the Iraqi government of its intention to “stop dollar shipments” to Iraq if the factions do not adhere to the disarmament deadline.”

“The network, as reported by Baghdad Today, said that two Iraqi officials, who declined to reveal their identities, stated that Washington had informed Baghdad that it would “stop the monthly dollar shipments to Iraq if the factions do not comply with the disarmament deadline set for the 30th of this month.”

“She continued, “Officials confirmed that the first warning was delivered to al-Zaidi during his visit to Washington”  

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• “AS THE LAST US TROOPS PACK UP IN IRAQ, MILITIAS SIGNAL THEIR WEAPONS WILL STAY”

BAGHDAD (AP) — Two deadlines are looming for Iraq at the end of the month: the end of a decades-long U.S. military presence and the disarmament of non-state armed groups.  

“Two deadlines are looming for Iraq at the end of the month: the end of a decades-long U.S. military presence and the disarmament of non-state armed groups. The U.S. withdrawal is underway, and officials say the hundreds of troops remaining in northern Iraq will be out by the Sept. 30 deadline.”

“The Iraqi government has linked the U.S. withdrawal to an ultimatum for militias to lay down their weapons. But most have indicated they have no plans to do so.

That leaves major questions about what the day after will look like in Iraq.”

“Those include the bases of exiled Iranian Kurdish dissident groups, energy facilities, and even the office of the Kurdish region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

“The withdrawal will expose the Kurdistan region even further and make it an even easier target,” Salih said. Regional government officials declined to comment, but Barzani has publicly expressed anxiety that the removal of U.S. air defenses would leave the area more vulnerable.”

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• “THE ARMS CONTROL CAMPAIGN IN IRAQ ENTERS A CRUCIAL PHASE… AMERICAN MESSAGES AND PRESSURE ON AL-ZAIDI BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30TH”

“The issue of restricting weapons to the state in Iraq is entering a highly sensitive phase as the September 30 deadline approaches, coinciding with the end of the international coalition’s mission, amid clear differences regarding the timetable and mechanisms for dealing with armed factions, and talk of American pressures and messages urging Baghdad to take practical steps in this matter.”

“Despite the Iraqi government’s insistence on the principle of ensuring that no weapons remain outside state institutions, the deadline for completing this process remains undecided.”

“In parallel with the official position, Al Jazeera Net quoted a source within the coordination framework as saying that the American side sent two messages to Iraq regarding the file, one of which included criticism of what Washington considered insufficient measures to restrict weapons, while the second, according to the source, carried warnings of possible sanctions in the event that no real progress is made.”

“After September 30

“It appears that September 30th will not necessarily signify the complete closure of the file, but rather may mark a transition to a new phase of negotiations and procedures.”

Giving any kind of extension of course is not good for us investors as it will stall the entire process of the reinstatement if it is extended too long into the future.  

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• “AMERICA PRESENTS AL-ZAIDI WITH TWO OPTIONS: RESTRICTING WEAPONS OR IMPOSING COMPREHENSIVE SANCTIONS THAT WILL TOPPLE THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS PRESIDENT.”

 “Baghdad seems to have woken up to the most intense wave of American warnings since the formation of Ali al-Zaidi’s government.”

“Washington has completely lost patience with the policy of “buying time” regarding the factions and has decided to present the Prime Minister with two stark choices: either genuinely “restrict the factions’ weapons” or face comprehensive sanctions that would topple him and his government from the political scene and plunge the Iraqi economy into chaos, reminiscent of the aftermath of the invasion of Kuwait.”

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• “PARLIAMENTARY FINANCE COMMITTEE: THREAT OF SANCTIONS IS POLITICAL BLACKMAIL AND A BLATANT VIOLATION OF IRAQ’S SOVEREIGNTY”

“Former member of the parliamentary finance committee, Mueen Al-Kadhemi, confirmed on Wednesday that the American threats to resort to imposing economic sanctions represent a clear act of blackmail against Iraq and a blatant interference in its internal affairs.”

“Al-Kadhimi told Al-Maalomah that “using the economic sanctions card to pressure Baghdad is a mechanism that violates all diplomatic norms and breaches the rules governing relations between countries in international law,” explaining that “such policies aim to impose dictates and deprive the national decision.”

“He added that “Iraq is an independent and fully sovereign state, and no external party can be allowed to interfere in its internal affairs or attempt to blackmail it by threatening sanctions,“ stressing “the need to reject these threats and adhere to the independence of the Iraqi position and protect the country’s economic resources from any external pressures.”

I say really? Looks like another irony of Iraq to me. Of course, I do not agree with what is said in this article. Iraq has shown it is not yet ready to stand on its own fee. The US did fight a war to overthrow Saddam Heisen and then turn the country over to Iranian terrorists. When anyone says Iraq is an independent and ‘fully’ sovereign state they are wrong as long as Iranian influences the state as it does. So why not have US influence the state then too, as Iran can do it? What is the difference? The only difference is the one writing this article is an Iranian sympathizer. We know already the paid and suffering Iran inflicts upon any country it touches.

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• “(EXCLUSIVE) THE US STATE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS ITS SUPPORT FOR AL-ZAIDI’S EFFORTS TO EXTEND SOVEREIGNTY, CONTROL WEAPONS, AND PREVENT ATTACKS.”

“The US State Department affirmed on Wednesday that the United States supports Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s efforts to extend state sovereignty and prevent attacks from being carried out inside or launched from Iraq, stressing Washington’s commitment to building a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with Baghdad.”

Economic news reports

This came in response to a question from Shafaq News Agency from a spokesperson for the US State Department, regarding reports that Washington had warned Baghdad of possible measures if efforts to curb armed factions failed, and whether President Donald Trump’s administration was threatening financial and economic sanctions or restrictions on dollar transactions and transfers.

The spokesman said, “President Trump made it clear, when he hosted Prime Minister al-Zaidi for a historic visit on July 14, that the United States strongly supports his vision to ensure a brighter future for all Iraqis, free from terrorism.” He added that this support includes “working to prevent any attacks from being launched from or within Iraqi territory, and building a strong and mutually beneficial US-Iraqi partnership.”

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UPDATE: Oil and Gas Law

Let’s now address another issue that we all should realize by now Iraq needs in order to reinstate the dinar. There are a few good articles that recently came out from Iraq explaining much to us.

Remember I said reinstate not remove the zeros, so pay close attention. Iraq could probably remove the zeros and delay the reinstatement until these other issues are addressed. But there would have to be an assurance they would not take very long to complete.

So, try to remember the news I presented on Tuesday on this topic. Relate all these articles today to what was said in the past. Note the contradictions. Seems today is not has positive but more negative. This shows to us at least they are working on the new law in parliament, even if still debating it. Let’s hope they don’t shelve it again and gets this completed this time, if even a bit longer. Can they do it for the 2027 budget?

I wanted to keep my readers updated on any developments about the Oil and Gas law. This one is titled “THE OIL AND GAS LAW: IRAQ’S WEALTH HELD HOSTAGE BY POLITICAL DISPUTES”

 “The oil and gas law remains shrouded in dust after years spent in the halls of parliament, amidst ongoing political and technical disputes that have prevented its final approval.“

“This is despite the law’s crucial role in regulating the management of oil and gas resources and defining mechanisms for revenue distribution between the federal government, the regions, and the provinces. Among the contentious issues is the relationship between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region regarding the management of oil fields, revenues, and constitutional powers.“

Al-Musalmawi stated that “there is a need to address the outstanding points of contention between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, and to reach understandings that allow for the enactment of the law in a way that guarantees the rights of all parties and resolves the issues related to the management of oil wealth.”

The oil and gas law faces a postponed fate after being repeatedly postponed from one parliamentary session to the next, despite its direct link to the national wealth file, the management and distribution of oil revenues, and its impact on the lives of citizens and the Iraqi economy. This makes its resolution one of the legislative issues still awaiting political and technical consensus.

“For his part, MP and former minister Zuhair al-Jalabi revealed to Al-Maalomah that “the issue of annexing land from Nineveh Governorate for the benefit of the Kurdistan Region is practically settled, especially since the administrative boundaries of the governorates are defined within the Ministry of Planning and cannot be changed except by a decision of the Council of Representatives through a vote on a new administrative map of the governorates.”

“He added that “the issue of the oil and gas law, despite talk of obstacles related to shared lands and the ownership of oil fields, whether for Baghdad or the region, is a bigger problem because many countries are trying to ensure that such a law is not passed.”

The below paragraph explains it very clearly the real reason why the law has not yet passed. Most don’t want to air this dirty laundry, but it has to be said and this article says it. When vast amounts of future revenues are involved, corruption is rampant. ☹

“He explained that “the countries seeking to prevent the law’s passage benefit from oil smuggling, the rampant corruption in the relevant ministry, and the chaos associated with this file. Some countries are trying to ensure the continuation of this scenario to guarantee the achievement of their interests.”

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Would you believe this law was supposed to be passed in 2007 and in force within a few years of passing the new Iraq constitution? The article is titled “AL-MUSLAWI SPEAKS ABOUT THE OIL AND GAS LAW…ITS APPROVAL IS STILL FAR OFF”

 “The spokesperson for the Reconstruction and Development parliamentary bloc, Firas al-Muslawi, confirmed on Wednesday that the oil and gas law continues to face numerous obstacles preventing its passage in the Council of Representatives.”

“He explained that the reasons for the delay are a mix of political and technical factors.
Speaking to Al-Maalomah, al-Muslawi stated, “The oil and gas law is among the most frequently postponed laws in the Iraqi parliament, most recently during the last parliamentary session. “

“He added, “Among the most prominent political reasons are the objections from the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdish blocs, despite the law’s importance and Iraq’s need for it, as it is a crucial piece of legislation that can contribute to achieving social justice in the distribution of wealth among the provinces.”

This statement about Kurdistan is simply NOT true. It used to be true but their issues have been worked out. There may be new disputes if they are changing what they agreed on about a year ago. Why change it if you already had agreements? Could it be intentional just so the corrupt delay it again and again?

This last statement is NOT entirely true since the Kurds have been operating off the version of the draft law now in parliament for over a year now. This should have been a slam dunk in parliament and passed by 2007. Articles 111 and 112 state that oil and gas are the property of all Iraqis. It gives until 2007 to pass a law putting in force the provisions of the new constitution. It is now 2026 that’s 19 years too late already. Why has not the U.S. been more involved in this effort too. This one surprises me. Will the Trump administration find a way to speed up the process in parliament?

The real reason it has not yet pass is all about ‘corruption’, corruption, corruption. Did I say corruption! ☹ The corrupt side of some politicians don’t want the wealth spread to improve peoples lives. Other countries too who enjoy the benefits of the smuggled out oil also don’t want the law to pass. This will cut them out of cheaper oil. There are other issues too like who owns the new oil wells, where this revenue goes (Kurdistan or Baghdad) and the disputed lands and their wells  on them. It is not clearly stated and is ambiguous in the constitution about these other issues.

“The oil and gas law faces a postponed fate after being repeatedly deferred from one parliamentary session to the next, despite its direct link to the national wealth file, the management and distribution of oil revenues, and its impact on the lives of citizens and the Iraqi economy. This makes its resolution one of the legislative issues still awaiting political and technical consensus.”

I don’t believe Washington is going to extend out the timeframe too long if at all for the disarmament of the Iranian-backed terrorist factions in Iraq. They will probably be given a short time to present a plan to Trump and Al-Zaidi will  have to justify the extension. Remember that if the Trump administration makes a threat of actions they will hold a country to it. This is a negotiation tactic used by Trump over and over again. Part of  negotiations at times can extend but only for short periods with warnings this is the last or else. The ‘else’ in normally clearly spelled out.

Why has the US not gotten more involved in the Oil and Gas Law, especially if this is so important enough to hold up the reinstatement?

I also want to reiterate that by the end of September that we are supposed to also hear about the timeframe for removing the zeros from the large 3-zero notes and how it will all work. Will the disarmament interfere with this timetable. Oh… don’t let anyone fool you as there is a timetable and they are trying to meet it.

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SUMMARY:

I don’t believe Washington is going to extend out the timeframe too long if at all for the disarmament of the Iranian-backed terrorist factions in Iraq. They will probably be given a short time to present a plan to Trump and Al-Zaidi will  have to justify the extension. Remember that if the Trump administration makes a threat of actions they will hold a country to it. This is a negotiation tactic used by Trump over and over again. Part of  negotiations at times can extend but only for short periods with warnings this is the last or else. The ‘else’ in normally clearly spelled out.

Why has the US not gotten more involved in the Oil and Gas Law, especially if this is so important enough to hold up the reinstatement?

I also want to reiterate that by the end of September that we are supposed to also hear about the timeframe for removing the zeros from the large 3-zero notes and how it will all work. Will the disarmament interfere with this timetable. Oh… don’t let anyone fool you as there is a timetable and they are trying to meet it.

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What do you think will happen next? (Leave a comment)

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

                                         

These prophecies are an important tool we have to lead us on our path. They are more important now than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?

It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.

NOTE: These prophecies just keep getting better and better, giving us HOPE of a brighter future. They seem to converge now closer and closer to seeing them come to fulfillment. WOW!

Prophetic Words from the prophets:  Julie Green

“Time Is Running Short“

Go to the 10:59  mark on the video. Given on Sept 11^th

Remember that we have not yet seen the Angle of Death pop his head up again since the exodus from Egypt. I fully expect these events prophesized to happen between now and election day in November or just afterwards. It all depends how severe based on the election results and who gets into office. God is going to clean house either way, through the ballot box or afterwards.

“A Total Govt Reset Is Taking Place“

Go to the 11:35 mark on the video. Given on Sept 13^th.   

Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

I keep this one out here to view. Everyone should take the time to watch it. It will awaken you about the Muslim so-called religion (or should we call it for it is — a ‘cult‘.)

— And the truth the world forgot about the so-called Muslim religion.

Fr.Don Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth,  particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.  

TOTAL REVOLT! IRAN REGIME IN PANIC!

Iran’s Kurds Plan Complete Shutdown

TRUMP PROMISES FREE $5000 CASH TO EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN

Trump Promises Free $5000 Cash To Every American Citizen On One Condition!

Republicans Set Midterm Agenda must win both houses in November. Is this just a hoax to get more votes? We are not talking about a $600 check but $5,000 and this much has NEVER been given directly to the American people before by any predecessor before Trump.

Here is the initial PROMISE speech at the RNC:

Then again he promises it will happen upon being interviewed after his visit to Ireland while still on the tarmac:

NATIONWIDE UPRISING IN IRAN! ISLAMIC REGIME & IRGC PANIC AS IRANIANS PLAN COMPLETE SHUTDOWN 

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE JOURNALISM SERIOUSLY

Maria Bartiromo OUSTED by Fox News After 12 Years, Erased From Network After Shocking Split. She was getting too close to too many conspiracies and they didn’t like it. In other words she ruffled too many feathers…. Then they oust you for telling the TRUTH!

MARIA BARTIROMO FINALLY SPEAKS OUT AFTER FOX NEWS FIRING

THE LARGEST SINGLE OIL RESERVE EVER DISCOVERED IN THE UNITED STATES

WASHINGTON BRANDISHES THE “DOLLAR CARD”… A WARNING TO BAGHDAD: DISARM THE FACTIONS OR FINANCIAL SHIPMENTS WILL BE HALTED

(Mnt Goat: It’s called leverage. At this point in time Iraq is NOT yet ready to manage their own funds and stop the petro dollar accounts with the US Treasury, and this is why.)

Informed government officials revealed to Kurdistan 24 today (Tuesday, September 15) that Washington has informed the Iraqi government of its intention to “stop dollar shipments” to Iraq if the factions do not adhere to the disarmament deadline.

The network, as reported by Baghdad Today, said that two Iraqi officials, who declined to reveal their identities, stated that Washington had informed Baghdad that it would “stop the monthly dollar shipments to Iraq if the factions do not comply with the disarmament deadline set for the 30th of this month.”

She continued, “Officials confirmed that the first warning was delivered to al-Zaidi during his visit to Washington, where the US administration confirmed to him that failure to contain the threat of armed factions to US interests and the interests of countries in the region would have dire consequences for relations between the two countries, including Iraq’s access to dollar liquidity.”

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AS THE LAST US TROOPS PACK UP IN IRAQ, MILITIAS SIGNAL THEIR WEAPONS WILL STAY

BAGHDAD (AP) — Two deadlines are looming for Iraq at the end of the month: the end of a decades-long U.S. military presence and the disarmament of non-state armed groups.  

Two deadlines are looming for Iraq at the end of the month: the end of a decades-long U.S. military presence and the disarmament of non-state armed groups. The U.S. withdrawal is underway, and officials say the hundreds of troops remaining in northern Iraq will be out by the Sept. 30 deadline.

The Iraqi government has linked the U.S. withdrawal to an ultimatum for militias to lay down their weapons. But most have indicated they have no plans to do so.

That leaves major questions about what the day after will look like in Iraq.

Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have struck U.S.-linked targets both inside and outside of Iraq since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28. They also have coordinated with Yemen’s Houthi rebels to attack Saudi Arabia.

With the war between the U.S. and Iran raging, Tehran is unlikely to give up the leverage it has in neighboring Iraq. U.S. officials are concerned about the militias’ ability to continue carrying out attacks — but not enough to delay their withdrawal.

The end of the US mission

U.S. troops invaded Iraq in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein. They departed in 2011, but three years later, Iraqi authorities invited a smaller U.S.-led mission to fight the Islamic State group, which had rampaged across Iraq, seizing large swaths of territory.

With the extremist group now reduced to scattered sleeper cells — a result of the intervention of Iran-backed militias as well as the U.S.-led coalition — Washington and Baghdad agreed in 2024 to wind the mission down.

U.S. troops pulled out of bases in most areas of Iraq last year but maintained a presence in the semiautonomous northern Kurdish region. Bases there have regularly come under attack since the U.S. and Israel launched their war against Iran.

A U.S. military official said the withdrawal would be completed by Sept. 30, and the hundreds of troops still present in northern Iraq would mostly be redeployed to Jordan and other countries in the region. Military equipment, including air defense systems, will also be removed. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly.

A “normal bilateral security cooperation” agreement could then be negotiated with the central government in Baghdad, he said, but it remains unclear what form that would take.

The official said that the counterterrorism base in Irbil had lost its importance for U.S. troops with the Islamic State threat receding. During the war with Iran, northern Iraq for the most part did not serve as an “offensive platform,” but U.S. forces there were frequently targeted by Iran and Iran-backed Iraqi militias, so pulling troops out “will reduce our risk,” he said.

But the U.S. military remains concerned about the ability of the Iraqi militias to launch attacks on targets elsewhere in the region, including in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, and about the presence of Houthi rebel forces in Iraq, he said. In the past, the U.S. has sometimes struck militia sites in Iraq in retaliation for attacks. Washington has slapped sanctions on some of the groups and could impose more.

Militias take a hard line on disarmament

Iraqi government officials have waffled over whether Sept. 30 is a hard deadline for disarmament of militias or merely the starting point for negotiations. “There will be no disarming of any groups by the 30th of September,” said Iraqi analyst Sajad Jiyad, speaking at a panel convened by the Atlantic Center think tank last week. “I think that’s probably clear to anybody who watches Iraqi politics.”

While a handful of less-influential militias have agreed to turn over their weapons, the most powerful groups — and closest to Iran — Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have rejected the prospect or set conditions for disarming that they know the government is unlikely to meet in the near future.

Those include bringing the Kurdish peshmerga security forces in northern Iraq under control of the central government’s military and expelling Iranian Kurdish dissident groups and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, that have bases in the region.

“After establishing these parameters, discussions will focus on regulating weapons, not surrendering them,” an official with one of the Iran-backed Iraqi militias said. “There is absolutely no decision among the factions to surrender weapons, and we have not surrendered any weapons.”

A government official said the government’s strategy currently focuses on bringing armed factions under the control of the Iraqi military. Already many of the militias are part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of armed groups that is officially part of the Iraqi armed forces, although the individual militias often act on their own.

The official said the government wants the armed factions to hand over “dynamic weapons” including missiles and long-range aircraft, to the central leadership of the PMF and for the individual factions to be dissolved and placed under the command of the PMF and the Iraqi army.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Iraqi government spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said last week that “discussions and dialogues are ongoing, and the file will be resolved after the withdrawal of the international coalition forces.”

Kurds are anxious about the day after Sept. 30

While the withdrawal of U.S. troops removes one target from the Kurdish region, it may not halt the attacks. Mohammed A. Salih, a non-resident senior fellow at the U.S.-based Foreign Policy Research Institute, and an expert on Kurdish and Iraqi affairs, noted that Iran and affiliated groups “have targeted other locations in the Kurdistan region that have not been related to the U.S. troops’ presence.”

Those include the bases of exiled Iranian Kurdish dissident groups, energy facilities, and even the office of the Kurdish region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

“The withdrawal will expose the Kurdistan region even further and make it an even easier target,” Salih said. Regional government officials declined to comment, but Barzani has publicly expressed anxiety that the removal of U.S. air defenses would leave the area more vulnerable.

Numan said last week that the Iraqi government was close to procuring new air defense systems from South Korea, Turkey and the U.S.He told The Associated Press that the new systems “will be deployed according to carefully devised military plans to ensure the complete protection of Iraqi airspace, including the Kurdistan region.”

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THE ARMS CONTROL CAMPAIGN IN IRAQ ENTERS A CRUCIAL PHASE… AMERICAN MESSAGES AND PRESSURE ON AL-ZAIDI BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30TH

The issue of restricting weapons to the state in Iraq is entering a highly sensitive phase as the September 30 deadline approaches, coinciding with the end of the international coalition’s mission, amid clear differences regarding the timetable and mechanisms for dealing with armed factions, and talk of American pressures and messages urging Baghdad to take practical steps in this matter.

Despite the Iraqi government’s insistence on the principle of ensuring that no weapons remain outside state institutions, the deadline for completing this process remains undecided. On September 10, Sabah al-Nu’man, spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, confirmed that no specific timeframe had been agreed upon with the factions, explaining that dialogue was ongoing and the process was proceeding according to the government’s vision.

Al-Nu’man also stated that discussions regarding the disarmament process are expected to accelerate after the international coalition’s mission ends on September 30, with the government affirming that the issue will remain among its sovereign and security priorities. Reports indicate that some factions have already begun taking steps to hand over their weapons, while others continue to link any broader action to the complete withdrawal of foreign military forces.

In parallel with the official position, Al Jazeera Net quoted a source within the coordination framework as saying that the American side sent two messages to Iraq regarding the file, one of which included criticism of what Washington considered insufficient measures to restrict weapons, while the second, according to the source, carried warnings of possible sanctions in the event that no real progress is made.

This information remains attributed to the source who spoke about it, and neither Washington nor Baghdad, according to what is officially published, has announced similar details regarding the content of those messages or any threat related to the future of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

According to the same information, leaders of the armed factions held meetings with forces within the coordination framework, followed by the formation of a committee that includes the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, the head of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, and the head of the Fatah Alliance, Hadi al-Amiri, to follow up on the discussions related to the file.

The data indicates a disagreement regarding the description of the next stage; while some parties have put forward the formula of “regulating weapons,” political and governmental forces adhere to the term “restricting weapons to the state,” as it is the expression that reflects the end of any armed presence operating independently of official institutions

.After September 30

It appears that September 30th will not necessarily signify the complete closure of the file, but rather may mark a transition to a new phase of negotiations and procedures. Al-Nu’man had previously stated that ending the international coalition’s mission would remove one of the main justifications used by the factions to retain their weapons, anticipating an accelerated resolution process after that date.

Political discussions have also taken place regarding the possibility of extending the weapons disarmament process until the end of the year, in order to avoid a direct military confrontation with the dissenting factions, a scenario that has been raised in political circles in recent weeks.

The article quotes Yasser Iskandar, a member of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, as saying that there is an understanding to grant an additional period of 90 days after September 30 to address weapons outside the framework of the state, but the government has not yet officially announced the adoption of a new deadline in this form.

In contrast, the government continues to emphasize that the ultimate goal remains unchanged, even if the timelines or implementation mechanisms change, which is to end the presence of weapons outside official security and military institutions.

The mobilization law enters the fray of the crisis

The issue of weapons is intertwined with the moves related to the Popular Mobilization Forces Law, as political forces seek to complete the legal framework regulating the work of the organization and its relationship with the state and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

The Speaker of Parliament had addressed the government last August regarding sending the draft law on the Popular Mobilization Forces to the Council for approval, at a time when political discussions were continuing regarding its articles and final wording.

Political forces believe that reorganizing the legal status of the Popular Mobilization Forces may help to separate the official institution from groups or formations that operate outside the state’s leadership hierarchy, while some aspects of the legislation remain subject to internal and external debate.

The coalition’s exit is a major obstacle.

Deputies and forces close to the factions insist on the need to ensure the implementation of the withdrawal of the international coalition forces before taking comprehensive steps regarding weapons, considering that the presence of foreign forces inside the country makes the issue more complicated from a security and political standpoint.

September 30, 2026 is the announced date for the end of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq, after which the relationship with its countries will move to different forms of security cooperation.

Members of the Security and Defense Committee also believe that the state needs to develop its military capabilities, particularly in the areas of air defense, drones, radars and modern weapons, so that official institutions can fully assume security and military tasks.

Internal and external pressures

On the political side, American pressure intersects with complex internal calculations within the coordination framework and the factions, where the dispute is not only about the principle of restricting weapons, but also about its timing, the way it will be implemented, and the extent to which the government is prepared to go to more stringent measures if the negotiations fail.

On September 6, the State Administration Coalition warned of the potential repercussions of US sanctions imposed on some countries and their impact on Iraq under the current financial circumstances, without directly naming Iran in its published statement.

Between American pressure, fears of internal escalation, and the conditions set by factions linked to the coalition’s withdrawal, Ali al-Zaidi’s government appears to be facing a delicate political and security test: proceeding towards restricting weapons without pushing the country into an internal armed confrontation, while at the same time taking concrete steps that prove the state’s ability to impose its authority on security decisions.

With less than two weeks until September 30, the issue does not appear to be heading towards a complete resolution in one day, but this date may mark the beginning of the most sensitive phase in the file, as the discussion shifts from the question of whether weapons will be restricted to the state to a more complex question concerning the implementation mechanisms and the time the government will need to accomplish this.

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AMERICA PRESENTS AL-ZAIDI WITH TWO OPTIONS: RESTRICTING WEAPONS OR IMPOSING COMPREHENSIVE SANCTIONS THAT WILL TOPPLE THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS PRESIDENT.

 Baghdad seems to have woken up to the most intense wave of American warnings since the formation of Ali al-Zaidi’s government. Washington has completely lost patience with the policy of “buying time” regarding the factions and has decided to present the Prime Minister with two stark choices: either genuinely “restrict the factions’ weapons” or face comprehensive sanctions that would topple him and his government from the political scene and plunge the Iraqi economy into chaos, reminiscent of the aftermath of the invasion of Kuwait. A

l Jazeera Net, in a report reviewed by 964 Network on Wednesday (September 16, 2026), reveals that two extremely harsh American cables arrived at al-Zaidi’s office. The first nullified all previous government measures and deemed his efforts to “restrict weapons” a mere formality, while the second contained direct threats of isolation and crippling sanctions. While the factions sought a diplomatic way out by softening the language to “regulating weapons” or “gradually” disarming them, the leaders of the Coordination Framework rejected this maneuver, clinging to the term “restriction” unequivocally to avoid the consequences of a confrontation with Washington.

Al Jazeera Net report:

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PARLIAMENTARY FINANCE COMMITTEE: THREAT OF SANCTIONS IS POLITICAL BLACKMAIL AND A BLATANT VIOLATION OF IRAQ’S SOVEREIGNTY

 Former member of the parliamentary finance committee, Mueen Al-Kadhemi, confirmed on Wednesday that the American threats to resort to imposing economic sanctions represent a clear act of blackmail against Iraq and a blatant interference in its internal affairs.

Al-Kadhimi told Al-Maalomah that “using the economic sanctions card to pressure Baghdad is a mechanism that violates all diplomatic norms and breaches the rules governing relations between countries in international law,” explaining that “such policies aim to impose dictates and deprive the national decision.”

He added that “Iraq is an independent and fully sovereign state, and no external party can be allowed to interfere in its internal affairs or attempt to blackmail it by threatening sanctions,” stressing “the need to reject these threats and adhere to the independence of the Iraqi position and protect the country’s economic resources from any external pressures.”

(Mnt Goat: When anyone says Iraq is an independent and fully sovereign state they are wrong as long as Iranian influences the state as it does. So why not have US influence the state then. What is the difference? The only difference is the one writing this article is an Iranian sympathizer. )

Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War indicated that the administration of US President Donald Trump warned Baghdad of the possibility of suspending monthly dollar transfers if the Iraqi government did not hand over the Popular Mobilization Forces’ weapons. This move reflects a clear attempt to pressure Iraqi sovereignty and target the Popular Mobilization Forces, which played a prominent role in confronting ISIS and defending Iraqi territory. 

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(EXCLUSIVE) THE US STATE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS ITS SUPPORT FOR AL-ZAIDI’S EFFORTS TO EXTEND SOVEREIGNTY, CONTROL WEAPONS, AND PREVENT ATTACKS.

The US State Department affirmed on Wednesday that the United States supports Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s efforts to extend state sovereignty and prevent attacks from being carried out inside or launched from Iraq, stressing Washington’s commitment to building a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with Baghdad.

Economic news reports

This came in response to a question from Shafaq News Agency from a spokesperson for the US State Department, regarding reports that Washington had warned Baghdad of possible measures if efforts to curb armed factions failed, and whether President Donald Trump’s administration was threatening financial and economic sanctions or restrictions on dollar transactions and transfers.

The spokesman said, “President Trump made it clear, when he hosted Prime Minister al-Zaidi for a historic visit on July 14, that the United States strongly supports his vision to ensure a brighter future for all Iraqis, free from terrorism.”

He added that this support includes “working to prevent any attacks from being launched from or within Iraqi territory, and building a strong and mutually beneficial US-Iraqi partnership.”

He continued: “We support Prime Minister al-Zaidi’s efforts to impose and exercise Iraqi sovereignty, at a time when Iraq is moving towards a new path under his leadership, and in full partnership with the United States.”

The spokesman did not address in his response the validity of reports concerning possible financial and economic sanctions or restrictions on dollar transactions, merely reiterating US support for measures to enforce sovereignty and prevent attacks.

The Foreign Ministry statement reinforces a position announced by a White House official to Shafaq News Agency, in which he affirmed the United States’ full support for disarming the factions and transferring their weapons to the federal government, stressing the importance of Baghdad’s transparency with Washington and regional partners regarding the mechanism for implementing the process.

Al-Zaydi also stressed that Iraq would not allow its territory to be turned into a base for launching threats against neighboring countries, and that placing weapons under state control does not represent a confrontation with any party, but rather a condition for building a unified state in which there are no multiple centers of power and decision-making.

The American position comes a day after MP Abu Turab al-Tamimi revealed to Shafaq News Agency al-Zaidi’s role in sparing Iraq from “almost certain” military strikes by Saudi Arabia and the United States that were scheduled for last Monday, attributing this to what he described as the “wisdom and policy” of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, without revealing further details.

The escalation stems from the targeting of facilities belonging to the Saudi “East-West” oil pipeline by drones that Riyadh and the Iraqi government said were launched from Iraqi territory, causing injuries and material damage and leading to the temporary shutdown of the pipeline.

Saudi Arabia announced that it would refrain from responding at the present time in response to Al-Zaidi’s request, while reserving the right to take the necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and vital facilities.

Following the attack, Al-Zaydi relieved the operations and police commanders in Maysan of their posts, transferred the directors of the security services in the province to the command and referred them for investigation, in addition to forming an urgent investigative council and tightening inspection and control procedures at the border crossings.

The Iraqi government also agreed to conduct a joint investigation with Iran regarding drone launch platforms found near the border strip, while a leader in the State of Law coalition stated that Tehran had handed over radar recordings to Baghdad that could help determine the drones’ trajectory, pending the completion of the government investigation committee’s report.

The “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” denied responsibility for the attack, announcing its readiness to cooperate with the investigation. The escalation brought the issue of restricting weapons to the state back to the forefront before September 30, coinciding with the end of the mission of the international coalition forces in Iraq.

After the date was initially presented as a deadline for handing over weapons outside official institutions, government officials later clarified that it relates to the end of the coalition’s mission and does not represent a date for the complete disarmament of factions.

In contrast, influential armed factions refuse to consider September 30 as a binding date for them, and link the discussion of the future of their weapons to the complete and permanent withdrawal of foreign forces, while the government affirms that the end of the coalition’s mission will remove the justifications for keeping weapons and accelerate their organization under the umbrella of the state.

Shafaq.com

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THE OIL AND GAS LAW: IRAQ’S WEALTH HELD HOSTAGE BY POLITICAL DISPUTES

 The oil and gas law remains shrouded in dust after years spent in the halls of parliament, amidst ongoing political and technical disputes that have prevented its final approval. This is despite the law’s crucial role in regulating the management of oil and gas resources and defining mechanisms for revenue distribution between the federal government, the regions, and the provinces. Among the contentious issues is the relationship between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region regarding the management of oil fields, revenues, and constitutional powers.

Al-Musalmawi stated that “there is a need to address the outstanding points of contention between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, and to reach understandings that allow for the enactment of the law in a way that guarantees the rights of all parties and resolves the issues related to the management of oil wealth.”

The oil and gas law faces a postponed fate after being repeatedly postponed from one parliamentary session to the next, despite its direct link to the national wealth file, the management and distribution of oil revenues, and its impact on the lives of citizens and the Iraqi economy. This makes its resolution one of the legislative issues still awaiting political and technical consensus.

For his part, MP and former minister Zuhair al-Jalabi revealed to Al-Maalomah that “the issue of annexing land from Nineveh Governorate for the benefit of the Kurdistan Region is practically settled, especially since the administrative boundaries of the governorates are defined within the Ministry of Planning and cannot be changed except by a decision of the Council of Representatives through a vote on a new administrative map of the governorates.”

He added that “the issue of the oil and gas law, despite talk of obstacles related to shared lands and the ownership of oil fields, whether for Baghdad or the region, is a bigger problem because many countries are trying to ensure that such a law is not passed.”

He explained that “the countries seeking to prevent the law’s passage benefit from oil smuggling, the rampant corruption in the relevant ministry, and the chaos associated with this file. Some countries are trying to ensure the continuation of this scenario to guarantee the achievement of their interests.”

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AL-MUSLAWI SPEAKS ABOUT THE OIL AND GAS LAW…ITS APPROVAL IS STILL FAR OFF

 The spokesperson for the Reconstruction and Development parliamentary bloc, Firas al-Muslawi, confirmed on Wednesday that the oil and gas law continues to face numerous obstacles preventing its passage in the Council of Representatives.

He explained that the reasons for the delay are a mix of political and technical factors.
Speaking to Al-Maalomah, al-Muslawi stated, “The oil and gas law is among the most frequently postponed laws in the Iraqi parliament, most recently during the last parliamentary session.  

He added, “Among the most prominent political reasons are the objections from the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdish blocs, despite the law’s importance and Iraq’s need for it, as it is a crucial piece of legislation that can contribute to achieving social justice in the distribution of wealth among the provinces.”

The oil and gas law faces a postponed fate after being repeatedly deferred from one parliamentary session to the next, despite its direct link to the national wealth file, the management and distribution of oil revenues, and its impact on the lives of citizens and the Iraqi economy. This makes its resolution one of the legislative issues still awaiting political and technical consensus.

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A CURRENCY SPECULATION NETWORK WAS DISMANTLED AND ILLEGAL FUNDS AND MONEY TRANSFERS WERE SEIZED IN CENTRAL BAGHDAD

About the news

• Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency: Dismantling a network involved in currency speculation and illegal money transfers.
• Local and international sums of money were seized in the center of Baghdad.
• Recording the statements of the accused, including their confessions, and having them legally ratified.

The Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency stated in a statement on Wednesday that detachments of the Organized Crime Directorate in Rusafa, based on accurate intelligence information, were able to detect a fake office without a sign, which was being used to conduct money transfers and financial transactions in dollars outside the legal frameworks.

• The agency’s detachments carried out an operation that resulted in the seizure of the office and the arrest of three defendants caught in the act.
• These individuals were arrested while conducting financial transactions and local and international transfers outside of legal controls.
• The arrest operation came after the formation of an intelligence team, verification of information, and obtaining the necessary judicial approvals.
• The statements of the accused were recorded as confessions and were judicially ratified, before they were referred to the competent judicial authorities to take legal action against them.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday that the Baghdad/Rusafa Police Command carried out a security exercise and a preemptive search campaign in the Al-Nuairiyah area, with the participation of a number of security, intelligence and support formations.

She said that “the campaign targeted the pursuit of wanted individuals and the seizure of violations and unlicensed weapons, resulting in the arrest of a number of wanted individuals in accordance with Articles (28) of the Narcotics Law and (456) of the Penal Code, and (8) violators of residency conditions, and the seizure of a warehouse for selling alcoholic beverages in violation of instructions, and the arrest of (4) people in possession of unlicensed weapons, in addition to the seizure of two Kalashnikov rifles and two pistols.”

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

Auf Wiedersehen

Much love to ya all,

Mnt Goat

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER:

September 15, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

WOW! WOW! WOW! More news today about numerous other options to bring in the 80-90% of the horded cash back into the banks. I want to point out that the pressure to do something to alleviate the liquidity crisis is real. In today’s news we get more of an explanation and understanding as to why solving this liquidity issue is so important to move the banks to the ‘international’ level that we all want. With five (5) confirmations in the past month that they are going to remove the zeros and go ahead with the ‘Project to Remove the Zeros’ as the means to solve this liquidity issue, it appears to be the direction they will most likely take. This is a joint effort by the CBI and the Finance Committee.

The Securities and Exchange just announced they are going to let ISX stocks trade on FOREX. WOW! WOW! WOW!

You are going to just luv all the news today!

GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT

I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are.

 Let’s all try to chip in!

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Proverbs 19:17

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”

STATUS OF THE RV

There is lots to go over today. It’s going to be a Lovely Day! This is going to be one of those longer Newsletters today. Get your favorite cup of coffee or tea, sit back and relax. Read carefully.

Try to absorb and understand what I am saying to you. I have some real gems for you today. You just have to see them and understand to appreciate that things in Iraq are not as normal as over the last 23 years and are changing VERY fast.

This is all tied to the meeting with Al-Zaidi and Trump. They are working towards the timing of the reinstatement we are waiting for. Folks, if you don’t take some time to educate yourself you will never know the TRUTH. Instead, you will fall prey to these idiotic intel gurus out there on the internet – then the roller coaster ride begins…… All of these recent events mean something, but just no RV yet. It is coming….

My CBI contact told me over the weekend that by the end of this month of September they intend to make a decision on what to about this liquidity issue. What option will they choose? I firmly believe the will remove the zeros and issue newer lower denominations and leave the CBI official rate alone. No RV inside Iraq to do it, just as they told us.  

There are many options on the table and in today’s news I present yet a couple more options. I want to warn everyone that so far these are options only and information on how each option might work. In know, I know when you read the articles it may not seem that way, but trust me they are just throwing out ideas. Not all of them will stick.  

In my last Newsletter I defined the difference between what the CBI can do alone (issuing brand new currency) and what needs legislation (removing the zeros project). This was a bit tricky to understand but I think I reviewed it for you in enough detail. You can go to the Mnt Goat Archives and reference the September 8, 2026 Newsletter to refresh your memory.

• I quote from the article- “Changing the currency is one of the exclusive powers of the central bank.” Thus, it does not need legislation to do it.

• I quote from the article – “While removing zeros requires legislation from the House of Representatives at the request of the government.”

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So, again the news media from Iraq emphasizes the problem in the article titled “NO LOANS OR ADVANCES… GOVERNMENT BANKS HAVE NO LIQUIDITY.”

Daily News subscription

An informed source revealed on Thursday that most government banks have stopped granting loans and advances of all kinds, attributing this to the lack of financial allocations and the lack of sufficient liquidity in those banks.  

Is this urgent? Again, they tell us the importance of changing the currency is highlighted by the fact that “there are more than 100 trillion dinars outside the banks”. Being that the M2 money supply is about 120 trillion dinars I’d say this is a crisis. Iraq will never get to a level of international banking with these kind of statistics.

You are going to read below six (6) more proposals as to how to solve the banking liquidity crisis in Iraq. They are just proposals. They came out in the news from Iraq this week. Please do not go off half-cocked thinking any one of these is exactly what they are going to do. In other words, they are just ‘opinions’ and we would much rather they just tell us what they will do and stop being hypothetical or beating around the bush. But we have speculators and they are trying to confuse them a bit…..  

These six new proposals also shows they are tossing around different ideas other than to remove the zeros and does not discount the removing of the zeros option. Get it? They will soon announce what they will actually do. They told us in previous articles they still needed to debate and think over the final solution, so they are doing exactly what they said they would do. I am just bringing these to you so you understand what they are doing and why its taking so long to tell us what they WILL DO. Get it?

Remember this article from my September 8th Newsletter tit

“REMOVING ZEROS FROM THE DINAR: PARLIAMENTARY FINANCE COMMITTEE SETS CONDITIONS FOR PROCEEDING WITH THIS MATTER.“

“Member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Amer Rahim, confirmed on Saturday that voting on a bill to remove zeros from the local currency requires extensive discussions and the enactment of a package of laws within the Parliament. He indicated that raising this issue at the present time is premature.”

“Rahim told Al-Maalouma, “The step of removing zeros from the currency cannot be decided hastily; rather, it requires a series of lengthy and in-depth discussions within Parliament.” He explained that “the process is closely linked to the economic reality and requires amending and enacting several supporting financial laws and regulations to ensure market stability.”

What follows are these discussions:

1)So out came some new solutions/options in this recent article as to what can they do to fix this liquidity issue. The first article is titled “THE DINAR MUST BE CHANGED! WE WON’T REMOVE ZEROS, BUT THE CURRENT CURRENCY WILL NOT LAST.”

We read of yet another proposal to do something to correct the liquidity issue. Remember this is just an opinion not yet confirmed this is what they are going to do. Yet, we have five (5) other confirmations that they are going to remove the zeros. So which one do you believe they are going to do?

I quote from the article:

“Following banking warnings that money hoarded in homes and outside banks is disrupting the liquidity cycle and weakening the banking system, an idea is emerging within the Central Bank and among members of the parliamentary finance committee to change the currency and launch a new series, instead of removing zeros,”  

“A member of the parliamentary finance committee told 964 Network that “the ongoing discussions regarding the future of the Iraqi currency are currently focused on adding new denominations and making broader changes to the currency in circulation.”

“The option of removing zeros has been ruled out at this stage.” Really?

The author them goes on to say this is just a ‘trend’ as it is not yet confirmed, so the option of removing the zeros is NOT really totally ruled out yet.  

“There is a trend that believes issuing a new series of currency can achieve greater goals, including updating security features, eliminating counterfeit currency, withdrawing worn-out banknotes, addressing some of the stolen currency or funds moving outside the financial system, in addition to reorganizing the circulating money supply.”

2-5) Yet a second option also came out in the article titled “AN ECONOMIST EXPLAINS THE EXTENT TO WHICH CASH LIQUIDITY CAN BE WITHDRAWN FROM CITIZENS.”

 
Let’s break down this article a bit into pieces. There are actually four (4) more options that Qusay explains to us.

