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US initiates second phase of Gaza plan Middle EastbreakingIsraelUSAgazaHamas 2026-01-14 / 14:46 Shafaq News- Gaza/ Cairo United States President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff announced the launch of the second phase of a US-brokered plan to end Israel’s war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. said in a social media post on Wednesday that Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan is “moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction”. “The US expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage. Failure to do so will bring serious consequences,” he said. Hamas did not immediately comment on Witkoff’s announcement. The 20-point US proposal, initially put forward in September, also includes the establishment of a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and the deployment of an “international stabilisation force” to oversee security in Gaza. Palestinian factions and political groups announced that they had reached joint understandings on the requirements of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, according to a statement issued after a meeting held in Cairo on Wednesday. The statement said the meeting was convened at Egypt’s invitation and aimed to advance implementation of the remaining phases of the ceasefire, while addressing the humanitarian consequences of the war in Gaza. Participants voiced support for mediators’ efforts to form a transitional Palestinian national committee to administer Gaza, ensuring the immediate assumption of full responsibilities related to daily governance and the delivery of basic services. The committee would operate in coordination with the Peace Council and its international executive committee to oversee the acceptance and implementation of reconstruction efforts in the territory. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed that an agreement had been reached on the names of 15 members of a technocratic committee tasked with running Gaza. Speaking at a press conference in Cairo, Abdelatty said consensus had been achieved on the composition of the administrative committee, which will consist of 15 members. He expressed hope that the committee would be officially announced soon, paving the way for the implementation of the remaining provisions of the agreement and for the committee to be deployed to Gaza to manage civilian and service-related affairs. Read more: Gaza Ceasefire - Phase 1: What we know so far https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/US-announces-start-of-second-phase-of-Gaza-plan

Araghchi accuses Israel of dragging Trump toward war Middle EastbreakingiranIsraelUSADonald TrumpAbbas Araghchi 2026-01-14 / 15:51 Shafaq News- Tehran Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday warned US President Donald Trump against “repeating the same mistakes” made during the June 2025 war, accusing Israel of seeking to draw Washington into a new conflict with Iran. In remarks to Fox News, Araghchi said Tehran has demonstrated its readiness for diplomacy over the past two decades, citing 2015, 2025, and other periods, but argued that Washington “always turns to war.” He added that Iran does not expect much from the United States, while stressing that diplomacy remains preferable to military confrontation. Araghchi also said calm has returned across Iran and that authorities have full control over the situation, saying that “terrorist elements using ISIS-style tactics, including beheadings and shootings,” entered Iran from abroad and carried out attacks against police and security forces. He emphasized that Iranian authorities are confronting terrorism, not protesters, describing the two as “completely different.” Iran’s nationwide protests erupted on December 28 after the rial collapsed to a record low of about 1.45 million to the US dollar, driving sharp increases in food prices and inflation before spreading nationwide. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said at least 2,571 people have been killed so far, including 2,403 protesters, 147 government-affiliated individuals, 12 minors, and nine civilians not involved in demonstrations. Iranian officials have acknowledged an overall death toll of around 2,000. (Actually, over 12,000) The US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he’s been told that plans for executions in Iran have stopped, adding that, "We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping, it’s stopped, it’s stopping, and there’s no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions, so I’ve been told that on good authority.” https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Araghchi-accuses-Israel-of-dragging-Trump-toward-war

US former official signals potential strikes on military leadership Middle EastbreakingUSiranMilitary Intervention 2026-01-14 / 12:10 Shafaq News– Washington/ Tehran The United States could target regime elements killing protesters, Former United States Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Mark Kimmitt told Shafaq News on Wednesday. He explained that “likely targets would be the leadership of the IRGC, IRGC-QF, and Basij.” The remarks followed an escalation in US President Donald Trump’s warning rhetoric toward Tehran, as protests spread across several Iranian cities in recent days. Earlier today, European officials told Reuters that US military intervention against Iran could take place within the next 24 hours. Additionally, US officials said that the Pentagon has Trump with a range of target options inside Iran, including elements of its nuclear program and missile infrastructure. Meanwhile, Iran warned neighboring countries hosting US forces that they would become legitimate targets if Washington launches attacks on Tehran, a senior Iranian official said, as the United States began withdrawing some personnel from military bases across the Middle East amid rising tensions. Iran’s nationwide protests erupted on December 28 after the rial collapsed to a record low of about 1.45 million to the US dollar, driving sharp increases in food prices and inflation before spreading nationwide. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said at least 2,571 people have been killed so far, including 2,403 protesters, 147 government-affiliated individuals, 12 minors, and nine civilians not involved in demonstrations. Iranian officials have acknowledged an overall death toll of around 2,000. (Actually well over 12,000) Tehran has repeatedly accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating efforts to destabilize the country. Araghchi said the protests began peacefully and were constitutionally legitimate but turned violent after the “infiltration of armed groups,” portraying the unrest as a foreign-driven campaign against Iran’s sovereignty. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/US-official-signals-potential-strikes-on-military-leadership

