Article: "US Congressman Calls for Immediate Sanctions on Iraq’s Rafidain Bank, Accuses Baghdad of Starving Kurds" Quote: "U.S. Representative Joe Wilson has called on the U.S. Treasury Department to impose sanctions on Iraq’s state-owned Rafidain Bank,
accusing it of laundering billions of dollars for Iraqi militias while the Iraqi government withholds salaries from Kurdish public sector employees...
Wilson’s statement signals a growing push among U.S. lawmakers for a tougher stance on Iraq’s financial sector, particularly amid rising tensions between Washington and Iran-aligned actors in the region."
FRANK26: "SUDANI STICKS HIS TONGUE AT PARLIAMENT AND TELLS THEM WE GOT 30 DAYS WITH THE GAS/ELECTRICITY"......F26
Al-Sudani's advisor denies any sanctions on Rafidain Bank and confirms continued gas supplies from Iran.
3/12/2025
- Baghdad
The Prime Minister's advisor for foreign relations, Farhad Alaa al-Din, denied the existence of US sanctions on Rafidain Bank, while noting that the US exemption for gas imports from Iran remains in place.
"Iraq is a country well-versed in managing foreign affairs and has a legacy in this regard," Alaa Al-Din said in a televised interview followed by Al-Eqtisad News. He noted that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani's philosophy regarding foreign relations is to put Iraq's interests first, and from this, the country's foreign policy is built."
He added, "The path of the state and government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is based on the principle of putting Iraq's interests first."
Regarding Iraq's relationship with the United States, Alaa Al-Din noted, "We had excellent and distinguished relations with the previous US administration," noting that "the new US administration came with a set of promises to American voters, some of which were related to US foreign policy, including ending the so-called endless wars."
He explained that "the American letter we received does not contain the information circulating in the media," noting that "US Representative Joe Wilson tweeted more than 200 tweets in 15 months and did not mention Iraq even once."
He explained that "Joe Wilson attended a meeting with Al-Sudani and had not spoken about Iraq before January 13, but after that date, he began tweeting about Iraq daily," stressing that "the US authorities denied any connection to what Joe Wilson was saying about Iraq."
He pointed out that "the US Treasury Department denied any intention to sanction Rafidain Bank, and that American companies are working to restructure Rafidain Bank and there is no intention to sanction it," noting that "the Prime Minister is busy and does not care about Joe Wilson's tweets."
He stressed that "Iraq has not been a priority for America since 2011," stating, "We are working to change the American view that Iraq is not part of the Iranian file."
Regarding the US waiver on energy imports from Iran, he noted that "the waiver targeted electricity imports, but the gas waiver remains in place," noting that "Türkiye began importing gas from Turkmenistan via Iran after the implementation of US sanctions."
Regarding Iraq's relationship with China, he explained that "25% of Iraqi oil is purchased by China, and we have a significant stake in that country," noting that "Iraq's relationship with China and Russia is commercial, not political."
Regarding Iraq's relationship with Saudi Arabia, he noted, "Our relations with Saudi Arabia are at their best, and Saudi Arabia is not concerned about the development of Iraq's relationship with Qatar."
He stressed that "Iraq is returning to the Arab fold today more than ever before," noting that "Iraq has transformed from an arena of conflict into an arena for the convergence of nations."
He pointed out that "the path of development has transformed Iraq into a region where the interests of the countries of the region converge," stressing that "Iraq has played a calming role between Iran and America, particularly in Syria."
Member: Are there still 23 currencies in the first basket?
MZ: I am still hearing there are at least that many currencies in the first basket.
Member: Hoping for news on your redemption folks working this weekend?
MZ: No update on if they are working yet this weekend or not.
Member: Will we have to travel far to exchange?
MZ: I was told that here in the US –most folks will be traveling 50 miles or less. If you live in the middle of nowhere like in Montana Wyoming or the Dakotas…..maybe a bit longer drive.