• “Economic expert Dr. Safwan Qusay explained the possibility of withdrawing the cash liquidity held by citizens and transitioning entirely to electronic systems.”

Hey, Qusay the CBI and the Finance Committee already told us that this total electronic systems (no cash) is impossible at the current time since electricity is not everywhere yet in Iraq and it is still too sporadic. Maybe someday but not today.

• Qusay told Al-Maalouma, “Some studies indicate that Iraq has the capacity to fund credit cards, with the aim of withdrawing the estimated 70 trillion dinars held by Iraqis, so that banks can access it to finance public expenditures.”
   
• He added, “By selling real estate shares or shares in companies with suitable returns through the Iraq Stock Exchange, banks can withdraw this liquidity through such projects.”
• He pointed out that “there is a need to incentivize Iraqis to buy bonds and shares through the returns and interest generated by the nature of the project being sold. This is one solution for withdrawing cash liquidity, which can be implemented in the coming period.”

My question is this – why is Iraq always trying to avoid removing the zeros? What are they afraid of? Remember we have seen now dozens of articles as to why they should remove the zeros and do it now and how they might do it.

At some point regardless if they do  it now or later they will have to convert back to the lower denominations to deal with the rest of the world. They told us even the US Treasury wants them to complete this project ot delete the zeros. So why are they throwing around all these other options? My conclusion is this effort is actually all of these options combined driven my removing the zeros. This approach is what will really work. This is just me saying this and so what do I know….lol..lol..lol.. 😊

6) And one newer recent proposal. The 6th new one this week. It is titled “THE BAGHDAD DINAR IS DISAPPEARING… CLOSE THE BORDERS!” THE FINAL SOLUTION IS TO ABOLISH IRAQ’S PAPER CURRENCY!”

I firmly believe they are using Iraq as a testing ground (beta test) for a paperless currency. In this article you get a VERY REAL sense that they are now just throwing out proposals for solutions to the liquidity crisis. This is just one more.  

“Perhaps no country in the world has abolished paper currency, but amidst the anxiety surrounding discussions in the local market and among banks—both those sanctioned and those not—within an economy mired in a ceaseless war, an Iraqi expert and academic believes that the chaos plaguing the financial market necessitates the “complete abolition of paper currency” and its conversion into a bank card for every citizen. “

Can’t do this to all electronic card since there is no electricity in many of the districts still or unreliable grid. This must wait till later. Can Iraq wait till later with the currency liquidity crisis?

“This is preferable to other proposals for addressing the escalating liquidity crisis. “Neither removing zeros nor replacing denominations with larger ones (such as a 100,000 dinar note) will work,” he argues. He suggests that abolishing paper currency would bring all “buried, stolen, and smuggled funds back” in a documented and verifiable manner.”

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UPDATE: Oil and Gas Law

Let’s now address another issue that we all should realize by now Iraq needs in order to reinstate the dinar. There are a couple of good articles that recently came out from Iraq explaining much to us.

Remember I said reinstate not remove the zeros, so pay close attention. Yes, Iraq can still remove the zero without this law. But they probably won’t, so why? Could it be the delay in getting the Oil and Gas Law is also holding up the removing of the zeros because we know the reinstatement would have to follow the issuing of the newer lower denominations in short order. The Oil and Gas Law is one of the five main issues we were told last September 2025 by my CBI contact, just over a year already could/has held up the reinstatement.

😊The first article is titled: “AFTER TWO DECADES OF STAGNATION, THE OIL AND GAS LAW HAS A CHANCE TO BE RESOLVED.”

We all know that the existence of serious political intentions to end the disputes that have hindered its legislation and other legislation since 2007 have now come to a point that this can no longer go on.

“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”,

“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,”

Then this recent article pops out about the reasons why the law has not been yet passed. It is titled “WHY HASN’T AN OIL AND GAS LAW BEEN ENACTED? A FORMER MINISTER REVEALS THE REASONS.”

 Former MP and Minister Zuhair al-Jalabi revealed on Thursday the reasons why political parties have not moved forward with enacting the oil and gas law, despite nearly two decades having passed since attempts to pass this crucial legislation.

• “The issue of annexing land from Nineveh Governorate to the Kurdistan Region is practically over, especially since the administrative boundaries of the governorates are defined within the Ministry of Planning and cannot be changed except by a decision from the Council of Representatives through a vote on a new administrative map of the governorates.”

• “Regarding the oil and gas law, despite talk of obstacles related to shared lands and the ownership of oil fields, whether by Baghdad or the region, the problem is much larger because many countries are working to prevent the passage of such a law.”  Some countries are striving to ensure the continuation of this scenario to guarantee their own interests.”

😊In this next most recent article titled: “AL-YAKTI TOLD ULTRA IRAQ: BAGHDAD AND THE REGION REACHED AN UNDERSTANDING ON THE BUDGET, OIL, AND ASYCUDA.” We get a sense that all are now agreeing on the issues and they can go forward with the law to parliament now.

 I quote from the article – “The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) confirmed on Saturday, September 12, 2026, that there are understandings between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government regarding the budget, the oil file, and ASYCUDA.”

SOMO is in charge of the oil file in the Kurdistan Region.

Ahmad al-Harki, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, told Ultra Iraq that “there are currently positive understandings between Baghdad and Erbil regarding the budget and ways to address oil issues and non-oil revenues.”

He noted that the oil marketing company “SOMO” will handle the oil file in the region,  

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Another round of banking reforms

(when will it end?):

😊This next article really amazes me because it was said that banking reforms were all about completed, yet Al-Zaidi seems to want to completely reform the systems even more. In the article titled “THE ZAIDI GOVERNMENT IS DISMANTLING THE BANKING SECTOR’S STRUCTURE… HANTOUSH TELLS IRAQ OBSERVER: QUALITATIVE REFORMS WILL RESTORE CONFIDENCE AND OPEN THE DOORS TO FINANCIAL STABILITY.”

“In a move reflecting the success of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s government in handling complex economic issues, Iraq is continuing its reform path aimed at addressing the obstacles that have long hampered the performance of the banking sector.  Financial and banking expert Dr. Mustafa Hantoush affirms that the measures taken by the Central Bank of Iraq represent important supervisory tools for addressing the shortcomings within the banking sector.”    

He added that “the government’s move to a more serious phase in addressing banking imbalances, through supporting regulatory and supervisory measures and enhancing confidence in the financial sector,”   

He continued, “Developing the banking sector is also a key pillar of the Al-Zaidi government’s economic vision,”   So how will they get the liquidity back into the banks? We all know Al-Zaidi is all for removing the zeros as a serious move, he told us.

“the reform steps led by the Al-Zaidi government, in coordination with the Central Bank, are outlining a new phase characterized by discipline, confidence, and stability.”

Okay, so we know that Al-Zaidi intends to reform the banking system but why? What needs reforming? In the following article is gets clearer as to why the banks still need reforming. It is all good for us investors as the reforms all stem around ‘international’ reforms as to be able to work in the international banking system alongside other “disciplined, confident, and stabile banks.”  I have to wonder if this is also the reason for any delay in the reinstatement?

So, here is an article titled “81 BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN IRAQ… WHY ARE MOST OF THEM ABSENT FROM GLOBAL BANKING LISTS?” This article is what I call  an ‘eye opener’ as it is chockfull of information as to what level of reforms must be completed and where Iraq is going in their banking system to get to the international level.

I have to ask, sorry…. but why was this not already done? Didn’t we see article after article about all the banking reforms? Sudden changes in news like this baffle me….. What was al-Alaq doing all these years?

The economy could not even go to inside Iraq correspondent banks to receive funding for imports. Why? I will sum it in two words – No Liquidity. And we all know about this problem don’t we?

I will quote from parts of the article – “Iraq has a numerically large banking network, comprising dozens of government, commercial, Islamic, and foreign bank branches, but the paradox emerges when moving from the number of banks to their real weight on the international banking map; This large number is not reflected in a similar presence in the most prominent global bank rankings.”

“According to the approved lists of operating banks, the Iraqi banking system includes 8 government banks, 24 local commercial banks, and 31 local Islamic banks, in addition to 16 branches of foreign banks and two representative offices, bringing the total number to about 81 banking institutions and representative offices.”

“However, research into the most international rankings, most notably the Top 1000 World Banks list issued by The Banker magazine, which is mainly prominent based on the size of Tier 1 Capital, reveals that the Iraqi presence in the global list has remained very limited compared to the number of banks operating in the country”.

Yes, low in international rankings because the banks have no capital. Oh, not liquid! And they have no capital because its all tied up outside the banking system. Remember we have almost half of the money outside of Iraq as investors. Yes, our stashes of cash as investors along side the stashes of cash in Iraq stashed in various ways as they described in a previous article in today’s news. How are they going to come and get this cash from us? What are they waiting for?

“This highlights one of the most significant problems in understanding the reality of Iraqi banks: the existence of dozens of banks does not mean that each one has a global ranking. Major international rankings are based on capital, assets, profitability, financial strength, market reach, and balance sheet quality, while the majority of small and medium-sized banks do not even appear on these lists.”

“The difference becomes even more apparent when comparing Iraq to the Gulf banking systems. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, while having fewer banks in some cases, have a stronger presence in global rankings because several of their banks possess significantly larger capital, assets, profitability rates, and international reach.”

“This ranking does not mean that Iraq is ranked tenth globally; Rather, the S&P scale ranges from Group 1 to Group 10, with Group 1 representing the lowest-risk systems and Group 10 representing the highest-risk systems. Thus, Iraq falls within the highest levels of banking risk according to this international scale.”

“A regional comparison reveals the widening gap. In the same S&P assessment, Saudi Arabia was in Group 3, the UAE and Qatar in Group 4, Kuwait in Group 3, Jordan in Group 6, while Iraq remained in Group 10.”

“Here the real question becomes: How many banks does Iraq have? But: How many of them are capable of competing globally?”

“The existence of dozens of banks does not automatically translate into a strong sector unless there are banks with large capitalizations, stable deposit bases, sustainable sustainability, strong governance, effective compliance systems, international correspondent relationships, and credit ratings comparable with regional and international institutions.”

“Therefore, describing all 81 banks as having a “global ranking” is inaccurate. The vast do not even appear in any of the most prominent majority rankings of the world’s largest banks.” 

“The ongoing reform of the banking sector may, in the next phase, lead to a restructuring of the market, capital raising, compliance and governance requirements, and perhaps reducing the number of weak banks or merging some of them, in exchange for building larger institutions that are more capable of connecting with the international financial system.”

In conclusion, the situation can be summarized in one sentence:

“Iraq has dozens of banks, but it does not yet have dozens of banks with global influence.”  

“This puts the sector to a real test: Will the upcoming reforms succeed in transforming the “abundance of banks” into “banking strength,” or will the map of Iraqi banks witness downsizing, mergers, and extensive restructuring in the coming years?”

I hope everyone can now understand that the reforms we all thought were already done are not completed, at least as much as the international stage is concerned. Let’s see what Al-Zaidi’s working with the CBI can do in a short period of time. Can everyone now see why it is so urgent to get these stashes of cash back into the banks and do it now. This part MUST be part of the Al-Zaidi banking reforms. Today we read the importance of adequate capital.

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UPDATE: On disarming the militias

Speaking about being a SECURE and SOVERIEGN Iraq, what about the Iranian militias and factions?

Washington said no bargaining on this subject matter…period! The factions are using the disarming issue saying the US must also leave as well as Iran to give back full sovereignty to Iraq. That ‘full’ sovereignty is needed for the factions to lay down their arms and go home. I recommend everyone go read the entire article in the Articles Section.

In this recent article it seems the factions want to bargain. The title is “IRAQI FACTIONS HAVE MADE THEIR DECISION: SOVEREIGNTY IN EXCHANGE FOR WEAPONS.”

On Tuesday, armed factions in Iraq affirmed that the issue of restricting weapons cannot be separated from achieving full sovereignty for Iraq, while considering that the September 30th deadline represents a test of the seriousness of the United States and the international coalition in implementing their commitments to the Iraqi government.  

“Al-Fartousi explained that “the principle put forward by the factions, which cannot be divided or negotiated, is that this weapon is in exchange for sovereignty,” stressing that they will not give up the weapon unless there is full sovereignty in the country.”

“Regarding the date of September 30, and whether it represents a date for resolving the issue of restricting weapons, Al-Fartousi explained that there is “confusion about dates,” and that this is the date of the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq.

According to him, this date represents “the first test of the seriousness of the Trump administration and the coalition in implementing their commitments to the Iraqi government,” noting that “after September 30, the discussion will begin about the issue of weapons, their presence and use.”

This is certainly NOT what Washington said. They did not say to begin on Sept 30^th to discuss it but for them to be disarmed or gone by Sept 30^th. A nice twist to delay the process by Al-Fartousi.

“Sources revealed two days ago that a preliminary agreement had been reached to hold a meeting that would include official government military and security parties, along with leaders from the coordination framework, representatives of the Popular Mobilization Forces, and representatives of armed factions, to discuss the mechanism for restricting weapons to the state, before the deadline of September 30, before it was postponed due to the absence of the Al-Nujaba Movement.”

Tick Tock, Tick Tock Washington said DONE by Sept 30^th no tin a couple years! You know Iraq, they always push thing off until forced to act. With only 2 weeks remaining will they do it on time?

“According to the sources, the meeting “does not mean reaching a final agreement on the mechanism for restricting weapons,” but rather comes within the framework of efforts to calm tensions and prevent any possible escalation, and to try to reach solutions and understandings regarding the process of restricting weapons.”

“A source told Shafaq News Agency last Sunday that the armed factions will not hand over their weapons on September 30, while also mentioning the second option being discussed in the negotiations, which is to regulate or freeze the weapons.”

“The State Administration Coalition, which includes the most prominent Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces in Iraq, had warned that any armed activity outside the framework of the state after September 30 would be dealt with according to the anti-terrorism law.”

This kind of rhetoric is exactly why Trump will not totally depart Iraq until this issue of the factions is dealt with.

😊 Yet in another article we get more information on disarming the factions. The article is titled: “THE WHITE HOUSE CALLS ON BAGHDAD TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH WASHINGTON AND REGIONAL PARTNERS REGARDING THE HANDOVER OF WEAPONS BY THE FACTIONS.”

 “A U.S. administration official on Monday affirmed the United States’ full support for disarming factions in Iraq and transferring their weapons to the federal government, stressing that transparency with Washington and regional partners regarding the mechanism for implementing the process is a crucial factor for its success.”

“In contrast, influential armed factions refuse to consider September 30 as a binding date for them, and link discussions about the future of their weapons to the complete and permanent withdrawal of foreign forces.”

“Despite this discrepancy, the spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu’man, confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that the end of the coalition’s mission will lead to an acceleration in resolving the issue, because the justifications for keeping weapons will disappear after September 30,”  

😊 This next article certainly says that the U.S. wants disarmament by Sept 30th not to just start discussions about it. There is no confusion on the part of the Trump administration. Trump sent the message very clear to them months ago. They have had months already to deal with it. I think this is a final warning from the U.S. The article is titled “U.S. WARNS IRAQ: DISARM MILITIAS BY SEPT. 30 OR DOLLAR TRANSFERS STOP”

“Two Iraqi government sources tell Kurdistan24 that Washington could halt dollar transfers unless Iran-aligned armed factions disarm by Sept. 30.”

“The Trump administration has warned Iraq that monthly dollar transfers could be suspended unless Iran-aligned armed factions surrender their weapons by Sept. 30, two sources familiar with the Iraqi government told Kurdistan24, tying one of Washington’s most powerful financial levers over Baghdad to an increasingly contentious disarmament deadline.”

“The sources said the warning was delivered directly to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi during his visit to Washington, where U.S. officials made clear that failure to curb armed groups threatening American and regional interests would carry consequences for bilateral relations and Iraq’s access to dollar liquidity.”

Why Dollar Transfers Matter

The significance of the U.S. warning stems from the structure of Iraq’s oil-dependent financial system. Remember that oil is still sold only for US Dollar (petro-dollar) and the funds get stored in US banks in NYC. The budget for the year is scrutinized by the US Treasury and funds are transferred in dollars to meet the annual budget. Without these dollar there is no budget, get it? There is no Iraq, get it?

“Economic observers note that Iraq’s oil revenues are held through the Central Bank of Iraq’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, with dollar liquidity subsequently made available to Iraq’s financial system. The arrangement gives Washington considerable influence over the movement of U.S. currency into Iraq.”

So, why would the US return all these billions of dollars (about $110 billion) back to Iraq when they can use it as leverage to shape up and behave. It is a shame that the US still has to do this 20 years later after the 2003 war is over. This shows us the level of corruption after the invasion when everything was a free-for-all in Iraq.

Sept. 30 Becomes a Wider Pressure Point

The date has acquired broader strategic significance.

“According to Kurdistan24’s follow-up, Sept. 30 also coincides with the scheduled conclusion of the international anti-ISIS coalition’s military mission in Iraq, while Baghdad has been pressing armed factions to bring weapons under state authority.

Washington’s reported ultimatum therefore connects three issues that have often been treated separately:

• the future of the U.S.-led military presence,
• the status of Iran-aligned armed groups
• Iraq’s access to dollar liquidity.

For al-Zaidi’s government, that creates a compressed timetable. As investors watching this saga play out we must also consider that the Iranian regime is falling apart. The citizens rebels are now going after the elite long standing leaders manipulating the country and negotiations. This regime is expected to fall any day now. What will happen to the Iranian factions inside Iraq. There is not mother regime to report to anymore.

Then out pops this article on Monday. It is titled “MALIKI GIVES FACTIONS UNTIL 2028 AND ACCEPTS A CONTROVERSIAL FORMULA REGARDING WEAPONS.”  

I won’t even go into the article in any depth because I know Maliki’s proposal is so ridiculous for him to even try this stunt.

It is just a stunt again by the peanut-head man. He seems to think he’s running the country. Doesn’t he realize Trump absolutely hates him? He is putting gasolene on the fire. He is lucky if he skates through the corruption cleanup effort with his peanut-head still intact but I don’t think this will be the case. Al-Zaidi’s last trip to Europe says it all as he came back with news recently that he wants INTERPOL to come to Iraq and arrest many of these figures that are hard to touch i.e. Maliki. I believe president Trump will let it happen. It saves the U.S. lots of time and effort. I also want to say why would the U.S. send such a strong message to Iraq threatening to stop the dollar if the factions were not disarmed by Sept 30^th 2026? Did you read that article?

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Is Iraq ready to control their own oil revenues?

See article titled “EXPERTS WARN OF THE RISKS OF LIFTING THE FEDERAL RESERVE’S PROTECTION ON IRAQI FUNDS.”

  “Economic experts have warned of the risks of canceling the Iraqi account at the US Federal Reserve and lifting protection on oil export revenues at the present time, stressing that the sudden move away from American protection may cost Iraq economic and financial losses, which will be reflected in the dinar, the exchange market and the financing of imports.”

“Economic expert Mustafa Faraj confirmed that Iraq, theoretically, can manage its oil revenues and reserves without American protection, but practically in the current situation, a sudden transition would be highly risky, explaining that the issue is not simply about transferring funds from one American bank to another, but is linked to the dollar system, correspondent banks, foreign trade settlement, and the central bank’s ability to manage the exchange market.”

Not now, then when? What will be different in the future? What this last paragraph is saying they don’t want to take Iraq out of the sanction-like mode it is in and free to manage its own funds. The past shows they can’t manage their own funds. I don’t see why the US would free up the funds.  

Here is the juicy part of this entire article:

INTERNATIONAL BANKING NETWORK

“He explained that one of the alternatives is to build a multilateral international banking network, by expanding Iraq’s relations with European, Asian and Gulf banks, so that the Iraqi banking system is not dependent on a single channel (the dollar). He pointed to the possibility of increasing the use of the euro and local currencies in trade, through clearing agreements with countries such as China, Turkey, India and the Gulf States, explaining that this requires deep markets, a convertible currency and reliable settlement mechanisms.”

“He stated that Iraq can reduce its dependence on American protection in the future, but cannot replace it with a political decision alone at present. He stressed that what is required is to build an alternative financial system first, and then to transition gradually, warning that the greatest danger will not be to the oil money itself, but rather to the dinar, the exchange market, import financing, and the confidence of the banking sector.”

Oh… is this why Al-Zaidi announced he wanted to reform the banking system differently than how it is now structured today? The number #1 priority is the liquidity issue…..

OFFICIAL AND PARALLEL PRICES

“He added that the most sensitive economic risk is the pressure on the dinar and the decline in its monetary value, and the disruption to the smooth flow of oil and dollar revenues to Iraq, explaining that the economy depends to a large extent on oil revenues to finance public spending.“

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Meanwhile in the background parliament is working on the draft law to deal with security forces. Does it include these Iranian factions? It is titled “FROM 40 TO 42 YEARS OLD… PARLIAMENT COMPLETES AMENDMENT TO THE INTERNAL SECURITY FORCES SERVICE AND RETIREMENT LAW”

“On Tuesday, the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Defense completed the draft of the second amendment to the Internal Security Forces Service and Retirement Law.”

Dailynews subscription-“Committee member MP Othman Al-Shaibani said in a statement to Shafaq News Agency that the age for optional retirement will be from 40 to 42 years, provided that the actual service is not less than 15 years.”

Please go read the article itself for more details if interested in this subject. I personally believe by making the retirement age so low, they are opening a can of worms again on the draw  on the monthly salary file that is due each month. Why only 15 years and not 20 like the western military?  

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Next Iraqi Election Cycle:

(“moving from a parliamentary system to a semi-presidential system.”)

😊 Then in the following article once again we get a sense of the warped brain of the peanut-head Nouri al-Maliki. I can hardly believe he would say such foolishness, but then again, his words only reinforce what we all already know about just how corrupt he and his gang are. The article is titled “AL-MALIKI: MAINTAINING THE POLITICAL PROCESS IN ITS CURRENT STATE IS BETTER THAN TRYING TO REFORM IT.”

 “Independent/Baghdad/- Media outlets, social media pages, and WhatsApp groups have circulated a statement attributed to Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, which was understood to mean that he is warning against making fundamental reforms to the political process in its current form, in a position that contrasts with previous calls made by al-Maliki himself to amend the constitution and change the form of the political system.”

Of course he would not want change. This lessens his chances of EVER even being nominated again for prime minister, something he wants so much. Oh… did I tell you the average citizen in Iraq hates Maliki? He would never get enough popular votes.  

Well-informed political sources told Al-Mustaqilla that the head of the Supreme Judicial “Council, Judge Faiq Zaidan, is working on developing a new vision to reconsider the form of the political system, which includes moving from a parliamentary system to a semi-presidential system.”

All I can say is ‘I told you so’. Did I not show you proof that the next election is not going to be run like the past. The ‘majority’ will be redefined on how it determined and determined based on voting by the citizens and not by horse -trading later to decide the majority block. Yes, the ‘majority block’ will have to earn the majority by helping the citizens and the country grow. In other words they will  no longer be able to ‘rig’ the elections for their own power and control. The last election certainly brought this home and we witnessed it happen first hand. Oh…. I also want to point out the U.S. president Trump made comments on getting a more democratic process in place for elections. I reported on this article too, remember? It all ties together nicely! 😊

😊So, when will they finally go after this peanut head jerk Nori al-Maliki and others like him? In the article titled “FROM PARIS, IRAQ REQUESTS INTERPOL’S SUPPORT TO PURSUE CORRUPT OFFICIALS AND RECOVER STOLEN FUNDS.”

We know it is hard to prosecute Maliki in Iraq as he is protected. It ought not to be that way but it is. They must find a way to  get justice for his crimes. The prophets tell us that justice is coming for people like him for past crimes. God says they will NOT escape justice!

 “On Monday, the head of the Integrity Commission, Mohammed Ali Al-Lami, called on Interpol to strengthen international cooperation and coordination in pursuing those wanted and accused in corruption cases, and to expedite the procedures for tracking them and exchanging relevant information.” 

“Al-Lami called for strengthening Interpol’s support for Iraq’s efforts in combating corruption, pursuing wanted individuals, and recovering the proceeds of their crimes, stressing that “confronting transnational corruption requires an effective international partnership that prevents providing any safe haven for corrupt individuals and reinforces the principle that fleeing the country does not mean escaping justice.” 

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FUTURE THINKING:

😊The first article is titled “WASHINGTON SPEAKS OF A NEW PHASE IN ITS ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH IRAQ”

 “The US Chargé d’Affaires in Iraq, Steven Fagin, confirmed on Saturday that relations between Baghdad and Washington are on the verge of a major transformation, given the two countries’ interest in expanding trade opportunities and deepening economic cooperation.”

He added “that US President Donald Trump is looking forward to a “fruitful partnership with the Iraqi people, based on real and tangible results,”

“Fagin described the next phase as a transformation in the nature of the Iraqi-American relationship, stressing Washington’s desire to continue the partnership with Baghdad and turn opportunities for cooperation into practical results.”

😊Next article is titled “US CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES: AL-ZAIDI’S VISIT TO WASHINGTON OPENED NEW HORIZONS FOR THE IRAQI-AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP”

 “The US Chargé d’Affaires in Iraq, Steven Fagin, affirmed on Saturday that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington opened new horizons for the Iraqi-American partnership.  Noting “a shared commitment to strengthening the economic partnership and expanding opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.”

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😊😊😊Take a long read in this article. It is titled “IRAQ REGULATES FOREX TRADING: STRICT OVERSIGHT OF COMPANIES AND INCOMPLETE INVESTOR PROTECTION.” If this one does not convince you we are VERY close to a reinstatement, I don’t know what will. Remember all the ‘remove the zeros’ articles were not all for nothing. They are telling us the next step.

 Do all you investors really realize just how fantastic this news is? No, the IQD is not yet on FOREX however, they are going to allow Iraqi companies to list their stocks from ISX on FOREX. This is literally one step away from the IQD currency being listed too on the currency exchange. 😊 😊 😊 WOW! WOW! WOW!

“The Iraqi Securities Commission has taken an unprecedented step towards regulating trading in contracts for difference and leverage, after approving Regulatory Regulation No. (36) of 2026, in an attempt to transfer an activity that has been carried out for years through foreign companies and platforms to an official framework subject to Iraqi oversight.”

“Reading the regulations reveals a clear tightening in the selection of companies allowed to enter the Iraqi market, while a number of investor protection elements during trading still need more detailed rules, especially since leveraged forex and CFD contracts are among the most risky investment tools for individuals.”

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SUMMARY:

I just wanted to let everyone know once again that I read the plan to get to FOREX in 2011 in a document published by the director of the CBI at that time, Dr Shabibi. It was an effort by the IMF and the World Bank alongside the CBI. This is why I am confident they will remove the zeros and not these other options they are now proposing. They want to kill the proverbial multiple birds with one stone. Afterall why not? I was also amazed to read that many ISX stocks are going live on FOREX for trading. Is the IQD next inline. Up to the point only links to the ISX from FOREX for certain stocks have been shown for trading. What they doing now is direct listing on FOREX. So, this is an unprecedented move. WOW!

I firmly believe we will see some movement of the dinar somehow between now and early 2027. My CBI contact told me they plan to decide on the option to implement to liquify the banks. Remember that October salaries are just around the corner too.

With the fall of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary gang of thugs in Iran what will happen to the resistance of the Factions in Iraq? I know, I know, they are resisting saying that they want the US troops out first and then they will leave. Why wait then until 2028 as Maliki proposes if the US is out by Sept 30th 2026? Again Maliki is playing politics as he knows that a new administration will be in power in the US come 2028 and he is chancing that they won’t force the factions out. These factions are his power and control mechanism. Remember he is the one that let these Kud forces into Iraq to fight ISIS in the first place. Once the militia were in, the Hezbollah factions snuck in and infiltrated alongside the militia over the years since. Maliki still has hopes of someday being prime minister once again. Didn’t he do enough damage already to Iraq. Can they withstand yet another four years of Maliki? His latest news is ridiculous and shows signs of desparation. I really pray that they will take him out once and for all.

It’s going to be a Lovely Day!

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What do you think will happen next? (Leave a comment)

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

                                         

These prophecies are an important tool we have to lead us on our path. They are more important now than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?

It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.

NOTE: These prophecies just keep getting better and better, giving us HOPE of a brighter future. They seem to converge now closer and closer to seeing them come to fulfillment. WOW!

Prophetic Words from the prophets:  Julie Green

“The Judgement Day Is Here For The Enemies of Almighty God“

Go to the 14:08 mark on the video. Given on Sept 5^th 2026.    “

“Everything Is Changing And Nothing Will Stay The Same“

Go to the 15:06 mark on the video. Given on Sept 5^th 2026.    

Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

I keep this one out here to view. Everyone should take the time to watch it. It will awaken you about the Muslim so-called religion (or should we call it for it is — a ‘cult‘.)

— And the truth the world forgot about the so-called Muslim religion.

Fr.Don Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth,  particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.  

TRUMP PROMISES FREE $5000 CASH TO EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN

Trump Promises Free $5000 Cash To Every American Citizen On One Condition!

Republicans Set Midterm Agenda must win both houses in November. Is this just a hoax to get more votes? We are not talking about a $600 check but $5,000 and this much has NEVER been given directly to the American people before by any predecessor before Trump.

Here is the initial PROMISE speech at the RNC:

Then again he promises it will happen upon being interviewed after his visit to Ireland while still on the tarmac:

NATIONWIDE UPRISING IN IRAN! ISLAMIC REGIME & IRGC PANIC AS IRANIANS PLAN COMPLETE SHUTDOWN 

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE JOURNALISM SERIOUSLY

Maria Bartiromo OUSTED by Fox News After 12 Years, Erased From Network After Shocking Split. She was getting too close to too many conspiracies and they didn’t like it. In other words she ruffled too many feathers…. Then they oust you for telling the TRUTH!

MARIA BARTIROMO FINALLY SPEAKS OUT AFTER FOX NEWS FIRING

THE LARGEST SINGLE OIL RESERVE EVER DISCOVERED IN THE UNITED STATES

U.S. AND VENEZUELA SIGN NEW OIL DEAL

IRAN OIL PROVINCE: CAN INSIDE REBELS TAKE THE ISLAMIC REGIME DOWN?

America declared Economic War on Iran with Operation Economic Outcast, sanctioning 60 targets in one day. But the real war is inside Iran. In this episode of Decoded, Nikita Kapoor breaks down Khuzestan, the province that produces 80% of Iran’s oil, houses Bushehr nuclear reactor and Abadan refinery, but lives with 50% unemployment and is the world’s most polluted city on earth.

Ahwazi Arabs, armed groups like Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz, Ahwaz Falcons and Ahwaz Freedom Brigades have declared open rebellion against the IRGC. Can they blow pipelines, block ports and shut refineries to collapse the regime?

WHAT NOW FOR IRAN?

The U.S. imposes strict broad secondary economic sanctions against Iran on August 24^th.  What will Iran do now? Total Meltdown! Iran President Loses ALL Powers As Hardliners Take Over? Civil War Now?

Iran hard liners threaten to choke anyone who partners with the U.S. in this new embargo. Iran’s president says to end the war now that contradicts the hardliners. Who is really in charge?

PPF: (Peoples Fighter Front) A NEW INSIDE REBEL ARMY UNLEASHES CHAOS ON THE ISLAMIC HARDLINERS

I really luv Nikita Kapoor’s updates of what is really happening in Iran. We are not going to get this TRUTH from any western news channels.

ARMY OF JUSTICE: Has a regime change begun from the inside? All the U.S. has to do is wait out the effects of Operation Economic Outcast secondary sanctions and let the PPF overtake the IRGC forces and round up hardlines and bring the regime to its knees. We simply don’t know how this will al play out, but this regime will fall, just not as easy as the Trump Administration thought.

Iran is planning to evacuate its capital, Tehran, due to a severe water drought, moving its government straight into a war zone. As the regime considers relocating to Makran, a powerful new rebel force, the People’s Fighters Front, is striking from within. In this episode of Decoded, Nikita Kapoor reveals why Iran’s biggest threat isn’t foreign air forces, but an internal army rising inside its own borders.

Timing is everything!

NO LOANS OR ADVANCES… GOVERNMENT BANKS HAVE NO LIQUIDITY.

Dailynews subscription

An informed source revealed on Thursday that most government banks have stopped granting loans and advances of all kinds, attributing this to the lack of financial allocations and the lack of sufficient liquidity in those banks.  

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the decrease in the volume of deposits and the decline in liquidity levels have directly affected the ability of government banks to provide loans and advances, as well as investment loans allocated to finance projects and residential complexes in Baghdad and the provinces.

He added that the decline in banking liquidity has reduced the ability of banks to continue financing various credit and investment activities, which may affect the flow of financing and support for housing and development projects .

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THE DINAR MUST BE CHANGED! WE WON’T REMOVE ZEROS, BUT THE CURRENT CURRENCY WILL NOT LAST.

(Mnt Goat: We read of yet another proposal to do something to correct the liquidity issue. Remember this is just an opinion not yet confirmed this is what they are going to do. Yet, we have five (5) other confirmations that they are going to remove the zeros. So which one do you believe they are going to do?)

Following banking warnings that money hoarded in homes and outside banks is disrupting the liquidity cycle and weakening the banking system, an idea is emerging within the Central Bank and among members of the parliamentary finance committee to change the currency and launch a new series, instead of removing zeros, in a process aimed at withdrawing counterfeit, worn-out, and stolen currency, and returning part of the funds to the banking system, through a mechanism being discussed to link the exchange of large sums to opening accounts and proving the sources of funds.

A member of the parliamentary finance committee told 964 Network that “the ongoing discussions regarding the future of the Iraqi currency are currently focused on adding new denominations and making broader changes to the currency in circulation.

The option of removing zeros has been ruled out at this stage.

(Mnt Goat: the author them goes on to say this is just a ‘trend’ as it is not yet confirmed)

There is a trend that believes issuing a new series of currency can achieve greater goals, including updating security features, eliminating counterfeit currency, withdrawing worn-out banknotes, addressing some of the stolen currency or funds moving outside the financial system, in addition to reorganizing the circulating money supply.”

The MP, who asked to remain anonymous, added that “one of the most important ideas under discussion relates to the method of replacing the old currency. There are proposals to facilitate the replacement of ordinary amounts, while subjecting large amounts to different banking procedures, which may include opening a bank account, depositing the amount into it, and applying customer knowledge and verification requirements for the source of funds, instead of handing over the same amount in cash from the new issue.

These details, including determining the size of the amount subject to these procedures, are still under discussion and have not been finalized, as they currently revolve around 100-150 million.”

He added that “the success of any project of this kind requires a sufficient transition period, ensuring that markets are not disrupted, and putting in place easy mechanisms for citizens and owners of natural savings, as well as the readiness of banks to receive deposits and deal with the expected large demand, because the goal in the end is not just to replace one piece of paper with another, but to take advantage of the currency change to rearrange a part of the monetary cycle and enhance confidence in the banking system and the ability to monitor the movement of funds.”

100 trillion outside the banks

The importance of changing the currency is highlighted by the fact that there are more than 100 trillion dinars outside the banks, distributed between daily transactions and the funds hoarded by citizens and companies, which indicates – according to experts – the weakness of cash entering the banking system, and makes the exchange process an opportunity to return part of these funds to the accounts, especially if changing large amounts is linked to proving their sources.

Recently, Ali Abdul-Ridha Alwan, director of the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), warned that keeping more than 85% of the money supply outside the banking system disrupts the liquidity cycle. He explained that citizens keeping money at home deprives banks of the liquidity they need to perform their role in economic activity and creates a disruption in the chain that begins with the injection of money through financial institutions and ends with spending and paying salaries.

What are the gains from the process?

A member of the Finance Committee says that “the initial estimates circulating regarding the results of the currency change indicate the possibility of recovering the equivalent of 20-25 trillion dinars of the cash mass that is not currently moving normally within the financial system, whether due to worn-out or counterfeit currency or hoarded funds, which would allow for the reorganization of an important part of the monetary cycle.”

He added that “estimates also assume that the replacement process will push large numbers of citizens to deal with banks and open accounts, and there are perceptions that about 25% of money owners who enter the banking system for the purpose of changing the currency may leave all or part of their money in their accounts instead of withdrawing it again in cash, which means increasing deposits, enhancing liquidity within banks, and returning part of the hoarded money to the banking cycle.”

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THE BAGHDAD DINAR IS DISAPPEARING… CLOSE THE BORDERS!” THE FINAL SOLUTION IS TO ABOLISH IRAQ’S PAPER CURRENCY!

(Mnt Goat: I firmly believe they are using Iraq as a testing ground (beta test) for a paperless currency.)

(Mnt Goat: in this article you get a VEREY sense that they are now just throwing out proposals for solutions to the liquidity crisis. This is just one more.)

Perhaps no country in the world has abolished paper currency, but amidst the anxiety surrounding discussions in the local market and among banks—both those sanctioned and those not—within an economy mired in a ceaseless war, an Iraqi expert and academic believes that the chaos plaguing the financial market necessitates the “complete abolition of paper currency” and its conversion into a bank card for every citizen.

(Mnt Goat: Can’t do this yet, no electricity in many districts still or unreliable grid. This must wait till later. Can Iraq wait till later with the currency liquidity crisis?)

This is preferable to other proposals for addressing the escalating liquidity crisis. “Neither removing zeros nor replacing denominations with larger ones (such as a 100,000 dinar note) will work,” he argues. He suggests that abolishing paper currency would bring all “buried, stolen, and smuggled funds back” in a documented and verifiable manner.

However, this expert also calls for a measure to be implemented:

“closing the borders” so that Baghdad can effectively nullify the value of “stolen, buried, and smuggled dinars” within the country or in neighboring states like Turkey and Iran. He does not, however, specify a timeframe for closing the borders! While this proposal appears desperate, it reflects the intensity of the debate among Iraqi financial experts regarding how to address the “disappearance of the dinar and liquidity” from the market and the resulting scarcity that hinders salary payments and stifles daily economic activity. According to expert Safwan Qusay, in a conversation with journalist Mona Sami, which was followed by 964 Network .

Economic expert Safwan Qusay stated, “Our problem is that the Central Bank issued currency worth 106 trillion dinars, 40 trillion of which are within the banking system, while more than 60 trillion dinars remain in the form of cash in the pockets of Iraqis. This amount does not enter the banking system, so we need to call these funds to find out where they are. Here, opinions vary.”

• Some advocate removing zeros as long as a new currency is to be printed.

• Some argue that there is no need to remove zeros and print more currency, but rather to move towards using only electronic payment cards. They suggest giving Iraqis a grace period, say until the end of the year, during which they would deposit all their savings into the card. This would lead to a halt in cash purchases, causing paper currency to lose its legitimacy. People would then be forced to deposit cash into the card, which would have a special code that, if entered into the banks, would be monitored. Any money that is missing would be discarded.

He added: “This should include each category separately; all categories should not be included at once. Such a measure requires closing the borders, because there is a portion of the dinar that some suspect is outside Iraqi borders, since the Iranian currency has been subjected to many shocks, so it is not unlikely that they have saved Iraqi money. The same applies to the Turks.

Therefore, the process begins with closing the borders, recovering the money, and then injecting it back into circulation in a legitimate way through the electronic card. At that point, the legitimacy of money not belonging to the government, especially buried money, will be lost, and this measure will restore the prestige of the Iraqi dinar.”

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AN ECONOMIST EXPLAINS THE EXTENT TO WHICH CASH LIQUIDITY CAN BE WITHDRAWN FROM CITIZENS.

 
Economic expert Dr. Safwan Qusay explained the possibility of withdrawing the cash liquidity held by citizens and transitioning entirely to electronic systems.

Qusay told Al-Maalouma, “Some studies indicate that Iraq has the capacity to fund credit cards, with the aim of withdrawing the estimated 70 trillion dinars held by Iraqis, so that banks can access it to finance public expenditures.”
He added, “By selling real estate shares or shares in companies with suitable returns through the Iraq Stock Exchange, banks can withdraw this liquidity through such projects.”

He pointed out that “there is a need to incentivize Iraqis to buy bonds and shares through the returns and interest generated by the nature of the project being sold. This is one solution for withdrawing cash liquidity, which can be implemented in the coming period.”

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THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ IS TAKING STEPS TO REDUCE THE DOLLAR GAP; A UNIFIED EXCHANGE RATE FOR CURRENCY EXCHANGE OFFICES IS APPROACHING 1320.

 Informed sources revealed to the Independent Press Agency new moves within the Central Bank of Iraq aimed at reducing the large gap between the official exchange rate of the dollar and the prices circulating in the local market, through a package of measures being worked on to regulate the sale of foreign currency and tighten control over exchange companies, in conjunction with the continued rise of the dollar in Baghdad and other governorates.

The sources said the anticipated measures focus on reorganizing the mechanism for the dollar’s access to the market and meeting the actual and legitimate demand for foreign currency, thereby reducing the dependence of traders and citizens on the informal market and limiting speculation that has pushed the exchange rate away from the levels set by the central bank.

According to information obtained by the Independent Press Agency, one of the options being considered in the coming period is setting a more disciplined and unified price for selling dollars through exchange companies and authorized outlets, so that the prices are much closer to the official price, instead of the wide gap currently recorded between the dollar available through official channels and its price in the market.

The sources indicated that the move, according to the available information, is not related to changing the official price of the dinar, but rather to trying to bring the price at which the dollar reaches the end beneficiary closer to the approved official levels, foremost among them the level of 1320 dinars per dollar, through procedures related to distribution, control, pricing and the mechanism of the work of exchange companies.

This information comes at a time when the Central Bank officially confirms that there is no intention to change the official exchange rate, as it was categorically denied on June 17, 2026, the news that spoke of amending the price of the dinar, warning against circulating documents or information not issued by it.

The official pricing system announced by the Central Bank in February 2023 is based on a rate of 1,300 dinars for purchasing dollars from the Ministry of Finance, 1,310 dinars for selling dollars to banks, and 1,320 dinars as the maximum selling price from banks and non-bank financial institutions to the end user. Official bank data also shows the rate remaining at 1,310 dinars per dollar.

Tightening restrictions on exchange companies

Sources from “Independent Press” confirm that the current phase is already witnessing increased oversight of exchange companies, and that this trend is likely to expand in the coming days, especially with regard to the sources of buying and selling dollars, the approved prices, the movement of funds, and compliance with the Central Bank’s regulations.

These moves are consistent with measures taken by the bank during the past months to strengthen oversight of the money exchange sector. In June 2026, the bank asked A and B category money exchange companies and brokerage firms to provide it with data relating to bank accounts for regulatory and supervisory purposes. It also continued during 2026 to withdraw licenses from violating companies and tighten compliance requirements.

Last April, the Central Bank confirmed its ability to meet all requests from banks and exchange companies for dollars allocated to travelers, pilgrims, and foreign transfers, indicating that a key part of its strategy is based on increasing access to dollars through official channels instead of allowing demand to flow to the informal market.

25,000 dinars gap for every 100 dollars (that’s about $19 USD or 1/5)

The anticipated moves are gaining even greater importance as the large gap between the official price and the local market continues.

The selling price of the dollar in Baghdad exchange shops on Monday, September 14, 2026, was recorded at about 157,000 dinars per 100 dollars, while the buying price was about 156,000 dinars, while the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges recorded about 156,500 dinars per 100 dollars.

Assuming a rate of 1320 dinars per dollar for the end beneficiary through official channels, the value of 100 dollars is approximately 132,000 dinars, which means there is a gap of approximately 25,000 dinars per 100 dollars compared to the selling price traded in some exchange shops in Baghdad.

