Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq and Pakistan have reached separate arrangements with Iran to move crude oil and liquefied natural gas through the Gulf, according to sources cited by Reuters, as regional conflict continues to disrupt global energy flows.

An Iraqi oil ministry official familiar with the talks told Reuters that Baghdad is seeking Iranian approval to increase tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to protect oil revenues that make up nearly 95% of Iraq’s state budget. “Iraq is a close ally of Iran, and any deterioration in Iraq’s economy would also damage Iran’s economic interests in the country,” the official said.

A second Iraqi oil ministry source and a shipping industry source also confirmed continued coordination with Tehran. Reuters reported that Iraq secured the passage of two supertankers carrying around two million barrels of crude each through Hormuz on Sunday.

Pakistan, meanwhile, arranged the transit of two Qatari LNG cargoes under a separate understanding with Iran to help meet rising summer electricity demand.

According to the report, neither Iraq nor Pakistan made direct payments to Iran or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for the transit arrangements.

The agreements come as the US-Israeli war with Iran and the US blockade on Iranian ports continue to strain exports from a region that typically supplies around one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas.

Read more: Iraq's oil lifeline is blocked

Shafaq News- Baghdad

The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) iscontracting an independent audit firm to assess which banks have met the firstphase of its banking reform program, a step that could restore their access toforeign currency transfer channels, the bank announced Tuesday.

CBI said it continues to work withrestricted institutions to help them meet supervisory requirements, whilecompliant banks await the independent assessment that will determine whethertheir access is restored. The bank did not name the audit firm or provide atimeline for completion.

The restrictions trace back to 2023,when the US Federal Reserve and Treasury Department flagged dozens of Iraqiprivate banks for transactions suspected of facilitating dollar flows to Iranand other sanctioned parties. Washington responded by cutting those banks offfrom the dollar correspondent banking system, a move that effectively frozetheir ability to conduct international transfers. The CBI subsequently launchedits reform program as a framework for restoring access to banks that coulddemonstrate compliance with international standards.

Iraqi banks are now completing thesecond phase of that program, which centers on governance, transparency, andinstitutional performance. The incoming independent audit will evaluate banksthat cleared phase one against international transfer requirements, coveringnot only dollar channels but also euro, UAE dirham, and Chinese yuan access.

Shafaq News-Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollarclosed lower against the Iraqi dinar in Baghdad on Tuesday, falling by 200dinars in the capital's main exchanges during the day's trading.

According toShafaq News market survey, exchange rates at Baghdad's Al-Kifah andAl-Harithiya central stock exchanges settled at 154,050 dinars per $100,compared with 154,250 dinars earlier in the day.

Selling pricesat local exchange shops in Baghdad reached 154,500 dinars per $100, whilebuying prices stood at 153,500 dinars.

In Erbil, thedollar was unchanged from the morning session, with selling prices at 153,750dinars per $100 and buying prices at 153,650 dinars.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Washington

Iraq’s crude oil exports to the United States fell by nearly half within one month despite the country maintaining oil production above 4 million barrels per day (bpd), according to US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data released on Tuesday.

The country exported 3.210 million barrels of crude oil to the United States in March, down from 6.448 million barrels in February. Weekly Iraqi exports averaged 109,000 bpd in the first week of April before falling to 48,000 bpd in the second week, rising to 195,000 bpd in the third week, then declining to 76,000 bpd in the fourth week.

Iraq ranked sixth among the largest crude exporters to the United States after Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Venezuela, and Colombia, and second among Arab suppliers after Saudi Arabia, whose exports reached 9.540 million barrels. The United States imported no crude oil from Libya during the same period.

Globally, oil output remains led by the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, while demand continues to hold near 100 million to 105 million bpd, according to International Energy Agency data.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq on Tuesday resumed condensate exports after regional shipping disruptions forced a halt to loading operations, with Basra Gas Company exporting 50,000 cubic meters, or roughly 314,000 barrels, aboard the tanker Dakush.

In a statement, Deputy Minister for Gas Affairs Izzat Saber Ismail said the shipment was completed successfully and in line with approved technical and commercial standards following efforts to restore export operations.

Regional instability disrupted tanker movements and export operations across the Gulf after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict. The United States later imposed a naval blockade in the waterway, sharply reducing commercial shipping traffic through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly 20 million barrels of oil per day, accounting for nearly one-fifth of global petroleum consumption. The International Energy Agency warned that disruptions in the waterway posed one of the most severe supply shocks to hit global energy markets in decades.

