Following the Washington visit, a parliamentary step is expected to complete the Al-Zidi government.

Deputy Head of the Reconstruction and Development Parliamentary Bloc, Mansour al-Baiji, indicated on Monday that the remaining vacant ministerial posts in the government are likely to be approved as a single package in the near future, despite ongoing political disagreements. He emphasized the importance of completing the cabinet to proceed with implementing the government program.

Al-Baiji told the Information Agency, “Political disagreements regarding the vacant ministries persist, but they will not prevent the completion of the cabinet, as it is expected to be approved as a single package in the near future.”

He added, “Completing Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet is a crucial step towards implementing the government program and addressing service, economic, and security issues.” He noted that “dialogue among political forces is ongoing to reach a final agreement on the remaining ministries.”

Al-Baiji predicted that “the vote on the cabinet will take place after Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington, which will contribute to strengthening the stability of the government’s work and completing its ministerial formation.” Government

Almaalomah.me

Iraqi banks are permitted to disburse their customers’ dollar deposits in cash

The Central Bank of Iraq has issued a new directive to all banks, allowing the disbursement of deposits and incoming transfers in US dollars in cash, according to a document obtained by Shafaq News Agency. News

According to the document, the decision comes in implementation of the objectives of monetary policy, and to enable banks to meet the legitimate needs of their customers in US dollars, and in line with the directives of the government and the Central Bank to enhance confidence in the Iraqi dinar, digital transformation and reducing cash transactions.

The document explained that the instructions included allowing banks to open bank accounts for customers in foreign currencies acceptable to the bank, with the possibility of withdrawing funds deposited in cash or transferred to those accounts in US dollars, according to each bank’s policy.

The directive clarified that the Central Bank will fulfill the private banks’ requests for cash withdrawals of incoming dollar transfers, provided that the amounts of those transfers are deposited into one of the bank’s accounts with its correspondents abroad. These transfers shall include government contracts financed by grants or foreign loans and agreements signed with the federal government, in addition to 40% of the transfers received by Iraqi banks resulting from their exports abroad.

The document stipulated the suspension of the previous circular No. (8587) issued on January 31, 2023, with the decision to be implemented starting from July 15, 2026.

It is worth noting that an informed source revealed to Shafaq News Agency last week that the Central Bank of Iraq issued new directives to reduce the share of foreign currency (dollars) for travelers to 2,000 US dollars instead of 3,000 dollars, within the approved mechanism to meet travel requests.

Shafaq.com

Trump: We will be guardians of the Strait of Hormuz and we will charge fees for it 

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States would take control of the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that his country would impose fees in exchange for guarding the strategic waterway. Financialnews subscription

Trump said, in remarks reported by Fox News, that “the United States will be the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz.”

Trump described Iran as “a bunch of bad people,” in a reference to the continuing tension between Washington and Tehran over maritime security in the Gulf.

The US president continued: “There was an agreement with Iran, but they broke it, and they always break agreements,” noting that “Iran has nothing and action should have been taken against it 47 years ago.”

Trump announced on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz was open to commercial shipping, despite Iran ‘s earlier announcement that it had closed the strait after a ship sailed in an unapproved route and was bombed .

Shipping data showed that the number of vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz fell on Sunday to its lowest level in several weeks, amid renewed tit-for-tat strikes between the United States and Iran and attacks on ships in the Middle East, raising concerns about safety.

Shafaq.com

The State Administration meeting focused on al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington and the fight against corruption.

The media office of the Prime Minister, Ali al-Zidi, revealed on Sunday evening the outcomes of the State Administration meeting, which addressed a number of important issues, most notably the Washington visit and the campaign to pursue those involved in combating corruption. Dailynews reports

The office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Al-Zaidi hosted a meeting of the State Administration Coalition at the Government Palace, in the presence of President Nizar Amidi, Speaker of Parliament Hebat Hamad Al-Halbousi, President of the Supreme Judicial Council Faiq Zaidan, and President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani.