According to sources, this gap is what the central bank seeks to gradually reduce, not by changing the official price, but by expanding official channels and facilitating the fulfillment of the real demand for dollars, while increasing oversight of entities that buy currency at the official price and then these prices are not actually reflected in the end beneficiary.

The Central Bank had previously paved the way for this path.

The anticipated move brings back to the forefront a previous position of the Central Bank, in which it stressed that the dollar circulating in Iraq comes mainly from the Central Bank through banks, exchange companies and brokerage, and that dealing at prices far from the set price is related to speculation more than it is a normal independent exchange market.

The bank also confirmed on June 22, 2026, the continuation of its reform program to maintain monetary and financial stability, stressing its continued commitment to meeting legitimate demand for dollars and taking the necessary policies to maintain exchange rate stability and the integrity of financial channels.

According to sources from the Independent Press Agency, the coming days will be important regarding the dollar issue, and may witness the implementation of additional measures at the level of exchange companies and pricing and distribution mechanisms, in an attempt to create a more disciplined price in the market and reduce the space in which speculation moves.

The sources confirmed that the ultimate goal of the proposed measures is to bring the dollar available to citizens and merchants through legal channels closer to the official rate, and to increase the ability of official channels to meet demand, which, if the measures are implemented efficiently and the required quantities are provided, may lead to increased pressure on the informal market and push exchange rates to gradually decline.

However, the sources stressed that the success of these measures will remain linked to the central bank’s ability to ensure that the dollar reaches the rightful beneficiary at the set price, and to prevent its resale outside official channels, in addition to securing the needs of trade and foreign transfers on a regular basis.

Thus, the Iraqi exchange market enters a new phase of anticipation, amid a still significant gap between the official and parallel market rates. All eyes are on the Central Bank to see what measures it may announce in the coming days, and to what extent they can bring the dollar back to levels closer to the official rate.

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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.”

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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.

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THE ZAIDI GOVERNMENT IS DISMANTLING THE BANKING SECTOR’S STRUCTURE… HANTOUSH TELLS IRAQ OBSERVER: QUALITATIVE REFORMS WILL RESTORE CONFIDENCE AND OPEN THE DOORS TO FINANCIAL STABILITY.

In a move reflecting the success of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s government in handling complex economic issues, Iraq is continuing its reform path aimed at addressing the obstacles that have long hampered the performance of the banking sector. This is being achieved through strengthening oversight, raising compliance levels, protecting depositors’ funds, and establishing more disciplined rules in the financial market.

Financial and banking expert Dr. Mustafa Hantoush affirms that the measures taken by the Central Bank of Iraq represent important supervisory tools for addressing the shortcomings within the banking sector. He points out that placing some banks under receivership does not mean their bankruptcy, but rather provides a framework for direct supervision of their situations, assessment of liquidity, assets, and investments, and taking appropriate corrective measures.

Hantoush told Iraq Observer that “the success of banking reform depends on the ability of regulatory bodies to diagnose problems and address them before they escalate into crises.” He explained that the possibility of reforming a bank’s situation allows it to resume operations, while legal procedures open up other options when reform proves impossible.

He added that “the government’s move to a more serious phase in addressing banking imbalances, through supporting regulatory and supervisory measures and enhancing confidence in the financial sector, will contribute to curbing speculation, regulating the flow of funds, and providing a more stable environment for the private sector and investment.”

He continued, “Developing the banking sector is also a key pillar of the Al-Zaidi government’s economic vision, given that stronger and more disciplined financial institutions contribute to stimulating the economic cycle, facilitating financing and transfers, and protecting the interests of citizens and depositors.”

While banking obstacles have posed a cumulative challenge to the Iraqi economy, the reform steps led by the Al-Zaidi government, in coordination with the Central Bank, are outlining a new phase characterized by discipline, confidence, and stability. These steps underscore that addressing the root causes of these problems early and decisively can pave the way for building a stronger banking sector capable of supporting the Iraqi economy.

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IRAQI FACTIONS HAVE MADE THEIR DECISION: SOVEREIGNTY IN EXCHANGE FOR WEAPONS.

On Tuesday, armed factions in Iraq affirmed that the issue of restricting weapons cannot be separated from achieving full sovereignty for Iraq, while considering that the September 30th deadline represents a test of the seriousness of the United States and the international coalition in implementing their commitments to the Iraqi government.  

The spokesman for the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, Kazem al-Fartousi, told Shafaq News Agency that the issue of restricting weapons was discussed through a committee formed from the coordination framework and another from the resistance factions, indicating that the discussions witnessed the determination of priorities regarding this issue.

Al-Fartousi explained that “the principle put forward by the factions, which cannot be divided or negotiated, is that this weapon is in exchange for sovereignty,” stressing that they will not give up the weapon unless there is full sovereignty in the country.

He added that this requires protecting the Iraqi people, land, and skies, as well as national gains, in addition to protecting political decision-making and economic independence, noting that the ten demands put forward by the factions are “national and concern all of Iraq from north to south.”

He explained that these demands are not related to the interests of the resistance factions, but rather represent, in his words: “a definition of sovereignty, an expression of it, and how to achieve full sovereignty for this nation.”

Regarding the government’s ability to respond to these demands, Al-Fartousi pointed out that “part of these demands are included in the government program,” stressing that the issue is not only about whether the government responds or not, but is related to “where Iraq’s interest lies.”

He pointed out that the Iraqi government represents the executive administration of the Iraqi people and the country’s interest, while the coordinating framework, as the owner of the principle and political action, bears the responsibility of considering, establishing and engineering the work of the government.

Regarding the date of September 30, and whether it represents a date for resolving the issue of restricting weapons, Al-Fartousi explained that there is “confusion about dates,” and that this is the date of the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq.

According to him, this date represents “the first test of the seriousness of the Trump administration and the coalition in implementing their commitments to the Iraqi government,” noting that “after September 30, the discussion will begin about the issue of weapons, their presence and use.”

Al-Fartousi concluded his remarks by saying that some of the issues raised “need time,” while other issues “only need a political decision and do not need much time.”

Sources revealed two days ago that a preliminary agreement had been reached to hold a meeting that would include official government military and security parties, along with leaders from the coordination framework, representatives of the Popular Mobilization Forces, and representatives of armed factions, to discuss the mechanism for restricting weapons to the state, before the deadline of September 30, before it was postponed due to the absence of the Al-Nujaba Movement.

According to the sources, the meeting “does not mean reaching a final agreement on the mechanism for restricting weapons,” but rather comes within the framework of efforts to calm tensions and prevent any possible escalation, and to try to reach solutions and understandings regarding the process of restricting weapons.

A source told Shafaq News Agency last Sunday that the armed factions will not hand over their weapons on September 30, while also mentioning the second option being discussed in the negotiations, which is to regulate or freeze the weapons.

Two weeks ago, the coordination framework formed a tripartite committee comprising Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Nouri al-Maliki, and Hadi al-Amiri, in order to contain the repercussions of restricting weapons to the state, especially after the media escalation and scaremongering witnessed in the Iraqi arena regarding this issue.

Over the past few days, the tripartite committee has held many dialogues and discussions with the factions concerned with the issue of restricting weapons.

It is worth noting that the state’s monopoly on weapons does not have the consensus of the Iraqi factions, as the Al-Nujaba Movement, Kataib Hezbollah, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and other factions announced their refusal to give up their military capabilities on September 30, the date set by the Iraqi government, which coincides with the end of the international coalition’s military presence in Iraq, as these factions link the future of their weapons to the withdrawal of foreign forces.

The State Administration Coalition, which includes the most prominent Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces in Iraq, had warned that any armed activity outside the framework of the state after September 30 would be dealt with according to the anti-terrorism law.

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THE WHITE HOUSE CALLS ON BAGHDAD TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH WASHINGTON AND REGIONAL PARTNERS REGARDING THE HANDOVER OF WEAPONS BY THE FACTIONS.

 A U.S. administration official on Monday affirmed the United States’ full support for disarming factions in Iraq and transferring their weapons to the federal government, stressing that transparency with Washington and regional partners regarding the mechanism for implementing the process is a crucial factor for its success.

In response to a question from Shafaq News Agency regarding the US administration’s position on the issue of restricting weapons to the state, the official said, “The United States has been clear with Iraq about the critical importance of preserving its sovereignty and preventing Iranian-backed militias from launching attacks from within its borders.”

He added that “the United States fully supports disarmament and the transfer of weapons to the central government,” stressing that “transparency with the United States and regional partners on how this process is implemented is crucial to its success.”

The US position comes days after Saudi Arabia announced that drones launched from Iraqi territory attacked facilities belonging to the East-West oil pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions, causing injuries and material damage and leading to the temporary shutdown of the pipeline.

Riyadh announced that it would refrain from responding at the present time in response to a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, while reserving the right to take the necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and vital facilities.

Following the attack, the Iraqi government announced that investigations proved that the drones were launched from inside the country, while Al-Zaydi relieved the commanders of operations and police in Maysan of their positions, transferred the directors of the security services in the governorate to the command and referred them to investigation, in addition to forming an urgent investigative council.

The Iraqi government has also agreed to conduct a joint investigation with Iran regarding drone launch platforms found near the border strip, while the identity of the party that carried out the attack has not yet been announced.

The “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” denied responsibility for it, announcing its readiness to cooperate with the government investigation.

The attack brought the issue of restricting weapons to the state back to the forefront of the Iraqi scene, before the September 30 deadline, which al-Zaydi pledged to make the ceiling for disarming armed groups, coinciding with the end of the mission of the international coalition forces in Iraq.

After the date was initially presented as a deadline for handing over weapons located outside state institutions, government officials later clarified that it pertains to the end of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq, and does not represent a date for completing the disarmament of factions.

In contrast, influential armed factions refuse to consider September 30 as a binding date for them, and link discussions about the future of their weapons to the complete and permanent withdrawal of foreign forces.

Despite this discrepancy, the spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu’man, confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that the end of the coalition’s mission will lead to an acceleration in resolving the issue, because the justifications for keeping weapons will disappear after September 30, expecting the process of organizing them under the umbrella of the state to be completed in record time.

The State Administration Coalition had taken a more hardline stance, warning that any armed activity threatening Iraq’s security outside of official institutions after September 30 would be dealt with according to the anti-terrorism law.

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U.S. WARNS IRAQ: DISARM MILITIAS BY SEPT. 30 OR DOLLAR TRANSFERS STOP

Two Iraqi government sources tell Kurdistan24 that Washington could halt dollar transfers unless Iran-aligned armed factions disarm by Sept. 30.

The Trump administration has warned Iraq that monthly dollar transfers could be suspended unless Iran-aligned armed factions surrender their weapons by Sept. 30, two sources familiar with the Iraqi government told Kurdistan24, tying one of Washington’s most powerful financial levers over Baghdad to an increasingly contentious disarmament deadline.

The sources said the warning was delivered directly to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi during his visit to Washington, where U.S. officials made clear that failure to curb armed groups threatening American and regional interests would carry consequences for bilateral relations and Iraq’s access to dollar liquidity.

Kurdistan24 has not independently obtained a U.S. government document setting out the warning, and no public statement from Washington confirming the ultimatum was included in the reporting. The account rests on two Iraqi government sources familiar with the discussions.

One source said Washington had already demonstrated its ability to exert pressure through the timing of dollar transfers early in al-Zaidi’s tenure.

“From the beginning of Ali al-Zaidi’s time in office, America delayed the timing of dollar transfers, and this had a direct impact on the value of the dinar,” the source told Kurdistan24.

The source said transfers later returned to normal following al-Zaidi’s Washington visit after the two sides reached an understanding.

According to the same source, U.S. officials told the Iraqi prime minister that Baghdad’s inability to prevent armed groups from targeting American interests or neighboring countries would damage relations and that the problem had to be addressed at its source.

The warning substantially raises the stakes surrounding the Sept. 30 deadline.

Until now, the dispute over weapons outside direct state control has largely been framed as a security and sovereignty issue. The reported U.S. position adds a potentially immediate economic consequence to Baghdad’s handling of Iran-aligned factions.

Pressure on Baghdad After Washington Visit

According to Kurdistan24’s sources, al-Zaidi returned from Washington convinced that a disruption to dollar flows represented a genuine risk. He subsequently pushed through the Coordination Framework for armed factions to accelerate the surrender of weapons, the sources said.

That effort initially moved with greater urgency, but several armed groups responded with threats against the prime minister, prompting the issue to be handed to the Coordination Framework for further negotiations, according to the reporting.

Several factions, including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Saraya Awliya al-Dam, Ashab al-Kahf and the Karbala Battalions, have resisted the weapons handover process.

Some have sought to portray the process as a reorganization rather than disarmament and have attached conditions that include a complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. Those positions illustrate the political difficulty facing Baghdad: Washington is demanding measurable action by a fixed deadline, while some of the factions expected to disarm reject the premise or conditions of the process.

Why Dollar Transfers Matter

The significance of the U.S. warning stems from the structure of Iraq’s oil-dependent financial system.

Economic observers note that Iraq’s oil revenues are held through the Central Bank of Iraq’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, with dollar liquidity subsequently made available to Iraq’s financial system.

The arrangement gives Washington considerable influence over the movement of U.S. currency into Iraq.

Disruptions to that flow can put pressure on the dinar’s market exchange rate and complicate the Central Bank’s ability to supply foreign currency to an economy heavily dependent on imports.

The report cited an earlier delay in a $500 million dollar shipment in April 2026 as an example of the market’s sensitivity to interruptions. The backgrounder also placed Iraq’s foreign-currency reserves at $79.2 billion in August, down from $97.8 billion in April.

Those figures help explain why the reported U.S. warning carries consequences beyond the immediate security dispute.

A prolonged restriction on dollar liquidity could affect exchange-rate stability, import financing and the government’s broader fiscal position. The exact economic effect would depend on the scope and duration of any U.S. measure, and the supplied reporting does not establish that Washington has yet implemented a cutoff.

Sept. 30 Becomes a Wider Pressure Point

The date has acquired broader strategic significance.

According to Kurdistan24’s follow-up, Sept. 30 also coincides with the scheduled conclusion of the international anti-ISIS coalition’s military mission in Iraq, while Baghdad has been pressing armed factions to bring weapons under state authority.

Washington’s reported ultimatum therefore connects three issues that have often been treated separately: the future of the U.S.-led military presence, the status of Iran-aligned armed groups and Iraq’s access to dollar liquidity.

For al-Zaidi’s government, that creates a compressed timetable.

The prime minister must navigate factions that retain significant armed and political influence while also avoiding a confrontation with Washington that could spill rapidly from security relations into the economy.

The sources who spoke to Kurdistan24 portrayed the dollar warning as an attempt to force that choice. If their account is borne out, the Sept. 30 deadline is no longer simply a test of whether Baghdad can persuade armed factions to relinquish their weapons.

It is also a test of how far Washington is prepared to use financial leverage to compel Iraq’s government to enforce state control over armed actors, and how much economic risk Baghdad is willing to carry if the disarmament process falls short.

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FROM 40 TO 42 YEARS OLD… PARLIAMENT COMPLETES AMENDMENT TO THE INTERNAL SECURITY FORCES SERVICE AND RETIREMENT LAW

On Tuesday, the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Defense completed the draft of the second amendment to the Internal Security Forces Service and Retirement Law.

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Committee member MP Othman Al-Shaibani said in a statement to Shafaq News Agency that the age for optional retirement will be from 40 to 42 years, provided that the actual service is not less than 15 years.

Al-Shaibani added that the Retirement Authority objected to the Ministry of Interior employees going into voluntary retirement due to the lack of financial allocations, explaining that the committee intervened to resolve the issue, and that the first reading of the draft law will be during the current legislative session.

He indicated that the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee will host all the first-line leaders of the various security agencies, including the Interior Minister of the Kurdistan Region, to assess the readiness of the Iraqi armed forces and security agencies, especially after September 30 and the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.

Al-Shaibani pointed out that the committee is directly monitoring the application and admission process at the Higher Institute, the Police College, and the Commissioners Institute affiliated with the Ministry of Interior, to ensure that admission procedures proceed according to clear and transparent standards, and away from exceptions and favoritism.

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WHY HASN’T AN OIL AND GAS LAW BEEN ENACTED? A FORMER MINISTER REVEALS THE REASONS.

 
Former MP and Minister Zuhair al-Jalabi revealed on Thursday the reasons why political parties have not moved forward with enacting the oil and gas law, despite nearly two decades having passed since attempts to pass this crucial legislation.

Al-Jalabi told Al-Maalouma, “The issue of annexing land from Nineveh Governorate to the Kurdistan Region is practically over, especially since the administrative boundaries of the governorates are defined within the Ministry of Planning and cannot be changed except by a decision from the Council of Representatives through a vote on a new administrative map of the governorates.”

He added, “Regarding the oil and gas law, despite talk of obstacles related to shared lands and the ownership of oil fields, whether by Baghdad or the region, the problem is much larger because many countries are working to prevent the passage of such a law.”

He explained that “the countries seeking to prevent the law’s passage benefit from oil smuggling, the rampant corruption in the relevant ministry, and the chaos associated with this issue. Some countries are striving to ensure the continuation of this scenario to guarantee their own interests.”

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US TREASURY SANCTIONS IRAQI BUSINESSMEN OVER IRAN SUPPORT

The Treasury said the measures were part of “Operation Economic Outcast,” a campaign launched to cut off the remaining economic networks and financial channels supporting the Iranian regime. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Thursday sanctioned Iraqi businessmen accused of supporting Iran-backed groups and helping Tehran evade sanctions.

The Treasury said the measures were part of “Operation Economic Outcast,” a campaign launched to cut off the remaining economic networks and financial channels supporting the Iranian regime.

The department said the operation, announced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Aug. 24, targets networks involved in oil smuggling, sanctions evasion and financing terrorism. It warned that entities facilitating money laundering or sanctions evasion on behalf of Iran risk being cut off from the U.S. financial system.

IRAQI MILITIA COMMANDERS TARGETED

OFAC designated four members and commanders of Kata’ib Hizballah (KH): Ali Hasan Farhan Al-Lami, Hussein Ahmed Hussein Al-Dhuhaibawi, Mohamed Ameen Fadhil Ali Al-Shaikhli, and Karrar Mohammed Qasim Al-Hraishawi.

The Treasury said the four were sanctioned under Executive Order 13224 for acting directly or indirectly on behalf of Kata’ib Hizballah.

According to the Treasury, KH receives training, weapons, funding, intelligence and logistical support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).

The Treasury further accused KH and other Iran-aligned Iraqi militias of carrying out hundreds of attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces since February, including attacks involving explosive drones and rockets.

COMPANIES SANCTIONED

The Treasury also sanctioned Iraqi businessman Abdullah Nadhim Luaibi Al Ameri, his company Al-Brouj for General Contracting Company Ltd, and Khaldoon Naser Maryoosh Al-Abada, a representative of Ain Al-Iraq for Protecting Technology and Audio, Visual, and Communications Solutions Company Ltd.

Iraqi businessmen accused of helping Iran evade sanctions
The U.S. Treasury also designated Majid Ali Akbar Namdar Al-Mandalawi and Abdulhasan Ali A. Namdar Al-Mandalawi, along with Dubai-based Shams & Bahr Trading Company L.L.C.

According to the Treasury, Majid Al-Mandalawi used Iraqi private banks to transfer funds through the company’s hawala network, while the Dubai-based exchange was used to transfer millions of dollars from Iraq to Iran via the United Arab Emirates.

The latest sanctions come as Washington continues to intensify economic pressure on Iran under Operation Economic Outcast, targeting financial networks and individuals accused of supporting Iranian-backed armed groups and helping Tehran circumvent U.S. sanctions.

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AL-MALIKI: MAINTAINING THE POLITICAL PROCESS IN ITS CURRENT STATE IS BETTER THAN TRYING TO REFORM IT.

 Independent/Baghdad/- Media outlets, social media pages, and WhatsApp groups have circulated a statement attributed to Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, which was understood to mean that he is warning against making fundamental reforms to the political process in its current form, in a position that contrasts with previous calls made by al-Maliki himself to amend the constitution and change the form of the political system.

Well-informed political sources told Al-Mustaqilla that the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faiq Zaidan, is working on developing a new vision to reconsider the form of the political system, which includes moving from a parliamentary system to a semi-presidential system. The sources added that political and intellectual efforts are underway, in parallel, behind the scenes to prepare a national project to reform the Iraqi state and address the imbalances that have accumulated in the structure of the political and constitutional system over the past years.

The statement in question originated from an article by journalist Walid Ibrahim published in Al-Zawraa newspaper following a meeting between Maliki and a group of media professionals and political analysts, which lasted about two hours without cameras.

Ibrahim said that Maliki, in response to a question about calls to reform the political process or find other paths for it, believed that keeping it in its current state was better than its absence, warning that “any attempt at reform could lead to the collapse of the roof on everyone.”

The current position highlights a contrast with a vision previously put forward by Maliki in June 2020, when he explicitly called for a national dialogue to reform the political system and amend the constitution, saying that the parliamentary system that emerged after 2003 suffers from “legal loopholes” and imbalances that, according to him, have led to power-sharing, corruption, failure and paralysis.

At the time, Maliki presented the presidential and semi-presidential systems as alternatives to the parliamentary system, arguing that the first step toward “real change” began with amending the constitution and building a more effective political system. He returned in October of the same year to reiterate that some articles of the constitution needed revision.

Judge Faiq Zaidan had criticized the interpretation of the concept of the “largest bloc” last March, considering that its practical results contributed to repeated political crises and delays in the formation of governments, and calling for a constitutional amendment to resolve the problem.

Al-Maliki’s recent remarks do not clarify what has changed in his assessment between his call six years ago to rebuild the system and his warning today about the dangers of reforming it, but they reflect the widening disagreement over whether maintaining stability requires keeping the existing formula or embarking on broader constitutional and political reform.

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MALIKI GIVES FACTIONS UNTIL 2028 AND ACCEPTS A CONTROVERSIAL FORMULA REGARDING WEAPONS.

 (Mnt Goat: I see a conflict of interest here, a trend, going on here with Maliki versus Al-Zaidi. Who is the prime minister anyhow Maliki or Al-Zaidi? Do you see it too. Trump already dislikes this guy and I can only imagine what he says about him in private. I think by this news Maliki just signed his own death warrant. His days are numbered. These two articles are signs of a desperate man in desperate times. He knows he is finished. He does not even hold any position in the government at this time. He has no immunity and he knows it.)

Press reports have revealed new details regarding the political negotiations related to the issue of restricting weapons to the state, indicating that the leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, agreed to extend the deadline for armed factions until the beginning of 2028.

According to the report, several meetings took place between Maliki, former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and Badr Organization official Hadi al-Amiri, with the aim of reaching a settlement based on the principle of not using weapons, while keeping them for the time being.

The report indicated that the negotiations included a formula that would allow for the cancellation of the agreement not to use weapons in “specific circumstances,” without clearly defining the nature of these circumstances, which raised questions about the feasibility of implementing the agreement and ensuring the parties’ commitment to it.

He added that the timeline extending to the beginning of 2028, according to the report, is consistent with Iranian trends that called on the factions to gain more time in dealing with American pressure regarding the weapons file.

The report concluded that the balance of power within the political process has changed recently, with increasing pressure on the government regarding the issue of arms control, amid fears that negotiations will turn into compromises that postpone resolving the issue instead of ending it.

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IRAQ REGULATES FOREX TRADING: STRICT OVERSIGHT OF COMPANIES AND INCOMPLETE INVESTOR PROTECTION.

 The Iraqi Securities Commission has taken an unprecedented step towards regulating trading in contracts for difference and leverage, after approving Regulatory Regulation No. (36) of 2026, in an attempt to transfer an activity that has been carried out for years through foreign companies and platforms to an official framework subject to Iraqi oversight.

Reading the regulations reveals a clear tightening in the selection of companies allowed to enter the Iraqi market, while a number of investor protection elements during trading still need more detailed rules, especially since leveraged forex and CFD contracts are among the most risky investment tools for individuals.

The authority imposed high conditions for obtaining the license, most notably that the company be one of the prestigious global brokerage companies, and that it possess at least five valid international regulatory licenses of the first Tier 1 Onshore category, with Offshore licenses not being accepted, as well as a record of no less than ten years in brokerage, derivatives and electronic trading.

It also stipulated the establishment of a branch or licensed company within Iraq, and the provision of guarantees from the parent company of no less than five billion dinars, while it set ten billion dinars as the minimum capital if the company is established in Iraq, in addition to requirements for financial solvency, governance, risk management, anti-money laundering, cybersecurity, business continuity and training of Iraqi personnel.

These conditions are a clear strength, as they reduce the likelihood of unknown companies or companies registered in weak regulatory jurisdictions entering the market, and give the authority tools to suspend or revoke licenses and impose penalties when requirements are violated.

However, a closer look at the regulations reveals that the strictness in choosing a broker has not yet been matched by a similar level of detail in protecting the client after trading has begun.

The regulation explains the risks of leverage, stating that leverage in forex trading can reach more than one hundred times, but it does not specify a mandatory ceiling for the leverage that the company may grant to an individual investor, nor does it specify uniform numerical ratios for the initial margin or the mandatory closing level of positions.

This differs from mature markets such as Britain, where the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) limits leverage offered to retail clients to between 30 to 1 and two to 1 depending on the asset, and mandates the closing of positions when funds fall to 50 percent of the required margin.

The published text of the Iraqi regulation does not include an explicit provision obligating companies to protect negative balances, ensuring that the customer’s loss does not exceed the funds in their account. This is a mandatory protection for retail customers under international regulatory bodies such as the FCA and ASIC.

The text also does not provide a detailed system for separating clients’ funds from the brokerage firm’s funds, nor does it clearly define the rules for preserving those funds and their legal fate in the event of the firm’s failure or bankruptcy.

Questions also arise regarding investor suitability testing before allowing access to high-risk products, advertising and marketing incentives, pricing sources, slippage, order execution mechanisms, and conflict of interest disclosure when a brokerage firm acts as a counterparty to its clients’ trades. The FCA, for example, imposes restrictions on marketing incentives and a standardized warning indicating the percentage of client accounts that lose money trading CFDs.

The requirement to obtain five Category 1 licenses may raise another question regarding the balance between protecting the market and encouraging competition, as it could exclude strong international companies licensed by high-level regulatory bodies simply because they do not hold five separate licenses. The regulation, in its current form, appears to be an important basis for regulating a sector that has remained outside local oversight, but it seems more complete in regulating the entry of companies into the market than in regulating what happens to the Iraqi investor’s money within the trading account.

Issuing supplementary executive instructions that define leverage limits, negative balance protection, segregation of client funds, pricing and execution rules, advertising and suitability tests would transform the regulation from a framework for licensing companies into an integrated system for investor protection and regulation of the Forex and CFD market in Iraq.

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AL-YAKTI TOLD ULTRA IRAQ: BAGHDAD AND THE REGION REACHED AN UNDERSTANDING ON THE BUDGET, OIL, AND ASYCUDA.

 The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) confirmed on Saturday, September 12, 2026, that there are understandings between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government regarding the budget, the oil file, and ASYCUDA.

SOMO is in charge of the oil file in the Kurdistan Region.

Ahmad al-Harki, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, told Ultra Iraq that “there are currently positive understandings between Baghdad and Erbil regarding the budget and ways to address oil issues and non-oil revenues.”

He explained that “the relationship between the federal government and the regional government is based on the constitution and mutual rights and duties, with a sincere intention on both sides to eliminate crises and resolve outstanding problems.”

He noted that the oil marketing company “SOMO” will handle the oil file in the region, and it was agreed to implement the ASYCUDA system for customs in the region to unify procedures with the rest of Iraq. He said that “the Iraqi economy has been negatively affected by the repercussions of regional tensions, and has been unable to make optimal use of rising oil prices due to its total dependence on a rentier economy.”

He explained that “the political forces are committed to the need for cohesion on the home front, with a political will to move forward with the enactment of vital laws such as the Oil and Gas Law and the Federal Council Law.” He added: “Attention must be paid to the issue of employee salaries and ending the crisis of promotions and allowances that have been suspended since 2016 in order to ensure fairness and equality among all employees in Iraq.”

He called for “adopting a responsible national discourse that focuses on commonalities and higher national interests instead of exchanging accusations,” expressing his “optimism about the possibility of reaching a comprehensive national pact formula.”

A few days ago, a high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government, including the Ministers of Finance and Economy, Natural Resources, the Head of the Cabinet Office, the Secretary of the Cabinet, the Head of the Coordination and Follow-up Department, and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Planning, arrived in Baghdad to conduct a series of intensive meetings with relevant ministries and authorities in the federal government, with the aim of participating in the “preparation of a draft federal general budget law for the year 2027,” by meeting with officials of the federal Ministry of Finance, and holding extensive discussions with the Ministries of Planning and Oil, to review “issues of dispute and reach common understandings.”

The delegation came to Baghdad with the agenda for the talks including “the Kurdistan Regional Government’s vision and demands regarding salary allocations and financial entitlements for all employees and salary recipients, as well as job classifications and financial grades, allocations for investment projects and provincial development, the operational budget, in addition to resolving the pending oil file,” according to a statement issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government, which confirmed that it “seeks to end the financial disputes and formulate a comprehensive agreement and common understanding with the federal government that guarantees the inclusion and confirmation of the region’s full rights and shares within the 2027 general budget law before it is referred to Parliament.”

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan member Mahmoud Khoshnaw said that “the ongoing negotiations between Baghdad and Erbil aim to develop a strategy for the 2027 budget, and the current solutions will remain temporary and patchwork until a fair oil and gas law is enacted.”

In an interview with Ultra Iraq, Khoshnaw noted that “there is a mutual and serious desire this time between Baghdad and Erbil to reach understandings that contribute to overcoming previous financial crises, even though the energy file has witnessed a relative breakthrough thanks to the resumption of oil exports and the preliminary agreements that govern the marketing of oil through SOMO.”

He continued: “Clear standards for actual spending must be adopted instead of previous estimates to ensure a fair share for the region with full equality in financial rights and allocations for Peshmerga fighters with their counterparts in the Federal Ministry of Defense.”

He explained that “sovereign and governing expenses must be deducted from the state budget as a whole, while ensuring social justice in the distribution of appointments and job grades, as the region seeks to establish 60,000 employees on a contractual basis on a permanent basis in accordance with legal and constitutional contexts.”

He explained that “the Iraqi constitution has set clear frameworks for the distribution of revenues and fair representation, and adhering to them is the only way to end the engines of conflict and establish stability. Therefore, Baghdad must choose, either to adopt accurate population ratios or to estimate actual spending so that the region can then manage its funds and cover the entitlements of retirees and other sectors.”

On Saturday, a statement was issued by the Kurdistan Region’s negotiating delegation with the federal government, which was reviewed by Ultra Iraq. The statement read, “As part of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s participation in the ongoing preparations for drafting the Iraqi federal budget law for the fiscal year 2027, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s negotiating delegation held a meeting today, Saturday, September 12, with the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc in the Iraqi Parliament.”

During the meeting, the negotiating delegation reviewed “the results of its recent meetings and discussions in Baghdad with the federal ministries of finance, planning, and oil. Extensive discussions were also held regarding the regional government’s main visions and proposals concerning the 2027 budget.” The statement added that “those present emphasized the importance of securing the constitutional and financial rights and entitlements of the Kurdistan Region, particularly ensuring the continuous and timely payment of salaries and various financial entitlements in the region, and keeping the issue of salaries separate from financial and political disputes.”

The participants also stressed the importance of coordination at all stages of preparing and approving the draft budget law, as well as highlighting the importance of continuing dialogue and coordination with all Kurdish blocs and representatives of the Kurdistan Region in the Iraqi Parliament without exception, in order to formulate and develop a unified position, with the aim of protecting the rights and entitlements of the people of the Kurdistan Region in the federal budget for 2027.

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AL-JUBOURI TO AL-ZIDI: ATTRACT COMPANIES AND FULFILL YOUR PROMISES TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE.

 Member of Parliament’s Investment Committee, Iyad al-Jubouri, affirmed his support for the government’s direction towards attracting foreign companies to Iraq in various sectors, expressing his hope that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s upcoming visit to Europe will result in tangible projects.

Al-Jubouri told Al-Mada that investment has been a priority since the beginning of the government program, considering it a crucial path for the Iraqi economy. He added that attracting companies should not be limited to one sector, emphasizing his support for the Prime Minister’s efforts in this regard.

Regarding the anticipated European visit, Al-Jubouri expressed his hope that Al-Zidi would succeed in presenting projects that would convince the public of the visit’s usefulness, calling for a focus on implementing the pledges included in his government program. Al-Jabouri did not specify particular sectors or projects that he expects to agree upon during the visit.

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81 BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN IRAQ… WHY ARE MOST OF THEM ABSENT FROM GLOBAL BANKING LISTS?

Iraq has a numerically large banking network, comprising dozens of government, commercial, Islamic, and foreign bank branches, but the paradox emerges when moving from the number of banks to their real weight on the international banking map; This large number is not reflected in a similar presence in the most prominent global bank rankings.

According to the approved lists of operating banks, the Iraqi banking system includes 8 government banks, 24 local commercial banks, and 31 local Islamic banks, in addition to 16 branches of foreign banks and two representative offices, bringing the total number to about 81 banking institutions and representative offices.

However, research into the most international rankings, most notably the Top 1000 World Banks list issued by The Banker magazine, which is mainly prominent based on the size of Tier 1 Capital, reveals that the Iraqi presence in the global list has remained very limited compared to the number of banks operating in the country.

One of the most prominent documented Iraqi cases is the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), which in previous years managed to enter the list of the world’s top 1,000 banks. According to officially published data from the bank, its ranking reached 319th globally in 2020 according to the Tier 1 Capital metric, after advancing 26 places compared to the previous year.

However, this ranking is historical and should not be treated as a current ranking for 2026. Even in the latest edition of The Banker’s list, there is no documented current ranking in open public data that can be attributed to all Iraqi banks or even most of them individually.

This highlights one of the most significant problems in understanding the reality of Iraqi banks: the existence of dozens of banks does not mean that each one has a global ranking. Major international rankings are based on capital, assets, profitability, financial strength, market reach, and balance sheet quality, while the majority of small and medium-sized banks do not even appear on these lists.

The difference becomes even more apparent when comparing Iraq to the Gulf banking systems. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, while having fewer banks in some cases, have a stronger presence in global rankings because several of their banks possess significantly larger capital, assets, profitability rates, and international reach.

In Iraq, the IMF notes that the banking system remains heavily concentrated around two major state-owned banks, while private banks remain relatively small and face challenges related to limited capital, a limited customer base, and competition with state-owned banks. The IMF also pointed out that the dominance of large state-owned banks has hindered the emergence of stronger private banks.

The IMF also pointed to the need to complete the restructuring of state-owned banks, modernize the banking system, and expand international correspondent banking relationships, as essential steps for integrating the Iraqi banking sector more broadly into the global financial system.

Most telling is the risk assessment conducted by S&P Global Ratings on banking systems worldwide. In its July 2026 update, the agency placed the Iraqi banking system within the BICRA Group 10. ( S&P Global.

This ranking does not mean that Iraq is ranked tenth globally; Rather, the S&P scale ranges from Group 1 to Group 10, with Group 1 representing the lowest-risk systems and Group 10 representing the highest-risk systems. Thus, Iraq falls within the highest levels of banking risk according to this international scale.

A regional comparison reveals the widening gap. In the same S&P assessment, Saudi Arabia was in Group 3, the UAE and Qatar in Group 4, Kuwait in Group 3, Jordan in Group 6, while Iraq remained in Group 10.

This does not mean that all Iraqi banks are in trouble or in similar situations, because the BICRA rating relates to banking risks at the national and financial system levels, not to an individual rating for each bank. Rather, it reflects the environment in which these institutions operate and the strength of the surrounding regulatory, economic, and financial system.

S&P also notes that the Iraqi economy is highly sensitive to oil market fluctuations, and that its high dependence on oil and political and economic volatility affects the operating environment for banks. The agency has described the Iraqi banking environment in its reports as relatively weak compared to other banking systems.

Here the real question becomes: How many banks does Iraq have? But: How many of them are capable of competing globally?

The existence of dozens of banks does not automatically translate into a strong sector unless there are banks with large capitalizations, stable deposit bases, sustainable sustainability, strong governance, effective compliance systems, international correspondent relationships, and credit ratings comparable with regional and international institutions.

The presence of 16 branches of foreign banks in Iraq does not mean that they are included in the global classification of Iraqi banks, because the classification that a banking group such as Standard Chartered or others may have is due to the parent bank and its global group, and not to its branch operating inside Iraq as an independent Iraqi bank.

Therefore, describing all 81 banks as having a “global ranking” is inaccurate. The vast do not even appear in any of the most prominent majority rankings of the world’s largest banks, while a limited number appear only in individual international data or assessments.

Between the large number and the weak international presence, it seems that the next challenge facing the Central Bank of Iraq will not only be maintaining dozens of banking licenses, but also building a less fragmented, stronger and more competitive sector.

The ongoing reform of the banking sector may, in the next phase, lead to a restructuring of the market, capital raising, compliance and governance requirements, and perhaps reducing the number of weak banks or merging some of them, in exchange for building larger institutions that are more capable of connecting with the international financial system.

In conclusion, the situation can be summarized in one sentence:

Iraq has dozens of banks, but it does not yet have dozens of banks with global influence. The number has reached about 81 banking institutions and representative offices, but the presence in major global rankings remains limited, at a time when the Iraqi banking system is still classified among the highest risk groups by S&P.

This puts the sector to a real test: Will the upcoming reforms succeed in transforming the “abundance of banks” into “banking strength,” or will the map of Iraqi banks witness downsizing, mergers, and extensive restructuring in the coming years?

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AL-ZAIDI’S VISIT TO EUROPE: A STEP TOWARDS GLOBAL ECONOMIC OPENNESS

Economic experts and specialists confirmed that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s European tour, which will begin in France and Germany, aims to strengthen economic partnerships and attract investments between Iraq and the European Union countries, noting that it will witness the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding in economic fields.

Member of Parliament, Nasser Turki, said: “Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi’s visit to France, Germany and European countries will be important, because it aims to make Iraq a leading country in international relations that are open to the world, based on mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs, and based on common interests that serve all parties.”

Turki explained that “among the most important files that the Prime Minister pays great attention to are the files of energy, electricity, oil, technology and the petrochemical industry, as well as attracting foreign capital to support the industrial, agricultural, transportation and communications sectors,” stressing that “the Prime Minister is very determined that this visit be practical and not just paper agreements, but a practical reality that brings good and tangible results to Iraq and its people.”

IMPORTANT AGREEMENTS

For his part, economic researcher Jalil Al-Lami stressed that “the Prime Minister’s European tour to France and Germany carries great economic importance, because it aims to move the relationship with the two largest and most influential economies in the European Union from the level of trade exchange to the level of investment, industrial partnerships and technology transfer, especially in the energy, electricity, industry, transportation, infrastructure and technology sectors.”

ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

Al-Lami explained in an interview with Al-Sabah that “the European Union represents an important economic partner for Iraq, as the volume of trade in goods between Iraq and the EU countries reached about 18.2 billion euros during 2025, of which 12.7 billion euros were Iraqi exports to Europe compared to 5.5 billion euros in European exports to Iraq, while machinery and transport equipment alone accounted for about 2.3 billion euros, or 41 percent, of European exports to the Iraqi market.”

He added that “the volume of trade between Iraq and Germany reached about 2.85 billion euros during 2025, of which 1.416 billion euros were German exports to Iraq and 1.431 billion euros were German imports from Iraq,” noting that “the balance of German direct investments in Iraq did not exceed 25 million euros according to the latest data for 2024, which is a very modest figure compared to the size of the two economies and the opportunities available in Iraq, and therefore the visit could aim to raise the level of German investment and not just trade.”

GERMAN COMPANIES

He pointed out that “there is an important Iraqi proposal that was put forward before the visit, which is to establish a joint Iraqi-German fund to finance projects for developing Iraqi industry in cooperation with the German side, which may open the way for German companies to enter into the rehabilitation of factories, energy, electricity and technology, and the transfer of production lines and expertise “Inside Iraq.”

Regarding France, Al-Lami explained that “France has a larger investment base in Iraq, most notably Total Energies’ integrated energy project, with investments amounting to approximately $27 billion, in addition to new cooperation between the Iraq Development Fund and the French state investment bank to support investment opportunities.” 

“And the business between the two countries.”

FRENCH TRADE DEFICIT

He expected that “the tour will witness memoranda of understanding and economic agreements in the fields of investment, energy, industry, technology and trade.”

He stressed that “the government has confirmed that the goal is to turn understandings into executive paths and practical partnerships, and information related to the Paris visit indicates that it is likely to witness the signing of several memoranda of understanding,” stressing that “what is most important for Iraq is not the number of memoranda that will be signed, but rather the volume of investments that will actually turn into contracts, projects, job opportunities and technology transfer within Iraq.”

DEVELOPMENT RELATIONS

For his part, economist Abdul Hassan al-Shammari told Al-Sabah newspaper that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s European tour to France and Germany may be followed by another foreign visit. He predicted that the Prime Minister’s visit to France and Germany would result in important economic and development agreements, most of which would be in Iraq’s favor. He explained that these visits would contribute to building strong, robust, and cohesive economic and political relations with other developed countries, based on mutual benefit and partnership. 

Ongoing economic activity.

CONCLUDING AGREEMENTS

He stated that “the European tour indicates that Iraq has begun to develop under the leadership of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi,” and predicted that “the visit will witness the signing of joint economic agreements and memoranda of understanding.” Between Iraq and those countries.

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US CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES: AL-ZAIDI’S VISIT TO WASHINGTON OPENED NEW HORIZONS FOR THE IRAQI-AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP

 
The US Chargé d’Affaires in Iraq, Steven Fagin, affirmed on Saturday that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington opened new horizons for the Iraqi-American partnership.
Fagin stated in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that “relations between Baghdad and Washington are on the cusp of significant development,” noting “a shared commitment to strengthening the economic partnership and expanding opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.”

He emphasized that “Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington last summer came with a mandate from the Iraqi people to build a sovereign, secure, and prosperous Iraq,” adding that “Iraq today is not viewed as the Iraq of yesterday, but rather as a country brimming with great opportunities.”

He further stated that “US President Donald Trump has aspirations regarding bilateral relations, which are embodied in establishing a fruitful partnership with the Iraqi people based on real and tangible results.”

He explained that “the agreements signed during al-Zaidi’s visit covered the energy, healthcare, technology, and financial sectors, with a total value of $60 billion.”
Fagin emphasized that his goal during his tenure as Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq was to deepen economic opportunities and achieve accomplishments that benefit both countries.

He noted that the United States and Iraq stand on the cusp of a transformative phase in their relationship, highlighting a shared interest in expanding trade opportunities.
He concluded by saying that the two countries can continue this fruitful partnership, achieving tangible results and real progress to ensure the prosperity of both the United States and Iraq.

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WASHINGTON SPEAKS OF A NEW PHASE IN ITS ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH IRAQ

 The US Chargé d’Affaires in Iraq, Steven Fagin, confirmed on Saturday that relations between Baghdad and Washington are on the verge of a major transformation, given the two countries’ interest in expanding trade opportunities and deepening economic cooperation.

Fagin said, in statements reported by the US Embassy and followed by (Al-Mada), that Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington last summer witnessed the signing of agreements in the energy, healthcare, technology and financial sectors, which amounted to $60 billion, according to him.

