CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR: THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE IS FIXED AND WILL NOT CHANGE
The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, attributed the fluctuation of the “parallel market” and the rise in the dollar exchange rate to the dealings of some traders, stressing that the dollar exchange rate at the Central Bank is fixed and will not change.
Al-Alaq said regarding the fluctuation against the dinar: “The price set by the Central Bank for the US dollar is fixed and does not change, but the developments that have occurred in the import mechanisms have prompted some traders to turn to the black market to buy dollars.”
Al-Alaq added: “These traders will soon return to the official channels to obtain currency, and thus the price will return to its normal level, especially since the Central Bank does not suffer from any problem with gold and foreign currency reserves, and continues to inject dollars, so we have not faced any obstacles in this regard.”
He also pointed out that the current turmoil in the currency market requires a reorganization of oversight of all commercial transactions to bring them back to their official channels, which will lead to stabilizing the situation and restoring balance.
“We do not have an official currency market (outside the Central Bank), there is only a black market, while the only source of dollars is the Central Bank. As for the dollars circulating in the markets, they are the surplus that is traded among citizens, because the Central Bank does not provide dollars for unofficial or illegal transactions. Rather, we monitor commercial activities and provide the necessary facilities to ensure that they proceed in accordance with legal frameworks, especially after the Central Bank developed its procedures in line with international standards.”
Al-Alaq added: “We are closely monitoring the activities of importers and exporters, goods, prices, and all related issues. At the same time, the transfers currently being conducted are legal and protected, and we hope that all traders will adhere to the procedures to ensure market stability.”
Amid circulating rumors and political noise about potential exchange rate changes, the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI)has issued a direct and firm clarification.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, confirmed:
✅ The dollar exchange rate is stable
✅ There are no plans to change it
✅ Iraq has no shortage of gold or foreign currency reserves
✅ The bank continues injecting dollars into the market
This statement directly counters recent claims suggesting devaluation or drastic rate adjustments.
Let’s examine what was said — and why it matters.
The Official Statement from Governor Ali Al-Alaq
Speaking during the launch of the “E-Psule” electronic receipts project, Al-Alaq emphasized monetary stability and reform — not devaluation.
He stated clearly:
The exchange rate of the dollar is stable and will not change.
He further confirmed:
The Central Bank does not suffer from reserve shortages
Gold reserves are secure
Foreign currency reserves remain strong
Dollar liquidity injections are ongoing
This is a direct contradiction to narratives suggesting financial collapse or forced devaluation.
Focus on Digital Transformation, Not Currency Devaluation
Instead of discussing rate changes, the Governor focused heavily on:
IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRAQ REGARDING THE DOLLAR
(Here we go again…more of the same bullshit from these money changers. Will they force the new government to force the CBI on going along with their plan to devalue the dinar, so they can make millions more on the dollar via the black market?)
The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, confirmed on Tuesday that the exchange rate of the dollar is stable and will not change, noting that the Central Bank does not suffer from any problem with gold and foreign currency reserves, and that they are continuing to inject dollars .
Al-Alaq said in a speech during the launch ceremony of the “E-Psule” electronic receipts project, which was followed by the “Al-Saa” network, that “the most important strategic axes in the path of economic and financial reform is the development of the electronic payment system and the transition towards the digital economy in a way that serves Iraq in general and the Kurdistan Region in particular,” noting that “excessive reliance on cash is no longer consistent with the requirements of the modern economy .”
He added that “building a sophisticated financial system requires secure, fast and transparent electronic systems that contribute to enhancing confidence in the banking sector and supporting financial stability .”
He noted that “recent years have witnessed tangible developments in the electronic payment infrastructure through the expansion of the use of bank cards and electronic wallets, the increase in the number of points of sale in government institutions and commercial markets, as well as the launch of electronic money transfer systems that operate around the clock .”
He explained that “these steps have contributed to facilitating the daily transactions of citizens, reducing time and effort, and improving the efficiency of the financial system,” indicating that “the
Central Bank of Iraq is playing a pivotal role in this context by leading the transformation through the development of regulatory frameworks and instructions that ensure the integrity of operations, protect users, support financial innovation, as well as encouraging financial technology companies, promoting financial inclusion, and bringing new segments of society into the banking system .”
Al-Alaq added that “the development of electronic payment in Iraq is not complete without coordination and integration with the efforts in the Kurdistan Region, where we are working with the relevant authorities in the region to unify the systems and technical standards and expand governmental and banking digital services,” noting that “dealing in financial integration is a fundamental pillar for sustainable development.”
Oil revenues (estimated at $70 billion annually) are insufficient to cover all state expenses.
The “real” dollar value should range between 160–170 dinars, possibly reaching 180 dinars per dollar.
There is reportedly an agreement among important leaders to keep the rate within that range.
He criticized the earlier decision to restore the exchange rate to 1,300 dinars and claimed Iraq lost between 30–40 trillion dinars during the government of Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani.
Current Official Exchange Rate
The official exchange rate is set by the Central Bank of Iraq.
In recent years:
The rate was adjusted to 1,450 IQD per USD.
Later restored to 1,300 IQD per USD.
The CBI has repeatedly emphasized:
Monetary stability
Inflation control
Reducing dollarization
Strengthening the dinar internally
A move toward 160–180 dinars per dollar would represent an extreme and unprecedented shift from current policy — and would fundamentally contradict CBI stabilization efforts.
