Warning against using it to address the financial deficit… Economic Observatory: Iraq’s gold reserves at their highest levels
12/20/2025 Baghdad –
An economic observatory announced on Saturday that Iraq’s gold reserves have reached a record high of approximately $23.064 billion, while simultaneously warning against using or disposing of them to address the country’s financial deficit.
The observatory stated in a report that “Iraq purchased approximately 8.2 tons of gold during 2025, bringing the total reserve to 170.9 tons.” The report further explained that “this increase was distributed as follows: one ton in March, 1.6 tons in June, 3.1 tons in July, and 2.5 tons in August.”
The report indicated that “the total reserve of 170.9 tons is currently equivalent to $23.064 billion, the highest level of gold reserves in Iraq’s history.”
The observatory attributed “this significant increase to the rise in global gold prices, and not to the volume of purchases made during 2025,” explaining that “recent purchases represent approximately 6.4% of the total reserves since the beginning of this year.”
The observatory warned against “any m**********n or misuse of gold reserves to cover financial deficits, whether through selling a portion of them or investing them in high-risk ventures,” emphasizing that “gold is a sovereign asset dedicated to supporting financial stability, not to generating immediate revenue.” (LINK)
An earlier report stating that Iraq would implement a new currency mechanism on December 1, 2025, did not materialize. According to commentary from Mnt Goat and sources attributed to the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), the timeline has shifted to January 2026.
This delay appears linked to political, security, and financial readiness factors rather than cancellation. Evidence continues to point toward early 2026 as a critical period for Iraqi dinar normalization, including potential currency restructuring and reintegration into global markets.
📰 What Was Supposed to Happen on December 1, 2025?
An earlier article titled “Iraq Is Set to Implement a New Currency Mechanism on December 1, 2025” suggested that Iraq would officially roll out a major monetary change by that date.
However:
The mechanism was not implemented
No public activation occurred
No formal CBI announcement confirmed execution
This naturally raised one key question: why the delay?
According to Mnt Goat’s analysis, several factors likely contributed to the timeline shift:
🗳️ Political Considerations
Ongoing election-related dynamics
Sensitivity around major monetary changes during political transitions
🔒 Security Concerns
Continued issues involving
Iranian-backed militias
Regional instability requiring caution before irreversible financial moves
🏦 Financial System Readiness
Once a new currency mechanism is implemented:
There is no turning back
Banks, clearing systems, and financial institutions must be fully aligned
International partners must be prepared to support the change
Monetary reform requires perfect timing, not speed.
🏛️ New Target Date: January 1, 2026
According to information attributed to a CBI contact, the projected implementation date has been moved to January 1, 2026.
This adjustment should not be seen as negative. Instead, it signals:
Prudence over pressure
Readiness over headlines
Stability over speculation
⏳ January 2026: A Window, Not a Single Day
An important clarification often overlooked:
Currency reform does not have to occur on January 1st exactly.
January offers 31 possible days, giving the CBI flexibility.
Possible Scenarios:
🔹 Zeros removed early January, release later in the month
🔹 Technical adjustments early, public rollout mid-to-late January
🔹 Phased implementation within January
This flexibility reduces systemic risk and allows controlled execution.
💱 What Does “Removing the Zeros” Mean?
“Removing the zeros” refers to a redenomination process, not instant wealth creation.
Key Points:
It simplifies currency units
Reduces cash handling inefficiencies
Supports digital banking transition
Enhances international credibility
This process has been used by multiple countries prior to currency normalization and international trading.
🌍 Early 2026: Normalization and FOREX Re-entry
According to Mnt Goat’s assessment:
“There is much more evidence than not that everything is pointing to early 2026 for them to normalize the dinar and place it back on FOREX.”
What Normalization Means:
Market-based exchange rate
International trading visibility
Reduced capital controls
Stronger confidence for investors and institutions
This is consistent with:
Iraq’s banking digitization
Basel III compliance
ISO 20022 integration
Reduced money supply (as confirmed by the CBI)
⏱️ Timeline Overview
Date
Event
Significance
Dec 1, 2025
Original target date
Not implemented
Late 2025
Elections & security issues
Delay justified
Jan 2026
New projected window
Strategic rollout
Early 2026
Expected normalization
FOREX readiness
❓ Q&A –
❓ Was the December 1 plan canceled?
No. Available information suggests it was delayed, not canceled.
❓ Why is January 2026 important?
It provides political, security, and financial alignment after year-end transitions.
❓ Does removing zeros mean instant gains?
No. It is a structural monetary reform, not a windfall event.
❓ Will the dinar return to FOREX?
Evidence increasingly supports early 2026 normalization, though no official date exists.
🔔 Key Highlights (Discover Optimized)
New currency mechanism delayed from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026
Delay linked to elections, security, and system readiness
CBI prefers precision over speed
Removing zeros remains on the table
Early 2026 seen as normalization window
🧠 Final Analysis: Delay Is a Sign of Discipline
True monetary reform is irreversible. The Central Bank of Iraq’s willingness to delay implementation underscores responsible governance, not failure. Every signal—from reduced money supply to compliance upgrades—points to a methodical approach aimed at long-term stability rather than short-term reaction.
