new financial sanctions are being prepared against several Iraqi banks and institutions.
The reason? Ongoing violations in international money transfer systems and non-compliance with global standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Secret Meeting In Istanbul: Washington Threatens New Financial Sanctions On Iraq
July 25, 2025 Last updated: July 25, 2025 Al-Mustaqilla/- An informed source revealed to Al-Mustaqilla that an unannounced meeting was held in Istanbul in recent days, bringing together the Assistant Chairman of the US Federal Reserve and a high-ranking delegation from the Central Bank of Iraq.
The source stated that the meeting came at the urgent invitation of the US to discuss critical developments in the file of financial transfers and Iraqi banking transactions. According to the source,
the US side informed the Iraqi delegation that new financial sanctions are under preparation, to be imposed on a number of Iraqi banks and financial institutions, due to what the US side described as "continued violations" in international transfer systems and the failure of some Iraqi entities to comply with international guidelines to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The source indicated that Direct warnings
the Iraqi delegation received direct warnings of the possibility of freezing additional assets and imposing restrictions on dollar accounts if urgent measures are not taken to regulate the Iraqi financial system and prevent suspicious flows through some Iraqi banks and companies.
These developments come amid escalating tensions between Baghdad and Washington over economic and security issues, most notably restrictions on dollar transfers and US accusations against some Iraqi entities of dealing with entities on sanctions lists.
Observers believe that the new sanctions, if implemented, will deal a severe blow to the Iraqi banking system and could lead to a further deterioration in the value of the dinar and increased pressure on the local market at a time when the Central Bank of Iraq is trying to revive investor confidence and stabilize the exchange rate.
No official comment yet
As of the time of writing this report, no official comment has been issued by the Central Bank of Iraq or the US Embassy in Baghdad regarding the content of the meeting or the content of the warnings contained therein. https://mustaqila.com/اجتماع-سري-في-إسطنبول-واشنطن-تهدد-بعقو/
🔹 Mark shared updates on bond holders—some say they’ve completed paperwork and expect funding by Tuesday. 🔹 Several currency group leaders are reportedly traveling, which could signal movement. 🔹 Redemption/wealth contacts are off this weekend—quiet before the storm?
🔹 There's strong chatter that Monday or Tuesday could be big for the RV.
🔹 Trump is out of the country for 5 days—some believe this is necessary for key financial transitions.
🔹 Trump also proposed tax rebates funded by tariffs—possibly part of broader economic changes?
🔹 Reports of secret meetings in Istanbul and increased U.S. pressure on Iraq—could hint at value shifts. 🔹 Iraq now tracks all oil pipelines internally and progress continues on the Baghdad-Erbil oil agreement. 🔹 A new USD/IQD calculator was spotted on the CBI site—viewed as a significant sign by many.
📌 Sentiment: Many feel we’re at the finish line and just waiting for the final trigger. 🕓 Reminder: Saturday nights, when banks are closed, are rumored to be prime time for revaluations.
The Dinar Is Recovering. Four Painful Blows To The Parallel Dollar Reveal The Successes Of The Iraqi Economic Program.
July 26, 2025 Baghdad / Iraq Observer
The US dollar in Iraq is witnessing significant and sustaineddecline against the national dinar, following a significant period of fluctuation far from the official exchange rate. This was not arbitrary, but rather the result of a comprehensive economic policy pursued by the Iraqi government as part of a reform vision it envisioned within its program. Amid escalating debate over the stability of the Iraqi market and the varying indicators associated with the dollar exchange rate, the Prime Minister's financial advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, issued detailed statements revealing the reasons for the continued decline in the value of the dollar on the parallel market,
compared to a significant rise in the strength of the Iraqi dinar.
He also emphasized that this shift was not a coincidence, but rather the direct result of a series of coordinated government measures across monetary, fiscal, and trade policies implemented over the past two years.
*4 main reasons
Saleh attributed the decline in the dollar exchange rate on the parallel market, which is now approaching the official rate, to four main reasons. Speaking to Iraq Observer, he said,
first factor is the strict legal ban on dollar trading in domestic transactions, particularly in the real estate market, which is one of the largest and strongest financial markets in the country.
This has reduced the scope for informal foreign currency trading." He added that the second reason relates to "the shift in monetary policy toward directforeign exchange support via international banks that correspond with national banks for external transfer purposes,
in contrast to the discontinuation of the Central Bank's currency selling window at the beginning of this year." He noted that "this policy has limited reliance on the parallel market and the risks of unsafe and high-cost financing."
Observers describe this step as "not just a technical choice, but rather a comprehensive strategy to connect Iraqi banks to the international financial system without the need for dubious or unclearly compliant local channels.
Thus, the map of foreign transfers was redrawn to be conducted legally and regulated, gradually reducing the influence of the parallel market and currency exchange companies, which had previously acted as intermediaries between importers and exporters and set prices as they pleased."
* Liberalization of small importers
The third reason, according to the government advisor, relates to “small importers’ access to the official foreign currency financing network without the need for intermediaries from money transfer companies.