Why This Proposal Is So Controversial
If interpreted literally, raising the rate to 160–180 dinars per dollar would mean one of two things:
A massive redenomination scenario (very unlikely without major reforms)
Severe misstatement or political positioning
Such a drastic change would:
Increase domestic inflation pressure
Expand black market activity
Undermine confidence in the dinar
Strengthen dollar dominance
Benefit currency exchangers holding USD
This runs counter to the CBI’s recent efforts to reduce reliance on the dollar.
The Political Dimension
The debate cannot be separated from Iraq’s internal political factions.
Some analysts argue that certain groups within the Iranian-backed Coordination Framework prefer policies that weaken monetary reform progress.
However, monetary authority in Iraq lies primarily with the Central Bank of Iraq, not individual MPs.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani has previously stated that exchange rate decisions are the responsibility of the CBI.
Iraq’s Financial Reality
Here are the numbers presented:
$70 billion estimated annual oil revenue
Equivalent to approximately 91 trillion dinars
Government obligations exceed 100 trillion dinars annually
Monthly payroll around 8 trillion dinars
If accurate, Iraq faces:
Budget deficits
Heavy public-sector burden
Limited diversification of non-oil revenue
But historically, currency devaluation alone does not solve structural fiscal problems.
Q&A Section
❓ Did Iraq officially raise the dollar exchange rate to 180 dinars?
No. There has been no official announcement from the Central Bank of Iraq confirming such a change.
❓ Who controls Iraq’s exchange rate policy?
The Central Bank of Iraq is responsible for setting and managing Iraq’s official exchange rate.
❓ Why would raising the dollar rate be considered?
Supporters argue it could:
Increase dinar liquidity
Cover salary obligations
Address budget deficits
Critics argue it would:
Trigger inflation
Hurt citizens’ purchasing power
Strengthen dollar dependency
❓ Is this a sign of an impending devaluation?
Not necessarily. Political discussions do not equal official monetary action.
Featured Snippet Summary
Iraqi MP Majid Al-Shankali claims leaders agreed to raise the dollar exchange rate to 160–180 dinars.
Iraq faces over 100 trillion dinars in annual salary and obligation expenses.
Oil revenues alone may not cover total spending.
No confirmation has been issued by the Central Bank of Iraq.
The proposal contradicts recent monetary stabilization efforts.
Key Takeaways for Dinar Holders
This is a political statement, not a Central Bank decision.
Exchange rate authority rests with the CBI.
Sudden extreme devaluations are highly destabilizing.
Iraq’s financial challenge is structural — not purely exchange rate driven.
MP: GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT TO RAISE THE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE TO 180,000 DINARS
(Mnt Goat: Of course this is insane thinking! If you have been listening to the news for the last year you could clearly see that these Iranians in Iraq want to destroy all that has been done to bring about the economic revival for Iraq. There has been many articles about devaluing the dinar to solve all their financial issues. This is just another example but this one is so bizarre. Such a high rate (a massive devaluation) is contrary to the work of the CBI. It would favor the dollar and the money exchangers selling dollars, something the CBI needs to break. My final thought about such a devaluation is that to even suggest it tells a story in itself where the Iranian backed Coordination Framework is coming from as far as leading the way to the destruction of Iraq.)
MP Majid Al-Shankali stated that the Iraqi government has no real options to address the financial crisis other than raising the dollar exchange rate or reducing employee salaries, noting that there is an agreement among state leaders to adjust the exchange rate to reach about 180 dinars per
Al-Shankali said in a televised interview followed by Al-Sa’a Network that “raising the price of the dollar has become an almost inevitable option, and the state has only two solutions: either reducing salaries, which is something the government cannot do, or raising the value of the dollar against the dinar .”
He explained that “the number of employees and those who receive salaries or government grants amounts to about 7 million people, and with their families included, they represent more than 40% of the Iraqi population,” noting that “any tampering with salaries will lead to a social shock affecting nearly half of Iraqi society .”
He explained that “Iraq has about 4 million government employees, in addition to retirees, social welfare beneficiaries, and the Martyrs Foundation, and the cost of salaries, compensations, and grants amounts to about 8 trillion dinars per month,” noting that “annual spending on these obligations exceeds 100 trillion dinars .”
He added that “the solution available to the government is to raise the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar, which would allow for achieving financial balance and providing the necessary liquidity to pay salaries,” considering that “the real price of the dollar, according to the financial assessment, should currently range between 160 and 170 dinars .”
He pointed out that “an agreement was reached between important leaders in the country to keep the exchange rate within a range of 160, 170, and perhaps 180 dinars per dollar .”
Al-Shankali criticized the “decision to restore the exchange rate to 1,300 dinars,” stressing that “Iraq lost between 30 and 40 trillion dinars during the three years of Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s government, which is equivalent to the expenses of salaries and compensations for five months .”
He added that “current oil revenues, even with prices close to $70 a barrel, do not cover annual expenses,” explaining that “total annual oil revenues are estimated at about $70 billion, which is equivalent to about 91 trillion dinars, and is less than the size of the state’s annual obligations .”
He pointed out that “non-oil revenues have not witnessed any real increase, at a time when Iraq is already suffering from a clear financial deficit, which makes raising the exchange rate a strong option in the next stage.
(What next stage? Do they mean stage with a corrupt prime minister that does not listen to the CBI? We know that al-Sudani will not go a long with a devaluation and leaves these matters to the CBI. )