He added that US President Donald Trump is looking forward to a “fruitful partnership with the Iraqi people, based on real and tangible results,” noting that his goal during his time in Baghdad is to expand economic opportunities and achieve accomplishments that benefit both countries.

Fagin described the next phase as a transformation in the nature of the Iraqi-American relationship, stressing Washington’s desire to continue the partnership with Baghdad and turn opportunities for cooperation into practical results.

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EXPERTS WARN OF THE RISKS OF LIFTING THE FEDERAL RESERVE’S PROTECTION ON IRAQI FUNDS.

  Economic experts have warned of the risks of canceling the Iraqi account at the US Federal Reserve and lifting protection on oil export revenues at the present time, stressing that the sudden move away from American protection may cost Iraq economic and financial losses, which will be reflected in the dinar, the exchange market and the financing of imports.

Economic expert Mustafa Faraj confirmed that Iraq, theoretically, can manage its oil revenues and reserves without American protection, but practically in the current situation, a sudden transition would be highly risky, explaining that the issue is not simply about transferring funds from one American bank to another, but is linked to the dollar system, correspondent banks, foreign trade settlement, and the central bank’s ability to manage the exchange market.

(Mnt Goat: Not now, then when. What will be different in the future? What this last paragraph is saying they don’t want to take Iraq out of the sanction-like mode it is in and free to manage its own funds. They have it too good with sources to steal funds from it if they remain in the sanction-like mode.)

GLOBAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM

He added that Iraq does not rely solely on the United States to protect its funds, but depends to a large extent on the global financial system, a significant portion of which passes through the dollar. 

American financial institutions Faraj pointed out that instead of focusing heavily on the dollar, the share of the euro, gold, and convertible Asian currencies could be increased, while managing liquidity risks. He stressed that moving the entire reserve away from the dollar is not a solution because most of Iraq’s oil and import trade is linked to the dollar.

INTERNATIONAL BANKING NETWORK

He explained that one of the alternatives is to build a multilateral international banking network, by expanding Iraq’s relations with European, Asian and Gulf banks, so that the Iraqi banking system is not dependent on a single channel (the dollar). He pointed to the possibility of increasing the use of the euro and local currencies in trade, through clearing agreements with countries such as China, Turkey, India and the Gulf States, explaining that this requires deep markets, a convertible currency and reliable settlement mechanisms.

STRONG IRAQI BANKS

Faraj stressed that strengthening the Iraqi banking sector represents the real alternative, not just replacing the dollar with the yuan or the euro, noting that Iraq needs strong Iraqi banks, internationally audited, committed to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards, and connected to a wide network of correspondent banks.

He stated that Iraq can reduce its dependence on American protection in the future, but cannot replace it with a political decision alone at present. He stressed that what is required is to build an alternative financial system first, and then to transition gradually, warning that the greatest danger will not be to the oil money itself, but rather to the dinar, the exchange market, import financing, and the confidence of the banking sector.

PREVIOUS FINANCIAL CLAIMS

Economic expert Ahmed Eid said that lifting US protection on Iraqi funds “without creating an alternative legal and financial umbrella may open the door to risks related to legal claims and attempts to seize some Iraqi assets abroad, especially if there are previous rulings or financial claims,” indicating that this “may increase the degree of uncertainty surrounding the management of state funds and its external revenues.”

OFFICIAL AND PARALLEL PRICES

He added that the most sensitive economic risk is the pressure on the dinar and the decline in its monetary value, and the disruption to the smooth flow of oil and dollar revenues to Iraq, explaining that the economy depends to a large extent on oil revenues to finance public spending.

He added that any disruption in external flows could put pressure on the exchange market, widen the gap between the official and parallel rates, and be reflected in the prices of imported goods, inflation, and purchasing power.

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FROM PARIS, IRAQ REQUESTS INTERPOL’S SUPPORT TO PURSUE CORRUPT OFFICIALS AND RECOVER STOLEN FUNDS.

 On Monday, the head of the Integrity Commission, Mohammed Ali Al-Lami, called on Interpol to strengthen international cooperation and coordination in pursuing those wanted and accused in corruption cases, and to expedite the procedures for tracking them and exchanging relevant information. 

This came, according to a statement issued by the commission and received by Shafaq News Agency, during Al-Lami’s meeting with the president of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), Lucas Philippe, on the sidelines of his participation in the government delegation visiting the French capital, Paris. 

Al-Lami stressed that “the transnational nature of corruption crimes, and the associated smuggling of funds and movement of wanted persons between countries, makes international cooperation a fundamental pillar in the system of combating it, stressing the need to prevent perpetrators of these crimes from exploiting borders or differences between systems and legislations to escape legal prosecution and benefit from the proceeds of their crimes.” 

He pointed out that “the escalation of anti-corruption campaigns in Iraq, and the tightening of prosecution, investigation and inquiry procedures, has prompted some of those involved to try to leave the country and take refuge outside its borders, which requires a rapid international response and effective coordination with Interpol and counterpart agencies to track down the wanted individuals, determine their whereabouts and take the necessary legal measures against them.”

The head of the commission explained that “some wanted individuals resort to various means and methods to obstruct the procedures for pursuing them, including taking refuge in foreign nationalities, or exploiting the differences between legal systems, as well as attempting to politicize criminal cases related to corruption,” stressing the importance of “exchanging information, evidence, and documents that contribute to clarifying the criminal nature of these cases and enhancing the chances of enforcing legal procedures regarding them.”

Al-Lami called for strengthening Interpol’s support for Iraq’s efforts in combating corruption, pursuing wanted individuals, and recovering the proceeds of their crimes, stressing that “confronting transnational corruption requires an effective international partnership that prevents providing any safe haven for corrupt individuals and reinforces the principle that fleeing the country does not mean escaping justice.” 

The statement noted that the discussions touched on mechanisms to expedite the pursuit and tracking of those wanted in corruption cases, and to facilitate the exchange of information about them, as well as activating points of direct contact and coordination between the two sides, in order to shorten procedures and enhance the speed of response to requests related to international prosecution.

He explained that the two sides discussed enhancing cooperation in the field of building the capacities of Iraqi personnel concerned with pursuing wanted persons and recovering funds, through specialized training programs, exchanging experiences and expertise, and benefiting from the capabilities and mechanisms provided by the international organization in the field of police cooperation and information exchange.

He pointed out that the meeting emphasized the importance of continuing coordination, developing communication channels, and exchanging information and experiences between the two sides, in order to raise the level of response in the files of those wanted in corruption cases, and to contribute to supporting Iraq’s efforts to pursue them and recover the funds and assets obtained from their crimes.

It is noted that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi arrived earlier on Sunday evening in the French capital, Paris, on an official visit accompanied by a high-level government delegation, according to his media office.

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

Auf Wiedersehen

Much love to ya all,

Mnt Goat

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

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September 8, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

WOW! WOW! WOW! More news today about removing the zeros. I want to point out that the pressure to do something to alleviate the liquidity crisis at the two major state banks. For example, “merchants and residents in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, are increasingly struggling to obtain 250-dinar ($0.19), 500-dinar ($0.38) and 1,000-dinar ($0.76) banknotes, with traders reporting shortages of small denominations and growing difficulties using worn or damaged notes in daily transactions”. But as importantly, according to preliminary data that is currently being audited, the past period witnessed a significant depletion of liquidity and financial resources, including the funds available at government banks, specifically Al-Rafidain and Al-Rasheed banks. 

A FIFTH CONFIRMATION OF INTENTION TO REMOVE THE ZEROS!

GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT

I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are.

 Let’s all try to chip in!

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1 Peter 4:8

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”  

STATUS OF THE RV

Okay, so we are quickly advancing into September already. Folks, I have to say the news just keeps getting better and better. So here we go……

When can we expect the CBI to make a decision on their move of removing the zeros? This should happen any day now. One day you will read it on the front cover page of my blog, and this is not too far off.

I was told by my CBI contact that a committee has been set up months ago to study the issue of the feasibility of coming up with a start date and to monitor all the other factors involved. So, they are not just starting on this but months in the making already. But most of you already knew this…didn’t you?

One major factor included meeting with parliament on the necessary laws required to satisfy the GOI. We all know that a draft law was already sent to parliament on this effort to review and pass so they can begin the process. I guess what I am trying to reiterate to you today is that this project to remove the zero is just not at a ‘review’ or ‘considering’ state as in the past, but is moving ahead beyond these past stages to an advanced stage of even determining a date to begin and then announcing it to the public.

As this liquidity crisis worsens, the pressure builds to do something and do it soon. In a recent article titled “SMALL BANKNOTE SHORTAGE CAUSES DAILY DISRUPTION IN KIRKUK MARKETS”

This article is yet more proof of what my CBI contact is telling us is the TRUTH as to what are the majority of the notes horded and the root cause of this liquidity issue. It is almost verbatim of what she told us. WOW! It is these lower denoms namely the 250, 500 and 1000 notes. These are the ones they have to keep re-printing because they are taken out of circulation either due to wear and tear but most importantly hording. The more the CBI prints the more they stash away. Okay, okay,  so I am not going to review in detail this issue causing of the liquidity issue again. We are all adults and so let’s try to remember what I said in my other recent Newsletters about this issue. Here is the link to the Mnt Goat Archives. This is getting boring already, is it not? What we want is for them to do something about it. But we all know how slowwwwwwwwww they can work in Iraq. The point I want to stress today is that new explanations of this issue of these three notes is in the news almost daily now. Is it important? So, we get the message but more importantly we get the urgency too. That is what is going to drive this issue to resolution sooner than later.

I want to point out that I told my readers that removing the zeros project is the ONLY way they can collect this monetary mass back into the system. I said this years ago. Remember? They simply must do it.

Again, we know how slow Iraq works and so this urgency should speed things up. But remember conducting this project of removing the zeros also means moving to FOREX soon afterwards and so are they ready for this follow-up move too? We are told the Trump administration and the IMF now want the reinstatement and so it is supporting the next move too. I am guessing that maybe pressure from the US Treasury might put a fire under them to stop all this stagnation and move it ahead.   

I quote from the article: “Merchants and residents in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, are increasingly struggling to obtain 250-dinar ($0.19), 500-dinar ($0.38) and 1,000-dinar ($0.76) banknotes, with traders reporting shortages of small denominations and growing difficulties using worn or damaged notes in daily transactions.”

“Abbas Ahmed, a shopkeeper in Kirkuk’s Doctors Street market, told Shafaq News that obtaining the three denominations has become increasingly difficult. “When customers pay with larger notes, some shops ask them to buy another item rather than give them their change.” Some small-denomination notes reaching shops are also torn, dirty or heavily worn, making merchants and customers reluctant to accept them.”

Okay so there is many other recent articles on this topic of the 250, 500 and 1000 note depletion / hording. I will just list them and not go into much explanation of them but to highlight what I feel is most important for us to understand:

“THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SMALL DENOMINATION COINS IS CAUSING “DAILY DISRUPTION” IN IRAQI MARKETS.”

“Local markets in Kirkuk Governorate are experiencing increasing difficulty in obtaining small denomination banknotes of 250, 500 and 1000 dinars, amid complaints from traders and citizens about their scarcity in daily transactions. Shop owners say that what is available is often old, worn out or torn, which makes it more difficult to use in buying and selling operations.”

“At first glance, the problem seems to contradict the available figures on the volume of small banknotes in Iraq, as recent data indicates the existence of hundreds of millions of banknotes of these denominations. However, their presence in the monetary data does not necessarily mean that all of them are actually available for circulation or in good condition, which raises questions about the cash cycle and the mechanisms for withdrawing damaged banknotes, replacing them, and injecting new alternatives into the markets.”

Daily confusion

“Abbas Ahmed, a shop owner in the Doctors Street market in Kirkuk, told Shafaq News Agency, “Obtaining 250, 500, and 1000 dinar notes has become more difficult than before, and the problem becomes clear when a customer pays their bill in large denominations, forcing us to ask the customer to buy another item with the remaining amount.”

“SMALL BANKNOTE SHORTAGE CAUSES DAILY DISRUPTION IN KIRKUK MARKETS”

“Merchants and residents in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, are increasingly struggling to obtain 250-dinar ($0.19), 500-dinar ($0.38) and 1,000-dinar ($0.76) banknotes, with traders reporting shortages of small denominations and growing difficulties using worn or damaged notes in daily transactions.”

“Samer Abdullah, a currency exchanger on Republic Street, noted a sharp increase in demand for small denominations, while supplies remain inconsistent.”  

“Describing the shortage as a daily problem, Hamza al-Jubouri, a wholesaler in Kirkuk’s Citadel Market, told Shafaq News that small amounts of change are often needed in wholesale and retail transactions, leaving merchants with limited options when the required denominations are unavailable.”

“Some traders hold on to 250-dinar, 500-dinar, and 1,000-dinar notes rather than spend them, fearing they will be unable to replace them later. This further reduces the number of these notes circulating in the market.”

“IRAQ PROBES STATE BANKS OVER LIQUIDITY DEPLETION”

  “On Saturday, informed sources revealed that the Integrity Commission and the relevant regulatory bodies are conducting investigations and audits regarding a number of financial and banking files, most notably the decline in liquidity levels at government banks, the granting of loans and financing of investment projects, as well as the special and exceptional approvals granted by government banks, particularly Al-Rafidain and Al-Rasheed banks, during the previous period.”

“According to preliminary data that is currently being audited, the past period witnessed a significant depletion of liquidity and financial resources, including the funds available at government banks, specifically Al-Rafidain and Al-Rasheed banks.”    

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In this next article titled “THE CENTRAL BANK REASSURES BANK DEPOSITORS” let’s dig deeper into it. Why is the CBI telling the public these kinds of statements? We all know why. They are trying to push the public into getting this horded money back into the banks. Well…well I have news for them this tactic did not work and will not work. It is time to get serious and take more drastic measures. Hint…hint…remove the zeros…..

 “Affirming its pivotal role in protecting the financial system and ensuring a sound banking sector based on competitiveness and the provision of the best traditional and digital financial services, the Central Bank of Iraq wishes to inform and reassure the public of the following facts:” You can go read the article in full for yourself, it is nothing more than what we already know….bla, bla,bla… 😊

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I find this next recent article ironic almost funny even…lol..lol..lol.. 😊. How stupid can these members of parliament in Iraq be?  This guy sounds like a democrat in the US government…lol..lol..lol.. It is titled “MP: THERE ARE NO ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS OTHER THAN HOW TO SECURE EMPLOYEE SALARIES”

 “MP Abdul Hamza al-Khafaji asserted on Saturday that the government lacks clear economic solutions to address the financial crises, indicating that its primary focus is on securing employee salaries.”  Really? The Finance Committee already told us that the salaries are held up due to the liquidity issue at the banks. Yes, this exact same issue that four (4) articles in the daily news just told us about. So, where is the mind of this MP anyhow. Do you see the problem they are facing in Iraq too – dumb or dumber?  

“He stressed the necessity of “adopting economic policies capable of creating job opportunities, stimulating the private sector, and increasing non-oil revenues,” urging the government to “provide sustainable solutions that guarantee the country’s financial and economic stability.”  Okay but the reality is that the liquidity issue is real, is happening now and the salaries must be paid now not 10 years down the road. How about the solution for the problem staring you in the nose, right in front of your face?  

Yes, al-Khafaji you can always support the draft bill now in parliament to remove the zeros and bring in all this cash back into the banking system. The GOI is most aware of the petro-dollar and it ramifications on a ‘rentier’ economy. The process to diversify the economy is underway. Let’s stop talking about it and do something about it. How many more years are you going to kick this can down the road? Aren’t you a member of parliament? You have part of the power al-Khafaji.  

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Okay, so what have heard in the news lately about removing the zeros?

Seems we have yet another confirmation from the Iraqi Finance Committee that tells us the intent to move ahead with the project to remove the zeros. It is titled “PARLIAMENTARY FINANCE COMMITTEE: THERE IS AN INTENTION TO ISSUE BANKNOTES IN DENOMINATIONS SMALLER THAN 250 DINARS.”

 This fourth confirmation comes from Jamal Kojar, again yet another a member of the parliamentary finance committee. This news is not rumor or internet hype. So, once again we get a solid confirmation they are going to move ahead with the Project to Delete the Zeros.

Can the CBI do it without legislation thus a new law to do it. In this article we get a sense of confusion as to what the CBI is actually telling us. So, let me clarify it.  

I quote from the article – “According to the official newspaper, Jamal Kojar, a member of the parliamentary finance committee, revealed that “during its recent meeting with the governor of the Central Bank, the finance committee raised several questions related to removing zeros, printing currency, banks that have closed, as well as the general financial situation.”

So, this confirms to us the Finance Committee and the CBI have met and discussed what is needed to do it. Finally, a confirmation on this meeting, which my CBI contact also just told me had to happen.

I quote from the article – “But the issue resurfaced strongly last August, with parliamentary talk of including the “Zero Removal Law” within a package of economic measures, and then proposing other options including changing the currency or issuing new denominations.”

Issuing new denominations vs changing the currency:

These are two distinct tasks and I need everyone to understand exactly what they mean by both of them to fully understand this article. What do these last statements mean? What the hell is the difference? After consulting my CBI contact on these statements, I was told the following:

Issuing newer denominations does not mean a redenomination resulting from removing the zeros. And this is the key to understanding. Instead, it means issuing all  brand new denominations not used before like the 100 or bringing back the 50 (which was previously taken out of circulation) not part of removing the zeros project. I know, I know many of you are going to think aren’t the newer lower denominations also brand new notes? Yes, they are but they are part of the list for removing the zeros and are not counted as issuing newer denominations but instead a redenomination. Get it?

I quote from the article – “Changing the currency is one of the exclusive powers of the central bank.” Thus it does not need legislation to do it.

Later we also talk about another article where an economist says they will most likely issue a new 100 note and bring back the old 50 note. So, I think this is why this article wants to clarify it to the readers. The CBI can in fact issue these two notes anytime without any legislation.

Changing the Currency: is Removing the zeros and it means for instance, taking the 25,000 notes and swapping them out for 25 notes. This is considered a redenomination. This is NOT considered issuing new currency from this terminology. This is a VERY SPECIFIC project and has been defined as such. These new newer lower denominations are specifically listed and are part of the redenomination project called Deleting the Zeros and not categorized as newer notes because the CBI will be just be bringing back the older type of denominations they once had, get it? The newer 100 is not on the list and never existed before 2003 even. So removing the zeroes is just ‘removing the zeros’ NOT issuing any new currency just back to the old ones they used to have. The removing the zeros project perse, will need legislation while the issuing of the 50 and the new 100 notes (or any other notes they decide later) will not. Get it? I know it gets confusing and this is why I have a contact in the CBI to clarify it for us. I hope this helps.

I quote from the article – “While removing zeros requires legislation from the House of Representatives at the request of the government.”

Kujer concluded by saying that “printing the new currency,” if it happens, will be followed by a period of time to withdraw the old currency from circulation, but this period has not yet been determined as the central bank is still studying the details of the process.

THE ZERO REMOVAL FILE IS BACK IN FULL FORCE. (Their words not mine)

I quote from the article – “The project to remove three zeros dates back after many years, as the Central Bank began studying the idea in 2007, and its former governor, Ali Al-Alaq, said in 2024 that the project “is still in place,” without specifying a date for its implementation.”

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There was one article in particular I need to bring to your attention today. You may again so what is so important about it. Again it is not always about the content but the intent behind it or underlying around it. The article is titled “AN ECONOMIST PREDICTS THE RETURN OF THE 50 AND 100 DINAR DENOMINATIONS WITH THE CURRENCY CHANGE.” This article ties in nicely what I just talked about in the above article.

Yes, the CBI can issue these two notes without any parliament approval, at any time.

 If you recall back in 2015 they told us they were going to begin removing the zeros in early 2016 and that they would issue the 100 dinar then. They DID NOT talk about getting any new law to do it then either. However the effort was later cancelled as the ISIS war dragged on. Then in 2017, when did end, they still never did it. So, this process of issuing the 100 notes comes out again in today’s news. This is a VERY GOOD sign to us. It shows this removing of the zeros is going to come very soon. I do know that the 50 notes were once in circulation but the 100 note is a new. Getting back the 50 notes are also a very good sign.

I quote from the article – “Economic expert Mustafa Hantoush suggested on Sunday that the 50 and 100 dinar denominations would return to circulation if the currency change were to proceed, noting the possibility of issuing new currency denominations with stronger security features . Hantoush said in a televised interview followed by Al-Sa’a Network that “the Central Bank may issue a new currency with advanced security features, with the possibility of introducing currency denominations less than 250 dinars, such as 100 fils .”

He added that “the Central Bank may move towards issuing 50 and 100 dinar denominations in the next stage,” indicating that “the return of these denominations may contribute to supporting the currency and strengthening the position of the Central Bank .”

He explained that “the Central Bank has not yet made a final decision regarding this step, while the government is working on forming a committee to study the issue, pending the completion of the procedures related to it within the House of Representatives 

I can tell you this committee he is referring to has already been formed now for a couple months and the work is well underway. This is why I am telling you we should expect a declaration from the CBI any day about a date to begin removing the zeros.

I have to say I am jumping up and down at this news since I remember the past and what they planned to do and cancelling it due to ISIS. It is now all coming back. I only wish this disarming of the Iranian militia and factions stuff does not interfere.

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UPDATE: On disarming the militias

Speaking about being a SECURE Iraq what about the militias and factions?

“WASHINGTON’S MESSAGES REACH BAGHDAD… AMERICAN RESERVATIONS HAUNT THE DRAFT LAW ON THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES.”

 “Revealed by the newspaper “An-Nahar” Lebanese the American side reported Baghdad over the past few days, there have been clear reservations about re-entering bill Popular Mobilization Forces in its previous form, while it requested Washington explicit guarantees that all Popular Mobilization Forces formations will be subject to the authority of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and that no parallel structures or authorities will be allowed to exist alongside the security institutions.”

What do you think will happen to this older bill to support the militia as a ‘legal’ security force in Iraq? You got to be kidding me they can even consider such a bill. This only shows you just how crooked the government has become. But remember this bill as it stands is from the past administration and was tabled. Now they are bringing it back to session to vote on it.

This next article says it all. I rest my case….enough said….

“IRAQ “CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE RISKS”… STATE ADMINISTRATION WARNS OF THE REPERCUSSIONS OF US SANCTIONS”

“On Saturday, the State Administration Coalition discussed completing the government formation, the draft oil and gas law, and the country’s financial situation, while stressing the need to spare Iraq the repercussions of the US sanctions imposed on some countries, in light of what it described as the “difficult financial circumstances.”

Yes, here is our Oil and Gas law that we need before they reinstate the dinar. I am so glad this popped up again. I was wonder what the heck happened to it.

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FUTURE THINKING:

I always like it when we hear news of forward thinking for Iraq. In the midst of all the chaos they still continue to work in the background to bring Iraq forward. Like in the US also in Iraq they are constantly moving ahead in the background. Here are two recent developments worth noting. Remember the Development Road Project and so is FORD Motors going to move in and establish warehouses for parts or maybe even limited productions facilities? Trust me on this one, FORD would not do this if assurances of a secure environment was not made.

“AL-ZAYDI DIRECTS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW MODERN CITY IN EACH GOVERNORATE”

“Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed on Thursday that each governorate be responsible for establishing a new modern city with an area ranging between 10,000 and 15,000 dunams. The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a press release received by the Information Agency that “al-Zaidi emphasized, during his meeting with the heads of investment authorities in all governorates, in the presence of the Minister of Finance, the Director of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, the Head of the Higher Coordination Committee for Governorates, and the Head of the National Investment Commission, the importance of adopting a new vision for investment and urban development.”

“This vision is based on creating integrated, modern cities in all governorates, which will contribute to expanding investment activity, achieving balanced and sustainable development, and creating new urban environments that can accommodate population and economic growth.”

“FORD OFFICIALLY ENTERS THE IRAQI MARKET ON OCTOBER 1ST.”

 “Ford is officially returning to the Iraqi market starting from October 1st, after appointing North Island Automotive Trading and Commercial Agencies Company (SAT) as its exclusive distributor in the country.”

“The appointment was based on a strategic alliance between March Holding Group and Al-Alayan Group, and North Island Company will be responsible for distributing cars, providing original spare parts, and offering after-sales services throughout the country.”

“Ford indicated in a statement received by Kalima News that “North Island Company (SAT) will, under this appointment, be responsible for distributing Ford vehicles, providing original spare parts, and offering after-sales services throughout Iraq.”

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SUMMARY

No, the project to remove the zeros has not yet kicked off. There is no RV yet.

We don’t even have a firm begin date yet to remove the zeros. Some say early 2027 but we all know this is not yet set by the CBI. Right now these economists and MPs are just throwing out ideas and suggestions. It all sound wonderful. I will even take early 2027. Like you, I won’t like it, but at least they would be moving ahead. Yes, many of the ideas are most probable but not yet definite in the CBI policy of the process ahead.

Please do not listen to many of these idiot intel gurus filling your heads with gobbled-goop. They will only confuse you. Please stay on target. Remember that there is no revaluation perse of the ‘official’ CBI rate of 1310 with removing the zeros project. However, if you use your God given commonsense, we clearly see an indirect revaluation to about 0.76 cents per dinar. I explained to everyone many times how I derived this rate in-country. They plan to do this so they can coexist the two sets of notes until they can suck all the three zero notes out of circulation. Remember we have these three zero notes too. They will have to come and get ours too.

Let’s see what will happens in September as we move along. This was all very amazing news over the month of August and it continues. I believe the CBI is going to make an announcement this month to give us a firmer date as to removing the zeros.

Remember to stay focused on the TRUTH. Also, to all my faithful blog followers, please don’t forget what we read in the news from the past, even a decade or more ago. It all has meaning and relevance to today too. It helps to connect the pieces so we can see the larger picture.

Instead of complaining the RV did not yet happen, spend the effort and time reading the ‘RV Status’ and the articles I reference. This will give you a really good idea on the urgency of what the CBI is facing.

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What do you think will happen next? (Leave a comment)

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

                                         

These prophecies are an important tool we have to lead us on our path. They are more important now than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?

It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.

NOTE: These prophecies just keep getting better and better, giving us HOPE of a brighter future. They seem to converge now closer and closer to seeing them come to fulfillment. WOW!

Prophetic Words from the prophets:  Julie Green

“Someone Has It All“

Go to the 14:05 mark on the video. Given on  Aug 30^th.    “

Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

I keep this one out here to view. Everyone should take the time to watch it. It will awaken you about the Muslim so-called religion (or should we call it for it is — a ‘cult‘.)

— And the truth the world forgot about the so-called Muslim religion.

Fr.Don Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth,  particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.  

THE PARADIGM IS CHANGING ABOUT HOW TO FUND LOCAL DISTRICTS

Most of you reading this may not live in Texas and so you say it does not apply to you. Oh…. but it does. This is a paradigm shift that is gaining momentum throughout the nation. Property taxes are the worst financial burden on any home owner besides paying a mortgage. Should some have to pay for their property three times over? Think about it.

By the time you pay off your mortgage you would have paid for your house three times over. Really? Yes really- let’s break it down –1. the mortgage principle, 2.the mortgage interest and then 3. the property taxes. Yes, that’s three times over. The ironic part is for seniors your children have probably graduated from the public school system decades ago or worst yet you sent them to a private school not even using the public system. Why are you still paying school tazes at retirement?

So, there are solution to this burden of property taxes and we only need to wake up our preventatives to get creative and find ways to fund the towns without property taxes or a system that if fare and more honest. This is the point of showing you this video today. If Texas and so many other states can do it, so can your state. They just need a ‘push’ from the citizens to do it. If they resist, then replace with in the next elections and find someone who is willing to work to get it done.  

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE JOURNALISM SERIOUSLY

Maria Bartiromo OUSTED by Fox News After 12 Years, Erased From Network After Shocking Split. She was getting too close to too many conspiracies and they didn’t like it. In other words she ruffled too many feathers…. Then they oust you for telling the TRUTH!

THE LARGEST SINGLE OIL RESERVE EVER DISCOVERED IN THE UNITED STATES

U.S. AND VENEZUELA SIGN NEW OIL DEAL

IRAN OIL PROVINCE: CAN INSIDE REBELS TAKE THE ISLAMIC REGIME DOWN?

America declared Economic War on Iran with Operation Economic Outcast, sanctioning 60 targets in one day. But the real war is inside Iran. In this episode of Decoded, Nikita Kapoor breaks down Khuzestan, the province that produces 80% of Iran’s oil, houses Bushehr nuclear reactor and Abadan refinery, but lives with 50% unemployment and is the world’s most polluted city on earth.

Ahwazi Arabs, armed groups like Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz, Ahwaz Falcons and Ahwaz Freedom Brigades have declared open rebellion against the IRGC. Can they blow pipelines, block ports and shut refineries to collapse the regime?

WHAT NOW FOR IRAN?

The U.S. imposes strict broad secondary economic sanctions against Iran on August 24^th.  What will Iran do now? Total Meltdown! Iran President Loses ALL Powers As Hardliners Take Over? Civil War Now?

Iran hard liners threaten to choke anyone who partners with the U.S. in this new embargo. Iran’s president says to end the war now that contradicts the hardliners. Who is really in charge?

PPF: (Peoples Fighter Front) A NEW INSIDE REBEL ARMY UNLEASHES CHAOS ON THE ISLAMIC HARDLINERS

I really luv Nikita Kapoor’s updates of what is really happening in Iran. We are not going to get this TRUTH from any western news channels.

ARMY OF JUSTICE: Has a regime change begun from the inside? All the U.S. has to do is wait out the effects of Operation Economic Outcast secondary sanctions and let the PPF overtake the IRGC forces and round up hardlines and bring the regime to its knees. We simply don’t know how this will al play out, but this regime will fall, just not as easy as the Trump Administration thought.

Iran is planning to evacuate its capital, Tehran, due to a severe water drought, moving its government straight into a war zone. As the regime considers relocating to Makran, a powerful new rebel force, the People’s Fighters Front, is striking from within. In this episode of Decoded, Nikita Kapoor reveals why Iran’s biggest threat isn’t foreign air forces, but an internal army rising inside its own borders.

Timing is everything!

CONGRESS IS PUSHING 5 SOCIAL SECURITY BILLS —

Which One Helps You Most?

REMOVING ZEROS FROM THE DINAR: PARLIAMENTARY FINANCE COMMITTEE SETS CONDITIONS FOR PROCEEDING WITH THIS MATTER.

 
(Mnt Goat: this article is just Rahim opinion. We already learned what has to be done to begin the project from many other members of the Finance Committee.)

Member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Amer Rahim, confirmed on Saturday that voting on a bill to remove zeros from the local currency requires extensive discussions and the enactment of a package of laws within the Parliament. He indicated that raising this issue at the present time is premature.

Rahim told Al-Maalouma, “The step of removing zeros from the currency cannot be decided hastily; rather, it requires a series of lengthy and in-depth discussions within Parliament.” He explained that “the process is closely linked to the economic reality and requires amending and enacting several supporting financial laws and regulations to ensure market stability.”

He added, “Raising the discussion about this topic at this stage is premature, given the financial challenges that require first providing a comprehensive economic and banking environment before embarking on any structural change to the currency.” He pointed out that “any measure of this kind without careful and prior study may negatively impact the purchasing power of citizens.”

(Mnt Goat: did they not conduct this comprehensive economic and banking environment. What the hell does Rahim think the CBI has been doing for the last 4 years?)

Rahim stressed “the need to focus currently on supporting the stability of the national currency and implementing banking reforms, while leaving the issue of removing zeros until economic conditions are more favorable and full legislative support is available within the House of Representatives.” 

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THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SMALL DENOMINATION COINS IS CAUSING “DAILY DISRUPTION” IN IRAQI MARKETS.

Local markets in Kirkuk Governorate are experiencing increasing difficulty in obtaining small denomination banknotes of 250, 500 and 1000 dinars, amid complaints from traders and citizens about their scarcity in daily transactions. Shop owners say that what is available is often old, worn out or torn, which makes it more difficult to use in buying and selling operations.

At first glance, the problem seems to contradict the available figures on the volume of small banknotes in Iraq, as recent data indicates the existence of hundreds of millions of banknotes of these denominations. However, their presence in the monetary data does not necessarily mean that all of them are actually available for circulation or in good condition, which raises questions about the cash cycle and the mechanisms for withdrawing damaged banknotes, replacing them, and injecting new alternatives into the markets.

Daily confusion

Abbas Ahmed, a shop owner in the Doctors Street market in Kirkuk, told Shafaq News Agency, “Obtaining 250, 500, and 1000 dinar notes has become more difficult than before, and the problem becomes clear when a customer pays their bill in large denominations, forcing us to ask the customer to buy another item with the remaining amount.”

He points out that some of the small bills that arrive at the shops are in poor condition, as they are torn, dirty, or worn out as a result of frequent handling, which makes it difficult for some merchants and citizens to accept them.

He adds: “The continuation of this creates daily confusion in the markets, especially for shops that deal with large numbers of customers,” stressing that the problem is not related to the value of the small banknote as much as it is related to its role in completing commercial transactions.

For his part, Samir Abdullah, the owner of a currency exchange shop on Al-Jumhuriya Street in Kirkuk, told Shafaq News Agency that the demand for small denominations has increased significantly, while it is difficult to provide them in the quantities needed by the market.

It shows that citizens and merchants resort to exchange shops to obtain small denominations, but the available quantities are not stable, and the problem increases when the papers offered for exchange are in a damaged condition. He adds that small banknotes are passed between large numbers of people in a short period, which makes them more susceptible to damage compared to larger denominations, noting that some of the banknotes that reach the banking system need to be replaced instead of being put back into circulation.

Abdullah believes that the solution is not limited to injecting new banknotes only, but also requires withdrawing damaged banknotes from circulation on a regular basis, because their continued existence reduces the amount of usable cash even if official figures indicate the existence of large numbers of these denominations.

In the Citadel market in Kirkuk, wholesalers face the same problem. Hamza al-Jabari, the owner of a wholesale shop, told Shafaq News Agency that the shortage of small denominations has become part of daily transactions in the market. He adds: “Wholesale and retail sales sometimes require returning small amounts to customers, but the lack of these amounts leaves the merchant with limited options, including rounding the price or adding another item instead of the remaining cash amount.”

He points out that some traders keep the 250, 500 and 1000 dinar notes they receive and do not use them in other transactions except when necessary, for fear that they will not be able to obtain them again, which in turn leads to a reduction in the movement of these denominations within the market.

He points out that “the problem seems simple from a financial standpoint, but its effects expand when it is repeated thousands of times daily, especially in popular markets, food stores, bakeries, transportation, and other activities that depend on direct cash transactions.”

Hundreds of millions of papers

The latest estimates published in 2026 indicate that the volume of small denomination banknotes does not necessarily reflect what the average citizen sees in the market.

According to Shafaq News Agency’s monitoring of cash issuance data, the number of 1000 dinar notes increased from 718 million notes in 2022 to 775 million notes in 2026, while the number of 250 dinar notes increased from 795 million notes to 818 million notes during the same period, while the 500 dinar note decreased slightly from 147 million notes to 145.4 million notes.

Thus, the total number of banknotes of the three categories amounts to approximately 1.738 billion banknotes according to these estimates for 2026, compared to approximately 1.660 billion banknotes in 2022, an increase of approximately 78.4 million banknotes. The figures show that the 1,000 dinar denomination recorded an increase of about 57 million notes, while the 250 dinar denomination increased by about 23 million notes, while the 500 dinar denomination decreased by about 1.6 million notes.

However, these figures do not mean that all 1.738 billion banknotes are in citizens’ pockets or store safes and in good condition for circulation. They reflect the number of banknotes within the monetary issuance data and do not represent a field survey of the actual quantity of banknotes in circulation or the percentage of damaged ones. This is a crucial point when explaining the problem of the shortage of small denominations.

The Central Bank of Iraq still includes the 250, 500 and 1000 dinar denominations among the officially circulating banknotes, confirming when issuing the second edition of banknotes that the previous banknotes will continue to circulate alongside the new issues, without any intention of withdrawing them from circulation.

Damaged problem

Economic expert Ali Khalil told Shafaq News Agency that the problem of small denominations should not be measured only by the number of notes issued by the Central Bank, but by the number of notes that are actually valid for circulation.

He says that small batches are subject to high rates of consumption and damage due to their frequent transfer between individuals, and therefore part of the exported quantity may have gone out of circulation or become in need of replacement.

He adds that “the presence of more than one billion banknotes of the three categories within the monetary data does not necessarily mean that there is a surplus of them in the markets, because a banknote that becomes damaged loses its practical ability to perform its function, even if it remains counted within the number of banknotes that were issued.”

He points out that addressing the problem requires strengthening mechanisms for replacing damaged banknotes, ensuring that new banknotes reach the markets continuously, and monitoring the movement of cash between banks, exchange offices, and merchants.

Khalil confirms that “the shortage of small denominations is reflected in daily pricing, and may lead to inaccurate approximation of prices, which can sometimes burden the consumer with small additional amounts, but it becomes significant when it is repeated continuously.”

Central Bank instructions

Official data indicates that the Central Bank of Iraq already has specific mechanisms for dealing with damaged banknotes, as it has published official standards for their replacement, which include different conditions and procedures depending on the nature of the damage to the banknote.

An official electronic service is also available through the Ur portal for submitting requests to replace damaged banknotes at the Central Bank of Iraq, allowing citizens to submit their requests according to the approved procedures.  These procedures indicate that dealing with damaged banknotes is not the responsibility of the citizen alone, but is part of the cash management system that includes banks, the central bank, and mechanisms for withdrawing invalid banknotes and replacing them with banknotes that are negotiable.

In 2020, the Central Bank issued a decision to reinstate the penalty for shortages on small denominations, namely 1000, 500 and 250 dinars, effective from October 1, 2020, in accordance with the instructions on standards for the circulation and exchange of banknotes and counting and sorting mechanisms. This reflects the monetary policy’s interest in providing small denominations in the monetary system, given their widespread use in daily transactions.

Citizens face a “change” crisis

Suhad Ibrahim, an employee, told Shafaq News Agency that citizens are the most affected by the problem because they cannot control the availability of small denominations when they buy their daily needs. She adds that the customer may pay more than the value of the item, but sometimes does not receive the full change, or is forced to buy something else so as not to lose the remaining amount, noting that this problem is repeated in shops, markets and means of transportation.

She explains that providing small change in good condition will make everyday transactions easier, especially for employees and low-income earners who deal with small amounts frequently.

Between numbers and reality

The problem of small change reveals a potential gap between the amount of cash recorded in the monetary issuance data and the cash actually available for daily circulation in good condition. Available figures indicate that there are hundreds of millions of banknotes in denominations of 250, 500 and 1000 dinars, but traders in Kirkuk say they are having difficulty obtaining them, while money changers confirm that part of what they receive is damaged or worn out.

Therefore, the question that arises is not only about the number of notes issued, but also about the volume of notes that are actually valid for circulation, the amount that was withdrawn from the market due to damage, and how quickly it was replaced with new notes. Economists believe that addressing the problem requires more detailed data on the number of damaged banknotes withdrawn annually, the quantities of new banknotes injected into each denomination, and their geographical distribution among the governorates.

With a large segment of Iraqis continuing to rely on cash transactions, small denominations remain an essential part of daily economic life, despite their low nominal value. While available data shows an increase in the number of 250 and 1000 dinar notes since 2022, and a slight decrease in the 500 dinar note, market complaints indicate that the real challenge lies in the availability of these notes in good condition and in the right place and time.

Hence, there seems to be a need to strengthen the cycle of replacing damaged currency, and to ensure that small denominations have access to banks, exchange offices and markets, in order to prevent the problem of “change” from turning into a daily crisis for both the citizen and the merchant.

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SMALL BANKNOTE SHORTAGE CAUSES DAILY DISRUPTION IN KIRKUK MARKETS

(Mnt Goat: yet more proof of what my CBI contact is telling us is the TRUTH as to what are the majority of the notes horded. It is these lower denoms 250, 500 and 1000 notes. These are the ones they have to keep re-printing. The more the CBI has printed the more they stash away. Printing more and more increases the monetary mass and this could cause massive inflation if not controlled.)

Merchants and residents in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, are increasingly struggling to obtain 250-dinar ($0.19), 500-dinar ($0.38) and 1,000-dinar ($0.76) banknotes, with traders reporting shortages of small denominations and growing difficulties using worn or damaged notes in daily transactions.

Abbas Ahmed, a shopkeeper in Kirkuk’s Doctors Street market, told Shafaq News that obtaining the three denominations has become increasingly difficult. “When customers pay with larger notes, some shops ask them to buy another item rather than give them their change.” Some small-denomination notes reaching shops are also torn, dirty or heavily worn, making merchants and customers reluctant to accept them.

Samer Abdullah, a currency exchanger on Republic Street, noted a sharp increase in demand for small denominations, while supplies remain inconsistent. Residents and merchants often turn to exchange shops for smaller notes, but the quantities available fluctuate. Some notes brought in for exchange are already damaged and need to be replaced rather than returned to circulation. Small-denomination notes change hands more frequently than larger ones, making them more vulnerable to wear and tear, Abdullah explained.

Describing the shortage as a daily problem, Hamza al-Jubouri, a wholesaler in Kirkuk’s Citadel Market, told Shafaq News that small amounts of change are often needed in wholesale and retail transactions, leaving merchants with limited options when the required denominations are unavailable.

Some traders hold on to 250-dinar, 500-dinar, and 1,000-dinar notes rather than spend them, fearing they will be unable to replace them later. This further reduces the number of these notes circulating in the market.

Shafaq News’ review of currency issuance data shows that the number of 1,000-dinar notes rose from 718 million in 2022 to 775 million in 2026. The number of 250-dinar notes increased from 795 million to 818 million, while 500-dinar notes fell slightly from 147 million to 145.4 million.

Together, the three denominations accounted for about 1.738 billion notes in 2026, compared with roughly 1.660 billion in 2022, an increase of about 78.4 million notes.

The figures do not indicate how many of those notes are physically available in shops or remain in good enough condition for daily use. They reflect issuance data rather than the number of notes actually circulating or the proportion that has become damaged.

The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) continues to list 250-dinar, 500-dinar and 1,000-dinar notes among the country’s officially circulating denominations. It has also stated that older notes remain legal tender alongside newer issues.

In an interview with Shafaq News, Economist Ali Khalil said the availability of small denominations should be measured not only by the number of notes issued but also by the number that remain fit for circulation.

Frequent handling makes small-denomination notes particularly vulnerable to damage, meaning some of the issued supply may have been removed from circulation or require replacement.

Khalil pointed out that the existence of more than one billion notes across the three denominations does not necessarily indicate a surplus in the market. “Damaged notes may no longer be usable even if they remain part of the official issuance figures.”

He called for stronger mechanisms to replace damaged notes, ensure a steady supply of new notes and monitor the movement of cash through banks, exchange shops and merchants.

The CBI has procedures for handling damaged banknotes, including criteria for their replacement depending on the type and extent of damage. An electronic service is also available through the Ur platform to submit requests for the replacement of damaged banknotes.

In 2020, the central bank reinstated penalties related to shortages of 1,000-dinar, 500-dinar, and 250-dinar notes, effective Oct. 1 of that year, under rules governing the circulation and replacement of banknotes and their counting and sorting.

Office worker Suhad Ibrahim told Shafaq News that consumers are among those most affected because they have little control over the availability of small denominations when making everyday purchases.

