IRAQI BANK FRIEND AKI: WE ARE JUST WAITING THE NEW EXCHANGE RATE THAT WILL COME WITH 2025 BUDGET

 

Iraq: Air defense deals imminent with US, France, South Korea

Iraq is in negotiations with five countries, including the United States, France, and South Korea, to acquire advanced air defense and radar systems, a parliamentary official said on Saturday.

Ali al-Bandawi, a member of Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee, confirmed to Shafaq News that Baghdad has launched formal talks aimed at strengthening the country’s airspace protection with the three named countries, in addition to two others not yet publicly identified.

Iraq currently lacks an integrated national air defense network and relies on limited systems that do not cover its full territory, leaving its airspace vulnerable to unauthorized incursions.

“Our country needs a modern air defense system to prevent external violations and preserve national sovereignty,” al-Bandawi noted, adding that discussions cover high-precision radar and other strategic technologies.

Iraq’s armed forces have relied on foreign defense procurement since the early 2000s, with recent efforts focused on rebuilding deterrence amid regional instability and increasing pressure to assert airspace sovereignty—particularly following repeated breaches during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. Fighter jets, drones, and missiles crossed Iraqi skies during the clashes, drawing domestic criticism over Baghdad’s inability to intercept threats.

In response, Iraqi forces positioned short-range air defense units near a southern oil facility to shield critical infrastructure. Additionally, the country signed a $118M defense contract with US-based defense contractor Vectrus Systems to support its fleet of F-16 fighter jets.

A2Z UPDATE : Trigger groups have been activated and are receiving funds

 Wed. 25 June A2Z Update

 A2Z Dreamz Team has vetted and believes all updates in this summary to be true:

• Forex Activity: Rate suppression appears to be lifted. New rates have been briefly visible on multiple platforms. The system has passed the point of no return.

• Funding Underway
  • Mr. Salvage: Pentecostal group is actively dispersing funds.
  • MarkZ: Bond holders are being paid today.
  • Zester: Travel funds are being dispersed.
  • Military confirmation: Bondholders are fully liquid; whales and 4A SKRs are next.

• Reno Movement: Increased private jet traffic reported

• Trigger Groups: trigger groups have been activated and are receiving funds

• 4A & 4B expected to roll out within minutes or hours of each other.
  • Large firms and banks confirm liquidity is in place.
  • Bankers say everything is complete — no further delays expected.
  • If not released now, a restart would be required, which markets won’t allow.

AMIEL : BREAKING NEWS INTEL!! : We are at an any moment status for release!! ‪@DINARREVALUATION‬

 

Post Iran-Israel war: Iraqi economist warns of vulnerabilities

 Iraq's economy is increasingly exposed to external shocks and structural weaknesses following the Iran-Israel war, economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi warned on Saturday.

Al-Marsoumi, a professor of economics at Basra University, stated that insurance premiums on oil tankers from the Gulf to Asia surged by 60% during the 12-day war, while transport costs—particularly to China and India—increased by 195%. These shifts, he noted, highlight Iraq’s vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions in energy supply chains.

He also warned that a prolonged conflict could have forced a closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a key route for most Iraqi oil exports. With the Ceyhan pipeline suspended since March 2023, Iraq would have been left without a viable export channel.

Kurdistan's Gambit

Al-Marsoumi assessed that halted oil flows from the Kurdistan Region, averaging around 400,000 barrels per day through the Ceyhan pipeline to Turkiye, represent a minor share of national revenue and can be compensated by output from central and southern fields.

However, he emphasized that the more urgent concern lies in the Region’s salary crisis. “There is no legal or fiscal basis for delaying public sector wages,” he said, calling for a revenue-sharing framework that routes all oil and gas income through the federal treasury to ensure timely disbursements.

Regarding the way the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is reportedly to take to cover salaries, he explained that this would be by using internal revenues while reducing employee allowances by 30%—a temporary measure that, in his view, underscores the absence of a political settlementbetween Erbil and Baghdad.

Labor Imbalance

Turning to Iraq’s energy sector contracts, Al-Marsoumi pointed to structural deficiencies in foreign labor agreements. Unlike Iran, which retains over 250 Russian experts at its Bushehr nuclear facility under binding terms, Iraq lacks enforceable retention clauses.

“More than 5,000 foreign nationals currently work in Iraq’s energy sector, often receiving compensation far exceeding local staff despite limited involvement in daily operations,” he noted, adding that this disparity places unnecessary financial strain on national resources.

Al-Marsoumi described Iraq’s business environment as fundamentally unattractive to foreign investors. He cited systemic corruption, armed group influence, weak infrastructure, legal complexity, and widespread rent-seeking as key deterrents.

He rejected government claims of attracting $90 billion in foreign investment as “media posturing,” pointing out that Iraq’s balance of payments shows no evidence of actual capital inflows.

Al-Marsoumi also criticized Iraq’s continued dependence on imported gasoline and gas, calling it a policy contradiction for the world’s second-largest oil producer. He contrasted this with Iran’s heavily subsidized domestic fuel pricing.

“Iraq has made little tangible progress toward energy self-sufficiency. We need structural reform led by political leadership committed to economic diversification. Despite frequent public pledges to develop agriculture and industry, oil revenues continue to account for 91% of the federal budget.”

To reduce external vulnerabilities, he recommended activating alternative export corridors through Turkiye, Syria, and Jordan.

Price Volatility

Al-Marsoumi reported that oil prices declined to around $66 per barrel after the conflict, with May revenues barely covering public payrolls. He urged the government to curb spending and expand non-oil revenue streams.

He cited recent remarks by US President Donald Trump suggesting China could resume imports of Iranian oil—a signal, he argued, of possible sanctions relief that might allow Tehran to export up to 750,000 barrels per day.

Saudi Arabia also plans to increase output by 411,000 barrels per day in response to US calls for lower global oil prices, according to Al-Marsoumi, marking a shift from price stabilization to market share competition, which could push prices down toward $60 per barrel.

TIDBIT FROM MILITIAMAN

 Militia Man 

 Iraq is ready to make a big move into the international financial system...Big business doesn't come into Iraq if there's risk especially if you're going to spend billions of dollars. 

 You're not going to go into a country that's got significant problems...You can see this isn't the past...It's secure and stable...

If they drop three zeros, reinstate, apply the real effective exchange rate then you're going to have all the fundamentals.  Iraq's going to be valued off her fundamentals. 

 Back in the old days it was oil.  Now it's non-oil resources - gas...phosphate, silica, sulfur, gold, uranium, thorium, taxes and tariffs all those things.

THOM SIELOFF: CBI FREEZING TERRORISTS FUNDS : Why is this happening now? ‪@DINARREVALUATION‬