During the meeting, the attendees were briefed on the arrangements and objectives related to the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to the United States of America, and ways to utilize its expected results in a manner that serves Iraq’s interests and strengthens its international relations were discussed.

The participants affirmed their full support for the anti-corruption efforts initiated by the government and the judiciary, stressing the need to continue the campaign in accordance with the law and away from any political or selective motives. They also emphasized the importance of proceeding with the process of restricting weapons to the state, strengthening the law, and consolidating the prestige and sovereignty of the state’s constitutional institutions.

The State Administration Coalition called for prioritizing dialogue and understanding, rejecting wars and escalation in regional issues, adopting peaceful means to achieve security and stability, protecting the interests of the peoples in the region, and Iraq’s readiness to be an area for the convergence and development of interests.

Shafaq.com

Al-Zaidi leaves Baghdad for Washington

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi left the capital, Baghdad, early Monday morning, heading to the United States of America on an official visit at the head of a large governmental and economic delegation. Financialnews subscription

Before leaving the country, Al-Zaidi confirmed that he was heading to Washington at the head of a governmental and economic delegation, with the aim of translating the strength of Iraqi-American relations into economic and investment partnerships in a number of vital sectors.

Al-Zaidi said in a tweet on the X website that the delegation seeks to expand cooperation with the United States in the fields of energy, technology, infrastructure, the digital economy, and financing partnerships.

He added that the aim of the visit is to attract investments, transfer expertise, diversify the economy, and create job opportunities, which will enhance the development process and consolidate Iraq’s position as a reliable partner and an active element in the stability and prosperity of the region.

Shafaq News Agency obtained a list of the names of the government delegation accompanying Al-Zidi, which includes five ministers, deputies and advisors.

The dialogues and meetings that will take place during Al-Zidi’s visit to Washington will be based on the Strategic Framework Agreement between Iraq and the United States, and will focus on strengthening cooperation in a number of areas, most notably energy, economy, investment, development and education.

The Iraqi Prime Minister’s meetings will also include meetings with members of the US Congress, in addition to his participation in a Gulf conference in the US capital to discuss the repercussions of the Iranian war.

Shafaq.com

The Iraqi judiciary seizes properties and factories worth 69 billion dinars in the Al-Jumaili case.

The Iraqi Judicial Council announced on Monday the seizure of properties and factories worth 69 billion dinars in the case of the Deputy Minister of Oil for Liquidation Affairs, Adnan al-Jumaili. News

The Nineveh Investigation Court, which specializes in integrity cases, explained that judicial decisions were issued to seize 9 commercial properties and 3 flour production plants in the city of Mosul, with a total value of about 69 billion Iraqi dinars, in addition to 7 modern transport trucks, each valued at $200,000, in the case of the accused Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Liquidation Affairs, Adnan al-Jumaili, who is currently detained, and the parties involved with him in money laundering and financial corruption crimes.

The court added that the market value of the commercial properties located in the city center is about 45 billion dinars, while the value of the flour mills is estimated at 24 billion dinars, indicating that the fugitive defendants registered these properties in the names of their workers, in order to disguise and conceal their illegal source.

According to the court, given that these properties and factories are productive and generate continuous profits, it was decided to appoint judicial guardians to manage and maintain them, in order to ensure their continued operation and secure the receipt of all their financial returns.

Earlier today, the Iraqi judiciary announced the recovery of 375 kilograms of gold in the case of the Deputy Minister of Oil for Refining Affairs, Adnan al-Jumaili, in coordination with the Kurdistan Region.

A wave of arrests has been launched in Iraq, targeting political officials, members of parliament, and businessmen as part of an anti-corruption campaign, which Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi described as the “first phase” of broader measures to recover public funds, while tasking oversight bodies with receiving any indications related to cases of corruption or negligence in state institutions .

The Federal Integrity Commission stated that arrest warrants are carried out in accordance with the law and under judicial supervision. According to judicial sources, the investigation data indicates that new files will continue to be opened that may affect other figures in the coming period, as part of efforts to recover public funds and prosecute those involved inside and outside Iraq.