Customers who pay more than the price of an item sometimes do not receive their full change or are asked to buy another item to avoid losing the remaining amount.

The shortage is particularly noticeable in shops, markets and public transportation, where small cash payments are common.

Despite their low face value, 250-dinar, 500-dinar and 1,000-dinar notes remain an important part of Iraq’s cash-based economy. While official figures show an increase in the number of 250-dinar and 1,000-dinar notes since 2022 and a slight decline in 500-dinar notes, merchants in Kirkuk continue to report difficulty obtaining small denominations in usable condition.

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PARLIAMENTARY FINANCE COMMITTEE: THERE IS AN INTENTION TO ISSUE BANKNOTES IN DENOMINATIONS SMALLER THAN 250 DINARS.

 About the news

The parliamentary finance committee revealed that there is an intention to issue smaller denominations of currency than the 250 dinar note.

This measure comes as a result of what has been described as the currency not having changed for a long time and the occurrence of counterfeiting.

The central bank governor distinguished between changing the currency and removing zeros.

According to the official newspaper, Jamal Kojar, a member of the parliamentary finance committee, revealed that “during its recent meeting with the governor of the Central Bank, the finance committee raised several questions related to removing zeros, printing currency, banks that have closed, as well as the general financial situation.”

Changing the currency is one of the exclusive powers of the central bank.

While removing zeros requires legislation from the House of Representatives at the request of the government.”

Changing the currency becomes necessary after a long period of time has passed since the current currency was introduced and counterfeiting operations have occurred.

There is an intention to issue smaller denominations of currency than 250 dinars, and the reason for this trend is that the currency has not changed for a long time and has been counterfeited.

Kujer concluded by saying that “printing the new currency,” if it happens, will be followed by a period of time to withdraw the old currency from circulation, but this period has not yet been determined as the central bank is still studying the details of the process.

THE ZERO REMOVAL FILE IS BACK IN FULL FORCE.

The project to remove three zeros dates back after many years, as the Central Bank began studying the idea in 2007, and its former governor, Ali Al-Alaq, said in 2024 that the project “is still in place,” without specifying a date for its implementation.

But the issue resurfaced strongly last August, with parliamentary talk of including the “Zero Removal Law” within a package of economic measures, and then proposing other options including changing the currency or issuing new denominations.

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THE PLAN IS TO ISSUE NEW BANKNOTES SMALLER THAN 250 DINARS.

 Revealed by a member Finance Committee Parliamentary Jamal Kojer the committee held discussions with the Central Bank Governor regarding the removal of zeros from the currency, currency printing, closed banks, and the overall financial situation, confirming a trend towards issuing new currency denominations smallest from the 250 dinar denomination.

Kujer explained that the Central Bank Governor distinguished between “changing the currency” and “removing zeros,” noting that changing the currency falls within the exclusive powers of the Central Bank and is a necessity after a long period of time since the current issue and the emergence of cases of counterfeiting, while removing zeros requires the enactment of a special law in the House of Representatives based on a government request, according to the official newspaper.

Kujer added that printing the new currency, if approved, would be followed by a period of time to withdraw the old versions from circulation, noting that this period has not yet been determined, given that the central bank is still studying the technical details of the process.

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AN ECONOMIST PREDICTS THE RETURN OF THE 50 AND 100 DINAR DENOMINATIONS WITH THE CURRENCY CHANGE.

 (Mnt Goat: If you recall back in 2015 they told us they were going to begin removing the zeros in early 2016 and that they would issue the 100 dinar. It was cancelled as the ISIS war dragged on. The in 2017 when it ended they still never did it.)

Economic expert Mustafa Hantoush suggested on Sunday that the 50 and 100 dinar denominations would return to circulation if the currency change were to proceed, noting the possibility of issuing new currency denominations with stronger security features . Hantoush said in a televised interview followed by Al-Sa’a Network that “the Central Bank may issue a new currency with advanced security features, with the possibility of introducing currency denominations less than 250 dinars, such as 100 fils .”

He added that “the Central Bank may move towards issuing 50 and 100 dinar denominations in the next stage,” indicating that “the return of these denominations may contribute to supporting the currency and strengthening the position of the Central Bank .”

He explained that “the Central Bank has not yet made a final decision regarding this step, while the government is working on forming a committee to study the issue, pending the completion of the procedures related to it within the House of Representatives 

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IRAQ PROBES STATE BANKS OVER LIQUIDITY DEPLETION

  On Saturday, informed sources revealed that the Integrity Commission and the relevant regulatory bodies are conducting investigations and audits regarding a number of financial and banking files, most notably the decline in liquidity levels at government banks, the granting of loans and financing of investment projects, as well as the special and exceptional approvals granted by government banks, particularly Al-Rafidain and Al-Rasheed banks, during the previous period.

One of the sources told Shafaq News Agency that the investigations included the mechanisms for granting facilities and loans with amounts starting from one billion dinars upwards, and the extent of their compliance with approved banking controls and instructions, in addition to auditing the entities, companies and individuals benefiting from those facilities, and the nature of the procedures that accompanied the granting of exceptional approvals.

According to preliminary data that is currently being audited, the past period witnessed a significant depletion of liquidity and financial resources, including the funds available at government banks, specifically Al-Rafidain and Al-Rasheed banks.  The source indicated that regulatory authorities are working on reviewing the amount of funds and facilities that were granted, how they were used, and the beneficiaries.

He explained that some of these files date back to the previous stage, including the financial and banking policies and procedures that were followed during the previous government and the management of the Ministry of Finance at that time, stressing that the results of the investigation and audit will determine the extent of responsibilities and any possible violations.

Another source stated that the regulatory measures came in light of the financial challenges facing the state, amid efforts to enhance liquidity management, preserve the financial resources of government institutions, and ensure that they are directed in accordance with the approved legal and economic frameworks.

A third source informed the agency that the competent authorities are continuing to audit the relevant financial and banking files, in preparation for taking the necessary legal and administrative measures in the event that violations or abuses are proven, while stressing the importance of protecting public funds and strengthening oversight of the work of government banks.

An informed source revealed on August 26 that comprehensive administrative assessments were being conducted in a number of government banks and financial institutions linked to the financial and economic sectors, coinciding with the financial crisis and the delay in paying employee salaries. The source indicated that files were opened concerning the waste of public funds, the decline in liquidity, and information and reports that he described as “misleading” submitted by some departments to officials.

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MP: THERE ARE NO ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS OTHER THAN HOW TO SECURE EMPLOYEE SALARIES

 MP Abdul Hamza al-Khafaji asserted on Saturday that the government lacks clear economic solutions to address the financial crises, indicating that its primary focus is on securing employee salaries.

Al-Khafaji told the Information Agency that “the government has no economic solutions other than securing employee salaries,” noting that “the Iraqi economy needs a comprehensive vision that goes beyond addressing monthly obligations.”
He added that “relying on oil as the main source of revenue makes the economy vulnerable to fluctuations and crises,” calling for “the development of concrete plans to diversify income sources and strengthen productive sectors.”

Al-Khafaji pointed out that “addressing the financial crisis requires economic and administrative reforms, reducing waste and corruption, and improving the management of public resources,” emphasizing that “securing salaries should be part of a comprehensive economic plan, not the sole solution to financial problems.”

He stressed the necessity of “adopting economic policies capable of creating job opportunities, stimulating the private sector, and increasing non-oil revenues,” urging the government to “provide sustainable solutions that guarantee the country’s financial and economic stability.”

(Mnt Goat: Hello…. You can always remove the zeros and bring in all this cash back to the banking system.……)

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THE CENTRAL BANK REASSURES BANK DEPOSITORS

 

Affirming its pivotal role in protecting the financial system and ensuring a sound banking sector based on competitiveness and the provision of the best traditional and digital financial services, the Central Bank of Iraq wishes to inform and reassure the public of the following facts:

1. The Central Bank of Iraq’s exercise of its powers to appoint supervisory or trusteeship committees to banks licensed directly by the Central Bank does not imply the bank’s bankruptcy, as has been circulated in some media outlets. Rather, it is a legal and precautionary supervisory measure to ensure the bank’s overall soundness and operational stability, and to protect depositors’ rights in particular.

2. The Central Bank of Iraq applies the best international banking standards to the banking sector to ensure its safety, compliance, and the provision of optimal financial services without compromising the rights of its depositors.

3. All licensed banks participate in the Deposit Guarantee Corporation, which is a cornerstone of banking stability, through its function of compensating depositors in the event of a bank’s inability to meet its obligations in accordance with applicable laws.

4. Depositors’ funds are protected under applicable laws, regulations, and instructions. The Central Bank of Iraq pays close attention to monitoring banks’ procedures, particularly those related to ensuring depositors’ access to their funds at any time without delay.

5- The Iraqi banking system has sufficient liquidity to manage its operations efficiently and under any potential pressures; the ratio of liquid assets to short-term liabilities is more than (60%).

Baghdad – Media Office, 
September 5, 2026

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MP: THE ANTI-CORRUPTION CRACKDOWN MUST INCLUDE CORRUPT LEADERS AND FIGURES.

(Mnt Goat: The day Nouri al-Maliki is arrested and prosecuted is the day I really celebrate! This is also the day Iraq has a real chance to move ahead.)

MP Mohammed Abu Al-Eis affirmed on Thursday that the anti-corruption campaign must include leaders and figures suspected of corruption, clarifying that combating corruption should not be limited to specific entities or levels.

Abu Al-Eis told the Information Agency, “The anti-corruption campaign must include leaders and figures proven to be involved in corruption,” stressing the necessity of handling all cases within the legal framework.

He added, “Combating corruption requires including all individuals accused of corruption without exception or selectivity,” emphasizing the importance of taking the necessary measures against anyone found responsible.

He pointed out that achieving tangible results in this matter necessitates pursuing corruption cases and exposing those involved, thus strengthening efforts to protect public funds and solidify the principle of accountability.
Earlier, MP Ahmed Kain called on the Prime Minister to launch new anti-corruption campaigns and not be satisfied with the measures taken within what was known as “Operation Dawn.”

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AL-ZAYDI DIRECTS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW MODERN CITY IN EACH GOVERNORATE

Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed on Thursday that each governorate be responsible for establishing a new modern city with an area ranging between 10,000 and 15,000 dunams.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a press release received by the Information Agency that “al-Zaidi emphasized, during his meeting with the heads of investment authorities in all governorates, in the presence of the Minister of Finance, the Director of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, the Head of the Higher Coordination Committee for Governorates, and the Head of the National Investment Commission, the importance of adopting a new vision for investment and urban development.

This vision is based on creating integrated, modern cities in all governorates, which will contribute to expanding investment activity, achieving balanced and sustainable development, and creating new urban environments that can accommodate population and economic growth.”

The statement added that “al-Zaidi directed that each governorate be responsible for establishing a new modern city with an area ranging between 10,000 and 15,000 dunams, ensuring that its design reflects the governorate’s unique characteristics, history, heritage, and geographical features, and that it bears its name.”

He explained that “Al-Zaydi directed that investment authorities in the governorates be granted investment loans specifically for establishing the infrastructure of the new cities, ensuring the provision of essential services in a comprehensive manner,” emphasizing the necessity for “these cities to become urban development hubs and a qualitative addition to the governorates, providing an attractive environment for residents, investment, and economic and service activities.”

According to the statement, Al-Zaydi also directed “the formation of a specialized committee to study the project urgently and develop appropriate implementation mechanisms, as well as instructing investment authorities in the governorates to submit a comprehensive vision for the project within a week, including plans, proposals, and the necessary requirements to begin implementation.”

He added that “Al-Zaydi directed the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the procedures for sorting and allocating the land needed to establish the new cities, ensuring the swift completion of the project’s requirements and the commencement of implementation.”

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AL-MALIKI ON THE ARMS MONOPOLY: THE LANGUAGE OF THREATS BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE FACTIONS HAS ENDED

On Wednesday evening, Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, explained the mechanism currently being worked on to restrict weapons to the Iraqi state, noting that the process is to “organize and contain” weapons, and that the issue of “disarmament” could affect the other side (armed factions) as a label.

Al-Maliki said in an interview with Al-Sharqiya channel, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, regarding the issue of restricting weapons and the controversy surrounding it, that “the language that was prevalent of defiance, threats and intimidation has ended, because it has become clear that threats do not lead to results, just as calling for conflict and attacking headquarters or attacking the government does not lead to results.”

He added: “Neither is the government weak enough to be attacked, nor is it in the interest of the factions to be attacked.”

He continued, “These are the first facts that have come to light, which have opened the door and the field for us and others interested in national affairs and the safety of the internal situation to find an opportunity for discussion and dialogue to reach a formula that resolves the crisis without exposing us to a state of confrontation.”

Regarding the mechanism currently being worked on, Al-Maliki explained that “the term (disarmament) is not used because the other party becomes titled (disarmed), and this has a psychological and practical effect. Therefore, it is about organizing and containing weapons in a way that we are still looking for, but it has priorities, and there is a distinction between heavy, medium, and light weapons.”

He pointed out that “distinguishing between weapons is one of the issues raised. Does the operation, whether it is called preservation, containment, withdrawal, or any other name, include all weapons, or only a type of weapon that is considered an internal and external targeting weapon? This will be resolved by the committee formed with the factions.”

On August 26, Maliki stressed the need to address the issue of restricting weapons to the state without escalation or confrontation, warning that turning this issue into a clash between the state and the factions would be extremely dangerous and could threaten the stability of Iraq and open the door to differing political positions.

In a statement issued by his office, Maliki stressed that any internal confrontation would be a “loss for all of Iraq,” not just for a particular party or group, considering that anyone who imagines that any potential conflict would be “Shia-Shia” is mistaken, because its repercussions will affect the state, society and all groups.

He added that the government and the coordinating framework will not allow the country to slide into internal fighting, calling for the development of a clear national and regional vision that prevents Iraq from being exposed to risks and prevents it from becoming an arena for settling conflicts or regional and international disputes of interests, in order to preserve its security, sovereignty and stability.

It is worth noting that the state’s monopoly on weapons does not have the consensus of the Iraqi factions, as the Al-Nujaba Movement, Kataib Hezbollah, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and other factions announced their refusal to give up their military capabilities on September 30, the date set by the Iraqi government, which coincides with the end of the international coalition’s military presence in Iraq, as these factions link the future of their weapons to the withdrawal of foreign forces.

The State Administration Coalition, which includes the most prominent Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces in Iraq, had warned that any armed activity outside the framework of the state after September 30 would be dealt with according to the anti-terrorism law.

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WASHINGTON’S MESSAGES REACH BAGHDAD… AMERICAN RESERVATIONS HAUNT THE DRAFT LAW ON THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES.

 
Revealed by the newspaper “An-Nahar” Lebanese the American side reported Baghdad over the past few days, there have been clear reservations about re-entering bill Popular Mobilization Forces in its previous form, while it requested Washington explicit guarantees that all Popular Mobilization Forces formations will be subject to the authority of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and that no parallel structures or authorities will be allowed to exist alongside the security institutions.

And the law entered Popular Mobilization Forces a new political round in Iraq more than a year after its passage was thwarted in House of Representatives this comes at a time when the attempt to regulate the situation of the Popular Mobilization Forces intersects with a broader governmental approach to restricting weapons to the state and readjusting the relationship between armed formations and official security institutions.

 
The House of Representatives had completed the first and second readings of the bill during 2025, before the process stalled at the voting stage due to political disagreements, American objections, and reservations from Sunni and Kurdish forces. The American objection at the time focused on articles that it considered…Washington this could grant armed factions greater space within the formal system, and affect the nature of the security partnership with Baghdad

The issue was revived in 2026 after the Speaker of Parliament addressed the government regarding the submission of the draft law, while confirming prime minister Ali Al-Zaidi his government is proceeding with submitting the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law to parliament, based on the premise that the PMF is part of the armed forces.

This coincides with the drafting of a law restricting weapons to the state, placing the government in a complex dilemma. Legally reorganizing the PMF must proceed in parallel with reducing any space for weapons and security decisions outside the official command, especially since the PMF already enjoys legal cover since the enactment of the PMF Law. Popular Mobilization Forces Law No. 40 of 2016 links the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, according to the newspaper.

The newspaper adds that for this reason, the dispute is not so much about the legitimacy of the PMF’s existence as it is about its internal structure, its chain of command, its funding and command mechanisms, and the boundaries of the relationship between the official institution and the factions that maintain their own political, ideological, and organizational identities.

Washington is setting its conditions.
In this context, an Iraqi government source revealed to the newspaper that the American side had informed Baghdad in recent days of clear reservations about reintroducing the draft law in its previous form, considering that any legislation granting the factions additional influence could directly conflict with the process of disarming the militias.

According to the source, Washington requested explicit guarantees that all PMF formations would be subject to the authority of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and that no parallel structures or powers would be allowed to exist alongside the security institutions. American concerns also focus on the articles that might grant some leaders greater independence in decision-making, funding, or command structure, thus reinforcing the separation between the official form of the PMF and the actual reality of some factions within it.

Washington is also sensitive to the timing of the reintroduction of the law, given Baghdad’s ongoing efforts to restrict weapons and end all armed activity outside official institutions. According to the same source, the American message warned that passing a version of the law that contradicts security sector reform could have repercussions on security, military, economic, and financial cooperation between the two countries.

Meanwhile, [the text abruptly ends here ].Iraqi government the review of several articles of the draft law aims to preserve the legal framework of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and the rights of its members, without granting factions additional space outside the official command structure. The source believes that the coming days will determine whether Baghdad can reach a formula that combines establishing the PMF as an official institution with fulfilling its obligations regarding weapons.

The institution is one thing, and the factions are another.
The newspaper indicated that the main obstacle lies in the fact that legalizing the PMF has not practically led to the complete unification of its constituent formations. Since 2016, most factions have retained their names, structures, bases, and political and ideological affiliations, in addition to their presence in different areas of influence.

This reality, according to the newspaper, has left the transition from a multi-factional structure to a unified military institution incomplete, and has transformed issues of leadership, funding, and the chain of command into the core of the debate surrounding any new legislation.

The expert in strategic affairs, Major General Ahmed Al-Dulaimi the essence of the American observations lies precisely in this point: the necessity of subjecting all formations to the decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and to a single military chain of command.

The problem, according to…Al-Dulaimi this becomes apparent when certain factions retain the ability to make unilateral decisions or exert their own influence, placing the state in confrontation with armed power centers that do not always operate within the same official framework.

Hence, the value of the law becomes tied to its ability to regulate powers, leadership, funding, and command mechanisms, and to prevent duplication of decision-making, while clearly distinguishing between the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) as an official institution and the factions that may adopt independent positions or decisions.

If legislation fails to address this gap, it may transform from a tool for regulating the institution into a legal cover that legitimizes the existing reality rather than changing it.

Weapons determine the fate of the law, and this equation becomes increasingly weighty as we approach 30 September the date related to the weapons inventory and the completion of the mission international coalition. This makes the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law part of a broader debate about the shape of Iraq’s security state and the future of its relationship with Washington.

The newspaper explained that the law’s success will depend not so much on its passage through parliament, but rather on its ability to effectively unify security decision-making within the institution and prevent the continued existence of independent power centers operating under an official umbrella.

Ultimately, the issue remains tied to the broader question facing Baghdad today: Will the new legislation lead to a more tightly integrated PMF into state institutions, or will it solidify the existing fragmentation within the organization under a more robust legal framework?

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IRAQ “CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE RISKS”… STATE ADMINISTRATION WARNS OF THE REPERCUSSIONS OF US SANCTIONS

On Saturday, the State Administration Coalition discussed completing the government formation, the draft oil and gas law, and the country’s financial situation, while stressing the need to spare Iraq the repercussions of the US sanctions imposed on some countries, in light of what it described as the “difficult financial circumstances.”

The State Administration Coalition is the ruling political umbrella that was formed on September 25, 2022 to end the political deadlock that followed the 2021 elections. At its founding, it included key forces from the Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish components, including the Coordination Framework, the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the Sovereignty and Determination Alliance, and the Babylon Movement. 

The coalition paved the way for the formation of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s government in October 2022, before continuing later as a coordinating framework for the forces participating in running the state and discussing major political, economic, security and legislative issues. 

In a statement issued after its thirty-eighth regular meeting at the Government Palace, the coalition said that the meeting discussed economic, political and legislative issues, in addition to developments in the internal situation and regional and international conditions.

Regarding the completion of the government formation, the attendees agreed to begin dialogue with the blocs entitled to it during the coming week, while emphasizing the continuation of coordination between the components of the coalition and supporting state institutions in facing the current challenges.

The meeting also discussed a draft of the oil and gas law in preparation for sending it to the House of Representatives, in addition to emphasizing the importance of supporting the private sector as a partner in the development process.

On the economic front, the meeting addressed the financial and investment situation, new city projects, and the project to distribute one million residential plots. The Prime Minister announced his directive to halt the demolition of encroachments until the residential land is distributed to those entitled.

The Prime Minister also announced the imminent release of a new financial payment to settle outstanding dues to farmers and contractors.

The coalition discussed the government’s measures related to combating corruption, institutional reform, and the draft law for the Federal Internal Oversight Authority, along with a number of laws that the government needs to implement its program.

The participants renewed their support for the anti-corruption campaign and the prosecution of those involved in it in accordance with the law, while stressing the importance of unifying the national position and preserving Iraq’s stability, sovereignty and higher interests.

The coalition stressed the need to spare Iraq the repercussions of the US sanctions imposed on some countries, noting that the country is going through a financial situation that “cannot tolerate taking risks.” The participants also renewed their adoption of the state’s approach to rejecting sectarian rhetoric and promoting national unity and social peace in accordance with the principles of the constitution.

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WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL AND FOREIGN INVESTORS, ERBIL WILL HOST AN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM THIS MONTH.

 
The Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced on Tuesday its readiness to host an international economic forum with the participation of traders and investors from Iraq, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. The Chamber indicated that the forum aims to strengthen trade and economic relations among the three countries.

Ibrahim Agha Gerdi, a member of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “An agreement was reached to hold an international economic conference in Erbil on September 20th, following our visit to Azerbaijan with the head of the Baghdad Chamber of Commerce, and in coordination with the Iraqi Chambers of Commerce.”

He added that “the conference is expected to see broad participation from economic and commercial entities, with the goal of exploring prospects for economic cooperation and strengthening trade and investment relations.”

He explained that “the forum will include more than 130 participants from the central and southern provinces of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, in addition to approximately 150 traders and business owners from Turkey and Azerbaijan,” noting that “its objective is to develop economic and trade relations among the three countries.”

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A TOUR OF THE PHILATELIC AND NUMISMATIC SOCIETY

Faisal I Dinar for 150 million… Auction of old coins has been ongoing in Baghdad since 1952

 Every Saturday morning, seasoned collectors gather at the Iraqi Philatelic and Numismatic Society building to attend an auction where enthusiasts display coins that have not lost their value despite 70 years having passed since their cancellation. Deals are made for rare specimens. Jawad Kazem, the society’s secretary, says that collectors prefer the money of the royal era, whether paper or metal. The price of the 100 dinar note that contains the image of Faisal I reached 150 million Iraqi dinars. One of them reveals in an interview with 964 Network that interest has reached the small denominations, until a 100 fils note issued in 1955 was sold for one million dinars.

Demand for the king’s money

“The idea behind the auction is to serve stamp and coin collectors, where different stamps and coins are displayed and exchanged,” said Jawad Kazem, secretary of the Iraqi Philatelic and Numismatic Society, in an interview with 964 Network . He explained that the auction opens every Saturday morning at the Society’s headquarters in the auction hall.

Regarding the history of the auction, Jawad says, “The auction appeared in 1952, one year after the establishment of the association, and enthusiasts quickly showed interest in conducting exchange and purchase transactions. Since then, the auction has been active, frequented by enthusiasts coming from Baghdad and the provinces.”

Jawad describes the auction as “a cultural and social meeting place for enthusiasts and collectors of stamps and coins, and it has also become a center for buying and selling the rarest coins.”

Regarding the rarest coins on display, Jawad explains that “the royal paper currency is the rarest, followed by the metal currency. The association has displayed rare items for coin collectors and they have been sold.”

100 dinars is equivalent to 150 million.

Ahmed Kamel, a member of the association’s administrative board, speaks of a huge difference in the prices of the royal currency compared to the republic, due to the short lifespan of the royal era, which arouses the curiosity of enthusiasts and drives them to acquire and learn about it.

Kamel says about prices that the price of “the 100 Royal Dinar note, which includes a picture of Faisal I, starts from 150 million dinars and above, and the prices of some currencies increase if they were issued on important dates, such as the currency of Faisal II that was issued in 1949, or such as the quarter dinar note that was also issued by the Central Bank of Iraq during the reign of Faisal II.”

Regarding methods of detecting forgery, Kamel says, “There are several points that can be relied upon to uncover the tricks of forgers, such as checking the watermark and the type of paper, and I believe it is difficult to forge.”

100 fils equals one million dinars

Abu Ramzi speaks at length about the prices of small denominations, especially coins, and says, “A coin of the 100 fils denomination was sold for 200,000 dinars, while the same denomination, but issued in 1955, was sold for about one million Iraqi dinars.”

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FORD OFFICIALLY ENTERS THE IRAQI MARKET ON OCTOBER 1ST.

 Ford is officially returning to the Iraqi market starting from October 1st, after appointing North Island Automotive Trading and Commercial Agencies Company (SAT) as its exclusive distributor in the country.

The appointment was based on a strategic alliance between March Holding Group and Al-Alayan Group, and North Island Company will be responsible for distributing cars, providing original spare parts, and offering after-sales services throughout the country.

Ford indicated in a statement received by Kalima News that “North Island Company (SAT) will, under this appointment, be responsible for distributing Ford vehicles, providing original spare parts, and offering after-sales services throughout Iraq.”

The company added that “this embodies the depth of our long-term strategic commitment to the Republic of Iraq, and our keenness to facilitate our customers’ access to modern Ford models, original spare parts and advanced maintenance services,” explaining that “we are working to strengthen our sales and service network, consolidating the strong bridges of trust that customers in Iraq have built with the brand over the past decades.”

Ford Middle East and North Africa President Ravi Ravichandran said: “Iraq is a key focus of Ford’s growth plans in the region, and we always strive to provide the best services to our customers there in the long term. North Island Company (SAT) shares the same vision that puts the customer first, based on quality standards and sustainable growth, and the company’s experience and deep understanding of the local market will contribute to enhancing the Ford customer experience from the purchase decision to after-sales services.”

For his part, North Island CEO Mohammed Aliyan affirmed that “Ford has a long and distinguished history in the Iraqi market, as it has represented a symbol of reliability and quality for several generations,” adding that “our role today is not limited to distributing cars only, but also includes preserving this legacy and enhancing the trust that the brand has built over the decades.”

Aliyan continued, “We established North Island Company (SAT) on a sophisticated infrastructure, qualified human resources, and a full commitment to delivering the integrated Ford experience that customers in Iraq look forward to and deserve.”

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THE FALL OF NOURI AL-MALIKI

US sources: Maliki is days away from the sanctions list if he does not step down from the leadership of the Coordination Framework, and stop playing the role of the godfather of the deep Iraqi state.

The message reached through the new U.S. envoy: These are the last days of the head of the deep state. What is required is not a site modification. What is needed is a final exit from the political process. Washington no longer treats him as a balance player. It treats it as a penalties file suspended on time. Whoever remains in the frame under his shadow will pay the bill with him.

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

Auf Wiedersehen

Much love to ya all,

Mnt Goat

a

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER:

September 3, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

WOW! More news today about removing the zeros. This new article gives yet more detail and confirmation of how this swap out may be working and the timing of it. You think they are planning to do it soon? Are you catching up to this SHIFT that is happening. It all has to SHIFT to get this RESET we need. Think about it – we see the property taxes on our homes finally being challenged, hear about the price of gas coming down significantly very soon and possible social security changes that may raise your monthly SS pension payment. Things are moving fast now, hang on!

Yet, more talk of removing the zeros!

GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT

I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are.

 Let’s all try to chip in!

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1 Peter 4:8

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”  

STATUS OF THE RV

As many of my long term follows of the Newsletter know, I often hike up the mountains on my favorite trail. I sit on my favorite rock, listen to the stream flowing down the mountain and try to put together thoughts of the evidence we are getting for the RV. In fact, I am on my laptop on site right now writing this Newsletter.

One thing I have realized over the years is this is not just a simple RV of the Iraqi dinar but much bigger. It was when I began to tie into the modern prophets, ones like Kim Clement, Julie Green and Hank Kennerman that I began to see the light. The vision of what is happening became clearer. This is not just a political or IMF currency reset situation.

Then the political side with Trump was discovered and the efforts of all the faithful and truly tested patriots and their pieces of information began to take shape and come together. Yes, I could be wrong, but I don’t think so. In our guts we all have a God given feeing when something is pushing you forward. My conclusion soon came that there is also a spiritual side, some element working with the physical world now to make this all happen. Is this the ‘reset’ many talk about?  

Over this long waiting period for the RV, God sees those that lost their homes and cars or could not afford to send their kids to college. He sees those suffering without proper medical care. He sees charity stopping in the churches as personal funds dry up. Even our gasthaus, a once prosperous business, was hit with this foolishness, snares and lies of the devil. God knows all of this suffering could have been avoided with financial help. This was not supposed to happen!

I know now that help is coming and coming much sooner than most believe it could. There is going to be a ‘SHIFT’ that will suddenly occur. It is like when you build something. All the real work goes into the planning, the construction of pieces. When all the pieces finally come together it serves it purpose and you can reap the benefits. With Trump we can clearly see a plan that is taking shape. He is laying the groundwork for an enormous period of prosperity. Most of this wealth and abundance is going to shift from all this groundwork to obvious reality very soon. Many Trump haters will say later that they were fooled by these liberal and so why couldn’t they see? Then trust will come.

The final touches to the plan is gaining the needed momentum but solid control of both houses of the government in needed. This is when I believe the SHIFT is going to happen. WOW! I can almost see it….

In my opening dialogue, if you listened to it carefully, you heard more about this SHIFT from the prophet Hank Kenneman and Kim Clement. Like Kim, I consider Hank one prophet at the same level. Yes, two different personalities but God speaks loudly to both. Kim set the groundwork for what we have seen in this last decade with Trump. Now Hank and Julie keep pace with the revelations going forward. We are told we no longer have to wait years for a revelation to come. These prophetic words are catching up the reality faster and faster. Hank says they seemed to lag behind but now are catching up. They are almost now one and the same. Amazing stuff!

Remember all of Kim’s prophecies about the Iraqi dinar? God does not lie. The evil, dark side will try to postpone and delay but God’s word always prevails. We all need to keep this in mind. If you have been following these wonderful prophecies by Julie, Hank or many your other favorite prophet all along you know exactly what I mean.

Last year in 2025, at about this same time, we heard news of the removal of the zeros too. Do you remember how good this news was back them. So now a year later in 2026 we hear about this project to remove the zeros again but in much more detail. We learned the true reasons why they must do and do it soon. But remember this project to remove the zeros, in itself, is NOT our long-awaited RV. It is just part of the process.

Now that the financial reforms (Pillars of Financial Reform), as in the White Paper, are all but completed, it is time to move on to getting this next step of the process completed- the currency reform.

It is only through the success of these first reforms that they can now move to FOREX by reinstating the IQD, the trading symbol of the Iraqi dinar. This too is a multi-step process.

AGAIN —> What is ‘THE PROBLEM’?

So, in today’s news, beyond my amazement even, they emphasize ONCE again why they need to move ahead to remove the zeros in the currency. Please take a peek at the article titled “TBI DIRECTOR: CASH HELD IN HOMES DISRUPTS THE LIQUIDITY CYCLE AND HALTS SALARY PAYMENTS”

I quote from the article – “The director of the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), Ali Abdul-Ridha Alwan, announced on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) that 85% of the Iraqi cash supply is outside the banking system and in people’s homes, indicating that this breaks the cycle of financial liquidity and affects the provision of salaries.”

Are they trying to get public sentiment to push this effort over the edge and get it down of removing the zero sooner than later. Do they need this now in high gear rather than waiting for early 2027?

Has parliament made their decision already when to begin?

WOW! Haven’t we read so many articles in the past and now again this week, about the trouble they are having paying the salaries and pensions? This time this crisis was mainly sparked off by the oil shipping issue through the Strait of Hormuz by Iran. By this issue is not new. Every time there is a hiccup from some event dealing with oil, the salaries are affected. Folks its not just a crisis of a ‘rentier economy’ although this does heighten the crisis. Do these fancy Iraqi economists get is right? These continued crises, tie into so many aspects of still working under a sanctioned-like economy. Do these Iraq politicians even realize this? I think the Trump administration does realize it and we heard the US now wants to remove the zeros and move on with the process.

First problem: the dinar is still solely pegged to the dollar. Can you imagine if Iraq could sell its oil for only Iraqi dinars? The value would skyrocket overnight!!!

Then secondly, this sole peg causes the black market (parallel market) to exist and compete with the official CBI rate.

Third affect, this parallel market lessening the value of the dinar.  

Forth, if the value can be lessened so easily, how do you justify saying the currency is stable?

Everybody wants the almighty US dollar. But the dollar is NOT the currency of Iraq and so can you see the dilemma? More than four years ago we learned of the project to ‘de-dollarize’ the economy. Remember all the articles? Go back to my archives and re-read all of my Newsletters about it at that time. You see this was just another sign to us they were getting serious about these reforms. Then go read the ‘White Paper’ and you quickly saw the path they were taking to get to FOREX. Yes, it’s all about FOREX.

But unless they remove the zeros and get back on FOREX, this current situation will go on and on and on, around and around and around …. Yes, they must remove the zeros and get off the sole peg of the US dollar. But the damned fools have allowed this sole peg to go on too long and now how do you get off it? UN Chapter VII sanctions have been over 4.5 years already. What the hell are they waiting for?  

Opps, here is yet another recent article for today’s news about this salary crisis. It’s titled “CONTRACTORS IN THE LIBERATED AREAS ARE DEMANDING PAYMENT OF THEIR DUES AND WARNING OF PROJECT STOPPAGES.”

 I quote from the article – “The Iraqi Contractors Union called on the Prime Minister, Parliament, and Minister of Finance on Tuesday to intervene urgently to disburse the outstanding financial dues owed to companies and contractors contracted with the Reconstruction Fund for Liberated Areas, noting that the delay of some of these dues for more than two years has caused financial damage to contractors and threatened their ability to continue implementing projects.”

This article tells us this crisis is not just a current crisis but has been mounting for years and is just now at a fever pitch. It is now urgent to get these salaries paid. But how are they going to get all this money back into the banks to help pay these salaries especially now during this time of lessened oil revenues? They have the answer right in front of their noses, its to remove the zeros and draw in these notes back to the banks.

So, is it urgent? Are delays in paying salaries causing more issues? Do you believe me now when I say things are about to SHIFT?

Then just recently yet another article pops about removing the zeros. It is titled “SOURCES TOLD AL-MUSTAQILLA THAT THE PLAN TO REMOVE ZEROS FROM THE IRAQI CURRENCY IS ENTERING ADVANCED STAGES, WITH A PLAN TO REPLACE THE CURRENCY IN EARLY 2027.”

I quote from the article – “Informed sources revealed to Al-Mustaqilla that the file of removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar and reissuing the currency has entered advanced stages of study and discussion within government departments, noting that a plan currently circulating aims to begin the process of replacing the old currency with a new currency starting from 2027, in the event that the required governmental, legislative and technical approvals are completed.

So, we all know how slowwwww Iraq can be with new legislation. Can they find a way to speed this process up? Can they begin this season of all and maybe get back to FOREX on early January instead of just beginning the process then?

The sources said that the currency restructuring file is no longer limited to economic and technical discussions within the Central Bank of Iraq, but has become subject to study at the level of the Prime Minister’s office, within a plan related to the mechanism for moving from the current currency to a new monetary issuance after removing the zeros.”

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In the second paragraph from the article I want to chop it apart into three separate parts and analyze the parts. It will become apparent to you that certainly this sounds like they are now serious about removing the zeros and doing it as soon as possible?

I quote from the article –

Part 1: “According to information obtained by Al-Mustaqila, the discussions are currently focused on developing a clear implementation plan for the replacement process,”

Part2: “the transitional period during which the two currencies will be traded, the mechanisms for banks and government institutions to deal with the new currency,”

Part3: “as well as the procedures related to bringing the largest possible amount of cash outside the banking sector into the formal financial system.”

This paragraph tells me they have not yet given us the final details because they are still working them out. Let’s wait and watch for what comes next.

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Next, they tell us a possible start date which we all, of course, want to know as investors. Again they are telling us they will need legislation on this process. They have told us this so many times already. I know from my CBI contact that the draft law is already written and passed on to parliament.

I quote from the article – “The sources confirmed that 2027 is among the current proposals as a possible start date for the process of replacing the old currency with the new one, but stressed that the date will not become officially effective before the completion of the governmental and legislative process and obtaining the required approvals”.

Does Iraq need the completion of Al-Zaidi’s cabinet prior to getting the final decision?

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Remember also that in this new article it reminds us once again that this “new information coincides with previous statements by Iraqi Communications Minister Mustafa Sanad, who said during August that a decision regarding the removal of zeros and the change of currency had been decided at the political level, and linked the move to bringing out hoarded funds and returning them to the economic cycle and the banking system.”

This says past tense, which means its decided at one level. Now they need the formal legislation to go along with it.

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So, next I want to bring out other news in this recent article. Why would an article authored by Al-Baiji in the Financial Committee, part of the cabinet, tell us that the newer lower denominations were in fact already printed and even give us a cost of $250 million. I don’t get it? See my 082726 Newsletter. Here is what he told us then. Is the CBI trying to step back and hide something from the public? Did these other authors spill the milk and now they are desperate to get it back in the bottle now, thus this recent article from today is damage control?

I quote from the 082726 article – “According to what Al-Baiji said in a television interview, the government and the Central Bank of Iraq have completed some of the technical preparations related to the new currency, noting that the value of the currency that was prepared and printed amounts to about $250 million, and that its release into the market will be linked to the approval of the legal framework by the House of Representatives.”

Am I missing something?

I quote from this recent article from today – “The Central Bank denies printing… but outlines the course of any future project. On August 26, 2026, the Central Bank of Iraq issued a statement explicitly denying reports that it had printed quantities of new Iraqi currency with zeros removed in preparation for its release into the markets.”

Next within this latest article they give us once again the main reason why the government want to change/swap out the currency?

I quote from the article – “The proposed plans suggest that the project’s objectives are not limited to reducing the number of zeros and facilitating accounting and monetary operations, but could also include reorganizing the large amount of cash that exists outside the banking system. Iraq is one of the economies that relies heavily on cash transactions, and a large percentage of the currency in circulation is outside of banks.”

Yes, these notes outside the banking system are largely the 250, 500, 1000 notes plus the notes we as foreign investors in the dinar physically own in our hands.

“The latest data circulating on monetary indicators indicates that the volume of currency circulating outside the banking sector has reached more than 100 trillion dinars, which reflects the extent of the hoarding phenomenon and reliance on direct cash”.

In this next part from the article we get a sense of the process they will most likely accept and use in removing the zeros. It is not definite yet and so don’t go off half -cocked.

“Currency replacement – ​​if the government adopts clear control mechanisms – would encourage hoarders to deposit their money through banks or exchange centers within a specific time period, giving financial authorities greater ability to know the movement of money and the sources of some large cash blocks”.

Again, I have to correct all these intel gurus on the internet telling their investor listeners that removing the zeros is going to increase purchasing power. It is? You decide!  

I quote from the article – “The main objective of the process is to simplify monetary categories, accounts and transactions, NOT to achieve an automatic increase in the purchasing power of the dinar.”

In this next part from the article again we get a sense of the process they will most likely accept and use. It is not definite yet and so don’t go off half -cocked.

I quote from the article – “If the project is approved, the authorities will likely adopt a transitional phase during which the old and new currencies will circulate simultaneously before the old version is gradually withdrawn.

The coming days for us investors could be decisive. According to sources from “Al-Mustaqilla”, the next stage will be important in determining the final course of the project, while the governmental, legal and technical aspects of the currency replacement plan continue to be studied. The sources confirmed that there is a trend to push the file towards completing the necessary procedures, with the picture to become clearer after the Cabinet’s position and the legislative process are decided.

Just as my CBI contact told me we read now in this article. The plan to start in 2027 is NOT yet final. This means they could go before or even after early 2027. But what we do know for sure is they can’t wait too long as this project is critical and urgent.

I quote from the article – “Accordingly, the information available so far indicates that the project to change the currency and remove zeros is moving within Iraqi institutions, and that 2027 is being considered as a possible start date for the replacement process according to the ideas being discussed. However, this has not yet turned into an official, announced, and binding date from the Central Bank or the Council of Ministers as of the date of this report.”

The Iraqi public is waiting for any official announcement in the coming days that could move one of the most sensitive financial issues in the country from the stage of studies and discussions to the stage of decision and implementation.

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A CONVERGENCE OF EVENTS IS COMING:

If we are paying attention, you are paying attention, aren’t you? We can see the convergence of many events coming in early 2027. Here is yet another events is preparing for this time period. It is titled “THE MINISTER OF FINANCE GIVES INSTRUCTIONS TO FINALIZE THE TECHNICAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2027 BUDGET.”

 “Finance Minister Faleh Sari directed on Monday that the technical requirements for completing the preparation of the general budget for 2027 be finalized.

The ministry said in a statement received by (Mawazin News): “The Minister of Finance, Falih Sari, inspected the departments of the Budget Department and reviewed the progress of work in preparing the draft program and performance budget.”

Oh….didn’t they just also tell us that maybe early 2027 they may begin the removing of the zeros? Don’t we also have the accession to the WTO waiting in the wings? WOW.. and did I mention the Development Road Project too. Please take a peek at the article titled “IRAQ, TURKEY, AND SYRIA ARE LAYING OUT THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE FISHKHABUR-OVAKOY BORDER CROSSING AND DEVELOPMENT ROAD.”

“An official Iraqi delegation, headed by the Chairman of the Border Ports Authority, Lieutenant General Omar Al-Waeli, discussed in the Turkish capital, Ankara, the files of transport, border connectivity, trade and transit, foremost among them the executive procedures to activate the “Fishkhabur-Ovakoy” crossing and link it to the vital development road project.”

I don’t want to now seem careless, as I am just as excited as you are. However, remember this is not in our hands, and we must just sit and wait for it. God has also told us many times the SHIFT is coming through his prophets. Then look at what is now happening in Venezuela. Can you help but this maybe the Bolivar might also be a target to get revalued in the near future now that stabilization has come to their country with the help of the U.S. under the Trump administration. Please take a peek at the article titled “US ENERGY SECRETARY ARRIVES IN VENEZUELA TO FINALIZE OIL DEAL GIVING WASHINGTON GREATER CONTROL.”

“Chris Wright says new investment agreements could more than double Venezuela’s oil production as Washington seeks to expand its influence over the country’s vast reserves

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday to finalize a major oil agreement that would give Washington effective control over a significant share of the country’s petroleum production, following approval by Venezuela’s government-dominated National Assembly.

US President Donald Trump announced the agreement last week, saying it would give the United States majority control of operations involving 17 oil fields containing about 65 billion barrels of proven reserves.”

I am certainly NOT telling anyone to go buy the Ven Bolivar. If you are connecting the pieces you certainly can entertain lots of what the prophets are telling us including also the Vietnam Dong too. Our concentration is mainly the Iraqi dinar as we know this is not just speculative but FACTUAL.