Read more: Iraq's oil lifeline is blocked: Here is why the crisis runs deeper than Hormuz

Oil revenues account for more than 90% of Iraq’s state income, with most exports shipped through southern terminals near Basra. Ismail expressed hope that tanker loading and export flows would continue normally in the coming days, helping stabilize export operations and fulfill contractual obligations.

Read more: Iraq’s oil bottleneck: Abundance trapped by dependency

Shafaq News- Basrah

Iraq’s Basrah crude climbed nearly5% on Tuesday, amid continued gains in global oil markets.

Basrah Medium crude rose to $118.09per barrel, up 4.85%, while Basrah Heavy crude climbed to $115.99 per barrel,gaining 4.94%.

Brent crude futures advanced$2, or 1.9%, to $106.21 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate gained$2.31, or 2.4%, to $100.38.

In Gulf markets, UAE Murban cruderose to $103.60 per barrel, up 4.84%, while Saudi Arabia’s Arab Super Lightclimbed to $113.67 per barrel, gaining 5.28%. Arab Light crude reached $113.17per barrel, up 5.30%, while Kuwait Export crude stood at $114.23 per barreldespite a 5.18% decline.

UAE Upper Zakum crude climbed 6.66%to $100.25 per barrel, while Qatar’s Al-Shaheen crude posted the same increase.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

On Tuesday, gold priceshovered around 1 million IQD per mithqal in Baghdad and Erbil markets,according to Shafaq News Agency survey.

Gold prices on Baghdad's Al-NahrStreet recorded a selling price of 1,015,000 IQD per mithqal (equivalentto five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and Europeanvarieties, with a buying price of 1,011,000 IQD. The same gold had soldfor 1,010,000 IQD on Monday.

The selling price for 21-caratIraqi gold stood at 985,000 IQD, with a buying price of 981,000IQD.

In jewelry stores, the selling priceper mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 1,015,000 and1,025,000 IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 985,000 and995,000 IQD.

In Erbil, 22-carat gold wassold at 1,048,000 IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1,000,000IQD, and 18-carat gold at 857,000 IQD.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollar openedTuesday’s trading higher in Iraq, hovering around 154,000 dinarsper 100 dollars.

According to Shafaq News marketsurvey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 154,250dinars per 100 dollars, up from the previous session’s 154,200 dinars.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shopssold the dollar at 154,750 dinars and bought it at 153,750 dinars,while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 153,750 dinars and buying pricesat 153,650 dinars.

Shafaq News

Oil prices rose nearly 1% on Tuesday as talks to end the U.S.-Israeliwar on Iran appeared fragile, with Tehran's response to a Washington proposalhighlighting stark differences that have kept supply concerns alive.

Brent crude futures were up 86 cents, or 0.8%, at $105.07per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate gained 99 cents, or 1%, to$99.06 at 0411 GMT. Both benchmarks increased nearly 2.8% on Monday.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said the ceasefirewith Iran was "on life support," pointing to ⁠disagreements over several demands, such as thecessation of hostilities on all fronts, the removal of a U.S. naval blockade,the resumption of Iranian oil sales and compensation for war damage.

Tehran also emphasized its sovereignty over the Strait ofHormuz, through which about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gasflows.

"Optimism regarding an imminent (peace) deal seems tobe fading again and if we don’t see a deal by the end of May, then upside risksfor oil prices are definitely on the table," said DBS Bank energy sectorteam lead Suvro Sarkar.

Disruptions linked to the near-closure of the strait haveprompted producers to curtail exports, with a Reuters survey on ⁠Monday showing OPEC oil outputin April fell to its lowest level in more than two decades.

"A genuine breakthrough toward a peace deal couldtrigger a sharp $8-$12 correction, while any escalation or renewed blockadethreats would quickly push Brent back toward $115+," said Tim Waterer,chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

Saudi Aramco (2222.SE), CEO Amin Nasser on Monday warned thatdisruptions to oil exports through ⁠thestrait could delay a return to market stability until 2027, with the loss ofabout 100 million barrels of oil per week.

Elsewhere on the supply front, U.S. crude stocks wereforecast by analysts in a Reuters poll to be down by ⁠around 1.7 million barrels in the previous week.