Shafaq.com

Rafidain Bank: Settlements for electronic collections in favor of government departments exceeded 3.6 trillion dinars

Rafidain Bank announced on Friday that it had processed over 3.6 trillion Iraqi dinars in electronic payments to government departments during the second quarter of 2026. A statement from the bank indicated that “Rafidain Bank announced the processing of electronic payments to government departments amounting to 3,635,131,026,267 Iraqi dinars (three trillion, six hundred and thirty-five billion, one hundred and thirty-one million, twenty-six thousand, two hundred and sixty-seven Iraqi dinars) during the second quarter of 2026, an achievement that reflects the continued implementation of the government’s digital transformation program and the development of the public financial management system.” Currencies& Foreign Exchange

The bank indicated that “the number of electronic collection settlements implemented during the period reached 244,081 settlements, which confirms the continued expansion in the use of electronic collection systems and the enhancement of the efficiency of government revenue management.”

The bank also noted “the increase in the number of government departments activating the electronic collection system to 2,739 departments during the second quarter of 2026, compared to 1,979 departments during the same period of 2025, reflecting the expansion of the application of the electronic system and the acceleration of the pace of digital transformation in state institutions.”

Burathanews.com

Unjustified haste in al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington… Issues need to be resolved before he leaves Baghdad

Many issues still require fundamental solutions, including restructuring internal affairs, unifying positions, formulating policies, and completing the cabinet before the Prime Minister’s trip from Baghdad to Washington. Criticism has mounted regarding al-Zaidi’s anticipated visit to the United States, given the existence of thorny issues that need clarification and a review of their effectiveness, particularly concerning the security agreement with the US administration and the ongoing dictates from the Trump administration. Meanwhile, some political figures have urged the Prime Minister to postpone the visit.

Former Minister Zuhair al-Jalabi told Al-Maalouma, “The United States assisted in the fall of Mosul in 2014, as well as the Speicher massacre, and seeks to keep the security and military apparatus in Iraq weak.”

He added, “America has conditions for Iraq, namely the disarmament of factions before Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington, which is completely illogical while the foreign occupation continues in Iraq.”

He explained that “a visit to America is not a pilgrimage to Mecca, a fact that should be taken into account by al-Zaidi’s hesitation in undertaking this visit, given the American conditions and Washington’s well-known intentions toward Iraq.”
On another note, MP Hussein Saheb confirmed to Al-Maalomah that “the security agreement between Baghdad and Washington has become ineffective and no longer aligns with the requirements of the current phase and the security and political developments in Iraq and the region.”

He continued, “The recent changes necessitate a comprehensive review of the agreement’s clauses or the adoption of a clear stance regarding them, one that preserves Iraq’s sovereignty, strengthens its independent security decision-making, and ensures that any agreements are compatible with the requirements of the current phase.”
He pointed out that “any security understandings must prioritize Iraq’s interests and be consistent with the new reality in the region, in order to achieve security and stability and preserve national sovereignty.”

In a related matter, MP Mohammed al-Hasnawi, from the Rights Bloc in Parliament, explained to Al-Maalomah that “the United States is dealing with Iraq with duplicity,” noting that “the weakness of the Iraqi negotiating position allows figures like Barak and others to impose their views on Iraq.”

He added that “Iraq needs a strong negotiator who believes in the country’s unity, stability, and the preservation of its resources,” stressing that “a cohesive negotiating position will prevent any party from interfering in Iraqi affairs or imposing its will.”
He pointed out that “leaving matters wide open allowed Barak and others to manipulate Iraqi affairs,” considering this to be “one of the reasons that prompted the Rights Movement to adopt an opposition stance within the Iraqi government.”

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is scheduled to travel to Washington on July 16 for an official visit, at a time when many issues remain unresolved, particularly those related to the cabinet. This increases concerns about American interference in such matters, in addition to its interventions in security, political, and economic affairs.

