FRANK26: "IRAQ ONLY DANCES WITH THE USA FOR SECURITY & STABILITY FROM IRAN"....F26
Baghdad caught between allies as US hits Iran
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. Photo: Reuters
Baghdad – Iraq finds itself in a delicate diplomatic dance, caught between its two key allies—the United States and Iran—after the U.S. launched a series of striking military actions. On June 21–22, U.S. forces carried out airstrikes against three Iranian nuclear sites (Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan) in coordination with Israel, aiming to dismantle Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities.
Earlier, Baghdad formally condemned the military strikes, reaffirming its commitment to sovereignty and diplomacy. In that statement, Iraq notably avoided naming the United States as the source of the attacks.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is facing a possibly career-defining moment. Iraq has strategic and economic links with the United States, including military collaboration and security cooperation, while also retaining substantial cultural, political, and trade ties with neighboring Iran.
By publicly denouncing the attack yet omitting the U.S. from blame, Al-Sudani walks a razor’s edge.
If he leans too far towards Washington, he risks alienating Tehran and Iraq’s pro‑Iran political factions. Conversely, overt criticism of Iran could erode support among his domestic base, which strongly favors sovereignty and anti-interventionist policies.
Adding to the complexity is the presence of powerful Iran-backed militias within Iraq. These groups have the capability and historical precedent to target US assets, including military bases and the American embassy in Baghdad or Erbil.
Al-Sudani and Iraqi goverment must now manage the volatile domestic landscape to prevent retaliatory strikes that could drag Iraq deeper into the conflict.
Al-Sudani’s next actions, whether they involve convening a regional summit, advocating for UN involvement, or engaging with leaders in Washington and Tehran, will define both his premiership and Iraq’s future position in a quickly destabilize region.
MILITIAMAN: Iraqi Dinar Update: Budget Legislation and Integrity Information
Summary
The video provides an in-depth update on Iraq’s financial reforms, focusing primarily on the integration of the Iraqi financial sector with global compliance standards and the progress toward redenomination of the Iraqi dinar.
Central to this development is the partnership between Key (KI), Iraq’s largest electronic payment platform, and K2 Integrity, a US-backed global compliance and financial crime advisory firm.
This collaboration aims to modernize Iraq’s financial infrastructure, enhance transparency, and align Iraqi banking and fintech sectors with international standards such as those set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Basel Committee. The partnership is supported by major international players like Ernst & Young, Oliver Wyman, and the US Treasury, signaling strong external confidence in Iraq’s financial reform trajectory.
The video also addresses the complex budgetary and political dynamics within Iraq, highlighting issues surrounding Article 12C of the tripartite budget law (covering 2023-2025), which impacts salary payments in the Kurdistan region, oil revenue sharing disputes, and the halted oil pipeline exports. These interconnected financial and political issues explain delays in salary disbursements and broader economic tensions.
Further, the video touches on Iraq’s strong foreign currency reserves and commodity stockpiles, which bolster economic stability despite regional tensions.
The presenter emphasizes that Iraq’s financial system is safer and more advanced in its reforms than many might assume, especially when considering the broader scope of Iraq’s natural resources beyond oil—such as minerals and strategic raw materials—which could significantly boost revenue and foreign direct investment (FDI).
Finally, the video discusses the pending decision from Iraq’s federal court’s chief justice on crucial budget and salary payment issues, a key legal step that could unlock further progress. The presenter suggests that despite ongoing challenges, Iraq is making meaningful strides toward financial modernization, compliance, and integration into the global financial system.
Highlights
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🌍 Key (KI) and K2 Integrity partnership to modernize Iraq’s financial system with global compliance standards.
💳 Integration of Iraq’s electronic payment sector with international banking and fintech regulations.
📊 Iraq’s tripartite budget law (2023-2025) and Article 12C deeply tied to oil revenue disputes and salary payments.
⚖️ Federal court’s chief justice holds key decision on continuing salary payments amidst political complexities.
Key Insights
🌐 Global Integration Through Compliance Partnerships: The collaboration between Key and K2 Integrity represents a strategic leap for Iraq’s financial sector, placing it on a path to meet rigorous international anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) standards. This is a foundational step for Iraq to regain credibility in global markets and attract foreign investment, which is crucial for long-term economic growth.
🔄 Financial Modernization is Further Along Than Expected: The involvement of top-tier international firms such as Ernst & Young, Oliver Wyman, and KPMG, alongside K2 Integrity, signals that Iraq’s banking reforms and financial infrastructure upgrades are progressing at a more advanced stage than generally perceived. This suggests that Iraq is effectively preparing for redenomination and broader monetary policy changes with substantial institutional backing.
