THE US TREASURY FREEZES THE ASSETS OF HALBOUSI AND TWO OF HIS PARTY LEADERS
In official source in Anbar province revealed on Wednesday that Jordan and the UAE have frozen the assets of the head of the Progress Party, Mohammed al-Halbousi, and two of his party leaders, due to their inclusion in the US sanctions.
The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “Jordan and the UAE have frozen the assets of the head of the Progress Alliance, Mohammed al-Halbousi, the current governor of Anbar, Omar Mishaan Dabbous, and Hebat al-Halbousi, the Speaker of Parliament, due to their inclusion in the US Federal Reserve’s decision.”
He added that “the targeted party leaders stole huge sums of money after assuming leadership positions in the central and local governments and transferred them to banks outside Iraq.”
He indicated that “Mohammed al-Halbousi and Speaker of Parliament Hebat al-Halbousi failed to convince the acting US ambassador in Baghdad to mediate to lift the freeze on his funds outside Iraq and the rest of the party leaders.”
He explained that “Al-Halbousi owns, undeclared, banks and exchange offices used in currency smuggling operations from Iraq to neighboring countries,” stressing that “Al-Halbousi’s talks with officials at the US Embassy in Baghdad and the Kuwaiti ambassador failed to release frozen assets outside Iraq due to their inclusion in the US sanctions.”
The conversation surrounding the Iraqi dinar has entered a new phase — one that goes far beyond the traditional “RV” (revaluation) narrative.
Recent commentary from Walkingstick and Sandy Ingram suggests that what’s unfolding is not simply a currency revaluation story — it’s a geopolitical, economic, and strategic restructuring that involves global investment, mineral wealth, oil dominance, and international financial positioning.
Let’s break it down.
🇺🇸 Trump’s Economic Strategy & Iraq: “We Want to Get Paid Back”
According to Walkingstick:
“The thing that Trump wants, we want to get paid back. It looks like we're going to get paid back as soon as this clicks. We are pouring into Iraq in every way, shape or form. We are going to invest heavily in Iraq. Trump wants Iraq's minerals and oils. He wants payback. But none of this will for us until legally it is in country.”
This statement highlights a critical shift in narrative.
The focus is no longer just about a currency revaluation — it’s about strategic economic positioning.
What Does “Getting Paid Back” Mean?
U.S. military and reconstruction spending in Iraq over the past two decades
Strategic energy partnerships
Access to oil and rare earth minerals
Long-term geopolitical leverage in the Middle East
Emerging mineral deposits critical for global technology supply chains
If major U.S. investment accelerates, currency reform becomes a necessary foundation — not a side effect.
But as Walkingstick emphasized:
“None of this will for us until legally it is in country.”
That suggests legal financial mechanisms must be fully implemented domestically inside Iraq before international financial benefits activate.
💱 Sandy Ingram: It’s Not Just a “Revaluation”
Sandy Ingram offers a crucial clarification:
“I've always told you this situation was much much deeper than just getting the Iraqi dinar to float, adjust or revalue. That word ‘revalue’ is out the window. I still use it because it is a catchall... but when I say revalue, I'm really meaning adjustment of the currency or floating the currency. This is really a deep deep rabbit hole.”
This distinction matters.
Revaluation vs. Adjustment vs. Float
Revaluation (RV) A government artificially increases the value of its currency overnight.
Currency Adjustment Gradual correction aligned with economic fundamentals.
Floating the Currency Allowing supply and demand in global markets to determine the exchange rate.
Sandy suggests we are looking at something deeper — possibly:
Monetary reform
Structural banking modernization
Integration into global financial systems
Anti-corruption compliance measures
Legal currency reinstatement frameworks
This is not just about a rate change.
It’s about Iraq repositioning itself financially on the global stage.
🛢️ Why Iraq’s Minerals & Oil Matter Now More Than Ever
The world is entering a new commodity cycle:
Energy security concerns
Rare earth mineral demand
AI and technology infrastructure expansion
Supply chain diversification away from China
Iraq sits at a strategic crossroads.
If foreign investment surges into:
Oil infrastructure
Mining sectors
Industrial development
Banking digitization
Then currency stability becomes essential for international trade and capital flow.