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I want to remind everyone that when all these other intel gurus were telling you all their  negative remarks about the Iranian backed militias in Iraq and then about the elections, so on the so forth. What did I tell you?

I said PRAY and PRAY like never before. Then what happened? Suddenly all these articles pop out about removing the zeros. WOW! WOW! Coincidental? Then Al-Zaidi miraculously gets nominated as the prime minister to form the government. Yes, where did that come from I asked myself…. coincidental?

Remember too that I also told you I learned of a massive economic plan for Iraq by the U.S. under the Trump administration. So, in today’s news we learn more of this plan and willingness to move it ahead. Please take a peek at these two articles:

“AL-ZAIDI SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP WITH WASHINGTON”

  Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi affirmed that Iraq possesses a promising investment environment, supported by government measures to provide investment facilities for American companies.

“AL-ZAIDI TELLS VICTORIA TAYLOR: IRAQ IS OPEN TO ALL INITIATIVES WITH AMERICA”

 “Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) that Iraq is open to all initiatives that contribute to strengthening bilateral relations with the United States, pointing to the promising future of mutual Iraqi-American partnerships, especially those related to the development, energy and economic sectors, during his reception of a delegation from the Atlantic Council Institute headed by the director of the Iraq Initiative, Victoria Taylor.” Now having read these two articles the participation of the US in Iraq is not a one-way street. These US companies will have to make money too as well as enrich the Iraqi economy by creating jobs and salaries. Iraq will have to bow somewhat to conform Iraq into a state that is SECURE and STABLE. Gee whiz … when have we heard this before? Also we recently read that the US now supports moving ahead with the removing of the zeros. Will Iraq delay this too long for the US?

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UPDATE: On disarming the militias

Speaking about being a SECURE Iraq what about the militias and factions?

Oh boy…. in these recent articles we get an update. This September 30^th date is coming quick. I can’t believe for one second the US coalition would pull out with first seeing this through.

They are titled “WASHINGTON PREPARES FOR A SCENARIO IN WHICH FACTIONS REFUSE TO DISARM… STEPHEN FAGIN RETURNS TO BAGHDAD ON DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS.”

“The Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post published a report on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) stating that Washington is “aware” of the factions’ refusal to hand over their weapons in reality, despite a large part of them announcing their agreement.

The newspaper, as translated by “Baghdad Today,” said that Washington, “despite its great optimism about the disarmament process, knows that most of the factions are not serious about achieving this and are trying to buy time and postpone the matter as much as possible,” as it described it.”

I guess Washington is VERY serious in  how they are going to mold Iraq.

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SUMMARY

Okay so enough is enough lying from the CBI. I swear they are trying to cover something up here. Do they intend to start the removing sooner than early 2027?

I also want to say I know it’s getting a bit boring hearing the same news over and over again as to why they need to remove the zeros and do it VERY soon. So read this news today carefully. I will not repeat it again and you can always go back the archives and research it to refresh as it is in all my Newsletters from the past weeks as given from Iraqi news channels.

It seems like we are in a holding pattern until the legislation can be decided upon by parliament. To be honest with you I am having doubts about some of this news as they are not being straight forward with their readers, either that or they are delaying the news intentionally to keep off speculators.

I keep referring you to the ‘White Paper’ because it is amazing in how we can look after-the-fact and actually see the progress. Do you remember four years ago when almost all Iraq talked about were the ‘Pillars of Financial Reform’. Yes, the path to get to FOREX. So, now we hardly hear about these reforms. Why? It is because they are mainly all completed. Now they are moving on to the next stage. Next stage?

I luv these words ‘next stage’ since they always tell us they are moving to the next step in some process. Can you see they are methodically moving ahead, one step at a time. Can you see what step they recently moved to – the currency reform. This too is categorized into a multi-step process. First remove the zeros, then repeg and move to FOREX. Yes, get off this damned US dollar peg which is killing Iraq.

I don’t want to now seem careless, as I am just as excited as you are. However, remember this is not in our hands, and we must just sit and wait for it. God has also told us many times the SHIFT is coming through his prophets. Then look at what is now happening in Venezuela. Can you help but this maybe the Bolivar might also be a target to get revalued in the near future now that stabilization has come to their country with the help of the U.S. under the Trump administration. Please take a peek at the article titled “US ENERGY SECRETARY ARRIVES IN VENEZUELA TO FINALIZE OIL DEAL GIVING WASHINGTON GREATER CONTROL.”

“Chris Wright says new investment agreements could more than double Venezuela’s oil production as Washington seeks to expand its influence over the country’s vast reserves

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday to finalize a major oil agreement that would give Washington effective control over a significant share of the country’s petroleum production, following approval by Venezuela’s government-dominated National Assembly.

US President Donald Trump announced the agreement last week, saying it would give the United States majority control of operations involving 17 oil fields containing about 65 billion barrels of proven reserves.”

I am certainly NOT telling anyone to go buy the Ven bolivar. But if you are connecting the pieces you certainly can entertain lots of what the prophets are telling us.

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What do you think will happen next? (Leave a comment)

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

                                         

These prophecies are an important tool we have to lead us on our path. They are more important now than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?

It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.

NOTE: These prophecies just keep getting better and better, giving us HOPE of a brighter future. They seem to converge now closer and closer to seeing them come to fulfillment. WOW!

Prophetic Words from the prophets:  Julie Green

“More Attacks Are Coming Against The United States “

Go to the 11:32 mark on the video. Given on Aug 29th.   

“You Will See Things You May Not Understand“

Go to the 14:33 mark on the video. Given on Aug 14^th  

Things are not as they appear to be. You may ask yourself what is going on.

Things that have been hidden will soon be exposed. More understanding will happen once you see what is really going on.

Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

I keep this one out here to view. Everyone should take the time to watch it. It will awaken you about the Muslim so-called religion (or should we call it for it is — a ‘cult‘.)

— And the truth the world forgot about the so-called Muslim religion.

Fr.Don Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth,  particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.  

U.S. AND VENEZUELA SIGN NEW OIL DEAL

IRAN OIL PROVINCE: CAN INSIDE REBELS TAKE THE ISLAMIC REGIME DOWN?

America declared Economic War on Iran with Operation Economic Outcast, sanctioning 60 targets in one day. But the real war is inside Iran. In this episode of Decoded, Nikita Kapoor breaks down Khuzestan, the province that produces 80% of Iran’s oil, houses Bushehr nuclear reactor and Abadan refinery, but lives with 50% unemployment and is the world’s most polluted city on earth.

Ahwazi Arabs, armed groups like Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz, Ahwaz Falcons and Ahwaz Freedom Brigades have declared open rebellion against the IRGC. Can they blow pipelines, block ports and shut refineries to collapse the regime?

WHAT NOW FOR IRAN?

The U.S. imposes strict broad secondary economic sanctions against Iran on August 24^th.  What will Iran do now? Total Meltdown! Iran President Loses ALL Powers As Hardliners Take Over? Civil War Now?

Iran hard liners threaten to choke anyone who partners with the U.S. in this new embargo. Iran’s president says to end the war now that contradicts the hardliners. Who is really in charge?

PPF: (Peoples Fighter Front) A NEW INSIDE REBEL ARMY UNLEASHES CHAOS ON THE ISLAMIC HARDLINERS

I really luv Nikita Kapoor’s updates of what is really happening in Iran. We are not going to get this TRUTH from any western news channels.

ARMY OF JUSTICE: Has a regime change begun from the inside? All the U.S. has to do is wait out the effects of Operation Economic Outcast secondary sanctions and let the PPF overtake the IRGC forces and round up hardlines and bring the regime to its knees. We simply don’t know how this will al play out, but this regime will fall, just not as easy as the Trump Administration thought.

Iran is planning to evacuate its capital, Tehran, due to a severe water drought, moving its government straight into a war zone. As the regime considers relocating to Makran, a powerful new rebel force, the People’s Fighters Front, is striking from within. In this episode of Decoded, Nikita Kapoor reveals why Iran’s biggest threat isn’t foreign air forces, but an internal army rising inside its own borders.

Timing is everything!

CONGRESS IS PUSHING 5 SOCIAL SECURITY BILLS —

Which One Helps You Most?

THE SILVER SUPPLY SHOCK MOST DON’T SEE COMING

A delayed reaction: Is the silver, a precious metal about to have another bubble?

Restricting the oil supply by limiting oil through the Straight of Hormuz causes other downstream supply shortages, other than oil.

HOW COULD A FAMILY TRUST HELP PROTECT YOUR ESTATE

6 STATES CUTTING PROPERTY TAXES TO ZERO

There are actually 16 states now tackling the home ownership property tax issue. They are finding alternatives to funding their district. Even the supreme court (SCOTUS) is now taking up a case to determine if these taxes are even constitutional.

SOURCES TOLD AL-MUSTAQILLA THAT THE PLAN TO REMOVE ZEROS FROM THE IRAQI CURRENCY IS ENTERING ADVANCED STAGES, WITH A PLAN TO REPLACE THE CURRENCY IN EARLY 2027.

Informed sources revealed to Al-Mustaqilla that the file of removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar and reissuing the currency has entered advanced stages of study and discussion within government departments, noting that a plan currently circulating aims to begin the process of replacing the old currency with a new currency starting from 2027, in the event that the required governmental, legislative and technical approvals are completed.

The sources said that the currency restructuring file is no longer limited to economic and technical discussions within the Central Bank of Iraq, but has become subject to study at the level of the Prime Minister’s office, within a plan related to the mechanism for moving from the current currency to a new monetary issuance after removing the zeros.

According to information obtained by Al-Mustaqila, the discussions are currently focused on developing a clear implementation plan for the replacement process, the transitional period during which the two currencies will be traded, the mechanisms for banks and government institutions to deal with the new currency, as well as the procedures related to bringing the largest possible amount of cash outside the banking sector into the formal financial system.

The sources confirmed that 2027 is among the current proposals as a possible start date for the process of replacing the old currency with the new one, but stressed that the date will not become officially effective before the completion of the governmental and legislative process and obtaining the required approvals.

The sources expected that the file would witness developments at the Cabinet level in the coming period, followed – if the project is approved – by moving to the required legislative path before reaching the implementation stage.

Mustafa Sand’s statements bring the issue back to the forefront.

The new information coincides with previous statements by Iraqi Communications Minister Mustafa Sanad, who said during August that a decision regarding the removal of zeros and the change of currency had been decided at the political level, and linked the move to bringing out hoarded funds and returning them to the economic cycle and the banking system.

Sand said that the currency change process could encourage holders of large amounts of cash to reveal their money when exchanging old banknotes, allowing some of the liquidity outside banks to be brought back into the financial system, as well as dealing with money whose owners cannot prove its sources or bring it legally into the exchange process.

Sand’s statements had sparked widespread controversy, especially after the government said on August 17 that the Cabinet had not made a final decision at that time to remove the zeros, and that implementing such a step required a legislative process that went through the House of Representatives.

The Central Bank denies printing… but outlines the course of any future project

On August 26, 2026, the Central Bank of Iraq issued a statement explicitly denying reports that it had printed quantities of new Iraqi currency with zeros removed in preparation for its release into the markets.

However, the bank’s statement did not close the door to a future currency restructuring project, as it confirmed that any such project, if an official decision is made regarding it, will be subject to multiple legal, regulatory and technical stages, and that it will be officially announced and a transition period will be determined that allows citizens, banks and institutions to exchange the currency in an organized and safe manner.

This means that the official denial issued by the Central Bank so far relates to the existence of a new currency that has been printed and is ready for circulation, and not to the cancellation of the project idea or the exclusion of discussing it in the future.

Al-Mustaqilla has been following the case since its inception.

Al-Mustaqilla had published a series of reports in recent days on the issue of removing zeros and restructuring the currency, in which it quoted sources close to decision-making circles as saying that the matter was under serious study, despite the fact that no final government announcement had been issued yet.

Information obtained by “Al-Mustaqila” today confirms that the file is still in existence and under study within the relevant institutions, and that the discussions have moved to more advanced details regarding how to implement the replacement process and not just the idea in principle.

However, the sources confirmed at the same time that the project’s transition to the actual implementation phase will remain linked to the final decision of the Council of Ministers, the legislative procedures required by the file, and the position of the Central Bank, as it is the entity responsible for managing and issuing currency and monetary policy in Iraq.

Why does the government want to change the currency?

The proposed plans suggest that the project’s objectives are not limited to reducing the number of zeros and facilitating accounting and monetary operations, but could also include reorganizing the large amount of cash that exists outside the banking system.

Iraq is one of the economies that relies heavily on cash transactions, and a large percentage of the currency in circulation is outside of banks.

The latest data circulating on monetary indicators indicates that the volume of currency circulating outside the banking sector has reached more than 100 trillion dinars, which reflects the extent of the hoarding phenomenon and reliance on direct cash.

Currency replacement – ​​if the government adopts clear control mechanisms – would encourage hoarders to deposit their money through banks or exchange centers within a specific time period, giving financial authorities greater ability to know the movement of money and the sources of some large cash blocks.

The process can also support anti-money laundering and anti-financing measures if it is accompanied by the application of clear rules regarding deposits, large sums, and sources of funds.

Replacement, not cancellation, of the value of citizens’ money

From an economic standpoint, removing zeros does not mean that citizens’ money will lose its value or that the dinar will automatically become more expensive.

If it is decided – for example – to remove three zeros, then renaming the monetary unit could make every thousand dinars of the old currency equivalent to one dinar of the new currency, in parallel with repricing salaries, prices, debts, contracts and balances at the same rate.

The main objective of the process is to simplify monetary categories, accounts and transactions, not to achieve an automatic increase in the purchasing power of the dinar.

Expected transitional phase

If the project is approved, the authorities will likely adopt a transitional phase during which the old and new currencies will circulate simultaneously before the old version is gradually withdrawn.

The central bank had already confirmed that any future decision of this kind would include a transition period to ensure that citizens, banks and institutions could exchange currency in an orderly manner while preserving all financial rights and obligations.

The process will require resetting banking systems, ATMs, accounting software, pricing, contracts and government records, as well as a broad awareness campaign to prevent the transition from being exploited for fraud or speculation.

The coming days could be decisive.

According to sources from “Al-Mustaqilla”, the next stage will be important in determining the final course of the project, while the governmental, legal and technical aspects of the currency replacement plan continue to be studied.

The sources confirmed that there is a trend to push the file towards completing the necessary procedures, with the picture to become clearer after the Cabinet’s position and the legislative process are decided.

Accordingly, the information available so far indicates that the project to change the currency and remove zeros is moving within Iraqi institutions, and that 2027 is being considered as a possible start date for the replacement process according to the ideas being discussed. However, this has not yet turned into an official, announced, and binding date from the Central Bank or the Council of Ministers as of the date of this report.

The Iraqi public is waiting for any official announcement in the coming days that could move one of the most sensitive financial issues in the country from the stage of studies and discussions to the stage of decision and implementation.

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CONTRACTORS IN THE LIBERATED AREAS ARE DEMANDING PAYMENT OF THEIR DUES AND WARNING OF PROJECT STOPPAGES.

 The Iraqi Contractors Union called on the Prime Minister, Parliament, and Minister of Finance on Tuesday to intervene urgently to disburse the outstanding financial dues owed to companies and contractors contracted with the Reconstruction Fund for Liberated Areas, noting that the delay of some of these dues for more than two years has caused financial damage to contractors and threatened their ability to continue implementing projects.

This came during a conference held in Anbar province, attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, with the participation of a number of contractors from the liberated provinces to raise their concerns and demand their rights and outstanding financial dues from the Reconstruction Fund for Liberated Areas.

The head of the Iraqi and Arab Contractors Union, Ali Fakher Sanafi, confirmed in a statement during the conference that the Reconstruction Fund for Liberated Areas has played a role in supporting the stability of the liberated governorates over the past years by implementing projects, rebuilding infrastructure, and supporting the people of these governorates who were subjected to damage and destruction as a result of military operations against groups of evil and terrorism.

He pointed out that contractors who contributed to the reconstruction of their cities and bore the burdens of implementation, financing and financial obligations cannot be left to face this crisis without real solutions.

According to Sanafi, the contractors called on the government, the House of Representatives, and the Ministry of Finance to intervene urgently and disburse the dues of companies and contractors contracted with the Reconstruction Fund for Liberated Areas, just like the rest of the contracting parties, and to do justice to this segment that had a fundamental role in the reconstruction of those areas.

In an exclusive interview with Shafaq News Agency, Snafi said that the issue of entitlements is “complex and cannot be resolved so easily.” He added that the state is suffering from a financial crisis and a deficit in paying employee salaries, which is repeated at the beginning of each month, considering that the private sector treats him as if he were “second class”.

Snafi said the country is facing a “real crisis” after the war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Iraq is known for its dependence on oil.

He explained that the Prime Minister granted contractors 600 billion Iraqi dinars, of which amounts ranging between 300 and 350 billion dinars were distributed, while some ministries have not yet received their share of the amount.

He explained that the agreement stipulates allocating at least one trillion Iraqi dinars per month during the current phase, with the possibility of increasing the amount, stressing that the contractors “are optimistic,” but the first 600 billion has not yet been completed.

Snafi stressed that the crisis is not limited to the fund for the reconstruction of liberated areas, but is a “general crisis in all regions of Iraq”. He pointed out that there is communication between the Contractors Union and the sub-unions, warning that stopping projects leads to their demise and harms the citizen, the government and the contractor, expressing that the union does not wish to reach this stage.

Snafi said that contractors “are the children of the state,” and that the relationship with it is similar, as he described it, to “father and son,” adding that disagreements may occur between the two sides, but they do not mean hatred.

He added that the contractors “did their part,” and reached a point where they wanted “only a portion of what they had provided” returned to them.

He pointed out that all projects throughout Iraq have reached completion rates of no less than 30 percent, considering this an achievement for the Iraqi contractor, but he indicated that there is no specific percentage for the stalled projects, although their number is large, and that many projects are now threatened with being stopped due to the financial deficit.

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IRAQ, TURKEY, AND SYRIA ARE LAYING OUT THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE FISHKHABUR-OVAKOY BORDER CROSSING AND DEVELOPMENT ROAD.

An official Iraqi delegation, headed by the Chairman of the Border Ports Authority, Lieutenant General Omar Al-Waeli, discussed in the Turkish capital, Ankara, the files of transport, border connectivity, trade and transit, foremost among them the executive procedures to activate the “Fishkhabur-Ovakoy” crossing and link it to the vital development road project.

A statement issued by Al-Waili’s media office stated that the talks, in which the directors of land transport and railways participated, included bilateral meetings with the Turkish side to implement the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries regarding rail and road transport through the new crossing, based on the maps and routes specified by the joint technical committees.

The statement added that the Iraqi delegation also participated in a tripartite meeting that included representatives from the Turkish and Syrian sides, which focused on raising the level of trade exchange, revitalizing transit traffic, and facilitating the movement of goods and travelers, in addition to strengthening coordination between border institutions to reduce logistical obstacles.

These moves aim to complete the executive components of the development road project and link it to ports and border crossings, thereby strengthening Iraq’s position as a regional center for transport, trade and transit between the countries of the region and global markets.

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TBI DIRECTOR: CASH HELD IN HOMES DISRUPTS THE LIQUIDITY CYCLE AND HALTS SALARY PAYMENTS

The director of the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), Ali Abdul-Ridha Alwan, announced on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) that 85% of the Iraqi cash supply is outside the banking system and in people’s homes, indicating that this breaks the cycle of financial liquidity and affects the provision of salaries. He added that banks need the money to return to the system in order to be able to perform their role in the economic process. He also touched on financial transactions between Iraq and Iran, saying that they are subject to governmental procedures in which several parties participate, but the bank will always be a supporting link in this matter, as he put it.

Alwan said, during a dialogue session with a number of media professionals, which was followed by Network 964 , regarding financial transactions with Iran in light of the imposed sanctions, that “the file of sanctions and economic pressures on Iran and trade between Iraq and Iran includes many details, and is managed by several government agencies, including financial agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Bank of Iraq and the Iraqi Trade Bank,” stressing that “the bank will always be a supporting link in this file.”

He added that “the bank is working to clarify the nature of the procedures for international banks,” explaining that “these procedures are very necessary for the banking system, and do not target the customer, but rather aim to implement international standards.”

He pointed out that “some international banks have conducted tests and surveys of Iraqi banks in recent years, with the aim of verifying their compliance with the required standards,” explaining that “the results showed a need for more work to develop the level of compliance with international banking standards.”

Alwan stressed that “adherence to legal instructions, Central Bank instructions, and financial and regulatory controls aims to preserve public funds,” explaining that “the bank seeks to achieve a balance between supporting the private sector and the government and protecting the bank’s funds and its customers.”

He explained that “the bank is working to recover outstanding debts through legal and available means,” stressing that “this represents protection for public funds, the bank’s customers and merchants, as well as preserving the reputation of the merchants and the bank.”

Alwan ruled out the possibility that the media was the reason for imposing sanctions on Iraqi banks, stressing that “American authorities rely on multiple sources when making their decisions.”

He explained that “when the US government imposes sanctions on banks, entities, or individuals, it does not rely solely on media reports, but has its own sources, including intelligence sources, while using media information to verify certain data.”

He added that “the role of the media has not been negative, but has always been positive,” noting that “the bank has received complaints about the banking sector, but a large percentage of them cannot be considered true without verifying them.”

Regarding the challenges facing the banking sector, Alwan pointed out that “the Iraqi banking sector faces a challenge represented by the weakness of citizens’ confidence, due to the accumulation of political and economic crises that Iraq has witnessed during the past decades.”

He explained that “more than 85 percent of the money supply is outside the banking system, and this is a very big problem, because banks need the money to return to the banking system in order to be able to play their role in the economic process.”

He explained that “money outside of banks, including money kept by citizens at home, affects the liquidity cycle,” clarifying that “the economic process depends on an interconnected chain that begins with the injection of liquidity through financial institutions and extends to the payment of salaries and spending, and any disruption in one of the links of this chain may lead to the cessation or disruption of the process.”

Regarding the bank’s development plans, Alwan revealed that “the bank has a roadmap for development,” indicating that “the management has a clear vision of the strengths and weaknesses within the institution, and that the results of the development plan will begin to appear during the next three months and until the end of the year.”

He explained that “the bank is currently working on developing new products and services that are appropriate for the size of the Iraqi market,” noting that “the market’s needs are currently focused on remittances, cards, advances and loans.”

He added that “the bank is working on developing its Internet Banking service,” noting that “its use is still limited and in its early stages compared to the level of digital banking transactions in neighboring countries and the region, which requires more work to develop products and services.”

He pointed out that “introducing any new banking product requires providing a suitable infrastructure,” explaining that “part of this infrastructure relates to the bank itself, while the other part is related to external parties.”

Al-Alwan stressed “the existence of some limitations that the bank’s management is working to overcome,” explaining that “purchasing any new program or system requires adherence to government frameworks and procedures, which sometimes limits the flexibility required to develop banking operations.”

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AL-ZAIDI TELLS VICTORIA TAYLOR: IRAQ IS OPEN TO ALL INITIATIVES WITH AMERICA

 Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) that Iraq is open to all initiatives that contribute to strengthening bilateral relations with the United States, pointing to the promising future of mutual Iraqi-American partnerships, especially those related to the development, energy and economic sectors, during his reception of a delegation from the Atlantic Council Institute headed by the director of the Iraq Initiative, Victoria Taylor.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Office, a copy of which was received by 964 Network , stated that “Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi received a delegation from the Atlantic Council Institute headed by Ms. Victoria Taylor, Director of the Iraq Initiative within the Council’s Middle East Program.”

According to the statement, “Al-Zaydi affirmed during the meeting Iraq’s openness to all initiatives that work to strengthen bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States, and the importance of elevating them in a way that achieves the common interests of the two friendly countries.”

The statement explained that “Al-Zaidi pointed to the promising future of mutual Iraqi-American partnerships in various fields, especially those related to the development, energy and economic sectors, given Iraq’s promising investment environment supported by the government’s measures to provide investment facilities to major American companies.”

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AL-ZAIDI SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP WITH WASHINGTON

  Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi affirmed that Iraq possesses a promising investment environment, supported by government measures to provide investment facilities for American companies.

This came during his meeting on Wednesday with a delegation from the Atlantic Council, headed by Victoria Taylor, director of the Council’s Iraq Initiative within its Middle East program. The Prime Minister affirmed Iraq’s openness to all initiatives that strengthen bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States, emphasizing the importance of elevating these relations to achieve the shared interests of both countries.

He also pointed to the promising future of Iraqi-American partnerships in various fields, particularly those related to development, energy, and the economy. In a separate meeting, Al-Zidi received Kaldo Ramzi Oghna, head of the Christian parliamentary bloc, and members of the bloc, where they discussed several political and economic issues, including the progress of forming a new government.

The meeting also discussed the role of the Iraqi Christian community abroad, and the possibility of utilizing its expertise, energies and capabilities in supporting development paths, and enhancing the contribution of Iraqi talents abroad to the process of building and development.

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WASHINGTON PREPARES FOR A SCENARIO IN WHICH FACTIONS REFUSE TO DISARM… STEPHEN FAGIN RETURNS TO BAGHDAD ON DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS

The Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post published a report on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) stating that Washington is “aware” of the factions’ refusal to hand over their weapons in reality, despite a large part of them announcing their agreement.

The newspaper, as translated by “Baghdad Today,” said that Washington, “despite its great optimism about the disarmament process, knows that most of the factions are not serious about achieving this and are trying to buy time and postpone the matter as much as possible,” as it described it.

She continued, “The US State Department decided to send Steven Fagin to take over the management of Washington’s largest embassy in anticipation of a scenario in which the factions refuse to disarm,” explaining, “The US government’s refusal to appoint a permanent ambassador to Iraq and the accreditation of Joshua Harris as chargé d’affaires was a process of reducing diplomatic and political cooperation with Iraq.”

The newspaper also confirmed that the appointment of Fagin as a replacement for Joshua Harris came about because of his “great experience in dealing with the Iraqi file during the previous years, in addition to being a choice that provides great reassurance to the Kurdish allies in Iraq.”

It is noted that the US Embassy in Baghdad welcomed the return of US Ambassador Steven Fagin as Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy, ​​replacing Joshua Harris, who announced the end of his diplomatic mission in the country yesterday.

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US ENERGY SECRETARY ARRIVES IN VENEZUELA TO FINALIZE OIL DEAL GIVING WASHINGTON GREATER CONTROL

Chris Wright says new investment agreements could more than double Venezuela’s oil production as Washington seeks to expand its influence over the country’s vast reserves

 

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday to finalize a major oil agreement that would give Washington effective control over a significant share of the country’s petroleum production, following approval by Venezuela’s government-dominated National Assembly.

US President Donald Trump announced the agreement last week, saying it would give the United States majority control of operations involving 17 oil fields containing about 65 billion barrels of proven reserves.

Wright said upon his arrival that “several deals” would be announced on Wednesday and predicted that the agreements would lead to more than a doubling of Venezuela’s oil production over the next few years.

“These investment deals in Venezuela are to bring peace, opportunity and prosperity to the people of Venezuela and to the people of the United States,” Wright told reporters.

US oil giant Chevron is also expected to announce a major expansion of its operations in Venezuela on Wednesday.

Washington has defended the agreements as a way to increase Venezuelan oil production, potentially lower energy prices for US consumers and reduce Russian and Chinese influence in a country located close to the United States.

The deal comes after Washington dramatically expanded its influence over Caracas following the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January.

Washington Seeks Control of Oil Assets

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that a private company was working with the US government to “normalize the Venezuelan economy.”

“Essentially, this is now an agreement with the US government,” Rubio said in a Spanish-language interview with Venezuelan journalist Sergio Novelli.

He said the US Defense Department would be involved through a special account that would allow Washington to take possession of a percentage of the assets involved in the agreement.

Rubio said the arrangement would enable the company to increase production and attract the private investment required to restore Venezuela’s oil fields. He added that the “vast majority” of the 17 fields had previously been in the hands of Chinese and Russian companies.

The agreement would grant the United States preferential access to oil produced from the 17 fields, including facilities previously operated by Russian and Chinese companies.

In Caracas, some opposition lawmakers abstained from the National Assembly’s show-of-hands vote, arguing that they should first be allowed to examine the agreement’s written terms.

“We need and are obliged to know what is written in the fine print,” opposition lawmaker Luis Emilio Rondon said.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez defended the agreement, arguing that Venezuelans would benefit from increased oil production and investment.

“Who benefits from this oil if it stays underground?” Rodriguez said.

Venezuela’s Defense Minister Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez also backed the deal, describing it as an agreement aimed at bringing “prosperity and well-being” to the country.

“Turning a political difference into an economic cooperation agreement is simply a decision to choose peace; it is not subordination,” he said.

US Government to Take 35% Stake

A major component of the agreement involves North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP), Venezuela’s second-largest private oil company, run by businessman Alejandro Betancourt.

The US government is set to take a 35 percent stake in NABEP, while Washington will receive the right to purchase 20 percent of the oil produced by the company at production cost, according to the White House.

US citizens will hold a majority of the company’s board seats, giving Washington effective control, while the US government will have veto power over board appointments.

Betancourt has previously faced accusations of involvement in a corruption scheme involving Venezuela’s state-run oil company PDVSA.

A US official nevertheless described him as a “proven operator,” acknowledging that geopolitical agreements can sometimes require dealing with “imperfect” partners.

US officials say American involvement will help combat corruption in Venezuela’s deteriorating oil industry and prevent Caracas from diverting large quantities of oil to its ally Cuba.

The agreement also gives Washington a direct economic stake in restoring Venezuela’s oil production, while reducing the role previously played by Moscow and Beijing in the country’s energy sector.

For the Trump administration, increased Venezuelan production could also have a political dimension, with lower oil prices a key priority ahead of crucial US midterm elections in November, when Republicans are seeking to retain control of Congress.

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THE MINISTER OF FINANCE GIVES INSTRUCTIONS TO FINALIZE THE TECHNICAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2027 BUDGET.

 Finance Minister Faleh Sari directed on Monday that the technical requirements for completing the preparation of the general budget for 2027 be finalized.

The ministry said in a statement received by (Mawazin News): “The Minister of Finance, Falih Sari, inspected the departments of the Budget Department and reviewed the progress of work in preparing the draft program and performance budget.”

She added that “the minister met with the working groups concerned with preparing the project, and listened to an explanation of the completed work stages and the technical requirements necessary to complete the preparation of the budget,” stressing “the importance of integrating efforts and intensifying work during the next stage.”

The Minister of Finance stressed “the continuation of communication and coordination with ministries and government institutions, for the purpose of organizing and auditing financial data and providing the necessary information, in order to contribute to the preparation of the draft budget accurately and efficiently.”

He stressed that “the transition to program and performance budgeting requires joint work and continuous coordination among the concerned parties, to ensure the preparation of a budget that links the allocation of resources to programs, objectives and results.”

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

Auf Wiedersehen

Much love to ya all,

Mnt Goat

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER:

September 1, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

Well…well it looks like the news about removing the zeros is still under discussion but confirmed they plan to do it very soon again. The important part now is the timing of this event. The Iraqi courts may also step in if parliament delays in passing the needed draft law we already talked about. yes, there is way to bypass Parliament on this issue. There is a way to bypass parliament and speed this effort up, if necessary. Let’s pick apart this key article today and see how it all fits together with what is now happening in the middle east. 

Confirmed for a forth time -remove the zeros!

GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT

I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are.

 Let’s all try to chip in!

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1 Peter 4:8

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”  

STATUS OF THE RV

First to begin, let me say I am reading some confusion in the comments on the blog that I need to clarify today. Let’s not go off half-cocked. Investors tend to do this when they hear good news and all the news has been fantastic. All the great news over these last couple weeks is all about removing the zeros and how they intend to do it. The Finance Committee specifically said there is NO revaluation to the process. This is not the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) which comes later when they move back to FOREX (reinstatement to trading platforms), put the dinar on a float and repeg it to an IMF basket of currencies. Everyone needs to know the difference. This process back to FOREX is a multi-step process.

If you are one that also listens to other intel gurus let me explain how they can be so wrong in what they are telling their listeners. I take no pleasure in bashing others but it is obvious they have other motives other than helping you see the TRUTH of this investment. They have made it all into a three-ring circus.

For TNT Tony and his gang of puppets, we all can see now just how idiotic his intel is since there is no way the Iraq dinar could have been exchanged unless it was back on FOREX and OPFAC through the US Treasury has sanctions against the IQD that prohibit is from the foreign currency exchanges and open global trading. He has been talking his nonsense for over a decade now telling listeners every week it would RV. He even told them at one time that removing the zeros did not have to happen and was insignificant to us going to the bank and exchanging. These kind of statements alone tell us so much about who is pumping them with false info and who is deceiving them. Why people continue to follow this idiot is beyond me.  

Then intel guru Frank26 is getting very close to the truth nowadays but still puts too much emphasis in events he does not truly understand. He is another one who has a hard time remembering what was said from Iraq in the past and applying it to recent events. He claims they will remove the zeros but first revalue the dinar in country to $1.30 USD. He thinks they will RV by just by taking the zeros off the CBI official rate of 1310 by moving the zeros over three decimal places. This tells me he truly does not understand how the zeros will be removed. After all the articles he reads on his ‘Youbie Tubies’ you would think he would know better as these articles clearly outline how they are intending to remove the zeros. Why don’t these people listen to what Iraq is telling them? Of course, we all know that there will be NO revaluation in the process of removing the zeros and it has nothing to do with moving the decimal over three places on the official CBI rate. We all should know by now that there will be no formal revaluation and this will allow the two sets of currencies (the 3 zero notes and the newer lower denominations) to coexist in circulation while they slowly swap them out. At least this is what they are now telling us will happen.

If you happen to listen to the idiot Bruce from the BigCall you quickly realize just how bad this idiot is and how foolish is all is. There is so much he does not know. I don’t know how many times he preached that the RV has already happened in Iraq and just has to move around the globe to reach the U.S. banks. How can anyone, never mind someone who claims to be so smart, claim such foolishness. This is a full-grown man spurting out this nonsense. This could never happen and all of us should know why. He is yet another one who bought into some sources that are just lying to him and pretending to be reliable and knowledgeable sources. How can anyone call them reliable when they flat out lie to their listeners with their every day / any day RV stuff for over 2 decades now. And he is proud to be the BigCall too and to be doing this to his listeners for so long.    

Did any of these other intel gurus actually read the Dr Shabibi plan to get to the reinstatement (back on FOREX)? Did any of them actually read and understand the ‘White Paper’ which was a 95-page document basically taking the Dr Shabibi plan of 2011 and then formulating a blue print as to how to get there. It was formally approved by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s term as provisional prime minister 2020-2022. This is a legacy of Al-Kadhimi’s administration.

But of course getting to the TRUTH with actual documents explaining the TRUTH is not really their objective. They all have other notions of just using the intel as part of their program to draw you in to them sell you something. Just pay attention to what they are selling the their sales pitches to you.

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Okay so let’s get on with today’s news. 

As I already mentioned the important part now is the timing of this event of removing the zeros. WE now have many confirmations that they are going forward with it now. We know this Project to Remove the Zeros is close at hand and is going to be completed shortly. Time has run out and with many other issues from the past, delays cause consequences due to a corrupt government holding back real progress. The article we are concerned about today in our study of the Iraq dinar RV is titled “IRAQI GOVERNMENT MAY INTRODUCE A NEW CURRENCY IN 2027”

So, once again in this recent article from Baghdad Today – August 30, 2026, we learn of the urgency of completing the removal of the zeros.

I quote from the article – “Iraqi government may introduce a new currency in 2027 with leading zeros removed to address hyperinflation and currency devaluation.”

Then again is this statement we see the urgency – “The move is part of broader economic reforms aimed at stabilizing the currency, which has suffered from severe depreciation and a massive increase in total issuance.”

Then again the urgency in the statements – “This reflects deep liquidity issues and a loss of public trust in the currency.”

So, let’s summarize the urgency:

• to address hyperinflation;
• to address currency devaluation;
• to address severe depreciation of the dinar over the dollar;
• to address a massive increase in total issuance.;
• to address deep liquidity issues;
• to address a loss of public trust in the currency

Folks this is Iraq telling us this not me! Do you think that these six (6) issues are reason enough to remove the zeros and do it now? Can you see the impact they can have on the overall economy of Iraq?

Then in the following statement from today’s article, I can see how Frank26 may be getting confused. I quote from the article – “According to The Media Line network, a report published today revealed that the Iraqi government is considering launching a new currency in 2027 that would strip leading zeros from current dinar denominations.” This statement does not say strip three decimal places from the “official CBI rate” but says from the notes themselves. Frank are you listening?    

Then they tell us that data from the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) shows that- “by the end of June 2026, the total value of currency issued had reached 111.189 trillion dinars (about $84.5 billion), with 91.7% held outside banks and only 8.3% in bank vaults. This reflects deep liquidity issues.”   

Do you think with over 90% of the issued currency outside the banking system they have a problem? Just maybe?  Lol…. Lol…. Lol…. Is it time to get this money back into t the banks to help pay the bills?

Oh…. but in this recent article they are telling us they have a temporary solution and I quote from it – “The government is also exploring loans from U.S. banks as a quicker alternative to printing more money”. Imagine that they have to borrow money and pay interest on it while 90% of their funds is outside their reach to use. Wow! Do you see the urgency?  Did they say ‘quicker alternative’. Again, this wording shows us the urgency.

Then they tell us something that we should also pay attention to and I quote –“while preparing temporary legislation on borrowing, grants, and subsidies to cover essential spending until the federal budget is approved.”  

If you recall Iraq cannot get money from their oil revenues until they submit their budget to the US Treasury who them scrutinizes it and if approved, will transfer the needed funds from the Chase/JP Morgan bank in NYC to Iraq for the budget spending. So, a hold up in getting the budget is significant and so how can Iraq pay its bills without it? This is where the banks would help but can’s since they have no singificant money to loan to the CBI to pay salaries and pensions either. The oil companies now get a third of the revenue generated from the wells and so they too will soon stop work if not paid shortly. Then what?

In the ‘Implications’ section of this article we learn that – “This development comes amid ongoing regional and domestic economic pressures, making 2027 a potential turning point for Iraq’s monetary policy.”

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In another recent article titled “AL-ZAYDI’S FINANCIAL ADVISOR: THERE ARE NO BANKING TRANSACTIONS WITH IRAN… AND WE WILL NOT CHANGE THE EXCHANGE RATE” we learn that the financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, “denied the existence of any banking transactions with Iran, stressing that the salaries of state employees require 7.7 trillion dinars per month, while revealing that between 12-14 trillion dinars have been borrowed since the beginning of the financial crisis.”

Saleh said in televised remarks followed by “Ultra Iraq” that “Iraq is the fourth country in the world in terms of state intervention in economic activity due to its rentier nature,” indicating that “the government payroll amounts to 7.7 trillion Iraqi dinars per month and securing it is a mandatory matter.”

Then I quote again – “Regarding the budget, Saleh explained that “the price of a barrel of oil in the budget will be between $50 and $60, and it will focus on electricity,” while noting at the same time that “there is no current decision to amend the exchange rate.”

So again, I want to emphasis we learn that the budget is based on the price of oil and not the exchange rate of the dinar. So much for all these idiot intel gurus telling you the RV rate is in the budget…lol… lol… lol… ☹. This quote, even though small in nature is telling us so much more. It is also telling us it is not yet able to base the budget on the exchange rate and must use the price of oil at this time. Later, when the dinar is priced on FOREX then the exchange rate can be a larger part and used for the budgeting purposes. Remember that Iraq is still using the provisional / manipulated / stiffened rate solely pegged to the dollar and the dollar is still the petro-dollar. Do you see this tie into the dollar has not yet gone away.

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In this next article titled “THE FRAMEWORK ASKED AL-ZAIDI TO FORGET TRUMP… TEHRAN DELEGATIONS: ATTENTION… WE WILL PREVENT ANY CHANGE IN BAGHDAD”

we can clearly see just how corrupt the Coordination Framework is. Will Al-Zaidi bow down to the Framework and change his direction of following advice from the Trump administration for anticorruption measures, partnering with the US for economic development and following his own Iraqi constitution? And if he refuses to follow their instructions what will happen to him? Will he be forced to resign?

I quote from the article – “A report by the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reveals pressure that appears deeper than what has surfaced, exerted by Tehran through its recent delegations. This pressure has reached the point where Qalibaf is demanding that the framework forces turn the weapons control file into a “formal and symbolic procedure” and urge them to prevent the government from tampering with the capabilities of the factions because Tehran will not accept changing the “balance of power in Baghdad.”

WOW! Really?

“This has prompted some leaders of the framework to try to convince Al-Zaidi to change his plans regarding weapons and even the anti-corruption campaign, and not to fear too much the threats of “isolation and sanctions” brandished by Trump, as they believe that Washington will still need Iraqi oil.”

This the good news and I quote – “However, the assessment did not convince Al-Zaidi, who reportedly saw resignation as an option if he was forced to backtrack on commitments he had made.”

So, we can see in this article the pressure from Iran for Al-Zaidi to bend in his reform plan for Iraq. Of course, the pressure is building and is going to be turned up VERY HIGH for Al-Zaidi since the United State’s new plan to economically starve Iran into submission through secondary economic sanctions campaign called “Operation Economic Outcast”.

Iran depends on proxy states to funnel monies to them. The Islamic Jahad are leaches. They use these terrorist organizations to control countries and then suck the money from them for Tehran. This is how they have been working all along through Lebanon, Libya and Syria proxy states. They desperately also want to use Iraq as a proxy state but under Trump with the help of Al-Zaidi it is being shut down. Under the U.S. and Israel efforts the Iranian proxy states of Lebanon and Syria have already been shut down or in the making.

Remember that this Islamic movement ruled the Ottoman Empire and was a major Islamic imperial power that emerged in northwestern Anatolia under Osman I around 1299. It grew into one of the world’s most influential empires, lasting more than 600 years until its dissolution in 1922, when it was replaced by the Republic of Turkey. The empire suffered major defeats in the Balkan Wars (1912–13). 

It entered World War I on the side of Germany and the Central Powers; defeat led to partition by Allied powers. In 1922, the sultanate was abolished by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, ending the empire and paving the way for the Republic of Turkey (1923). 

But today unlike during the Ottoman Empire, the Muslim radicals in Iran are not interested in cultural achievements flourishing in architecture in literature, science, and law. They destroyed the ‘Paris of the middle east‘, as Iran’s capital Tehran was known as prior to the Islamic revolution.

Instead, they chose control through might, a police state, where as the goal is to make the citizens submissive to their radical ideology using religion to justify their radical platform. So like in 1922 when this Islamic state was torn apart it began a revival again in 1929 and in 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran overthrew the monarchy of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and established an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The revolution was fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with the Shah’s autocratic rule, social inequality, and Western influence in Iran. It was ripe for change but the citizens did not know it would go from bad to worst than what they had under the Shah.  

It is time for yet another fall of the Islamic empire of Iran.

What will Al-Zaidi do in the midst of all these threats from Iran and the Coordination Framework?

Getting back to the article we learn that the spokesman stressed that “the government has taken effective and important steps in the path of (restricting weapons), and it is committed to completing this approach in accordance with the requirements of Iraq’s sovereignty and national interests.”