💵 Redenomination and Currency Reforms are Imminent: The video highlights that currency destruction efforts and digital payment regulations indicate active preparations for redenomination of the Iraqi dinar. Redenomination aims to simplify the currency, reduce counterfeiting risks, and enhance monetary policy effectiveness, which will support Iraq’s financial stability and market confidence.
⚖️ Interconnectedness of Budget Law, Oil Revenue, and Salaries: The tripartite budget law and specifically Article 12C are central to understanding ongoing fiscal challenges. The non-payment of public salaries in the Kurdistan region is directly linked to unresolved disputes over oil revenue sharing and the closure of critical pipelines. This legal and political entanglement delays salary payments and affects regional stability, underscoring the complexity of Iraq’s federal financial governance.
🛑 Political and Legal Hurdles Remain Key Barriers: Despite progress in reforms, the federal court’s pending decision on salary payments and budget approvals highlights the ongoing legal and political uncertainties. The chief justice’s ruling will be pivotal in unlocking salary disbursements and may influence broader financial reform momentum.
🛢️ Diversification of Revenue Sources Beyond Oil: The video stresses that focusing solely on oil revenue paints an incomplete picture of Iraq’s economic potential. Iraq’s vast natural resources—including sulfur, phosphate, uranium, thorium, silica, and gold—could significantly increase annual revenues and foreign direct investment if properly harnessed and integrated into financial reforms, providing a more diversified and resilient economic base.
💹 Robust Foreign Currency Reserves Provide Economic Cushion:Iraq’s foreign currency reserves, covering approximately 15 months of imports, combined with significant stockpiles of critical commodities, provide a buffer against regional instability and external shocks. This financial resilience supports Iraq’s capacity to maintain essential imports and social services during periods of political or economic stress.
🔍 Financial Sector Compliance Will Ripple Across Economy: The compliance infrastructure built by K2 Integrity for Key is expected to influence the entire Iraqi financial ecosystem, including banks, fintech providers, regulators, and government institutions. This systemic impact will be crucial to establishing trust, reducing financial crime, and enabling scalable international transactions critical for trade and remittances.
⚙️ Technological and Operational Upgrades Are Underway: Beyond regulatory compliance, the partnership involves building significant operational back offices and innovation centers (such as in Jordan and UAE) that will incubate new fintech products and services. This forward-looking approach enhances Iraq’s capacity to adopt cutting-edge financial technologies and practices, positioning it for future growth.
🔄 Strategic US Support Reflects Geopolitical Interests: The US Treasury and Federal Reserve’s backing of these reforms underscores a strategic interest in stabilizing Iraq’s financial system. This support not only enhances Iraq’s reform credibility but situates the country as a potentially pivotal player in Middle Eastern economic dynamics and global trade networks.
Conclusion
The video offers a comprehensive update on Iraq’s ongoing financial reforms, highlighting the significant strides being taken to modernize its banking and fintech sectors through global partnerships and compliance initiatives. Despite political and legal challenges—especially related to budget law disputes and oil revenue sharing—the country’s robust foreign reserves, diversified resource base, and international backing provide a hopeful outlook. The pending federal court decision remains a crucial factor in the near-term financial environment. Overall, Iraq appears well-positioned to integrate into the global financial system, fostering economic stability, growth, and increased foreign investment.
Exiled prince looks to lead Iranian people in ending Islamic Republic: 'Our Berlin Wall moment'
Iranian exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi urges Iranian military defection, claims Ayatollah Ali Khamenei trying to flee
Iranian opposition leader and son of the last shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, holds a press conference in Paris on June 23, 2025. (JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)
6/23/2025
The exiled prince of Iran has proposed leading the country's democratic transition to end the Islamic Republic in a new speech Monday.
"Today, it is clearer than ever: The Islamic Republic is collapsing," Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the late last shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, said. "Credible reports indicate that Ali Khamenei’s family – and the families of senior regime officials – are making preparations to flee Iran. The regime is on its last legs, in towns and cities across the country. The military is fractured. The people are united. The foundations of this 46-year tyranny are shaking."
"This is our Berlin Wall moment," Pahlavi said from a press conference he called in Paris.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly hiding out in a bunker as the U.S. military pounded three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. Amid concerns that he could be assassinated, Khamenei has cut off all electronic communications to his commanders, relying on a trusted aide to relay orders, the New York Times reported.
Pahlavi, whose father was the last monarch overthrown during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, said Monday that Iran currently stands at a crossroads, warning that the West handing the current regime a lifeline would only result in more bloodshed.