Almaalomah.me

Among them is a general amnesty… The Supreme Judicial Council reveals details of its procedures in the cases of Nour Zuhair and Al-Jumaili

The Supreme Judicial Council revealed on Friday that legal and constitutional procedures are being coordinated with the Prime Minister’s office to reduce judicial procedures against those accused of administrative and financial corruption, provided they voluntarily return public funds. The Council confirmed that the same mechanism adopted in the “tax deposits” case will be followed with those accused in the “North Refineries Company” file.

The judiciary explained in a statement received by the Al-Maalomah Agency that “the tax deposit case is summarized as follows: the actions of follow-up companies (including the companies “Al-Qant” and “Al-Mubdi’un” belonging to the convicted Nour Zuhair) in withdrawing the financial deposits belonging to foreign companies that they deposit with the tax authority at a rate of 5% to guarantee the completion of projects,” noting that “the withdrawal process was carried out through irregular procedures and with the collusion of employees in the authority.”

The statement indicated that “based on a previous agreement between the heads of the Judicial Council and the (former) Council of Ministers, and with the approval of the competent judge, the main defendant, Noor Zuhair, was released on bail in exchange for paying the money in installments to reduce his sentence, as 365 billion dinars were recovered out of more than 1 trillion and 618 billion dinars owed by his two companies,” explaining that “this amount is part of the total funds withdrawn from Al-Rafidain Bank through several companies, amounting to more than 3 trillion and 831 billion dinars.”

He added that “after the accused traveled and stopped paying, he was referred to the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court, and a sentence of 10 years imprisonment was issued against him in absentia, with the organization of an extradition file and contacting the International Interpol to arrest him.”

He pointed out that “Nour Zuhair’s lawyer submitted a request to include his client in the amendment of the amnesty law in force in exchange for completing the payment of the remaining amounts owed by him,” noting that “his inclusion in the decision is still pending, awaiting a response from the Ministry of Finance (the affected party) to agree on the payment mechanism.”

The statement explained that “different judicial rulings were issued in this case, including: rulings in person, which are: imprisonment for 12 employees of the tax authority who helped in the illegal withdrawal operations, and people (not employees) who exploited their relationships with the Minister of Finance at the time to facilitate the crime, and their movable and immovable assets were confiscated, in addition to the confiscation of real estate and funds in Iraq and Kuwait belonging to some of the convicts.”

He added that “the in absentia sentences, which are: imprisonment for the director of the Prime Minister’s office at that time and a number of advisors, with the organization of extradition files and arrest warrants for others (with the possibility of including everyone in the amnesty law if they pay what they owe), noting that the investigation against the Prime Minister, during whose government the crime occurred, was closed due to insufficient evidence.”

Regarding the case of the “North Refineries Company” and the accused, Adnan Al-Jumaili, who is detained in it, and a number of members of the House of Representatives, the Supreme Judicial Council confirmed that “the same procedures will be followed (reducing the penalty in exchange for recovering the funds) if the crime was committed before the effective date of the amendment to the amnesty law and the accused paid the amounts to the affected ministry.”

He explained that “if the crime was committed after the amnesty law came into effect, the accused will be dealt with according to different procedures and contexts because they are not covered by the amnesty,” noting that “a legal roadmap has been developed with the Prime Minister to achieve the two goals: recovering state funds and easing the procedures for those who return them voluntarily.”

Almaalomah.me

Officials at Rafidain Bank arrested on charges of stealing 1.6 billion dinars

On Thursday evening, a joint force from the Federal Integrity Commission and the SWAT force in Diwaniyah Governorate carried out a qualitative operation that resulted in the arrest of a number of officials in Al-Rafidain Bank, on the grounds of a currency manipulation and embezzlement case.

An informed source told Shafaq News Agency that investigations revealed the changing of banknote denominations from 50,000 dinars to 1,000 dinars, in a manipulation operation that led to the theft of an estimated 1.6 billion dinars.

The source added that the operation came after intensive monitoring and investigations, during which the accused were arrested and legal measures were taken against them, while investigations are still ongoing to uncover all those involved and recover the stolen funds.

Shafaq.com