According to Al-Aboudi, “The government deals with the issue of weapons as a constitutional principle that is addressed through legal institutions and channels in light of the country’s supreme interest, sovereignty, stability and international relations.” Yes, its about following their own constitution. The U.S. is only trying to make them live up to their own constitution which they themselves help put together in 2005.

The government’s stated commitment does not negate the magnitude of the pressures it faces in implementing the plan, especially since al-Zaydi had linked the success of his government from the beginning to its ability to strengthen the authority of the state and fulfill its external obligations.

The President of the Kurdistan Region said in a televised statement in mid-August that “international isolation is approaching Baghdad if it does not find a solution to the factions’ weapons.” This is especially true now that “Operation Economic Outcast” is in force.

Bottom line is the U.S. is not putting all its eggs in one basket when it comes to oil. It has secured a 25 year agreement with Venezuela for oil reserves. And with a new U.S. pipeline from Alaska under development, there is enough crude to bypass middle eastern and Canadian oil all together, should the US desire it.

Washington is trying to cling to its opportunity in Baghdad for U.S. Investment opportunities. A spokesperson for the US State Department, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity, said that “Iraq has embarked on a new path under al-Zaidi’s leadership in full partnership with the United States,” adding that Washington supports his vision of “an Iraq free of terrorism” and of preventing “attacks from and on Iraqi soil.” The U.S. will need this vision to attract U.S. companies to Iraq.

In the article titled “WASHINGTON OUTLINES ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH BAGHDAD: AN IRAQ FREE OF TERRORISM AND WEAPONS IN THE HANDS OF THE STATE” we see the truth of what is taking place with pressure from Washington to help Iraq. Did we forget already the personal meetings between president Trump and Al-Zaidi? I do not believe Al-Zaidi is going to not live up to all the promises made to Trump. He is focused  on these promises. He would rather resign then give in. So, articles with negative news like we recently witnessed from the Coordination Framework and Tehran should not discourage you. It is just news it does not mean Al-Zaidi is going to give in to them.

Now we can also look at this negativity and coordination with Tehran by the Coordination Framework is painting a negative picture too of this so-called majority party partnering with Iran instead of the U.S. as it will come to hurt them in the next election cycle. Take my word on this and remember it! The old paradigm with Iran is changing quickly.

I also at this time want to point out the convergence of events that is about to happen. We will get peace in the middle east, Iran’s influence in Iraq will end, the IQD will be on FOREX, accession to the WTO, and we will be going to the bank.

The only issue we don’t know for certain is the timing of it all. For us we must watch the timing of the removing the zeros. This will be the movement we need to see. There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY the IQD could EVER go back to FOREX at a rate to attract investors at 1/6 of a penny so it will have to be at least over the 1990 pre-war days of $3.22. At this new rate they can not use the 3 zero notes. Get it? IF they did it would make everyone in Iraq billionaires overnight and hyperinflation would set in and destroy their economy. Some say they might set the initial rate on FOREX as just over a dollar. Why would they do this? This is not all about us investors exchanging. Get it. We are nothing in the scheme of the events. Such a low rate would lose a lot of money for Iraq.

Iraq MUST FIRST REMOVE THE ZEROS thus swap out them out for the newer lower denominations. The ONLY reason why they have not yet done this is due to corruption. Yes, corruption, corruption and more corruption over these last 20 years. The Iranian influence wants the status quo to continue funneling dollars to Iran. This is their goose that lays the golden eggs. They strategically set in motion this corruption through these currency auctions and then through the parallel market. They will fight Al-Zaidi all the way. Shut this corruption with Iran down and then remove the zeros and “away we go”, as Jackie Gleason used to say…lol….lol….lol…. I used to sit on my dad’s lap and watch this show each Sunday night growing up.

When the IQD is reinstated, it ends the sole peg to the US dollar and a lot, if not all, of this corrupt money laundering goes away. The parallel market goes away.

The following article titled “THE RISING DOLLAR IS TESTING BANKING REFORMS; THE CENTRAL BANK IS CHANGING RULES, BUT THE PARALLEL MARKET IS RESISTING.” This article reveals a paradox facing Iraqi monetary policy. But we must remember in reading articles like this one we ask ourselves if the CBI can ever break the parallel market without getting off the sole peg to the US dollar. Remember Iraq told us under Ali Al-Alaq and later also by Saleh, the PM financial advisor, that the parallel market is a temporary market that will disappear later. Their concern now is just to keep it at bay and control it until the reinstatement. They call the monetary policy of Iraq a paradox for many reasons. It is a fake system put in place to coincide with the Iraqi Development Plan (IDF). Why do I call it fake? Why do they call it temporary?

It is fake for many reasons. First the three zero notes and the currency auctions were meant to be temporary. Sources told us that by five years after the issuance of the 3 zero notes, they expected to be back on FOREX. Also, the sole peg to the petro-dollar does not give Iraq the flexibility to manage their own money. If forces the use of the dollar to pay for imports yet the parallel market takes advantage of it to launder money to Iran.

The U.S. is suppressing the dinar’s real value of the dinar called Real Expected Exchange Rate (REER). The Basel III Monetary Implementation Plan calls for currency revaluations based on the true assets of a country and economic indicators not speculation or manipulation. It has been in force since 2019 already. Why is the IQD still heavily manipulated and worst, by the same entities that manage global markets and dictated the Basel III requirements? Where is the REER? Is it now time. Has all this manipulation finally caught up to Iraq?

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Some of my blog readers would like me to cover the EO 13303 and its ramifications to the Iraqi dinar. So I will try to cover this now. Remember that anything that helps Iraq develop and keep the fox out of the hen house is good for us investors in the dinar. As long as they continue to renew this EO they will continue with the petro-dollar and stay in this suppressed version of the Iraqi dinar. At anytime the president can sign a presidential decree to repeal the order. Our concentration should be focused less on the status of this EO and more on the process of how to get the IQD back to FOREX. When it is time OFAC sanctions will be repealed and the IQD will be free again. We must be careful not to get sidetracked on so many other issued taking our attention away from the real process and desire to get to the banks and exchange.

Executive Order 13303 and the Iraqi Dinar

Executive Order 13303, signed by President George W. Bush on May 22, 2003, is titled Protecting the Development Fund for Iraq and Certain Other Property in Which Iraq Has an Interest. It was issued to shield the Development Fund for Iraq—a UN‑nominated fund created to finance Iraq’s reconstruction—and related Iraqi oil and petroleum products from legal attachments, liens, or other judicial processes 

The order was part of a broader U.S. strategy to control Iraqi oil revenues through the Development Fund, which was established with UN approval and supported by the World Bank and IMF.

It aimed to:

• Prevent foreign or domestic legal actions from blocking U.S.‑linked oil projects in Iraq
• Protect U.S. corporate interests in Iraq’s oil sector
• Facilitate the transfer of oil‑for‑food program funds into the fund

Iraqi Dinar Connection

While EO 13303 does not directly regulate the Iraqi dinar (the Iraqi currency), it indirectly affects it because:

• The Development Fund’s revenues (in Iraqi dinars) are the primary source of funds for reconstruction
• U.S. sanctions and legal protections under EO 13303 influence how Iraqi oil revenues are managed and transferred
• The order’s protections can impact the flow of oil‑related funds into Iraq, which in turn affects the dinar’s value and stability
• It is illegal and unethical to profiteer off of war. EO 13303 allows US citizens to own Iraqi dinar and support the development fund as investors in Iraq, post war.

Renewal

The national emergency declared in EO 13303 has been renewed annually since 2003, most recently in May 2026

The Iraq Fund for Development, primarily known as the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI), was established to manage proceeds from Iraq’s oil exports and support the country’s reconstruction and development efforts following the 2003 invasion.

Overview of the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI)

• Establishment: The DFI was created in May 2003, shortly after the invasion of Iraq, under the authority of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483. It was designed to administer proceeds from oil sales, funds from the UN Oil-for-Food Program, and other assets seized from the former regime 

• Purpose: The fund aims to support various development projects in Iraq, including infrastructure improvements, public services, and economic recovery initiatives. It has been used for programs such as wheat purchases, electricity and oil infrastructure, and salaries for civil service employees

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UPDATE: On disarming the militias

In the recent article titled “AL-DULAIMI: WASHINGTON IS PRESSURING THE LEADERS OF THE BLOCS TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES LAW”. We must ask what is so bad about this law? Let me address this today.

First, is goes against the new Iraq constitution and the sovereignty of Iraq.

Second, the Popular Mobilization Forces law, recognizes the Iranian militia as an official security institution on par with the army, police, and other security agencies. This would legalize the Iranian influence forever in Iraqi affairs. It would also include salaries and pensions. Can Iraq afford more of this burden on the budget?

Third, there are still rockets firing over Iraqi cities from these factions. The U.S. economic policy for Iraq under Trump must disarm these militia if it is to attract U.S. investors.

Forth, I am told by my CBI contact that we will NOT see the reinstatement of the IQD unless these militias and factions are disarmed. This one should hit home to all you investors in the dinar.  

If you remember a year ago they tried to pass this law and it never reached parliament. Now they want to try again in this new government. In the article it tells us that “the US administration is conducting intensive contacts with the Speaker of Parliament before the sessions are held, and is recommending that the Popular Mobilization Forces Law not be included on the agenda or discussed,” noting that there is “near consensus” among members of Parliament to include the law and vote on it.

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SUMMARY

So, we have two more articles in the news today about removing the zeros. I talked to my CBI contact about them and I was told this decision of 2027 is not yet final. It was just another option discussed by two different authors. She told me she cannot understand how they would even think about waiting that long to swap out the currency. This is something they need to happen now. Even another couple months might prove disastrous.  

I tried to give you a bit of history about this Muslim Islamic group that keeps raising its head throughout history. This resurrected group of radicals must be stopped and its time to end this radical movement that has been the cause of most terrorist movements throughout the world. Countless suffering has occurred, countless people have died under this state of Iran. They now have their eyes on the developed nations and we can see the Muslim movements in all of them. The FBI has already identified the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated in the U.S. and has stockpiled military grade weapons in many of the mosque.

We see the mosques creeping up and the conflict of values and life styles is making citizens concerned. The recent exposure of Muslim corruption in Minnesota and Detroit politics and stolen Covid funds does not also help the Muslim cause. Is taking people out of their familiar surroundings and placing them in such different societies really a healthy thing to do? Why is this happening. If you are even a bit curious then read the United Nations Agenda 2030 and 2050. It will be an eye opener for you.

We can see who is orchestrating all this unnecessary migration into our countries. Most of it is unchecked, unvetted and illegal. Most of it happened too under the Covid pandemic and you would think this would be the most restricted time period ever to allow vetting for the virus. But just the opposite occurred and so go figure. Basically there was an opportunity and the country was venerable and so they used it to sneak these people in.

Why  is the UN supporting such efforts? Don’t they realize by now the damage it is doing? We must take a step back and take a hard look at the UN in general and who is running it and what their true objectives are. They like to use terms like ‘Sustainable Development’ but I assure you implementing most of their cockeyed plans are nothing but disastrous and surely not creating sustainable environments for people to live in.

All you need to do it look at the disaster of the climate change initiative and open border policies, these are just two of dozens that are ruining the earth and our society. These careless policies have created humanitarian crises and financial burdens unnecessarily in all our developed countries. They do not develop sound plans as to how to integrate and pay for all this nonsense. They hug trees and kill people! These policies are not transforming the world for the better but instead harming it for the worst. I believe the UN knows it too. Are they really that stupid or just corrupt enough? This is all part of a much larger conspiracy to bring down developed countries and control them.

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What do you think will happen next? (Leave a comment)

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

                                         

These prophecies are an important tool we have to lead us on our path. They are more important now than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?

It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.

NOTE: These prophecies just keep getting better and better, giving us HOPE of a brighter future. But the real reason why I listen to them is that we can actually see what God says He will do is taking place right in front of our noses. It is a confirmation to me that God is real and is still with us forever just as in biblical times.

Prophetic Words from the prophets:  Julie Green

“You Will See Things You May Not Understand“

Go to the 14:33 mark on the video. Given on Aug 14^th  

Things are not as they appear to be. You may ask yourself what is going on.

Things that have been hidden will soon be exposed. More understanding will happen once you see what is really going on.

“The Deep State Has Left This Nation Venerable and Wide Open For Attack“

Go to the 21:21 mark on the video. Given on Aug 23^rd.   

Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

I keep this one out here to view. Everyone should take the time to watch it. It will awaken you about the Muslim so-called religion (or should we call it for it is — a ‘cult‘.)

— And the truth the world forgot about the so-called Muslim religion.

Fr.Don Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth,  particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.  

IRAN OIL PROVINCE: CAN INSIDE REBELS TAKE THE ISLAMIC REGIME DOWN?

America declared Economic War on Iran with Operation Economic Outcast, sanctioning 60 targets in one day. But the real war is inside Iran. In this episode of Decoded, Nikita Kapoor breaks down Khuzestan, the province that produces 80% of Iran’s oil, houses Bushehr nuclear reactor and Abadan refinery, but lives with 50% unemployment and is the world’s most polluted city on earth.

Ahwazi Arabs, armed groups like Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz, Ahwaz Falcons and Ahwaz Freedom Brigades have declared open rebellion against the IRGC. Can they blow pipelines, block ports and shut refineries to collapse the regime?

WHAT NOW FOR IRAN?

The U.S. imposes strict broad secondary economic sanctions against Iran on August 24^th.  What will Iran do now? Total Meltdown! Iran President Loses ALL Powers As Hardliners Take Over? Civil War Now?

Iran hard liners threaten to choke anyone who partners with the U.S. in this new embargo. Iran’s president says to end the war now that contradicts the hardliners. Who is really in charge?

PPF: (Peoples Fighter Front) A NEW INSIDE REBEL ARMY UNLEASHES CHAOS ON THE ISLAMIC HARDLINERS

I really luv Nikita Kapoor’s updates of what is really happening in Iran. We are not going to get this TRUTH from any western news channels.

ARMY OF JUSTICE: Has a regime change begun from the inside? All the U.S. has to do is wait out the effects of Operation Economic Outcast secondary sanctions and let the PPF overtake the IRGC forces and round up hardlines and bring the regime to its knees. We simply don’t know how this will al play out, but this regime will fall, just not as easy as the Trump Administration thought.

Iran is planning to evacuate its capital, Tehran, due to a severe water drought, moving its government straight into a war zone. As the regime considers relocating to Makran, a powerful new rebel force, the People’s Fighters Front, is striking from within. In this episode of Decoded, Nikita Kapoor reveals why Iran’s biggest threat isn’t foreign air forces, but an internal army rising inside its own borders.

Timing is everything!

U.S. BLOCKADE CRIPPLES IRAN ECONOMY

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus joins Erick Stakelbeck to break down Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade, Iran’s crumbling leverage, the U.S.-Israel military alliance, Hezbollah’s disarmament, Hamas in Gaza, and the path to a new Middle East.

Do we need this peace to move the Iraqi dinar to FOREX later. Let’s only hope Iran falls prior to 2027.

OPERATION ECONOMIC OUTCAST

This will probably finally break the proverbial camel’s back with Iran. We can only hope for the sake of Iraq. Will the U.S. allow limited trade between Iraq and Iran? Iran is a major trading partner with Iraq. Iraq depends on certain food products from Iran.

MASSIVE RECOUNT FOUND FRAUD IN MINNESOTA’S GOVERNOR RACE

They are still doing it to us…. They are still rigging the elections. We need to pass the Save America Act and do it now, then enforce it.

TRUMP’S REAL PLAN TO REBUILD AMERICA 

What is president Trump really up to?

THE SILVER SUPPLY SHOCK MOST DON’T SEE COMING

A delayed reaction: Is the silver, a precious metal about to have another bubble?

Restricting the oil supply by limiting oil through the Straight of Hormuz causes other downstream supply shortages, other than oil.

HOW COULD A FAMILY TRUST HELP PROTECT YOUR ESTATE

6 STATES CUTTING PROPERTY TAXES TO ZERO

There are actually 16 states now tackling the home ownership property tax issue. They are finding alternatives to funding their district. Even the supreme court (SCOTUS) is now taking up a case to determine if these taxes are even constitutional.

IRAQI GOVERNMENT MAY INTRODUCE A NEW CURRENCY IN 2027

Baghdad Today – August 30, 2026

Iraqi government may introduce a new currency in 2027 with leading zeros removed to address hyperinflation and currency devaluation.

According to The Media Line network, a report published today revealed that the Iraqi government is considering launching a new currency in 2027 that would strip leading zeros from current dinar denominations.   

The move is part of broader economic reforms aimed at stabilizing the currency, which has suffered from severe depreciation and a massive increase in total issuance.

Economic Context:

Data from the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) shows that by the end of June 2026, the total value of currency issued had reached 111.189 trillion dinars (about $84.5 billion), with 91.7% held outside banks and only 8.3% in bank vaults. This reflects deep liquidity issues and a loss of public trust in the currency.

The government is also exploring loans from U.S. banks as a quicker alternative to printing more money, while preparing temporary legislation on borrowing, grants, and subsidies to cover essential spending until the federal budget is approved.

Related Developments:

Corruption crackdown: In a separate major operation, Iraqi security forces arrested 47 people accused of corruption in Baghdad, including several senior officials and lawmakers. 

Political stability: Hadi al-Amiri, Secretary-General of the Badr Organization, assured there would be no confrontation between the state and the IRI resistance, emphasizing unity in fighting corruption.

Implications:

Removing leading zeros from currency denominations is a symbolic and practical step to make the currency more transparent and easier to handle in daily transactions. However, the success of the reform will depend on whether it is accompanied by structural economic measures, such as fiscal discipline, currency board reforms, and improved public confidence.

This development comes amid ongoing regional and domestic economic pressures, making 2027 a potential turning point for Iraq’s monetary policy.

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WHEN WILL THE REMOVAL OF ZEROS BEGIN? A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SETS A DATE FOR THE PROJECT’S IMPLEMENTATION.

 
(Mnt Goat: The MP is just making reference and responding to the article we see above in the first article. Nothing new here. This show you however, how uniformed these MPs in parliament are on what is actually happening on the ground and the crisis and urgency of the situation.)

MP Murtadha Afween confirmed on Monday that the project to remove zeros from the Iraqi currency has not yet moved to the implementation phase, indicating that the project does not represent a direct solution to the crises plaguing the Iraqi economy.

He added that “removing zeros from the currency, if it proceeds, should not be considered a sufficient measure to address the economic challenges,” noting “the importance of focusing on issues directly related to the country’s economic and financial reality.”

Afween pointed out that “addressing the economic crises requires concrete steps and measures targeting the root causes of the problems, in addition to developing solutions for issues affecting financial and economic stability,” emphasizing that “monetary measures alone are insufficient to address the accumulated economic problems.”
Earlier, The Media Line network revealed in a report that the Iraqi government will begin issuing a new currency with zeros removed at the beginning of 2027. 

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THE FRAMEWORK ASKED AL-ZAIDI TO FORGET TRUMP… TEHRAN DELEGATIONS: ATTENTION… WE WILL PREVENT ANY CHANGE IN BAGHDAD

 (Mnt Goat: everyone should read this article in full to understand just how bad and crooked these Iranians and Coordination Framework people are. They all need to go! These are the people Al-Zaidi has to deal with on a daily basis. May God Bless him! )

Please say a short prayer for the success of Al-Zaidi and his new government.

Just how bad do you want Iraq to have its riches, how about your riches?

A report by the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reveals pressure that appears deeper than what has surfaced, exerted by Tehran through its recent delegations. This pressure has reached the point where Qalibaf is demanding that the framework forces turn the weapons control file into a “formal and symbolic procedure” and urge them to prevent the government from tampering with the capabilities of the factions because Tehran will not accept changing the “balance of power in Baghdad.”

This has prompted some leaders of the framework to try to convince Al-Zaidi to change his plans regarding weapons and even the anti-corruption campaign, and not to fear too much the threats of “isolation and sanctions” brandished by Trump, as they believe that Washington will still need Iraqi oil. However, the assessment did not convince Al-Zaidi, who reportedly saw resignation as an option if he was forced to backtrack on commitments he had made.

(Mnt Goat: You can clealy see just corrupt the Coordination Framework is by these last two paragraphs. Will Al-Zaidi change his direction? And if he refuses to follow their instructions what will happen to him? Will president Trump protect him somehow?)

While government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi denies the idea of ​​resignation, stating that it has not been and will not be a way to deal with the issue of the factions, Kazem al-Fartousi, spokesman for the “Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades,” confirms that the factions “asked the government to find a strong and reliable alternative to the factions’ weapons that can be depended on, so that they would be convinced to give up their arsenal,” as stated in an article published by writer Ali al-Sarai in “Asharq Al-Awsat.”

This is the newspaper report:

The Iraqi government said on Thursday that Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi “does not and will not consider submitting his resignation” in the face of increasing pressure regarding the factions, stressing that it is dealing with this issue as a “constitutional principle that is addressed through legal channels.” Meanwhile, officials and sources reported that parties within the “Coordination Framework” alliance are pushing the government to back down from its plans, after Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf called for turning the arms monopoly into “a mere symbolic project.”

Haider al-Aboudi, spokesman for the Iraqi Prime Minister, told Asharq Al-Awsat in an exclusive statement that “al-Zaidi pledged to the Iraqi people in the government’s program to continue strengthening the prestige of the state and enshrining the rule of law.” The spokesman stressed that “the government has taken effective and important steps in the path of (restricting weapons), and it is committed to completing this approach in accordance with the requirements of Iraq’s sovereignty and national interests.”

According to Al-Aboudi, “The government deals with the issue of weapons as a constitutional principle that is addressed through legal institutions and channels in light of the country’s supreme interest, sovereignty, stability and international relations.”

The government’s stated commitment does not negate the magnitude of the pressures it faces in implementing the plan, especially since al-Zaydi had linked the success of his government from the beginning to its ability to strengthen the authority of the state and fulfill its external obligations.

In response to a question regarding al-Zaidi’s future under these pressures, government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi asserted: “Resignation was not and will not be a means of dealing with the issue of restricting weapons.”

Al-Aboudi confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that “the Iraqi government is proceeding with its responsibilities and completing the executive steps it has begun, in accordance with a clear national vision that strengthens the authority of the state and preserves the unity of national decision-making and the supreme interests of Iraq.”

The state’s monopoly on weapons was among the commitments previously approved by the forces within the “Coalition for State Administration,” which renewed its support for its implementation on August 6 and called for adherence to the timetable for weapons monopoly steps after September 30, after which, according to the statement, any armed behavior outside the framework of the state will be dealt with under the counter-terrorism law.

Al-Zaidi also pledged, during his visit to the White House on July 14, 2026, not to allow any faction to bear arms in Iraq after the end of the deadline on September 30, which coincides with the withdrawal of US forces.

The symbolic restriction of weapons:

In the past few weeks, the balance of power has shifted following the visit of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf to Baghdad, according to a leader in the “coordination framework.”

Iranian officials have significantly intensified their visits to Baghdad. Last Monday, Mohsen Qomi, a representative of Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, arrived in Baghdad and attended part of a meeting of the ruling coalition in the presence of al-Zaidi. Prior to that, factions had been leaking news of unannounced visits by Ismail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guard.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Qalibaf urged the leaders of the “Coordination Framework” not to abandon the factions, and to work to “prevent the government from ending the factions’ ability to retain their weapons.”

Qalibaf was quoted as saying that the “coordination framework” should play its role in turning the arms control project into “a mere symbolic project,” noting that “Iran will not allow the United States to manipulate the balance of power in Baghdad.” At the conclusion of his visit to Najaf, southwest of Baghdad, Qalibaf stated that “a new security system is being formed in the region, and Iraq is Iran’s first partner in it.”

It appears the factions gained negotiating momentum after receiving urgent assistance from Tehran. A senior advisor to the “State Administration” alliance said, “Iranian officials intervened to demand a postponement of the weapons confiscation plan and a change in its approach; replacing the weapons withdrawal with mutual guarantees, including a pledge from the factions not to use the weapons.”

According to Kadhim al-Fartousi, a spokesman for the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, “The resistance factions have asked the government to find a strong and reliable alternative to their weapons, something they can depend on, so that they will be convinced to give up their arsenals.” He told Asharq Al-Awsat, “The factions want guarantees regarding the alternative to their weapons.”

Don’t worry about loneliness:

The talk of guarantees reveals how the tone has finally shifted from restricting weapons to regulating them. Two officials within the “coordination framework” stated that some parties within it “translated Iranian pressure into what appeared to be accelerated efforts to push the government to change its plans.”

One of them told Asharq Al-Awsat that leaders in the coalition informed the Prime Minister, during bilateral meetings and public gatherings, that “Baghdad should not be concerned about American sanctions or international isolation if the plan to restrict weapons does not succeed on time.”

There is a prevailing belief in Iraqi circles that allowing the factions run by the “Revolutionary Guard” in Iraq to keep their weapons “will cost a lot,” to the point that the President of the Kurdistan Region said in a televised statement in mid-August that “international isolation is approaching Baghdad if it does not find a solution to the factions’ weapons.”

However, leaders in the “coordination framework,” according to sources, believe that “sanctions or isolation are very far from Iraq in the current situation, because the United States and other countries will still need Iraqi oil to compensate for what they lost from strategic reserves during the war with Iran, and that this will make it difficult to impose broad economic sanctions on Iraq.”

They suggested to the Prime Minister that he adopt this assessment to back down from his plans to restrict the weapons of the factions, and a number of them went so far as to push for “turning the page on the anti-corruption campaign,” considering that “Iraqi oil will be of strategic value to international markets, which will limit Washington’s ability to use economic sanctions against Baghdad.”

But the prime minister “rejected this assessment,” according to sources. A senior official also told Asharq Al-Awsat that al-Zaidi “considers resignation an option should he find himself forced to renege on his international commitments.”

According to a source close to al-Zaydi who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, “al-Zaydi has a feeling that the coordinating framework and the forces allied with him are treating him as a rival party, and not as a party that bears responsibility in the government that he formed about three months ago.”

The factions do not consider al-Zaidi’s fate a priority. Kazem al-Fartousi told Asharq Al-Awsat, “The prime minister’s resignation is a personal right and a political decision; the matter is handled by the (coordination framework), and it has never been a demand of the factions.”

A new direction under Zaidi’s leadership:

There is a gap between the calculations of the government and its allies within the “coordination framework” regarding the cost of backtracking on Iraq’s international commitments, which could affect its political credibility and the future of its government.

From a Western perspective, the constant fluctuation in the positions of the Shiite forces is a reflection of the Iranian style of postponing crucial decisions.

A Western diplomat who worked in Iraq between 2019 and 2023 tends to believe that “Iran’s allies in Iraq are trying as much as possible to buy time for the regime in Tehran.”

Nevertheless, Washington is trying to cling to its opportunity in Baghdad. A spokesperson for the US State Department, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity, said that “Iraq has embarked on a new path under al-Zaidi’s leadership in full partnership with the United States,” adding that Washington supports his vision of “an Iraq free of terrorism” and of preventing “attacks from and on Iraqi soil.”

A political advisor in the “Coordination Framework” reported that the US Chargé d’Affaires, Joshua Harris, informed leaders in the “Coordination Framework” that his country “is eagerly awaiting the end of next September to achieve the primary goal of imposing state authority and ending the influence of uncontrolled weapons.”

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AL-ZAYDI’S FINANCIAL ADVISOR: THERE ARE NO BANKING TRANSACTIONS WITH IRAN… AND WE WILL NOT CHANGE THE EXCHANGE RATE.

The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, denied the existence of any banking transactions with Iran, stressing that the salaries of state employees require 7.7 trillion dinars per month, while revealing that between 12-14 trillion dinars have been borrowed since the beginning of the financial crisis.

Saleh said in televised remarks followed by “Ultra Iraq” that “Iraq is the fourth country in the world in terms of state intervention in economic activity due to its rentier nature,” indicating that “the government payroll amounts to 7.7 trillion Iraqi dinars per month and securing it is a mandatory matter.”

He added that “10 million citizens receive salaries, including employees, retirees, and social protection recipients, and every salary paid by the state is considered to support and affect 4 members of the family or beneficiaries, and therefore about 40 million Iraqi citizens benefit from state salaries.”

Regarding the budget, Saleh explained that “the price of a barrel of oil in the budget will be between $50 and $60, and it will focus on electricity,” while noting at the same time that “there is no current decision to amend the exchange rate.”

He explained that “Iraqi oil production currently exceeds 3 million barrels per day, with one million barrels going to refineries, while more than two million barrels are allocated for export and storage,” indicating that “Iraq’s exports have been stable for the past 10 days at more than one and a half million barrels per day.”

Regarding the energy and trade file with Iran, the financial advisor explained that “the volume of Iranian gas imported to Iraq amounts to 18 million cubic meters, supporting the national grid with 4,500 megawatts,” while emphasizing at the same time “the absence of any banking relations between Iraq and Iran or any electronic payment transactions, and there have also been no dollar payments since 2011.”

He pointed out that “the US sanctions imposed on Iran did not address the issue of importing vegetables and foodstuffs, provided that payment is not made in dollars.”

He revealed that “the size of Iraq’s hard currency reserves amounts to $78 billion,” stressing that “there is currently no external borrowing to support the budget, and we may need it at low costs and with a long repayment period.”

The Prime Minister’s financial advisor indicated that “the total amount borrowed by the state domestically during the crisis ranges between 12-14 trillion dinars.”

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DESPITE PRESSURE AND DEMANDS, THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES LAW REMAINS LOCKED AWAY IN THE SHADOWS.

Calls have grown louder for the enactment of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law to do justice to a large segment of the population that defended Iraq and its people, achieved victory over ISIS terrorism, and deserves the greatest credit for the existence of the government and the continued functioning of the economy and other sectors in the country. The PMF law remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo, with some political parties asserting that American interference and the veto imposed by the Trump administration are the primary obstacles to its enactment. Other parties, however, believe there is ongoing political activity to pass the law during the current parliamentary session.

MP Safaa al-Jabri, from the Sadiqun bloc, told Al-Maalouma, “The Sadiqun bloc is continuously monitoring the PMF law file and working to push the government to finalize it and refer it to the legislative authority. The bloc has received promises from Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi regarding the completion of the law and its submission to the Council of Representatives.”

He added, “There is a governmental inclination to complete the procedures related to the law in the coming period, especially since current indicators suggest the possibility of the draft law reaching the Council of Representatives within a short period after the remaining procedures are completed.”

He explained that “the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law, once it reaches the Council of Representatives, will be referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee for review and discussion of its articles, and to make any necessary amendments or observations, before completing the legislative process and placing it on the Council’s agenda for a vote.” He indicated that “the Sadiqun bloc will continue to follow up on the matter and exert pressure to ensure the law is not delayed.”

In a related context, Fawaz Muhammad al-Dulaimi, a leader in the Anbar Alliance, confirmed to Al-Maalomah that “the Trump administration and local political entities are working against the passage of the PMF law and its inclusion in the parliamentary agenda. This comes after lengthy meetings held by senior officials at the US Embassy in Baghdad with prominent political figures, who recommended against voting on the law and obstructing its passage for reasons that are transparently self-serving.” 
He continued, “The Trump administration’s attempts to obstruct the passage of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law align with the views of some Sunni and Kurdish political parties. Meanwhile, there is near-unanimity among members of parliament to include the law on the agenda and vote on its articles, disregarding objections and resorting to a majority vote to pass the resolution despite the opposition of the US and its allies.” He pointed out that “the current parliamentary session will witness a vote on the PMF law, recognizing it as a security institution on par with the police, the army, and other security forces.” 

In a related context, former MP Hussein Ali explained to Al-Maalomah that “the PMF law, which is expected to be passed in the coming days, has not faced any external comments or negative messages from the US administration, despite attempts to thwart its passage during the previous parliamentary session.”

He added, “There have been some messages regarding merging the PMF law with other laws or reintroducing it to parliament under a different title, but the reality is that the law will be enacted in the coming days, and there is a move to pass it in parliament in the near future.”

He added, “The Popular Mobilization Forces will have their own law regardless, whether through legislation specifically for the PMF or through its integration with another entity, in which case it will have its own law. Ultimately, the law will be enacted during the current parliamentary session.”

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AL-DULAIMI: WASHINGTON IS PRESSURING THE LEADERS OF THE BLOCS TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES LAW.

 On Friday, Fawaz Muhammad al-Dulaimi, a leader in the Anbar Alliance, revealed that the administration of US President Donald Trump is exerting pressure on the leaders of political blocs and alliances in order to disrupt and obstruct the passage of the Popular Mobilization Forces Law, noting that there are threats to impose economic sanctions on parties that reject American policies.

Al-Dulaimi told Al-Maalouma that “the Trump administration is exerting great pressure to prevent the inclusion of the Popular Mobilization Forces Law in the agenda of the upcoming parliamentary session, in a move aimed at obstructing its approval,” indicating that the US Embassy in Baghdad is holding meetings with a number of leaders of political alliances before the parliament sessions are held.

He added that “the US administration is conducting intensive contacts with the Speaker of Parliament before the sessions are held, and is recommending that the Popular Mobilization Forces Law not be included on the agenda or discussed,” noting that there is “near consensus” among members of Parliament to include the law and vote on it.

Al-Dulaimi asserted that “Parliament may resort to a majority vote to pass the law despite objections from the US and its allies,” suggesting that the current session will likely witness a vote on the Popular Mobilization Forces law, recognizing it as an official security institution on par with the army, police, and other security agencies.

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THE RISING DOLLAR IS TESTING BANKING REFORMS; THE CENTRAL BANK IS CHANGING RULES, BUT THE PARALLEL MARKET IS RESISTING.

 The dollar is still being sold in the Iraqi parallel market at a significant difference from the price announced by the Central Bank, despite a series of banking and regulatory measures implemented by the authorities during the past months in an attempt to restructure the financial sector and expand official channels for obtaining foreign currency.

The selling price of $100 at Baghdad exchange bureaus reached approximately 154,500 dinars at the close of trading on Saturday, August 29, the same price as at the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges. Meanwhile, the Central Bank offers the dollar at 1,310 dinars, equivalent to 131,000 dinars per $100. This leaves a difference of approximately 23,500 dinars, or about 18 percent, between the Central Bank’s rate and the cash selling price in the market.

The figures do not reflect a steady upward trend for the dollar. The selling price in Baghdad reached about 156,000 dinars in some sessions in June before it declined, but at the end of August it remained higher than its level at the end of January when it was selling for about 151,000 dinars per 100 dollars.

This means that the new measures have not yet led to a permanent narrowing of the gap between the two prices to limited levels, despite a major change in the way Iraq manages trade finance and access to foreign currency.

Since the beginning of 2025, Iraq has moved from an electronic platform through which the Central Bank oversaw foreign transfers to a system in which commercial banks rely on their accounts and relationships with correspondent banks abroad, while the Central Bank finances those accounts and oversees compliance.

The International Monetary Fund said last year that the transition to the new system had succeeded in reducing the gap between the official and parallel exchange rates at that stage, but it also said that further narrowing the gap required facilitating access to foreign currency, tightening customs controls to curb smuggling and informal trade, and promoting the use of the dinar in local transactions. But the widening gap again in 2026 indicates that reforming the transfer mechanism alone was not enough to eliminate demand outside the formal system.

The central bank said in June that it was committed to meeting legitimate demand for dollars and maintaining exchange rate stability, and that its reform program included reintegrating Iraqi banks into foreign transfers, expanding their relationships with correspondent banks, improving electronic payments, and complying with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards.

In July, Central Bank Governor Nizar Nasser Hussein announced that, following discussions with the US Treasury Department, an understanding had been reached allowing restricted Iraqi banks to return to foreign correspondent banking channels in currencies other than the dollar after they met compliance and governance requirements. The bank said that seven banks have become eligible for this stage, and that they can regain eligibility to deal in dollars later after passing additional requirements.

In the same month, the Central Bank withdrew the licenses of three companies that mediated the buying and selling of foreign currencies, namely Al-Rawajeb, Saba and Al-Nitaq, due to their violation of the sector’s regulatory controls. Then, it held meetings with exchange companies to discuss reorganizing their operations and raising compliance and governance levels.

The policy towards cash dollars also witnessed another change. In July, Iraqi media published a directive from the Central Bank allowing banks to deliver some foreign remittances and incoming dollar deposits to their owners in the same currency, according to specific controls, in a move that would increase the banking system’s ability to meet the legitimate demand for foreign currency.

However, the parallel market did not disappear.

This is partly due to the nature of demand, which does not all pass through the banking system. The IMF stated in its report on Iraq that the remaining difference between the two exchange rates reflects, among other factors, informal trade, demand for dollars for activities that cannot access regulated channels, and speculation.

The central bank itself had previously stated in clarifications that part of the parallel demand comes from traders who do not use official import methods, or from trade that does not pass through regular customs ports, or from prohibited activities, which makes providing dollars for legitimate transactions insufficient on its own to eliminate the informal market.

Iraq’s financial relationship with the United States and its trade with Iran add another layer of complexity.

Reuters reported last week that Iraq’s reliance on the dollar-based financial system gives Washington significant leverage over its financial sector, at a time when Iraq maintains extensive economic ties with Iran. According to figures cited by the agency, Iraqi-Iranian trade exceeded $10 billion in 2025.

In recent years, the United States has also imposed restrictions and sanctions on Iraqi banks that it said were involved in transactions linked to Iran, prompting the central bank to tighten compliance requirements and restructure the relationship of Iraqi banks with the international financial system.

This reveals a paradox facing Iraqi monetary policy: stricter compliance reduces the risks of sanctions and money laundering and brings banks closer to the international financial system, but at the same time it may leave a portion of demand that is unable or unwilling to go through official procedures heading to the parallel market.

Therefore, the market rate alone does not provide a complete measure of the success of banking reform. Restructuring banks, improving governance, expanding their international relationships, and subjecting remittances to scrutiny are objectives that extend beyond the daily exchange rate.

However, a persistent gap approaching 18 percent is at the same time an indicator that is difficult to ignore when measuring the ability of reforms to reach the real economy.

For a trader who cannot finance all of his needs through a correspondent bank, or a citizen who needs cash dollars for purposes other than those specified, the parallel market rate remains the actual rate he faces. Herein lies the most difficult test for the Central Bank and the government of Ali al-Zaidi.

After changing the rules for foreign exchange, reopening banking channels, regulating exchange companies, and expanding dollar transactions through banks, the challenge is no longer limited to building a more compliant financial system, but has become making this system capable of competing with the parallel market in speed, access, and cost.

The experience of the first eight months of 2026 suggests that the parallel market has not yet given up.

The dollar, which was selling for about 151,000 dinars per 100 dollars at the end of January, reached 154,500 dinars at the end of August, although it fell back from the peaks it recorded in June.

Thus, what has been achieved so far seems closer to a reform of the banking structure and channels than to a complete transformation of the exchange market.

Narrowing the gap between the two prices, rather than just the number of instructions or banks that have been rehabilitated, will be one of the clearest tests of the new policy’s ability to transfer reform from the banks to the market.

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WASHINGTON OUTLINES ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH BAGHDAD: AN IRAQ FREE OF TERRORISM AND WEAPONS IN THE HANDS OF THE STATE.

 A spokesman for the US State Department confirmed on Sunday that Iraq has begun a new path under the leadership of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, and in full partnership with the United States.

The ministry spokesman told Shafaq News Agency that “Washington, as emphasized by US President Donald Trump during his meeting with Prime Minister al-Zaidi on the historic visit on July 14, strongly supports the Iraqi government’s vision for a better and brighter future for all Iraqis, free from terrorism.”

He added that “the United States clearly supports efforts to prevent the execution or launching of any attacks from within or through Iraqi territory,” noting that “proceeding with the process of controlling and restricting weapons to the state is a fundamental pillar for enhancing security and stability in Iraq.”

The spokesman explained that “restricting weapons to the state would reduce the threats that armed factions and groups may pose, and create a stable security environment that would allow for building a strong and mutually beneficial partnership between Baghdad and Washington.”

The issue of armed factions is one of the most sensitive issues facing the Iraqi government, with the approach of September 30, which the main political forces have set as the deadline for restricting weapons to official institutions.

The State Administration Coalition, which includes the most prominent Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces, stressed during its meeting on August 5 the need to restrict weapons to the state, and considered the parties that carry out activities that threaten the security of the country outside the framework of official institutions as “outlaws and must be fought.”

The coalition warned that any armed activity outside the framework of the state after September 30 would be dealt with according to the anti-terrorism law.

Following this, Iraqi security and military forces raised their readiness level throughout the country, and the leave of a number of commanders and officers was cancelled, while security agencies began implementing field movements and exercises in anticipation of any emergency or friction that might develop into an armed confrontation.

Last week, Baghdad witnessed hours of security tension coinciding with threats by armed factions to retaliate against Saudi Arabia after strikes targeted Popular Mobilization Forces sites, before it ended with contacts and a dawn meeting between Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi and Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri, which led to a mutual calming and opened the way for diplomatic action to address the crisis.

Al-Amiri later called on the “Islamic Resistance” factions to postpone any military response against Saudi Arabia and to prioritize “Iraq’s higher interest,” but he returned and stressed during a meeting with a number of Popular Mobilization Forces leaders the importance of maintaining a high level of readiness.

The plan to restrict weapons does not have a unified stance from the armed factions.

While some forces expressed a willingness to reorganize their military and security relationship with the state, other factions, including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, announced their refusal to relinquish their military capabilities, and linked any discussion about their weapons to the end of the presence of foreign forces and ensuring the protection of Iraq from external attacks.

September 30th also coincides with the deadlines related to ending the international coalition’s military presence in Iraq, which some factions use as a basis for linking the future of their weapons to the withdrawal of foreign forces.

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DESERT TOURISM IN IRAQ: A NATURAL RESOURCE AWAITING INVESTMENT

(Mnt Goat: lol… lol.. lol… now all they need to do is get rid of the militias and terrorist factions and secure their country and the tourist may flock in…lol… )

Iraqi tourism is looking for new ways to diversify the tourism product, including desert tourism, which is still in its early stages, despite Iraq having vast areas and natural and cultural sites that can be a destination for tourists, especially in the governorates of Anbar, Muthanna, Najaf, Karbala and Dhi Qar.  

Ali Yassin, spokesman for the Tourism Authority at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, told Shafaq News Agency that desert tourism is still in its initial stage, but it has begun to receive increasing attention within tourism diversification plans.

Yassin explained that the Iraqi desert regions possess unique natural and cultural resources, but this type of tourism still lacks an organized investment and tourism framework, in addition to the limited products and services directed to tourists in those regions.

He pointed out that current activities are mostly limited to individual trips or trips organized by local and international organizations, in addition to nature and desert photography activities by amateurs.

Yassin believes that the Iraqi desert offers multiple assets that can be transformed into marketable tourism products, taking advantage of its natural diversity, which includes valleys, hills, rocks, sand dunes, and clear skies, as well as the possibility of stargazing away from light pollution.

The most prominent proposed products include desert camping, both traditional and luxury, and the establishment of tents equipped with tourist services and nighttime programs that include local food and music. Astrotourism can also be developed by organizing programs to view stars and planets, using guides who specialize in astronomy, and choosing sites far from sources of light pollution.

The proposed products also include hiking and climbing trips through valleys and sand dunes, with local guides and rest stops provided, along with adventure tourism that includes desert biking, sandboarding and dune racing in four-wheel drive vehicles.

Desert tourism is not limited to nature and adventure, as it can include cultural and tribal tourism through visiting Bedouin communities and learning about traditional hospitality patterns, folklore performances, local cuisine and handicrafts, as well as organizing workshops for desert photography at sunrise and sunset, wildlife photography, holding specialized courses and producing documentaries and geographical programs.