No serious global investor deploys billions into a country with a distorted or artificially suppressed currency system.
🏛️ The Legal Trigger: “When It Is In Country”
Walkingstick mentioned something critical:
“Until legally it is in country.”
This may refer to:
Domestic implementation of financial reforms
Official gazetting of monetary law changes
Central Bank activation mechanisms
International recognition of currency status
In many monetary transitions, the domestic legal structure activates first — international visibility follows.
That means investors watching only forex screens may miss the foundational shifts happening internally.
🔍 Featured Snippet Section (Optimized for Google Discover)
What Is Really Happening With the Iraqi Dinar?
The Iraqi dinar situation appears to involve deeper economic reforms rather than a simple overnight revaluation. Analysts suggest Iraq may be restructuring its financial system, aligning with global markets, modernizing banking, and positioning itself for heavy foreign investment tied to oil and mineral development.
Is the Iraqi Dinar Going to Revalue?
Some experts now prefer the terms “currency adjustment” or “float” rather than revaluation. The change, if it occurs, may be part of a broader monetary reform connected to Iraq’s economic transformation.
Why Is the U.S. Investing in Iraq?
The U.S. may be strategically investing in Iraq to secure energy resources, mineral access, and geopolitical stability. Economic restructuring could be tied to long-term repayment, trade leverage, and investment positioning.
❓ Q&A Section
Q1: Is this just about a quick currency spike?
No. Current commentary suggests structural economic reform rather than a simple rate change.
The thing that Trump wants, we want to get paid back. It looks like we're going to get paid back as soon as this clicks. We are pouring into Iraq in every way, shape or form. We are going to invest heavily in Iraq. Trump wants Iraq's minerals and oils. He wants payback. But none of this will for us until legally it is in country, Aki will tell us.
Sandy Ingram
I've always told you this situation was much much deeper than just getting the Iraqi dinar to float, adjust or revalue. That word "revalue" is out the window. I still use it because it is a catchall...but when I say revalue, I'm really meaning adjustment of the currency or floating the currency. This is really a deep deep rabbit hole...
THE GENERAL BUDGET LAW: CAN IT BE ISSUED IN THE EVENT OF A CONSTITUTIONAL VACUUM?
A financial advisor confirmed that the 2026 budget law can be issued in the event of any constitutional vacuum, after consulting the opinion of the Supreme Federal Court.
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, explained on Thursday that government spending will continue according to the (1/12) rule until the 2026 budget is approved, while noting that the monthly salaries of employees, retirees and welfare amount to 8 trillion dinars.
(Mnt Goat: how do they get into this situation each year after the election? It is because they do not follow the constitutional deadlines to move the election process along. What caused the delay this time was not the Kurds as it was the proposed nomination of Nori al-Maliki.)
Continuation of fiscal policy
Saleh said : “The fiscal policy has been carrying out its duties since the second month of this year 2026 in accordance with the provisions of the amended Federal Financial Management Law No. (6) of 2019, by spending at a rate of (1/12) of the actual current public expenditures for the year 2025.”
He explained that “public finances benefit from the provisions of paragraph (29) of the aforementioned law, which allows the financial authority to adopt temporary financing mechanisms and liquidity management in the event that spending cannot be carried out according to the legally legislated regular budget.”
He added that “the aforementioned provisions confirm the principle of temporary financing in the event of a delay in the approval of the budget law or a temporary shortage of liquidity necessary for spending. This allows the Ministry of Finance to take transitional financial measures that ensure the continued disbursement of priority expenditures without delay. Foremost among these are salaries, wages, pensions and social welfare allocations, which are estimated at about eight trillion dinars per month.”
The possibility of issuing the general budget law
Regarding the possibility of legislating the budget law in the event of a failure to elect a president, Saleh explained that “this is a rare occurrence, but it may impose itself due to the necessities of the supreme national interest, especially since the House of Representatives is the constitutional body competent to legislate the budget law. In this context, the possibility of issuing the 2026 budget law can be considered after consulting the opinion of the Supreme Federal Court, as it is a constitutional court specializing in resolving the problems of parliamentary sessions, especially in cases of the complete absence of the president.”