The draw comes against "a backdrop of continued strongnet waterborne export flows for crude and products, across the next severalweeks," said Walt Chancellor, an energy strategist at Macquarie ⁠Group.

Meanwhile, market participants were also keeping a close eyeon Trump's planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday,after Washington imposed sanctions on three individuals and nine companies forfacilitating Iranian oil shipments to China.

(Reuters)

Only the headline is edited by Shafaq News Agency.

Shafaq News- Basra

The first phase of Iraq’s Shams Basra solar powerproject entered operational service with a capacity of 250 megawatts, while thesecond phase is expected to launch in July, raising output to 500 megawatts beforereaching its full capacity of 1,000 megawatts, a project official told ShafaqNews on Monday.

Project director Haider Issa said Shams Basra, implemented by TotalEnergies in cooperation with Iraq’sElectricity Ministry, is among the Middle East’s major strategic renewableenergy projects due to its scale and the vast area it covers, estimated ataround 9,000 dunams (about 2,220 acres).

“Regional conditions and fluctuations inmaritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz delayed the arrival of someequipment and materials required for the project, though work remains ongoing,”he stated.

In December 2025, Iraq signed a renewable energy agreement with a US–UKcompany to develop a 3,000-megawatt solar power project supported by 500megawatts of battery storage and 1,000 kilometers of high-voltage transmissionlines, as part of broader efforts to diversify electricity sources.

Iraq continues to rely on oil and gas to power its electricity sector, adependence that has contributed to chronic shortages, expected to reach 11 gigawatts during peak summerdemand in 2026, and left the country vulnerable to fuel supplydisruptions and sanctions-related pressures tied to Iranian gas imports. At thesame time, renewable energy still accounted for only 1.17% of Iraq’selectricity mix by the end of 2024, placing the country fifth among Arab stateswith the lowest reliance on renewables energy.

Read more: Iraq power 2026: war on Iran collapses the grid's last defenses ahead of peak summer

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Trading activity on Iraq’s stock market surged last week,with the value of shares exchanged surpassing 7.529 billion Iraqi dinars($5.79M), according to data from the Iraq Stock Exchange on Monday.

Out of 104 listed firms, 68 recorded trading activity, while28 saw no deals due to a mismatch between buy and sell orders. Another eightcompanies remained suspended over missing disclosure requirements.

Total traded shares reached 17.743 billion, marking a 352%increase compared with the previous week. The value of executed transactionsrose 23% week-on-week, across 5,976 deals.

Market performance showed modest gains, with the ISX60 indexclosing at 987.37 points, up 0.44% from the previous session.

Foreign investor activity reflected mixed flows. Purchasestotaled 7 million shares worth 42 million Iraqi dinars ($30K) through 31transactions, while sales reached 22 million shares valued at 97 million Iraqidinars ($80K) across 87 transactions.

Operating five sessions per week from Sunday throughThursday, the Iraq Stock Exchange lists more than 100 companies spanning acrossbanking, telecommunications, industry, agriculture, insurance, investment,tourism, hotels, and services sectors.

Shafaq News- Al-Hasakah

A new convoy of Iraqi fuel tankers entered Syrian territoryon Monday through the Rabia-Al-Yarubiyah border crossing in Al-Hasakah province,northeastern Syria, as part of transit operations aimed at re-exporting Iraqifuel to global markets.

More than 50 tankers loaded with fuel oil entered Syria andheaded toward the coastal city of Baniyas.

Last week, a customs source told Shafaq News that trafficthrough the Rabia-Al-Yarubiyah crossing ranged between 15 and 40 oil tankertrucks per day.

The crossing reopened on April 22 after a 13-year closurecaused by security challenges during the fight against ISIS, as well asshifting control and coordination issues along the frontier. Since then, Iraqiand Syrian authorities have moved to rehabilitate several crossings, includingAl-Waleed and Al-Yarubiyah, to restore trade routes and facilitate the movement of goodsand travelers.

Shafaq New- Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollar closed Monday’strading mixed in Iraq, hovering around 154,000 dinars per 100dollars.

According to Shafaq News marketsurvey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 154,200dinars per 100 dollars, unchanged from the morning session.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shopssold the dollar at 154,750 dinars and bought it at 153,750 dinars,while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 153,750 dinars and buying pricesat 153,650 dinars.