The spokesperson for the Tourism Authority also confirmed that developing desert tourism can contribute to creating job opportunities for local communities in remote areas, in addition to supporting the local economy and diversifying sources of income.

According to the proposed vision, this type of tourism is linked to the concept of sustainable ecotourism, provided that controls are put in place to preserve natural resources, plants and wildlife in desert areas.

Yassin continued, saying that transforming these capabilities into an actual tourism sector requires a clear institutional framework, with the participation of the Tourism Authority, the Ministries of Environment, Interior and Transport, the relevant governorate councils, as well as the private sector, the local community, and environmental and cultural organizations.

Among the proposals put forward is the establishment of a unit specializing in the development of desert tourism within the Tourism Authority, in addition to setting up a licensing system for desert camps, adventure travel companies, and desert guides.

The activity also requires organizing camping, camel riding, desert trips and stargazing trips, ensuring safety, insurance and training requirements.

Opportunities for the private sector to invest in ecotourism and adventure companies, desert camps and eco-hotels, as well as transportation and logistics services within desert areas, are emerging.

It also proposes the establishment of a coordination committee comprising government agencies, governorates, the private sector, the local community, and environmental and cultural organizations, with the adoption of performance indicators to measure the impact of desert tourism, a system for classifying and licensing camps and trips, as well as conducting periodic environmental and security monitoring.

These proposals come within a broader direction of the Tourism Authority to diversify the Iraqi tourism product, as the announced tourism vision includes goals to attract tourists and develop archaeological, heritage, cultural, religious and natural sites, with a focus on integration, sustainability and quality.

While the Iraqi desert possesses vast natural resources, transforming it into a tourist destination requires moving from limited trips and individual initiatives to organized tourism products, supported by infrastructure, legislation and investment, making the desert one of the new paths for diversifying tourism in Iraq.

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MALIKI’S COALITION WITHDRAWS ITS APPEAL TO THE FEDERAL COURT REGARDING THE MINISTERS OF INTERIOR AND EDUCATION, LEAVING THE DECISION TO PARLIAMENT.

 (Mnt Goat: yes folks Maliki has struck again. This has been part of the holdup all along in getting these key ministers seated in Al-Zaidi’s government.)

On Tuesday, Jassim Mohammed Jaafar, a leader in the State of Law Coalition, revealed that his coalition had withdrawn its appeal to the Federal Court regarding doubts about the vote counting process for candidates for the Ministries of Interior and Defense.

Jaafar told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “it was agreed to refer the authority to re-nominate Qasim Atta and Amer Al-Khazai to the House of Representatives, to decide through a voting process on the option of re-nomination or not.”

He added that “if an absolute majority is not obtained to re-nominate the previous candidates, the names of the reserve candidates will be put forward immediately,” while ruling out “the completion of the cabinet in next Monday’s session, due to the lack of clarity regarding the candidates of the political blocs and the continuation of unresolved disputes.” 

It is worth noting that the statement issued after yesterday’s coordination meeting set Monday as the date for finalizing the government formation and voting on the nominated ministers.

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SHAHID: POLITICAL DISAGREEMENTS OVER THE CREATION OF DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER POSITIONS

  Member of Parliament, Ahmed Shaheed, confirmed on Tuesday that the issue of appointing deputies to the Prime Minister has not yet been resolved, suggesting that political forces will begin discussions on this issue after the vote to complete Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

Shahid told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “There is a political trend emerging towards appointing deputies for Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi, but the idea is still under discussion and has not yet taken an official stance.”

He added that “this proposal faces mixed acceptance within political circles, as some reject this approach based on financial and administrative considerations, because it will constitute an additional financial burden on the budget and an extra routine link in the structure of state administration.” 

It is worth noting that the statement issued after yesterday’s coordination meeting set Monday as the date for finalizing the cabinet formation and voting on the nominated ministers.

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

Auf Wiedersehen

Much love to ya all,

Mnt Goat

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER:

August 27, 2026 Mnt Goat News Brief

Guten Tag everyone:

Can you say- ‘remove-the-zeros!’ 😊 Yet a third confirmation from a very creditable cabinet source in Iraq that removal of the zeros is happening and is underway. Today’s news is all WOW! WOW! WOW! news, yes again! Can you say ‘eins, zwei, drei’. Let’a all sing it together…….

Confirmed for a third time -remove the zeros!

GIVE A GIFT TO MNT GOAT

I decided to allow everyone to give a Free-will GIFT to Mnt Goat on PayPal if you so desire. Here is the link below. Please show your appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I recommend $15-$20 dollars a month or whatever you can afford. Do you realize I write up to eight (8) Newsletters every month. This is like a second job to me. The only way I know that people are reading and appreciating all the FACTUAL news I bring is through their appreciation. If I do not receive equal appreciation for all the hard work I do, I will simply end the Newsletter and save myself endless hours at the computer. You do want to get paid for your job, don’t you? What makes my job any different? Tell me….. I am tired of this RV saga just as you are.

 Let’s all try to chip in!

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Proverbs 11:25

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

STATUS OF THE RV

There are not many articles to review today but do you want quantity or quality? Having a Thursday Newsletter again takes a lot of relief from us to read such lengthily Newsletters on Tuesday and having to explain it all and catch up.

Today we are going to pick apart of VERY SPECIAL article that gives us soooooooooo much information and confirms sooooooooo much of what my CBI contact has told me. But now you have it all from their mouths not mine, yes in their writing. There should be no wonder in you minds now if Mnt Goat really has a ‘CREDITABLE’ source in the Central Bank or not. How else could I be passing on information that weeks later comes out in the news and then some?

Welcome back to our Thursday Newsletter!

I hope to keep this one ALIVE too in this critical period of the process to get to FOREX. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support of the Newsletter and blog, especially Kenneth D., Ashe V., Nancy L., Liz C., Jay P., Robert H., Rodney B.. As you know I take a lot of my time to research, with calls to Iraq and to get the FACTS correct before presenting them to you, at least what we know at the time. Of course, things can change and we all hope and pray they don’t, but it’s not under our control. I have to believe that our prayers are working. Folks, this could have dragged on for another ten or twenty years. President Trump too is making a huge dent in getting this done.  

All we can really do is listen to the news from Iraq and try figure this all out. But I will add there are elements that want to lie to us and many of these intel gurus have bought into these stupid lies of an every day / any day RV bullshit – hook line and sinker. If they were a fish they would be on the supper table….lol.. lol.. 😊. My wish today is that I have made a dent, an impact in helping everyone, even the stupid intel gurus, that read my blog for their own use. I certainly hope that all my readers know better now after over two decades of this nonsense.

THE PROBLEM: Again, in today’s news another recent article defining the problem Iraq is facing and how this coincides with the solution of removing the zeros from the dinar. Like rats facing a nasty cat, they are in a corner, trying to fight their way out as they delayed this project to convert the currency over way too long already. Now they really have little choice but to do it and do it soon. Can they wait a couple years even?

In one of today’s articles titled “ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS TARGET IRAQI STATE-OWNED BANKS AMID LIQUIDITY CRISIS AND DELAYED SALARY PAYMENTS” again we clearly see the problem as they define it, not me.

I quote from the article – “An informed source revealed on Wednesday that comprehensive administrative assessments are being conducted in a number of government banks and financial institutions linked to the financial and economic sectors, coinciding with the financial crisis and the delay in paying employee salaries. The source indicated that files have been opened regarding the waste of public funds, the decline in liquidity, and information and reports that he described as “misleading” submitted by some departments to officials.”

Over these past weeks I have shown you so much proof that the Financial Committee and the CBI want to move forward to remove the zeros and reform the currency. In today’s news I bring you yet even juicier news than before, if it can even get any better. Well… it does get better and so hang on to your seats.  

Yes, we have yet a third confirmation that they are now moving ahead removing the zeros (Project to Delete the Zeros) which I will get to shortly. First, if you recall in my 081826 Newsletter we had Al-Zaidi’s cabinet member, Communications Minister Mustafa Sanad told us Iraq had decided to remove zeros from the dinar and reprint the currency. Then many negative articles came out later to defy this news. Many of us got discouraged.

Then secondly, in my 082526 Newsletter just earlier this week Jamal Kojar, a member of the Finance Committee in Parliament, confirmed on Tuesday, August 25th that there is a government trend towards officially removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar and issuing a new paper currency.

In today’s Newsletter we learn of yet a third confirmation from Mansour Al-Baiji, a prominent member of Iraq’s Parliamentary Finance Committee, that the project to transition to the newer lower denominations is real and they are now making a readiness of a new Iraqi currency, and the imminent arrival of the draft law to remove zeros to the House of Representatives for legislation and voting.

Please see a most recent article titled “L-BAIJI: THE NEW IRAQI CURRENCY IS READY… AND THE LAW TO REMOVE ZEROS WILL REACH PARLIAMENT SOON”.

I will quote from the article – “According to what Al-Baiji said in a television interview, the government and the Central Bank of Iraq have completed some of the technical preparations related to the new currency, noting that the value of the currency that was prepared and printed amounts to about $250 million, and that its release into the market will be linked to the approval of the legal framework by the House of Representatives”

So, let’s take this article apart piece by piece. Yes, you can see they have already printed the lower denominations. This is now FACT not rumor.

The next step is getting the DRAFT law through parliament and passed in order for the CBI to begin the process. Time is not on their side. My CBI contact told me last week they intended to pass it to parliament by week end. So this should be completed already.

I want to emphasis again that time is NOT on their side. They can’t dog this effort like other pieces of legislation. The salaries and retirements have to get paid. They might sneak by borrowing funding for August until early September but then September is in their faces too as they delay August into early September and then what about September, which is supposed to be paid also in early September. Do you see where I am going with this?

So, in the article from the Al-Baiji televised interview, there are two options he tells us about that Parliament may go:

One option is a more gradual approach of slowly introducing the newer lower denominations over a period of two years, allowing the three zero notes to coexist since there is NOT going to be a rate change it should not matter.

The second option is to collect the three zeros notes more quickly setting a deadline and then nullifying the three zeros notes in country after the passing of the deadline.

With time being a priority I do not think they can afford to collect these notes slowly but rather must go quickly to liquify the banks in order to pay salaries and retirements that are past due. Remember that these hordes of currency amounts to nearly 80-90% of the M2 currency mass.   

In the article I found it nice that     even presented a list of the tasks needed to complete and the order of them. We have not yet see this kind of detail in any of the articles. This also makes me believe they are really serious about this event.

I quote from the article – “Here, a distinction must be made between three levels:

First: Printing or preparing new banknotes.

Second: Enacting a law that allows for the currency restructuring process.

Third: Actual implementation and currency exchange in the market.

Moving from level one to level three may take months or years, depending on the law and the timetable that the authorities will set.”

So, we can see that depending on the option they take it could take months or years. The option of months fits nicely in the Dr Shabibi plan he laid out in 2012. If you recall he started distributing the coins in September 2012 and then was abruptly stopped by the IMF with false allegations of corruption in the CBI by Nori al-Maliki. Maliki of course did not want to kill the goose that was laying the golden eggs for Iran and his buddies. The reinstatement scheduled for January 2013 would have put an end to all of it at that time.

Oh…. isn’t Iraq as this same spot now as it was in 2012 except that Al-Zaidi is at the helm instead of the crooked Maliki. Al-Zaidi is on a binge to end the corruption and retrieve much of this stolen money. He is not in favor of Iranian influence in Iraq and promised to oppose the corruption unlike in 2012 when Maliki was in power. Yes, times have changed. Of course there is also the current Iranian issue and funding Iran to bypass the current Trump administration embargo and sanctions. Reinstating the IQD would certainly help end this too.      

I also find a part in the article that I could have written myself from the information my CBI contact has been giving me all along. I will quote from it:

“Removing zeros does not automatically mean an increase in the value of the dinar. This point will be the most sensitive in the Iraqi market.

If, for example, the exchange rate before the removal of zeros reflected a certain value of the dinar against the dollar, then removing three zeros does not mean that the dinar has actually risen against the dollar.

The Central Bank of Iraq presented in its official data the price of the dollar at 1310 dinars per dollar in data published during 2026. Therefore, renaming the monetary unit should not be confused with revaluing the currency.”

Next, I want to point out that we even now have a laundry list of tasks/items that we need to see as part of the educational process in order to remove the zeros. Folks, this is in amazing detail. I quote from the article again:

“If the law is passed, he will have to define practically:

• The conversion rate between the two currencies.
• New currency denominations.
• Joint trading period.
• Authorized banks and exchange centers.
• Ceilings and mechanisms for replacing large sums of money.
• Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures.
• The mechanism for dealing with cash funds located outside the banking system.
• A plan to withdraw the old currency from circulation.
• How to protect citizens from forgery and fraud.”

These tasks are where the CBI and Finance Committee must join together as one team to work out. My CBI contact is on the CBI team side responsible for rolling out this process. These are the tasks. The past couple articles have already told us that the banks will scrutinize very large sums of cash being converted. Remember the articles about the ATMs too will play a huge roll in restricted daily cash amounts once they finally get much of these horded funds back into the banks.

Will the U.S. sign off on this project now?

If you recall from my 082526 Newsletter in the article titled “DESPITE GOVERNMENT DENIALS, A MEMBER OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE CONFIRMS THE IMMINENT REMOVAL OF ZEROS FROM THE DINAR.”

“The network also indicated that “the Iraqi government received recommendations from international bodies, including the United States, to remove zeros from the Iraqi currency,”  

Hey…. Did the author just tell us that the U.S. wants Iraq to remove the zeros and will now sign off on the project to do it?

I encourage everyone to go read that amazing article too.

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Up next is yet a recent article that I find VERY interesting. Iraq finally admitted to a major issue that has faced Iraq for that last 20 years or more. I believe they posted this news in order to set the stage to discourage it and reform parliament too. It is titled: “THE DIRECTION OF THE IRAQI ECONOMY”. I quote from the article below.

“Amid the complex conditions and circumstances that the region and the world are going through, and the negative repercussions they have on the Iraqi economy, the government is trying to move towards a new path aimed at strengthening economic stability and preparing the foundations for the next stage.”

What is this next stage they keep trying to get to?

Why can’t they seem to get there more quickly?

“However, these efforts face challenges rooted in the nature of the Iraqi economic structure, and in the entanglement of relationships governed by a system of laws and legislation that sometimes conflict and contradict the economic approach that is supposed to govern the course of the state, according to what was approved by the constitution.”

“The situation becomes more dangerous as Iraq enters a phase of financial and economic pressures that it has not witnessed with such intensity for years.”  

Yes, this is really a crisis and the urgency comes out again this article too.

“Some might believe the crisis will end once the Strait crisis is resolved and shipping returns to normal, but the economic reality is far more complex. Crises don’t end with the resolution of their immediate causes; rather, they leave behind lasting effects that require time, comprehensive measures, and integrated policies to address and restore the economy to its normal course.”

Faced with this reality, the government is moving at a seemingly slow pace in a challenging economic environment.

Projects and strategies intended to usher in a new era continue to encounter implementation obstacles,  

Time is not on Iraq’s side. Every delay in implementing economic and strategic projects means continued reliance on an economic model whose fragility has been proven by repeated crises, and at the same time means the loss of opportunities that could contribute to building a more diversified economy capable of withstanding shocks.

I think this last paragraph says to us the sense of urgency very well. Enough said….

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UPDATE: On disarming the militias

This situation on disarming the Irian factions in Iraq is going to get ‘dicey’ as three of the Hezbollah factions that snuck in since 2014 and mingle with the militia do not want to disarm or give up their rockets and missiles. We must also consider that there are still a few Iranian-backing politicians who are sympathetic to the Islamic Jahad revolution and would want the militias to remain armed and inside Iran to protect their proxy government.

There was not much news about this effort this period but the end of September deadline still looms in the midst of the latest developments between the U.S. and Iran.

Here is the latest article titled “IN FRONT OF KHAMENEI’S EYES… AL-ZAIYDI’S FRAMEWORK: DO NOT REPEAT THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES’ ARRESTS”. This news comes on the heels of another recent article when Al-Zaidi claimed he would remove the arms forcefully if needed. I can only assume he must have already arrested some and so this was a warning or a threat not to do it again? I have a feeling this could get nasty.

I quote from the article –“ An informed source revealed on Tuesday the behind-the-scenes details of the meeting of the Coordination Framework Forces, which was attended by the representative of the new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mohsen Qomi, where the issue of arrests targeting leaders in the Popular Mobilization Forces topped the agenda”.

“According to the source, the attendees stressed that “the arrest of any wanted member of the Popular Mobilization Forces does not require the use of military force, but can be done through an official notification that obliges him to appear before the judicial authority or the concerned authority.”

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SUMMARY

I don’t think I need to say very much in the summary today about the Project to Delete the Zeros and we can all now see the writing in on the wall and removing the zeros is urgent and is coming much sooner than most believe.

Again, I will add that my impression of what is going on in Iraq is in parallel with what is going on in the U.S. Does the influence of the Trump administration matter? This period of time in our history is almost uncanny. What a time we live in . Now we know what WW2 period felt like. Yes, like some spiritual entity is now appointing and then guiding certain people to help out to bring a resolution to long standing corruption.

Oh yes, it matters, and those involved in the corruption like the Republican rhinos and the crooked extreme idiot liberals of the Democrat party rival the crooked Coordination Framework members supporting this Iranian proxy state agenda and self-serving greed.

Like president Trump, Al-Zaidi too is cleaning up Iraq’s massive corruption. I only hope this is sincerity and not just words and few good gestures from Iraq to convince us. Al-Zaidi inherited many solid pieces of a rebuilt economy not yet in full play i. e. Development Road project that he can capitalize on in the near future.

Once other pieces are put in place, like what Trump is also doing in the U.S. with industry and trade, both countries are set to ‘reset’ and explode with wealth like we have never yet seen. President Trump sees the potential in Iraq as a solid partner. Folks, it is all about ENERGY and has been always about ENERGY. Those that hold the key to energy supplies will prosper. This is why Trump also capitalized on the U.S. oil energy self-sufficiency and industrial metals.

When can we expect to be at the bank?

I have no secret bank memos, bank personnel sneaking out information….lol… lol or even crystal balls. Unlike TNT, Bruce or Frank26 I simple study the news and listen carefully to what my CBI source tells me. We must go directly to Iraq for the TRUTH. I don’t have to mix cocktails or sell products for intel like Melanie Hinds who is so typical of a bullshitter in this investment.. lol.. lol.. lol… People like her really disgust me.

All I can add is that there are these two options give to us today and Parliament, with the help of the Finance Committee and CBI, will decide the fate of the removing of the zeros project. What option will they choose?

So far, the timing could not be more PERFECT for a January reinstatement since it is August and they need at least 3-4 months to distribute the denominations and monitor for inflation. Will they decide to go this route?

You read the other tasks also that are concerns and my CBI contact told me needed to be completed like the Oil and Gas Law. But this crisis and urgency may override this mandate? This process is way bigger than most investors can see and will not happen overnight. There is also the issue of a revaluation as part of the process to remove the zeros. We now know this is not going to happen and we all should understand fully from today’s article why. It’s because they told us and also they want to comingle the three zero notes with the newer lower denominations. They will need the same rate for both. Get it? So, please let’s get of this in-country RV hype…lol.. lol.. 😊

If they decide to go the quicker path rather than a gradual rollout, we may see the newer lower denominations coming out in October or September even. Even if they do decide the gradual rollout, anytime within the projected two years, they can also decide it is going so smoothly and just move to the reinstatement to FOREX anytime during the process.

They specifically told us they would not want everyone getting rich in Iraq and so a solid bulk of the three zero notes would already have to be collected by the time they do this in between.  

With this very special news from Al-Baiji today we got so much invaluable information that we can all use going forward and so let’s remember what we read today and not forget it. We must learn to tie together the pieces of the puzzle to see the big picture.

Just as a reminder, what we hold outside of Iraq as allowed as investors under U.S. Presidential Exec Order 13303, is also a large part of this cash outside the Iraqi banking system and so how do they intend to get ours? Will they come up with some sort of process to try to retrieve out too while removing the zeros? I don’t believe this is in the past Dr Shabibi plan. Will you exchange yours for $0.76 cents? I don’t know about you but they will have to pry mine from my gripping hands with a nice tasteful rate for encouragement.

Hey… Iraq! GO RV 😊  

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Let’s keep our prayers alive. There is a deep spiritual dimension at work today bringing about this reset. I believe we are closer than ever for the dinar to get reinstated. They are now even using the words like imminent again. Yes, we have seen this before and something always seems to stop it. I cannot help that and are powerless to prevent such events. All we can do it pray and pray hard that God allows this blessing and this is the time to give it to us. Remember the great modern day prophet Kim Clement and he relayed many Iraqi dinar prophecies to us in the past before his death. Does God lie? He is going to live up to his promises and he always does. But evil is allowed to exist too in is earth. So we must deal with that too. This is where PRAYER comes in. Get it?

click on picture to listen to prophecy

What do you think will happen next? (Leave a comment)

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

                                         

These prophecies are an important tool we have to lead us on our path. They are more important now than ever. They give us the strength, perseverance and hope that a better time is coming and that God’s Hand is at work behind the scenes. If you just take a second even to look around you at these past three election cycles, how can you deny that God is at work? Are you sleeping or what?

It is amazing and there is no other way that these events could have happened the way they turned out. But there is more to come, much, much more, I assure you! Now that God has his biblical David re-elected, we need to pay attention to what He does next.

NOTE: These prophecies just keep getting better and better, giving us HOPE of a brighter future. But the real reason why I listen to them is that we can actually see what God says He will do is taking place right in front of our noses. It is a confirmation to me that God is real and is still with us forever just as in biblical times.

Prophetic Words from the prophets:  Julie Green

“Something Is About To Shake This Nation To It’s Core“

Go to the 13:45 mark on the video. Given on Aug 22^nd.  

 

“Many Unprecedented Things Will Take Place Before the 2028 Elections“

Go to the 15:26 mark on the video. Given on Aug 23^rd.    

“You Will See Things You May Not Understand“

Go to the 14:33 mark on the video. Given on Aug 14^th  

Things are not as they appear to be. You may ask yourself what is going on.

Things that have been hidden will soon be exposed. More understanding will happen once you see what is really going on.

Fr. DON BOSCO EXPOSED THE DARK SECRET BEHIND ISLAM

I keep this one out here to view. Everyone should take the time to watch it. It will awaken you about the Muslim so-called religion (or should we call it for it is — a ‘cult‘.)

— And the truth the world forgot about the so-called Muslim religion.

Fr.Don Bosco, also known as John Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest and educator, born on August 16, 1815. He founded the Salesian Society in 1859 to help disadvantaged youth,  particularly boys, through education and community service. His teachings emphasized lovekindness, and the importance of education for young people, making him a beloved figure in Catholicism and a patron saint of youth. Don Bosco was canonized in 1934.  

WHAT NOW FOR IRAN?

The U.S. imposes strict broad secondary economic sanctions against Iran on August 24^th.  What will Iran do now? Total Meltdown! Iran President Loses ALL Powers As Hardliners Take Over? Civil War Now?

Iran hard liners threaten to choke anyone who partners with the U.S. in this new embargo. Iran’s president says to end the war now that contradicts the hardliners. Who is really in charge?

PPF: (Peoples Fighter Front) A NEW INSIDE REBEL ARMY UNLEASHES CHAOS ON THE ISLAMIC HARDLINERS

I really luv Nikita Kapoor’s updates of what is really happening in Iran. We are not going to get this TRUTH from any western news channels.

ARMY OF JUSTICE: Has a regime change begun from the inside? All the U.S. has to do is wait out the effects of Operation Economic Outcast secondary sanctions and let the PPF overtake the IRGC forces and round up hardlines and bring the regime to its knees. We simply don’t know how this will al play out, but this regime will fall, just not as easy as the Trump Administration thought.

Iran is planning to evacuate its capital, Tehran, due to a severe water drought, moving its government straight into a war zone. As the regime considers relocating to Makran, a powerful new rebel force, the People’s Fighters Front, is striking from within. In this episode of Decoded, Nikita Kapoor reveals why Iran’s biggest threat isn’t foreign air forces, but an internal army rising inside its own borders.

Timing is everything!

U.S. BLOCKADE CRIPPLES IRAN ECONOMY

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus joins Erick Stakelbeck to break down Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade, Iran’s crumbling leverage, the U.S.-Israel military alliance, Hezbollah’s disarmament, Hamas in Gaza, and the path to a new Middle East.

Do we need this peace to move the Iraqi dinar to FOREX later. Let’s only hope Iran falls prior to 2027.

OPERATION ECONOMIC OUTCAST

This will probably finally break the proverbial camel’s back with Iran. We can only hope for the sake of Iraq. Will the U.S. allow limited trade between Iraq and Iran? Iran is a major trading partner with Iraq. Iraq depends on certain food products from Iran.

MASSIVE RECOUNT FOUND FRAUD IN MINNESOTA’S GOVERNOR RACE

They are still doing it to us…. They are still rigging the elections. We need to pass the Save America Act and do it now, then enforce it.

TRUMP’S REAL PLAN TO REBUILD AMERICA 

What is president Trump really up to?

IN FRONT OF KHAMENEI’S EYES… AL-ZAYDI’S FRAMEWORK: DO NOT REPEAT THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES’ ARRESTS

An informed source revealed on Tuesday the behind-the-scenes details of the meeting of the Coordination Framework Forces, which was attended by the representative of the new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mohsen Qomi, where the issue of arrests targeting leaders in the Popular Mobilization Forces topped the agenda.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the meeting was held Monday evening at the home of the head of the Supreme Islamic Council, Humam Hamoudi, in the presence of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi and leaders of the coordination framework, and witnessed a discussion of developments in the security situation in particular.

According to the source, the attendees stressed that “the arrest of any wanted member of the Popular Mobilization Forces does not require the use of military force, but can be done through an official notification that obliges him to appear before the judicial authority or the concerned authority.”

The leaders of the framework also expressed their displeasure and annoyance at the method of arrests targeting some leaders of the Popular Mobilization Forces, and demanded that al-Zaydi take measures to prevent the recurrence of such operations in a manner that could be understood as provocative, according to the source.

According to the source, the representative of the new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mohsen Qomi, attended part of the meeting, with the aim of introducing his official identity to the Iraqi government and religious and political leaders, within the framework of what the source described as “what is customary and the requirements of the job.”

He pointed out that Qomi informed the leaders of the framework that the head of the Supreme Islamic Council, Humam Hamoudi, had been appointed as a “link” between Iran and Iraq, noting that the representative of the Iranian Supreme Leader left the meeting shortly afterward, and did not attend all the details and topics of the meeting.

The source concluded by saying that “the difficult security situation that Iran witnessed during the past period delayed the visit of the new Supreme Leader’s representative to Baghdad,” before the visit took place at this time.

Prior to the meeting, the leaders of the framework received Ayatollah Mohsen Qomi, the special representative of the Iranian Supreme Leader, along with a large delegation from the Assembly of Experts, which is considered the highest political and religious body in Iran that selects, monitors, and has the right to dismiss the Supreme Leader. 

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THE DIRECTION OF THE IRAQI ECONOMY

Amid the complex conditions and circumstances that the region and the world are going through, and the negative repercussions they have on the Iraqi economy, the government is trying to move towards a new path aimed at strengthening economic stability and preparing the foundations for the next stage.

However, these efforts face challenges rooted in the nature of the Iraqi economic structure, and in the entanglement of relationships governed by a system of laws and legislation that sometimes conflict and contradict the economic approach that is supposed to govern the course of the state, according to what was approved by the constitution.

The situation becomes more dangerous as Iraq enters a phase of financial and economic pressures that it has not witnessed with such intensity for years. These pressures are directly affected by regional and international developments, especially the repercussions of conflicts that have affected trade, energy, and supply routes, most notably the Strait of Hormuz, and the resulting disruptions that have extended their effects to markets, energy prices, and the movement of the global economy.

Some might believe the crisis will end once the Strait crisis is resolved and shipping returns to normal, but the economic reality is far more complex. Crises don’t end with the resolution of their immediate causes; rather, they leave behind lasting effects that require time, comprehensive measures, and integrated policies to address and restore the economy to its normal course.

The fundamental problem lies in the very nature of the Iraqi economy, which remains heavily dependent on oil revenues. This makes it extremely sensitive to fluctuations in oil prices, supply disruptions, and changes in global markets. We have repeatedly warned against what can be termed the “oil illusion”—the belief that high oil revenues can permanently address structural imbalances in the economy. The reality is that oil, however high its revenues, cannot alone establish a stable and sustainable economy.

Faced with this reality, the government is moving at a seemingly slow pace in a challenging economic environment.

Projects and strategies intended to usher in a new era continue to encounter implementation obstacles, and the path to development remains stalled. Furthermore, agreements signed between Iraq, the United States, and Turkey face challenges that require immediate attention and swift resolution.

Time is not on Iraq’s side. Every delay in implementing economic and strategic projects means continued reliance on an economic model whose fragility has been proven by repeated crises, and at the same time means the loss of opportunities that could contribute to building a more diversified economy capable of withstanding shocks.

Hence, what is required is not merely managing the current crisis or waiting for the exceptional circumstances to end, but rather investing in it as an opportunity to reconsider the entire structure of the Iraqi economy, and to move from an economy dependent on oil revenues to an economy based on production, investment, energy, transportation, trade, industry, agriculture and services.

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AL-ABOUDI TO THE US CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES: IRAQ IS COMMITTED TO CONSOLIDATING STABILITY AND CONTROLLING WEAPONS.

National Security Advisor Qasim al-Aboudi informed the US Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad, Joshua Harris, on Monday that the Iraqi government is proceeding with its plans to consolidate security and stability and reduce escalation in the region, in addition to organizing the process of restricting weapons to the state.

Al-Aboudi, during his meeting with Harris, according to a statement issued by his office and received by Shafaq News Agency, affirmed that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi seeks to build national institutions capable of making independent sovereign decisions, and to embark on a comprehensive development process and build a strong economy capable of achieving the goals of the Iraqi government.

The meeting included a review of the latest developments in the region and discussions on strengthening cooperation between Iraq and the United States, particularly in the areas of combating terrorism and exchanging information and expertise.

For his part, the US Chargé d’Affaires affirmed the United States’ support for the Iraqi government and its plans to strengthen national sovereignty and consolidate security and stability at the level of Iraq and the region.

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ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS TARGET IRAQI STATE-OWNED BANKS AMID LIQUIDITY CRISIS AND DELAYED SALARY PAYMENTS

An informed source revealed on Wednesday that comprehensive administrative assessments are being conducted in a number of government banks and financial institutions linked to the financial and economic sectors, coinciding with the financial crisis and the delay in paying employee salaries. The source indicated that files have been opened regarding the waste of public funds, the decline in liquidity, and information and reports that he described as “misleading” submitted by some departments to officials.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that the relevant government agencies are conducting performance evaluations of a number of bank administrations and government financial institutions, in conjunction with administrative changes and the opening of files related to incidents that caused the waste of public funds and the spread of corruption, as well as investigating the reasons for and outcomes of the financial liquidity that was available in government banks, in preparation for taking the necessary legal and administrative measures.

He added that the assessments also focus on the ability of some departments to support and assist the government in facing current financial challenges, as well as the level of digital transformation in financial institutions, noting that the continued reliance on paper systems and traditional procedures instead of electronic and digital systems is one of the issues that concerns the relevant authorities.

The source explained that some bank and financial institution administrations submit information, reports, and statistics to officials that do not reflect, according to him, the actual reality of the work of those institutions, while field monitoring reveals a large gap between what is stated in the official reports and the performance on the ground, stressing that this file is subject to auditing and review within the ongoing evaluations.

He pointed out that there is a trend to make administrative changes in a number of banks and government institutions whose management has been in place for about four years, with the possibility of replacing some officials with new competencies with experience and expertise, which will contribute to raising the efficiency of performance and strengthening the role of financial institutions in supporting the economy and addressing financial challenges.

The source indicated that the assessments are not limited to administrative aspects, but also include the efficiency of resource and liquidity management, the level of governance, the accuracy of data and reports submitted to higher authorities, and the extent to which financial institutions are able to keep pace with digital transformation and provide more efficient banking services.

He stressed that these measures come within a governmental direction to reassess the performance of government financial institutions and enhance efficiency, governance and reliance on digital systems, in line with the requirements of the current stage, especially in light of the financial challenges and the delay in paying salaries, while emphasizing the need for official reports and data to reflect the actual reality of the institutions’ performance and financial conditions.

This comes in conjunction with what an informed source revealed yesterday, Tuesday, about the possibility of delaying the payment of state employees’ salaries until the end of this month or the beginning of next month, attributing this to the failure to release the funding for ministries and state institutions so far, despite the end of the month.

The source explained in a statement to Shafaq News Agency that the process of funding and disbursing salaries is carried out for each ministry and institution separately and sequentially, which takes several days and delays the completion of the disbursement process for all employees.

He pointed out that a number of government banks are facing a shortage of cash liquidity as a result of the decline in their cash assets, which limits their ability to provide financing or enter into domestic borrowing operations.

The source added that the absence of credit plans related to the work of some government banks, along with weak management in a number of them, contributed to the decline in the level of banking services, as well as the decrease in withdrawal and deposit activity, which negatively affects the levels of available liquidity.

He stressed that addressing the liquidity crisis requires strengthening the cash assets of government banks and revitalizing banking and credit operations, in addition to developing clear plans to support the banks’ ability to finance the needs of state institutions and ensure the smooth disbursement of salaries on time.

(Mnt Goat:: the only way they are going to get this cash into the banks is to replace the currency with the lower denominations and they knew it all along. Will they take a couple years to slowly do it in transition or do it quickly? Can the banks and the economy wait through this two year period? Also impacts of the black market if they allowed the old notes and new notes to coexist for any long period of time. It will cause havoc later on down the road when they do RV. Doing this quickly with a fixed swap out date, then void out the 3 zero notes altogether is really the only way they can do it 😊. See the article below.)

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L-BAIJI: THE NEW IRAQI CURRENCY IS READY… AND THE LAW TO REMOVE ZEROS WILL REACH PARLIAMENT SOON.

The file of reforming the Iraqi currency has entered a more sensitive stage, after statements by the member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Mansour Al-Baiji, regarding the readiness of a new Iraqi currency, and the imminent arrival of the draft law to remove zeros to the House of Representatives for legislation and voting.

According to what Al-Baiji said in a television interview, the government and the Central Bank of Iraq have completed some of the technical preparations related to the new currency, noting that the value of the currency that was prepared and printed amounts to about $250 million, and that its release into the market will be linked to the approval of the legal framework by the House of Representatives.

These statements come at a time when the issue of restructuring the Iraqi currency has returned to the forefront of economic discussion, after years of studies and proposals that addressed the project of removing three zeros from the dinar.

But the importance of the current development does not lie merely in issuing new banknotes, but rather in the mechanism that the state will adopt to move from the current currency to the new currency, which is the point that may determine the success of the process or turn it into a source of monetary instability if it is not managed carefully.

From an old project to a potential legislative decision

The idea of ​​removing zeros is not new to Iraqi monetary policy. The Central Bank of Iraq published studies in the past outlining a plan to remove three zeros, explaining that the process is of an accounting and organizational nature, and does not automatically mean an increase in wealth or purchasing power for citizens.

Official data confirms that the Central Bank is the legally authorized entity to issue Iraqi currency, determine its denominations and designs, and make arrangements for its issuance. Therefore, talk of a new currency must be separated from the concept of raising the value of the dinar.

Removing zeros, in essence, means changing the unit of account for the currency. If three zeros are removed, an amount of one million dinars might become one thousand new dinars, while the nominal economic value remains the same if the transaction is carried out at a fixed conversion rate.

This means that a citizen does not become richer simply by changing the shape of the numbers.

Why does the project need a law?

The transition from the old currency to a new currency on the scale of the Iraqi economy cannot be merely an administrative decision to issue new banknotes. The state needs to determine the conversion rate, the dual circulation period, the mechanism for currency exchange, and address contracts, salaries, deposits, loans, prices, taxes, and accounting and banking systems.

(Mnt Goat: This is the educational issues I keep referring to. These have to come out to the citizens.)

Therefore, Al-Baiji’s statements acquire political and economic importance, if true, regarding referring the law to remove zeros to parliament. The scenario suggests that the government may adopt a transitional period of up to two years to replace the old money with the new.

Economically, the two-year period seems closer to a gradual reform model than a sudden replacement model, as it gives banks, companies and citizens time to adjust their systems, accounts, contracts and cash transactions.

$250 million… what does it mean?

The figure mentioned by the congressman, which is $250 million as the value of the printing, needs to be read carefully.

The value of printing in dollars does not mean that the state will add $250 million to its reserves, nor does it mean that the value of the dinar will jump against the dollar by a similar amount.

According to statements attributed to the deputy, it is a cost or value associated with the process of preparing and printing the new banknotes. The economic value of a currency is determined primarily by monetary policy, fiscal policy, the size of liquidity, reserves, inflation, economic activity, and public confidence in the banking system.

Herein lies the most important point: the success of removing zeros is not measured by the appearance of the new banknote, but rather by the ability of the central bank and the government to maintain monetary stability during the transition phase.

The central bank faces its toughest test yet.

The official website of the Central Bank of Iraq currently displays the banknotes in circulation and the legal frameworks related to the currency. The law also confirms that the Central Bank is the entity responsible for issuing currency.

This makes the central bank the key player in any large-scale currency replacement process.

(Mnt Goat: Again, these are the issues the citizens will need to be educated on. We will need to see articles on these topics soon.)

If the law is passed, he will have to define practically:

• The conversion rate between the two currencies.
• New currency denominations.
• Joint trading period.
• Authorized banks and exchange centers.
• Ceilings and mechanisms for replacing large sums of money.
• Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures.
• The mechanism for dealing with cash funds located outside the banking system.
• A plan to withdraw the old currency from circulation.
• How to protect citizens from forgery and fraud.

The issue of large sums is of particular importance, especially since Al-Baiji’s statements spoke of a special mechanism for replacing old money, particularly large sums.

Why might two years be necessary?

If the new currency enters circulation, the biggest challenge will not be printing the paper, but managing the transition process.

Iraq has a highly cash-based economy, so withdrawing huge amounts of old dinars and replacing them with a new currency in a short period of time could create pressure on banks, exchange companies, and cash centers. Adopting a transition period of up to two years could allow the process to be divided into stages.

From an economic standpoint, the state could begin by gradually introducing the new currency, while keeping the old currency valid for circulation for a specific period, then reducing its use until it is withdrawn completely.

(Mnt Goat: they can do this because they are NOT changing the rate in-country. Yes, NO revaluation. How many times must they tall us this. Are these idiot intel gurus hearing this? Are they reading this article today?)

However, the success of this mechanism depends on the transparency and clarity of the instructions for the public.

(Mnt Goat: Okay so what have I been saying all along every time these idiot intel gurus tell you its going to RV over the weekend. First of all this couldn not possibily happen without first completing the removal of the zeros and transition the currency from the old to the new notes. Secondly, this transition is not going to happen until they educate the citizens as to how its going to work. Thirdly, when this transition is FULLY completed then they can reinstate the dinar back to FOREX, revalue it and replace the peg with a basket of currencies. Only after the third step do we go the bank to exchange.)

Removing zeros does not automatically mean an increase in the value of the dinar. This point will be the most sensitive in the Iraqi market.

If, for example, the exchange rate before the removal of zeros reflected a certain value of the dinar against the dollar, then removing three zeros does not mean that the dinar has actually risen against the dollar.

The Central Bank of Iraq presented in its official data the price of the dollar at 1310 dinars per dollar in data published during 2026. Therefore, renaming the monetary unit should not be confused with revaluing the currency.

(Mnt Goat: These statements above are exactly what my CBI contact has been telling us all along. WOW! WOW! WOW!)

The two decisions are completely different.

Removing zeros can make accounting, pricing, and financial data easier, but it does not by itself create new production, additional reserves, or an increase in purchasing power.

The real test: inflation and confidence

From a global economic perspective, currency reform succeeds when it is part of a broader program for financial and monetary stability. However, if banknotes are changed without addressing inflation, budget deficits, or weak confidence in the banking system, the underlying problem will remain even if the numbers on the banknotes change.

(Mnt Goat: did I not say that DR Shabibi’s 2011 plan calls for monitoring for inflation and these other factors we now learn about today since.)

Therefore, in the next phase, markets will be watching more than just the announcement of the new currency.

Fiscal policy will monitor the size of government spending, the growth of the money supply, foreign reserves, exchange rate stability, and the percentage of banking system use in payment transactions. These indicators will be more important than the color or design of the banknote.

What does this mean for the citizen?

For the average citizen, the hypothetical scenario of removing zeros means that old money will not become worthless once the new currency is launched, provided a clear legal replacement mechanism is approved.

–à If the government adopts a two-year transition period as stated in the declarations, the replacement is expected to be gradual, in accordance with instructions issued by the competent authorities. But citizens will need to be wary of the informal market, especially since any currency change usually creates a suitable environment for rumors and fraud, such as selling alleged banknotes as the “new currency” or claiming the existence of unofficial exchange rates.

(Mnt Goat: This statements above makes we think that they are not going to do a two year replacement but a short period of swap out like they did in 2003-2004 from Saddam Hussien notes to the three zero notes. The black market will impact how quickly they must transition.)

Economic reading:

If the law to remove zeros is indeed referred to the House of Representatives, then Iraq will have moved from the stage of study and discussion to the stage of possible legislation.

However, the process cannot be considered valid before the issuance of the law and official instructions from the competent authorities.

Here, a distinction must be made between three levels:

First: Printing or preparing new banknotes.

Second: Enacting a law that allows for the currency restructuring process.

Third: Actual implementation and currency exchange in the market.

Moving from level one to level three may take months or years, depending on the law and the timetable that the authorities will set.

(Mnt Goat: My CBI contact is telling me it will take more like months, if they can get parliament to go a long with it. Remember the urgency and crisis of the shortage of the 250, 500 and 1000 notes. They do not want to print and issue more of these. Can you inflation? The CBI and Finance Committee will have to convince Parliament to act quickly on this effort. We will watch and wait to see what happens.)

The central bank itself, in the official pages we reviewed, did not publish any announcement specifying an official date for the removal of zeros or the launch of a new currency with these details. Furthermore, recent reports on the matter indicated that no implementation date has yet been announced.

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AL-ZAYDI CALLS FOR A REVOLUTION IN LAWS AND LEGISLATION

Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi stressed the importance of developing the legislative system to align with development requirements, noting the need for a “revolution in laws and legislation.” He emphasized the existence of pending files and draft laws requiring approval, including the Popular Mobilization Forces Law, the Development Fund Law, and a number of other draft laws.

(Mnt Goat: And the Oil and Gas Law. What happened to it. I thought it was going to be on the docket for the first session of Parliament?)

For their part, the head and members of the Legal Committee affirmed their support for the government’s reform steps in the legal aspects, combating corruption, implementing the government program, and proceeding with its economic and development policies. They reiterated their commitment to continuing legislative work in a way that serves the interests of the citizen and enhances stability and development.

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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,

                                             Just the FACTS!

Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is not intended for investment decisions / purposes. Mnt Goat is not a financial analyst, planner, banker, attorney or associated in any role with giving out professional investment advice.

Auf Wiedersehen

Much love to ya all,

Mnt Goat