He also pointed out that “the President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, and the Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, are still in a position of legal responsibility at the moment, which allows, in principle, the request to prepare a draft of the federal general budget law and submit it to the House of Representatives to begin the legislative process, if the elected legislative authority wishes to do so.”
🚨 MNT GOAT UPDATE: Financial Crisis or Strategic Reform?
An article titled:
“Acknowledging the Financial Crisis, MP Says Changing the Dollar Exchange Rate Is Within the Purview of the Next Government”
has sparked discussion across economic circles.
But let’s clarify something immediately:
This article is NOT about a full RV (Revaluation) in the way investors hope.
It is about combating the parallel dollar market so the dinar can gradually strengthen against the dollar.
Big difference.
📉 Is Iraq Really in a Financial Crisis?
Former MP Baqir al-Saadi acknowledged the existence of what he described as a “financial crisis,” suggesting that adjusting the dollar exchange rate in the parallel market will be within the authority of the next government.
However, we must ask:
Is this truly a crisis?
Or is it a transition phase during reform?
The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has repeatedly stated:
Their monetary strategy is working.
The parallel market is being reduced.
Liquidity is being stabilized.
Structural banking reforms are ongoing.
That does not sound like panic.
It sounds like long-term restructuring.
🏛️ Who Controls the Exchange Rate?
Al-Saadi stated:
“Moving the exchange rate upwards can only be taken by the next government.”
Technically speaking:
Fiscal policy belongs to government.
Monetary policy belongs to the Central Bank.
The CBI is already:
✔ Tightening dollar distribution ✔ Enforcing ASYCUDA customs compliance ✔ Reducing parallel market distortions ✔ Strengthening digital banking systems ✔ Forcing more transactions into dinars
The battle against the parallel market is already underway.
So what exactly would the next government do differently?
This discussion is about “killing” the parallel dollar market — not triggering an overnight RV.
The gap between:
The official exchange rate
The black market rate
is what creates distortions, speculation, and financial inefficiencies.
If the CBI eliminates or significantly reduces that gap:
Confidence in the dinar increases.
Market stability improves.
Monetary sovereignty strengthens.
Conditions for future exchange flexibility improve.
First things first.
Stability precedes appreciation.
🧠 Political Promises vs. Central Bank Actions
Al-Saadi suggested that once a new government is formed, an economic committee would:
Study financial conditions
Develop objective solutions
Correct economic course
But here’s the reality:
The CBI is already implementing corrective measures.
Recent examples include:
Converting oil contractor payments from dollars to dinars
Digitizing salary payments
Enforcing customs compliance under WTO/WCO standards
Reducing cash-based parallel trade channels
Monetary reform is not waiting for political speeches.
It is already in motion.
📊 Lessons from the Past
History matters.
Previous governments had opportunities to implement strong financial reforms.
Some initiatives stalled. Some were delayed. Some were politicized.
The key takeaway for investors:
Promises do not move exchange rates. Policy execution does.
The Central Bank appears to be taking the lead in monetary stabilization.
🔥 Featured Snippet Summary
Is Iraq changing the exchange rate now? No official change has been announced. Current efforts focus on reducing the parallel market gap.
Who controls the exchange rate? The Central Bank manages monetary policy, while the government influences fiscal decisions.
Is Iraq in a financial crisis? There are financial pressures, but ongoing reforms suggest structured monetary stabilization rather than systemic collapse.
Could this lead to an RV? Eliminating the parallel market is a prerequisite step before any major exchange rate reform.
❓ Q&A Section
Q: Can the next government “raise” the dinar?
Not directly. The CBI controls monetary policy, though government stability influences economic confidence.
Q: What is the main goal right now?
Reducing the parallel market and strengthening monetary control.
Q: Why is salary pressure being discussed?
Fiscal strain and revenue restructuring are occurring during reform implementation.
Q: Is this an immediate RV situation?
No. This is structural groundwork.
🙏 A Moment of Reflection
A reader shared this reflection:
“Be still and wait…”
Regardless of personal beliefs, patience is essential in long-term economic reform.
