FRANK26: "ASRAFLAK EXPLAINS THE MASTER CARD TO THE CITIZENS".......F26
Within days, MasterCard services are expected to be suspended in Iraqi banks
4/23/2025
A financial expert and former official at the Central Bank of Iraq revealed on Wednesday that MasterCard cards will cease to be used by some banks at the end of April.
Mahmoud Dagher told Shafaq News Agency, "MasterCards from the sanctioned banks will no longer be used outside the country," noting that "use of these cards from the sanctioned banks has been extended until the end of the month.
"
Dagher added, "MasterCard cards of the sanctioned banks will only work in dinars domestically."
According to experts, Mastercard has decided to suspend transactions with some Iraqi companies and banks due to restrictions on dollar transactions, posing a major challenge to the Iraqi financial system.
Several banks operating in Iraq have been subject to US sanctions regarding dollar transfers outside the country, while the rise in the dollar exchange rate against the dinar has been attributed to some traders withdrawing funds from the black market.
✨ Ginger: I appreciate Jon's work and diligent efforts. While I'm not able to follow closely, and while we have a difference of opinion on some things, I love his faith in action in every podcast.
Really good guy! Please See below. I personally do not anticipate that Vietnam and Iraq will revalue on the world's stage at different times.
PS: It was fun to see his & Mark's GLL117 Flight references several times during their joint podcast today, suggesting preparation for landing.
4.23.25
✨😎🇺🇸 Jon Dowling: So President Trump is playing the highball game. The art of negotiation with these countries. Thirty-four countries are working with the treasury department this week alone.
Meanwhile, there seems to be a seventeen day gap between Vietnam and Iraq as Sudani said this week their summit in May is the most important one in the Middle East to date.
Could he be signaling a change in May and Vietnam right after them? We shall see.
The fast that Iraq devalued their currency to 1776 dinars to the dollar is a huge comm! 👀🙏🙏🙏
The Iraq Stock Exchange and the Iraqi Securities Commission signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) today, Wednesday, to join the Tabadul digital trading platform, '
becoming the platform's ninth member.
The Iraq Stock Exchange said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The signing ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. This step comes within the framework of strengthening joint cooperation between the two sides, based on the preliminary agreement announced between the Iraqi Securities Commission and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in January 2025, with the aim of enhancing joint cooperation between the capital markets of the two countries."
The Commission continued, "The agreement aims to consolidate cooperation frameworks in various fields, including technology and innovation, developing trading and post-trade systems, and exchanging best practices and technologies in the trading field." THE Commission explained that "this memorandum will contribute to paving the way for investors and brokerage firms to trade directly and seamlessly between the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and the Iraq Stock Exchange.The Tabadul platform allows brokerage firms in both markets to access other markets remotely, contributing to strengthening interconnectivity between the markets and enabling Iraqi investors to access regional and global investment opportunities."
Also the Commission explained that "by leveraging the Tabadul platform, investors in member markets will be able to participate in initial public offerings (IPOs) between them, which will help highlight the advantages of cross-border trading and expand investment horizons."
The Chairman of the Iraqi Securities Commission, Faisal Al-Haimus, praised this step, stressing that "the Iraqi market's accession to the Tabadul platform represents a qualitative leap in the development of the Iraqi financial market infrastructure."
He added, "This platform will enhance opportunities for regional partnerships and economic integration with Arab financial markets, contributing to broader horizons for investors and reflecting the Commission's commitment tosupporting the digital transformation of the Iraqi financial market."
For her part, the Executive Director of the Iraq Stock Exchange, Jimmy Afham Toma, said, "We are proud of the Iraq Stock Exchange's accession to the Tabadul digital trading platform, as this represents an important step towards developing the Iraqi financial market and strengthening its integration with regional markets."
Abdullah Salem Al-Nuaimi, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Group, said, "This MoU represents a milestone in the cooperation between the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and the Iraq Stock Exchange."
He added, "This cooperation strengthens the Iraqi market's position within the regional ecosystem by increasing market activity and providing a wider range of opportunities for investors by enabling access to diverse investment options in companies listed on both markets."
He continued, "The platform also provides access to more than 7.5 million investors on member exchanges and includes more than 490 listed companies. Trading activity between member stock exchanges doubled in 2025 compared to 2024, reflecting the platform's position in the regional financial landscape."
In addition to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the Tabadul platform currently includes a number of the region's most prominent exchanges, including the Bahrain Bourse, Muscat Stock Exchange, Astana International Exchange, Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, Central Asian Stock Exchange, Armenian Stock Exchange, and Amman Stock Exchange. Discussions are currently underway with several other financial markets to join the platform.
Tabadul provides a comprehensive range of trading opportunities for investors in member markets through seamless and flexible solutions that support business development, expand investment opportunities, and contribute to promoting sustainable economic growth.
The Tabadul platform underscores the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange's commitment to developing advanced technological infrastructure and expanding investor access to markets through strategic partnerships with leading financial markets, particularly in Arab countries such as Iraq. This will also contribute to enhancing liquidity, providing innovative trading solutions, and supporting the integration of financial markets at the regional and international levels.
...one of our sources, said, get ready ...Another one said this is the start of the greatest turnover of wealth, history of the world...
the rates that we're looking for are already on the redemption center screens... on Monday...I think we're going to find that the rates are exactly where they want them to be for us to get started...
Dong is very high, way higher than I thought it would even get to...So really this is coming to a conclusion...I think we're looking at a very, very good middle of the week.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday the postponement of technical-level discussions with the United States, originally scheduled for Wednesday, as part of broader efforts to revive stalled negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that, upon a proposal from Oman and with the agreement of both delegations, the planned technical consultations between Iran and the U.S. were rescheduled for Saturday, April 26—the same day the third round of broader nuclear talks is set to be held in Muscat under Omani mediation.
Renewed momentum in diplomatic backchannels
Since April 12, Iran and the United States have engaged in two rounds of indirect talks, the first in Muscat and the second in Rome. Officials from both sides have signaled incremental progress on narrowing longstanding differences over the future of Iran’s nuclear activities and the broader regional security equation.
Saturday’s meeting in Muscat will be led by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff. The round is expected to build on previous discussions aimed at formulating a roadmap for de-escalation and potential agreement.
First high-level engagement since 2018 withdrawal
This series of talks marks the first substantive engagement between the two sides since U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018. The landmark accord had sought to impose strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Following the U.S. withdrawal, Trump reimposed sweeping economic sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran began to gradually roll back its compliance with the JCPOA’s core provisions, heightening regional tensions and concerns over nuclear proliferation.
Trump’s return and renewed ‘maximum pressure’
Since returning to office in January, President Trump has reinstated his administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy toward Tehran while simultaneously urging Iranian leaders to return to the negotiating table. According to U.S. officials, Trump has also warned of potential military action should diplomacy fail to produce results.
Despite the heightened rhetoric, both parties have so far committed to the diplomatic track, with Oman playing a key mediating role in facilitating quiet but crucial conversations between the longtime adversaries.
The outcome of Saturday’s third round of talks may offer clearer indications of whether the renewed diplomatic overtures can pave the way for a revised agreement—or if the specter of confrontation will again loom over the region.