"The difference in these two roads depends on one factor and one factor alone: whether the current regime in Iran is allowed to survive," he said. "If the West throws the regime a lifeline there will be more bloodshed and chaos – because this regime will not submit or surrender after it has been humiliated. It will lash out. As long as it is in power, no country and no people are safe: whether on the streets of Washington, Paris, Jerusalem, Riyadh or Tehran."
He argued for a "peaceful and democratic transition" and said the only way to achieve peace was through "a secular, democratic Iran."
"I am here today to submit myself to my compatriots to lead them down this road to peace and a democratic transition," Pahlavi said. "I do not seek political power, but rather to help our great nation navigate through this critical hour toward stability, freedom, and justice."
Pahlavi accused Khamenei of using the Iranian people as "human shields" by hiding out in his bunker.
"Seeing the images of the people of Tehran forced to flee our beautiful capital, the explosions in Isfahan, the fires along the Persian Gulf, all fill me with pain. But more than pain, I am filled with anger because this war is the result of the selfishness, hatred, and terror of one man: Ali Khamenei," he said. "While he directs this war from the safety of his hidden bunker, he uses our people as human shields. It is time to end the suffering."
In a direct message to Khamenei, Pahlavi said, "Step down. And if you do, you will receive a fair trial and due process of law. Which is more than you have ever given any Iranian."
He said other senior regime officials would have to face justice but promised not to "repeat the mistakes made in other failed transitions."
"To those of you who are loyal to the Iranian nation, and not the Islamic Republic: there is a future for you in a democratic Iran, if you join the people now," Pahlavi said. "The choice is yours to make. I know these officers, these soldiers, these brave men exist because they are reaching out to me and telling me they want to be part of this national salvation. But now, greater coordination is needed."
Pahlavi announced that he is establishing "a formal channel for military, security, and police personnel to reach out directly to me, my team, and our expanding operation." He promised that it was a "secure platform to efficiently manage the growing volume of inbound communications and requests from those breaking with the regime and seeking to join our movement."
He said the international community was right to be concerned about stopping nuclear weapons and securing regional stability. Although the destruction of the three nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow has "diminished the regime’s domestic nuclear enrichment," Pahlavi warned that the U.S. strikes did "not diminish the regime’s intent to acquire and use nuclear weapons."
"The regime, enraged and emboldened, will be seeking revenge and can acquire nuclear weapons from other rogue regimes like North Korea," he said. "The destruction of the regime’s nuclear facilities alone will not deliver peace."
Pahlavi said he was "stepping forward to lead this national transition – not out of personal interest but as a servant of the Iranian people." He said he has a "clear plan for transition and national renewal" based on three core principles: Iran’s territorial integrity; individual liberties and equality of all citizens; and separation of religion and state. Pahlavi proposed convening a "national unity summit" of activists, dissidents, business leaders, professionals, experts and other groups outside of politics.
The goal would be for them to together develop a roadmap to democratic transition, and he said the "final form of this future democracy we seek will be for the Iranian people to decide in a national referendum."
Pahlavi also said he developed a three-phase, comprehensive plan for the "economic reconstruction and social stabilization" of the country. He promised that his team of experts "will publish the plans for the first 100 days after the collapse of the Islamic Republic based on this work."
"We are bringing together some of the world’s greatest investors, builders, entrepreneurs, and experts who care about Iran and see its immense potential," he said.
Before opting for U.S. military intervention, President Donald Trump reportedly was working with Turkey to coordinate a diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Iran conflict and cut a nuclear deal, but the ayatollah did not engage. According to Axios, sources said Trump offered to send Vice President JD Vance and White House envoy Steve Witkoff for negotiations, and Trump offered to come to Turkey himself if it meant meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
In a cowardly and treacherous attack, from 2:15 to 3:45 on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, a group of small suicide drones targeted a number of Iraqi military sites and bases. This targeting caused significant damage to the radar systems at the Taji camp north of Baghdad and the Imam Ali base (peace be upon him) in Dhi Qar Governorate, without causing any human casualties.
Iraqi forces were able to repel and thwart all other attempted attacks on four different locations, including the drones that had been attempting to target these sites.
All targeted sites are military sites fully affiliated with the Iraqi security forces, and are managed and operated by officers and personnel from our heroic security forces.
Following this blatant attack, Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, ordered the formation of a high-level technical and intelligence committee, including representatives from all relevant security agencies, to investigate the circumstances of the attack, identify the perpetrators, and fully monitor the results of the investigation.
These treacherous criminal acts will not go unpunished, and our armed forces will remain Iraq's impregnable shield in defense of our people, our land, and our sovereignty.