With names.. New leaks about US banking restrictions on Iraq
Baghdad Today – Baghdad
In a new development regarding the Iraqi banking sector, information was received about the instructions issued by the US Treasury Department, which are scheduled to impose restrictions on a number of banks and electronic payment companies in Iraq.
According to a special source for Baghdad Al-Youm, the restrictions will include five private banks and three electronic payment companies, while they do not include government banks.
The restrictions included five private banks: “Mashreq, Al-Mahtah, Al-Sanabel, where is Iraq, and Al-Musk”, in addition to three electronic payment companies: “Moal, Al-Qasa, and Al-Saqi”.
Although the restrictions only affect private banks and private companies, they raise questions about the potential effects on the Iraqi economy and financial relations with the international banking system. These developments come at a sensitive time for the Iraqi economy, which is facing great challenges.
In this context, two informed sources reported on Sunday, February 16, 2025, that the Central Bank of Iraq will prevent local banks from dealing in dollars.
“The Central Bank of Iraq will prevent 5 local banks from dealing in dollars at the request of the US Treasury,” Reuters quoted the two sources as saying.
The two sources added that “3 payment service companies will be banned from dealing in dollars according to the request of the US Treasury.”
They pointed out that “America submitted its request due to serious monetary violations and smuggling of dollars out of the country.”
The Central Bank of Iraq had denied earlier on Sunday the news of Iraqi banks being subjected to international sanctions, calling for “the adoption of official channels to find out the latest news.”