The Association of Iraqi Private Banks organized a panel discussion to discuss the latest developments in the banking sector in Iraq, including deprived banks and fines imposed by the Central Bank, in the presence of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alak, and representatives of banks and electronic payment companies.
At the beginning of the session, the President of the Association of Iraqi Private Banks, Wadih Al-Hanzal, welcomed the governors and participants, stressing the importance of joint cooperation between the Central Bank, banks and electronic payment companies to enhance financial stability and develop the banking system, according to the latest international standards.
Al-Hansal said that the Special Committee to Assist the Disadvantaged Banks formed in the Economic Ministerial Council demanded the need to help deprived banks and stop the fines on them, because they are going through difficult circumstances, which everyone knows, indicating that deprived banks work daily to apply international financial requirements, and are exposed to daily fines, calling for stopping these fines and reviewing them by the Central Bank of Iraq.
For his part, the Governor of the Central Bank, Ali Al-Alak, touched on the Central Bank’s procedures related to banks deprived of the use of the dollar, pointing out that there are signs of optimism in the discussions with the American side on this file.
He stressed that the Central Bank supports the establishment of digital banks, which reached 75 banks, which contribute to accelerating the digital transformation of the banking sector in Iraq, pointing out that the first phase will be to grant a license or two licenses only in order to experiment and study the problems and challenges facing these digital banks.
Al-Alak pointed out that banks are required to work to raise the percentage of financial inclusion, by providing modern banking services targeting wider segments of society, stressing that the transition towards the digital economy is an essential step to enhance financial stability and economic development.
MarkZ Disclaimer: Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. People who take notes do not catch everything and its best to watch the video so that you get everything in context. Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions
Member: Good Evening to all……..hope everyone enjoyed their day.
Member: I’m more than ready for the RV…I even washed my currency so it’s clean when I exchange!
MZ: What you are saying is you are laundering money…lol
MZ: More confirmations today. I had another historic bond contact tell me the facilitators asked for their “wire” or ACH information so they could send them travel dollars. They are prepared to send funds immediately.
Member: ACH stands for Automated clearing house electronic transfers
MZ: I had another bond contact who has not heard anything for awhile -but suddenly was told late yesterday to expect their payments to start by the end of this week…or throughout the weekend. They are excited that its finally going to be their turn and they have a place in the que.
Member: So they’re getting money to go get money?
Member: There are many rumors floating around about bonds being paid right now…..its exciting.
Member: So tier 1 and tier 2 have possibly have been paid and they are working on tier 3?
Member: Dr.Kia says the banks are prepared for tier 2 which is currency
MZ: They are….and you are going to hear a lot about this. To the banks themselves…..they have a different tier system…They consider tier 1 those with SKR’s (safe keeping receipts) …and tier 2 is those of us with currency that will be coming into exchange. I have also heard this from different banking contacts.
Member: I got an e-mail from National Bank of AZ. last week saying they now carry 80 currencies & will be happy to help me out with my exchange needs (regarding travel).
Member: Are there still 23 currencies in the first basket?
MZ: I am still hearing there are at least that many currencies in the first basket.
Member: Hoping for news on your redemption folks working this weekend?
MZ: No update on if they are working yet this weekend or not.
Member: Will we have to travel far to exchange?
MZ: I was told that here in the US –most folks will be traveling 50 miles or less. If you live in the middle of nowhere like in Montana Wyoming or the Dakotas…..maybe a bit longer drive.
Member: And the US government is supposed to shut down on Friday…if no bill voted on
Member: I think we need to have the Government to shut down because excellent time to change the currency .
Member: when chaos begins = rv slips in the back....its close
Member: Bara says mechanisms in place to force Iraq if they don't do it by Monday
MZ: “ Kurdistan government confirms its commitment to export and sell KRG oil through SOMO” this is a commitment to make the oil move so they can salaries ect……
MZ: “The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has decided to distribute salaries starting tomorrow” This means we are starting to see money flowing from oil ….This is a good sign for us.
Member: Enjoy your evening everyone…..see you in the AM