Shafaq News- Najaf

Authorities in Iraq’s Najaf provincehave officially canceled plans for the Al-Uwayqilah border crossing with SaudiArabia and replaced it with the Al-Hakim border crossing project.

Shahid Al-Aridhi, adviser to theNajaf governor for industrial affairs, told Shafaq News on Monday that acommittee had been formed to inspect the proposed crossing site and the roadleading to it alongside relevant government agencies to assess implementationrequirements.

The new crossing route lies about 78kilometers from the previously proposed Al-Uwayqilah site and is located closerto Najaf city at the end of Iraq’s overland Hajj (Muslim pilgrimage) route,giving the project, according to the official, “strategic commercial importance.”

The Al-Hakim crossing and adjacentfree trade zone have been awarded to the Iraq-based Alrida Holding for Investment,which will also construct the crossing’s infrastructure and the connecting roadnetwork. About 227 kilometers of the Hajj road have already been paved, whileanother 212 kilometers remain under construction.

Iraqi authorities are awaitingofficial approval from Saudi Arabia before completing procedures to open andoperate the crossing.

Iraq and Saudi Arabia currentlyshare two land crossings: the Arar crossing in western Iraq, reopened in 2020after nearly three decades of closure, and the Al-Jamima crossing in southern Al-Muthanna province, historically used as a major Hajj route for pilgrimstraveling through Iraq to Saudi Arabia.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

Gold prices fell Monday in Baghdad and Erbil markets,hovering around the million-dinar mark, according to Shafaq News marketsurvey.

On Baghdad's Al-Nahr Street, wholesale markets recorded aselling price of 1.010 million IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for21-carat Gulf, Turkish, and European gold, with a buying price of 1.060 millionIQD, down from the previous session's 1.017 million IQD.

Iraqi 21-carat gold sold at 980,000 IQD per mithqal, with abuying price of 976,000 IQD.

In jewelry stores, 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 1.010million and 1.020 million IQD per mithqal, while Iraqi gold sold between980,000 and 990,000 IQD.

In Erbil, prices also declined, with 22-carat gold sellingat 1.045 million IQD per mithqal, 21-carat at 997,000 IQD, and 18-carat at854,000 IQD.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollar opened Monday’s trading higher in Iraq,hovering around 154,000 dinars per 100 dollars.

According to Shafaq News market survey, the dollartraded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 154,200 dinars per100 dollars, up from the previous session’s 153,500 dinars.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shops sold the dollarat 154,750 dinars and bought it at 153,750 dinars, while in Erbil, sellingprices stood at 153,650 dinars and buying prices at 153,500 dinars.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

A consortium including Egypt’s Nasr GeneralContracting Company, a subsidiary of Hassan Allam Holding, and China’s EBS haslaunched a $71 million residential and logistics complex project for Iraq’sMidland Oil Company aimed at strengthening the country’s energy infrastructure.

During a foundation stone-laying ceremony, AhmedAl-Mahmoudy, CEO and managing director of Nasr General Contracting, indicatedthat the company’s operations in Iraq reached around $123 million over the pastyear, including bridge rehabilitation projects in Mosul and road andintersection development works in Baghdad. Discussions continue over additionalinfrastructure and transport projects linked to the oil sector, he added.

The project comes as Iraq seeks to expand oilproduction capacity amid intensifying competition in global energy markets.Data published by S&P Global Energy in January 2026 indicated that Iraq isexpected to bring one of the world’s largest new oil field developments onlinethis year, adding substantial crude supplies to markets increasingly shaped byproduction growth outside the OPEC+ alliance.

Oil remains the backbone of Iraq’s economy, generatingmore than 90% of government revenue. As the second-largest producer in OPEC+,Iraq pumps around 4.4 million barrels per day.

Earlier this year, the Iraqi Drilling Companyannounced the drilling and rehabilitation of 237 oil wells nationwide in 2025, stressingBaghdad’s focus on expanding upstream capacity despite repeated calls forbroader economic diversification.

Read more: Iraq’s oil bottleneck: Abundance trapped by dependency

Shafaq News

Gold prices fell ​on Monday, as a lack of progress inU.S.–Iran peace negotiations pushed oil ‌prices higher, fuelling concerns thatelevated inflation could keep interest rates higher for longer.