Early 2026 is not a promise. It is a probability built on preparation.
Old Article: “IRAQ IS SET TO IMPLEMENT A NEW CURRENCY MECHANISM ON DECEMBER 1, 2025” .
..But it did not get implemented on Dec 1st and so why? Could it be the elections and the issue with the Iranian militias? Remember once they implement this new currency mechanism there is no turning back. Everything must be in place for the financial entities to support it. My CBI contact has told me...this date is now moved out until January 1, 2026. We should all understand why.
...the CBI may still go ahead with removing the zeros in time for a January release or in January.
Oh… but remember it does not have to happen exactly on January 1st as there are thirty-one days in the month. They could also change the plan and remove the zeros in early January and release in late January. There are options. There is much more evidence than not that everything is pointing to early 2026 for them to normalize the dinar and place it back on FOREX to trade.
Chief Justice: The first session of the new parliament cannot be postponed or extended
12/20/2025
The head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaidan, confirmed on Saturday that the first session of the new House of Representatives, scheduled for December 29, 2025, must decide on the appointment of the Speaker of the Council and his two deputies, and it is not permissible constitutionally or legally to postpone or extend it.
This came during a meeting between Faeq Zaidan, head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party, and Bafel Talabani, according to a statement from the Supreme Judicial Council.
The Judicial Council stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “the meeting emphasized the importance of respecting the constitutional timelines for electing the three presidencies, in order to ensure the completion of the formation of the legislative and executive authorities.”
Faiq Zaidan explained that “the first session of the new House of Representatives on December 29 must end with the appointment of the Speaker of the House and his two deputies, and it is not constitutionally or legally possible to postpone or extend it.
Zidan also stressed the importance of “deciding on the nomination of the candidate for the presidency of the republic within the constitutional period of thirty days after the e******n of the Speaker of Parliament on the 29th of this month.”
The National Political Council, which includes the Sunni forces that won the e*******s, is witnessing rapid political activity to announce the nomination of a candidate for Speaker of Parliament, through meetings described as positive that discussed the files of the Parliament’s presidency and the rights of the Sunni component.
This comes in parallel with the moves of the Shiite Coordination Framework, which affirmed its commitment to the constitutional deadlines and to resolving the nomination of the Prime Minister within two weeks.
President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid had set December 29 as the date for the first session of the Iraqi parliament. (LINK)
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has officially signed documents to hand over its Baghdad compound to the Iraqi government before the end of 2025, marking the conclusion of its mission in the country.
This move, reinforced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ high-profile visit to Baghdad, is widely viewed as a symbolic and diplomatic confirmation that Iraq has met the minimum international requirements for restored sovereignty and normalized global standing.
📰 UNAMI Officially Ends Its Mission in Iraq
According to recent reports, UNAMI will formally conclude its operations in Iraq on December 31, transferring control of its Baghdad compound back to the Iraqi government.
This decision represents:
The end of direct UN oversight
A transition from post-conflict supervision to full national self-governance
International recognition of Iraq’s institutional maturity
The handover of a UN compound is not ceremonial—it is a diplomatic signal with global implications.
🧠 Final Analysis: Sovereignty Is Not Announced—It Is Demonstrated
Sovereignty is proven through action, not slogans. The United Nations does not quietly withdraw from unstable countries. It leaves when its job is complete. The return of the Baghdad compound, the red-carpet diplomacy, and the December 31 deadline collectively signal that Iraq has crossed a historic threshold.
This is not speculation—it is international protocol.
Article: "Before her work ends at the end of the year UNAMI signs documents to hand over its Baghdad compound to the Iraqi government"
Keep in mind the United States already did that with its massive one mile square compound the US government had in the green zone of Baghdad. They already turned that back over...The US is building a new $800 million embassy in the Kurdistan region...
This right here is the UN announcing Iraq' sovereignty and removal of sanctions to the entire world. They said, 'We're done. We're exiting your country. We're going to give you our compound back to you.' That's a sovereignty announcement.
The UN is ending its mission and work within the country of Iraq...December 31.
Last weekend the UN flew in its big dog which was Antonio Guterres. He took a fancy limousine ride with a gun salute and he walked into Iraq's capital of Baghdad on a red carpet. He met with Sudani side by side. They each had their own podium. They each gave their own custom speeches...Guterres spoke and congratulated Iraq for achieving all their minimum requirements to restore their sovereignty.
A new shift in customs procedures is expected at the beginning of next year
The General Authority of Customs announced the full implementation of the advance customs declaration system at the beginning of next year, to include all imported goods and merchandise.
The Director General of the Authority, Thamer Qasim Dawood, explained in a press statement that "the Authority has begun the gradual implementation of the system, as the first phase included five basic materials: gold, mobile phones, jewelry, curtains, in addition to some other goods such as cooling devices and cars."
He pointed out that "the period from the first until (31) of this month represents a trial phase in preparation for generalizing the system to all goods and merchandise in the federal customs centers, stressing that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq ports are temporarily excluded because they are not linked to the
ASYCUDA system adopted by the Authority."
Daoud stressed that “the electronic link between customs declarations and the Central Bank of Iraq will directly contribute to reducing currency smuggling and money transfers without corresponding goods.” link