In the article titled “ACKNOWLEDGING THE FINANCIAL CRISIS, MP SAYS CHANGING THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE IS WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE NEXT GOVERNMENT”.
Just so you know this article is NOT about an RV like we would like to see. It is about combating the parallel market so the dinar can rise against the dollar. It might lead to the RV but first things first……
Former MP Baqir al-Saadi acknowledged on Monday (February 9, 2026) the existence of a financial crisis in Iraq, while indicating that changing (killing) the exchange rate of the dollar in the parallel market will be within the powers of the next government. Oh…. but isn’t the CBI already doing this? I would certainly not call it a “financial crisis” as the CBI has told us many times their strategy is working, just let it take time.
He added that “the past few weeks have seen many opinions put forward to address the salary crisis, including moving the exchange rate upwards, but such a step can only be taken by the next government,” noting that “the new government will form a high economic committee to study the financial and economic situation in the country and develop objective solutions.”
Al-Saadi explained that “Nouri al-Maliki, as the candidate of the Coordination Framework, placed this file among his priorities, and therefore, as soon as the government is formed, there will be important decisions to correct the course of the economic and financial dimensions.”
I will add to this article a note about who stopped the reinstatement of the Iraqi dinar back in 2012-2013. It was Nori al-Maliki the prime minister at the time. He has no financial or economic expertise and as much as he says his policies will help Iraq, if elected, nothing will happen, I assure you. He already has eight years to prove it. I also want to note that the CBI has taken the lead on controlling the parallel market as we can see from today’s news from the recent measures it has taken. There is nothing al-Maliki can do or will do that that CBI is already doing. Why didn’t he help control it in his first eight years? Oh…. but he was too worried about sectarianism and going after the Kurds. The last thing that Iraq needs to see is some bozo like al-Maliki who knows very little, if anything, about running a country, come into power again. Yes, they say he is a great statesman but what good is he if he accomplishes nothing while in office? Yes, nothing but a good bullshitter.
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We pray-
A nice prayer from one of my blog followers. Thank You!
“Be still, wait on the Lord, my modern David will slay the so-called giant of Islam. It will fall they are already begging for mercy, but it will not come as they have sinned so greatly with their blasphemy, disregarded all warnings for the Lord and now HIS WRATH WILL CONSUME ALL WHO CURSE THE CHOSEN!!
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Their words not mine…..No Rumors, No Hype, No Opinions ,,,,,
DOLLARS, POLITICS, AND FACTIONS: PRESSURE POINTS SURROUND THE ANTICIPATED CABINET.
Baghdad/Al-Masalla: According to sources contacted by Al-Masalla, the coordination framework must act today under the pressure of a delicate political equation that seeks to spare Iraq American anger that could quickly turn into economic and political sanctions, in exchange for showing a higher degree of rationality in the process of forming the next government, at a time when unannounced signals are intensifying regarding red lines related to the shape of the cabinet and its balances.
In Baghdad, political leaks and diplomatic readings converge to confirm that any government perceived as being close to armed factions will quickly lose international cover. This puts the forces involved in the coordination framework to the test of managing influence without provoking external partners, especially with an economy that depends on oil revenues for more than 85 percent of its income and a financial system that is highly sensitive to sanctions.
In parallel, there is growing concern within political circles that any potential American escalation could directly affect the dollar, the exchange rate, and import activity, which opens the door to social unrest that is difficult to contain, at a time when state institutions are still suffering from fragility that has accumulated over the years.
On social media, a political analyst on the X platform said, “The messages are clear to anyone who wants to read them. Washington is not compromising on the form of government this time, and any disregard could bring back the scenario of financial pressure.” Conversely, a political activist wrote on Facebook, “Iraq cannot tolerate a Saddam-era government; pragmatism has become a necessity, not an option.”
Within the coordination framework, unannounced assessments speak of efforts to present a government with a calmer facade, while reducing the political appearance of the factions, in an attempt to buy time and avoid a direct confrontation, amid a growing realization that the phase of gray settlements is nearing its end.
It appears that Iraq is at a pivotal moment, where the form of government becomes a message in itself, either reassuring the outside world and providing relative internal stability, or a costly gamble that could return the country to a cycle of pressure and isolation.