Spot gold fell 1.2% at $4,657.89 per ounce, as of 0607GMT. U.S. gold futures for June delivery lost 1.4% at $4,665.70.

The dollar rose, making greenback-priced bullion more​expensive for holders of other currencies.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday rejected Iran'sresponse to a ​U.S. proposal for peace talks, dashing hopes for an imminent endto ⁠the 10-week-old conflict that has caused widespread damage in Iran andLebanon, paralyzed maritime traffic in the ​Strait of Hormuz, and driven upglobal energy prices.

"We're essentially seeing an unwinding of hopesfor an ​imminent (peace) deal, and gold is feeling the pinch from the renewedrise in crude prices," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCMTrade.

Oil prices jumped as the Strait of Hormuz remainedlargely closed, keeping ​global energy supplies tight.

Rising crude oil prices risk pushing inflation higher,increasing the prospects of ​elevated interest rates. While gold istraditionally seen as a hedge against inflation, high interest rates tend to ‌weigh⁠on the non-yielding asset.

The ongoing war with Iran and its shock to oil pricesand supplies have rocketed to the top of the list of concerns for financialstability, according to a semi-annual Federal Reserve report released onFriday.

Goldman Sachs pushed back its forecast of Fed ratecuts to ​December 2026 and March ​2027 from its previous ⁠outlook of cuts inSeptember and December this year, saying high energy prices would likely keepinflation elevated.

Investors are now looking out for ​April's U.S.Consumer Price Index data, due later this week, for ​further clues ⁠on theFed's monetary policy direction.

Meanwhile, China's gold production fell in the firstquarter of 2026 from a year earlier, the China Gold Association said onSaturday, as safety inspections led some smelters to ⁠suspend ​production formaintenance.

"In the near-to-medium term, the $4,400 to $4,800range still ​looks firmly in play while we remain in thisceasefire-without-a-peace-deal stalemate," Waterer added.

Spot silver fell 0.2% at $80.13 per ounce, platinum​slid 1.2% to $2,029.95, and palladium was down 0.7% at $1,481.09.

(Reuters)

Only the headline is edited by Shafaq News Agency.

Shafaq News- Tehran

A supertanker carrying Iraqi crude oil crossed theStrait of Hormuz on May 10, Iranian media reported on Monday, amid continueddisruption to regional shipping routes.

Semi-official Tasnim News Agency indicated that thevery large crude carrier (VLCC) AGOIS FANOURIOS I transited the waterwaythrough a route designated by Iran and is currently sailing through the Sea ofOman toward Vietnam’s Nghi Son port.

The Strait has remained largely shut since February 28following the US–Israel war on Iran, disrupting energy flows and forcing Gulfproducers, including Iraq, which routes roughly 95% of its oil exports throughthe waterway, to scale back shipments.

Vinayak Kharmale, head of operations at Sea CrownMarine Services, estimated that Iraq’s marine fuel sales fell to around 7,000metric tons in April from 15,000 metric tons in March, marking a decline ofroughly 53%. He attributed the slowdown to difficulties in vessel movement andvoyage planning amid persistent security concerns in regional waters ratherthan weak demand.

Read more: Iraq's oil lifeline blocked: Why the crisis runs deeper than Hormuz

Shafaq News

Oil prices rallied on Monday, a day after PresidentDonald Trump said Iran's response to a U.S. proposal was"unacceptable," raising supply fears as the Strait of Hormuz stayedlargely closed, which kept the global market ​tight.

Brent crude futures climbed $4.16 or 4.11% to $105.45a barrel at 0340 GMT. U.S. West ​Texas Intermediate was at $99.80 a barrel, up$4.38, or 4.59%.

Last week, both contracts recorded ⁠6% weekly losseson hopes for an imminent end to the 10-week-old conflict that would allow ​oiltransit through the Strait of Hormuz.

"The oil market continues to trade like ageopolitical headline ​machine, with prices swinging sharply based on everycomment, rejection, or warning coming from Washington and Tehran," saidPriyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.

Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesdayand is expected to discuss ​Iran among other topics with Chinese President XiJinping, according to U.S. officials.

"Market attention now shifts ​squarely toPresident Trump’s visit to China this week," IG market analyst TonySycamore said in a note.

"There is ‌hope ⁠he can persuade Beijing toleverage its influence over Iran to push for a comprehensive ceasefire and aresolution to the ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz."