This has enabled them to import at a fixed, official exchange rate and has contributed to reducing costs and enhancing compliance, especially since this segment represents approximately 60% of the volume of foreign trade.”
He emphasized that “this facilitation came about thanks to government measures that reduced administrative bureaucracy.” With this opening, exchange rates for these traders became fixed at the official rate (1,320 dinars to the dollar), which caused the parallel market to lose a large segment of its customers, who had been the primary fuel for the increased demand for dollars outside of official channels.
He pointed out that the * Payment cards... another reason
fourth factor is the "expansion of the culture of using foreign currency electronic payment cards among travelers over the past two years, rather than putting pressure on the cash dollar market, in addition to the availability of cash dollars to travelers at airports through national banks, subject to flexible and highly compliant regulatory controls."
In the past, travelers preferred to carry large amounts of dollars in cash, creating additional demand for hard currency in the local market, especially during travel, tourism, or study seasons.
Consequently, the switch to bank cards has contributed to marketstability and reducedspeculation. Saleh concluded his remarks by emphasizing that "the price defense policy adopted by the state, through the establishment of cooperatives for consumer goods and the construction basket funded at the official exchange rate of 1,320 dinars to the dollar, represents an integral part of the success of economic policy in Iraq, through the harmonization of monetary, financial, and commercial efforts within the government program."
With the continued flow of dollars into official channels, the expansion of financial oversight tools, and the promotion of a culture of electronic payments, the Iraqi dinar is now gradually approaching the rate officially set by the Central Bank of Iraq.
* Government efforts...the decisive role
For his part, economic expert Safwan Qusay says that the dinar's appreciation against the dollar comes against the backdrop of the Central Bank of Iraq's reserves rising to more than $97 billion, in addition to gold reserves exceeding 132 tons.
This boosts confidence in the Iraqi economy and provides significant support to the value of the local currency. In an interview with Iraq Observer, the economic expert emphasized the positive outlook for increasingnon-oil revenues and the government's ongoing efforts to halt gas flaring and develop energy and development projects.
He noted that adjusting the public spending structure toward sustainability plays a crucial role in achieving economic and financialstability.
According to Qusay, maintaining and developing positive relations with the United States and the Gulf states could significantly boost the value of the Iraqi dinar, especially following US President Donald Trump's speech encouraging support for US exports to Iraq.
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
Mod: GOOD MORNING ALL! HAPPY SATURDAY! CBD MATT AND LUCAS KICK OFF THE FIRST 45 MINS AND MARK GIVES THE NEWS UPDATE AT 10:30 AM
Member: Well Good Saturday am to you all!!!
MZ: Some interesting bond updates…More have said they have completed paperwork and will receive their funding on or around Tuesday……These are some that have been MIA for awhile.
MZ: I know a couple of group leaders that are traveling …and some key currency groups are traveling this week.
MZ: My redemption center/wealth management contacts are not working this weekend.
Member: I wonder if the redemption people would be working the weekend right before the RV or would they get those last few days of rest before the wave hits the shore?
Member: I am hearing a lot of chatter that Mon or Tues is our big day.
MZ: I am too……I am trying to stay calm but things feel good. .
Member: RV on Monday would be great….Mondays always suck at work, anyways! Lol
MZ: Trump being out of the country for 5 days is interesting. We have heard rumors for years that whoever is POTUS has to be out of the country for RV to go…..he will be in Scotland and Europe for 5 days meeting with leaders. What a golden opportunity it would be
Member: I heard he had to be out of the country to dissolve the corporation and move back to the republic?
MZ: I think that is what most of us have heard.
MZ: “Trump proposes rebates for US taxpayers from tariff revenues” Is this helicoptor money to help citizens with the transition who are struggling? Am I too optimistic?
MZ: “ A secret meeting in Istanbul. Washington threatens new financial sanctions on Iraq” We do know there are secret meetings going on. Could it be about a change in value? There may be more to this than meets the eye…Especially with the timing of everything else.
Member: Frank26 said Trump found out that Sudani was allowing money to go to Iran…may put sanctions on Iraq
Member: Hopefully misinformation and smoke and mirrors
MZ: “Iraq secures all oil pipelines internally” they want us to know they are able to track every bit of oil moving in and out of the country.
MZ: “Baghdad-Erbil Agreement: Is a good way to revive the oil and gas law or a temporary political truce?” We do know this is the furthest they have ever gotten in this process. There is a tentative peace and it appears to be hoding.
Member: Iraqi Gazette was referenced as having an article about redemption
MZ: I cannot find anything about that.
Member: I see a USD to IQD calculator is newly added to the CBI website today. I find that very interesting! It has not been there before.
Member: Got this email from CoinBase: "Coinbase is set to undergo a scheduled upgrade at approximately 7:00 AM PT on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Member: Credit Union bank manager when asked about what he knew on QFS "its gonna be interesting!"
Member: It really doesn't seem like much more news needs to come out. We are at the finish line. I dont think i am too optimistic on this one.
Member: Remember- Saturday nights when all banks are closed is rumored to be the best time to revalue currencies!!!!
Member: Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
Mod: See y’all Monday morning at 10am est for coffee with Mark unless theres breaking news. Have a great weekend