The world has lost about 1 billion barrels of oil overthe past two months and energy markets will take time to stabilise even ​ifflows resume, Saudi ​Aramco CEO Amin Nasser ⁠said on Sunday.

Another two tankers carrying crude exited the Straitof Hormuz last week with trackers switched off to avoid Iranian attacks, Kplershipping data ​showed, underscoring a rising trend to sustain Middle East oilexports.

"Even if ​the acute oil ⁠shock fades by late2026, the ongoing risk of renewed disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, depletedinventories and weaker policy coordination is expected to keep a geopoliticalrisk premium embedded in prices," ING ⁠analysts wrote ​in a note onMonday.

They expected Brent to remain above $90 ​per barrelthrough 2026 and around $80 to $85 per barrel into 2027 as demand growthresumes and inventories are gradually rebuilt.

(Reuters)

Only the headline is edited by Shafaq News Agency.

Shafaq News- London

Gold accounted for around 25% of Iraq’s total foreign reserves in 2026, with the country maintaining its holdings at 174.6 tons without recording any new purchases since the start of the year, World Gold Council said on Sunday.

The data for May 2026 showed that Iraq maintained its position at 28th globally and third among Arab countries during the first months of this year.

Globally, the United States ranked first with reserves of 8,133.5 tons, followed by Germany with 3,350.3 tons, Italy with 2,451.3 tons, France with 2,437 tons, and China with 2,313 tons.

Last month, the council said that Iraq’s gold reserves stood at 174.6 tons, placing the country 28th globally and third among Arab states.

Shafaq News- Bangkok/ Baghdad

Thai rice exports to Iraq have completely stopped since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, The Nation Thailand media outlet said on Sunday.

Citing Thai Rice Exporters Association honorary president Chookiat Ophaswongse, the report said Iraq had imported between 80,000 and 90,000 tons of Thai rice monthly, or nearly one million tons annually, before the war disrupted shipments, including one vessel forced to unload its cargo after being unable to continue sailing.

Ophaswongse added that Thailand lost more than 200,000 tons of rice exports to the Middle East over the past three months amid a roughly 20% rise in shipping and insurance costs alongside higher global oil prices.

Thai rice exports reached only 2.2 million tons during the first four months of 2026, “raising concerns over Bangkok’s ability to meet its annual export target of seven million tons.”

Earlier this year, Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade reported that Iraq purchased 95,000 metric tons of Thai rice during the first 11 months of 2025, while overall Thai rice exports were projected to reach between 7.8 million and 8 million tons for the year.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollar closed higher against the Iraqi dinar in Baghdad and Erbil on Sunday, rising by 450 dinars in Baghdad’s main exchanges during the day’s trading.

According to Shafaq News market survey, exchange rates at Baghdad’s Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya central stock exchanges settled at 153,950 dinars per $100, compared with 153,500 dinars earlier in the day. Selling prices at local exchange shops in Baghdad reached 154,500 dinars per $100, while buying prices stood at 153,500 dinars.

In Erbil, the dollar also posted gains, with selling prices reaching 153,600 dinars per $100 and buying prices at 153,500 dinars.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

The Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) recorded more than 27.4billion Iraqi dinars in trading value over April —roughly $17.8 million.

According to market data, more than 48.6 billion shares weretraded during the month across 20 regular trading sessions.

The ISX60 index closed the month at 983.02 points, marking a1.9% increase compared with the previous session.

Throughout the month, the exchange executed around 23,490sale and purchase contracts across listed companies. During the period, 82companies out of 118 listed firms recorded actual trading activity.

Shafaq News-Baghdad/ Erbil

On Sunday, gold prices hoveredaround 1.02 million IQD per mithqal in Baghdad and Erbil markets, according toa survey by Shafaq News Agency.

Gold prices on Baghdad'sAl-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 1.017million IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties, with a buyingprice of 1.013 million IQD. The same gold had sold for 1.014 million IQD on Saturday.

The selling price for 21-caratIraqi gold stood at 987,000 IQD,while the buying price reached 983,000 IQD.

In jewelry stores, the sellingprice per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 1.020million and 1.030 million IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 990,000 and one million IQD.

In Erbil, 22-carat gold wassold at 1.056 million IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1.008million IQD, and 18-carat gold at 864,000IQD.