US Trump: Killing of Iran protesters has stopped InternationalbreakingiranUSADonald Trump 2026-01-14 / 12:23 Shafaq News- Washington The US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he’s been told that plans for executions in Iran have stopped. Speaking from the white house oval office, he added, "We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping, it’s stopped, it’s stopping, and there’s no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions, so I’ve been told that on good authority.” Earlier on Tuesday, Trump urged Iranians to keep protesting and vowed that help was on the way. “TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!.,” he said, adding that he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the “senseless killing” of protesters stopped. Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh said that any military assault on Iran would make all US bases and interests legitimate targets, adding that countries facilitating such an operation would also be held responsible. Axios reported that US envoy Steve Witkoff held a secret meeting over the weekend with Iran’s exiled former crown prince Reza Pahlavi to discuss the protests. A senior US official cited by the outlet said the meeting marked the first high-level contact between the Trump administration and an Iranian opposition figure since the unrest began more than two weeks ago. Iran’s nationwide protests erupted on December 28 after the rial collapsed to a record low of about 1.45 million to the US dollar, driving sharp increases in food prices and inflation before spreading nationwide. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said at least 2,571 people have been killed so far, including 2,403 protesters, 147 government-affiliated individuals, 12 minors, and nine civilians not involved in demonstrations. Iranian officials have acknowledged an overall death toll of around 2,000. (Actually, well over 12,000) https://www.shafaq.com/en/World/Trump-Iranian-authorities-have-stopped-executions

REMEMBER, no one really knows what will happen, or when. They're simply stating their opinions based on what they perceive to be happening in Iraq... So, take everything with a grain of salt ... RON 1-14-2026 Walkingstick Sudani, Maliki and al-Awadi...is not a coincidence. They have been talking about al-Awadi for a long time, for at least a couple weeks now. Right now Trump is supporting Mark Savaya and telling him he did a great job in Iraq. 1-14-2026 Militia Man The goal is to position Iraq as a regional financial center. Think about that. Really? 1310 going to have a regional financial center? I don't think so. 1-14-2026 Frank26 It is possible Sudani may not be the Prime Minister...It is possible he has stepped aside. We don't know the full results yet. It's possible Donald Trump is going to tell him, 'Get your ass back in there.' I don't know. But we do know Sudani decided to say, 'I'm going to step aside.' Apparently Trump got a bad report from Savaya. IMO Sudani blew it. Maliki? Of course not. The reason I suggest to you al-Awadi is because al-Awadi is Sudani's right hand man. This guy maybe will listen to Trump, play fair with your currency and pay up. 1-14-2026 Boots On The Ground - Omar Sudani on TV: He mentioned many things like celebrating a national holiday, talking about the United Nations leaving Iraq. He spent such a great amount of time talking to us about the sovereignty of our currency, not the sovereignty of our nation, we know that. He kept saying our currency is sovereign. I can't express how important that is. 1-14-2026 MarkZ The Iranian currency crashed this week, yesterday in the wee hours. I am a bit concerned and think Iraq may have already gone if not for what is happening right now in Iran. Everything happening in Venezuela and Iran looks good for the global reset, but may have slowed things down a bit. But I am still hearing things are well underway and we are on the precipice for our blessing.

Iraq’s Al-Maliki urges state monopoly on weapons PoliticsiraqUSNouri al-MalikiSLCJoshua Harris 2026-01-14 / 09:08 Shafaq News– Baghdad Confining weapons to state institutions is required to build a strong and reinforce the rule of law, State of Law Coalition (SLC) leader Nouri Al-Maliki said on Wednesday, during a meeting with Joshua Harris, the Acting US Ambassador to Iraq. According to a statement from Al-Maliki’s office, the SLC leader pointed to “Iraq’s desire to continue cooperation and build a strong partnership with the United States through the activation of the Strategic Framework Agreement,” the pact that governs the long-term US military and political presence in Iraq. For his part, Harris expressed hope for expanding cooperation between Baghdad and Washington in a way that supports security and stability in Iraq and the region. f Nouri AlMaliki - نوري المالكي pnSdoroset2htg0ti44l04fc18gllf6hc9ci70ttla88u261a40iih4tmag6 · President of the State of Law Coalition, Mr. Nouri Alalki, receives the list of workers of the United States Embassy in Iraq The President of the State of Law Coalition, Mr. Nouri Alalki, received at his office today, the staff of the Embassy of the United States of America in Iraq, Mr. Joshua Harris. During the meeting, ways of strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries were searched, aimed at serving the interests of the friendly peoples, and the sides reviewed the developments of the regional and international situations. Mr. President of the Coalition of the State of Law expressed Iraq's desire to continue cooperation and establish strong relations and partnership with the United States through the activation of the Strategic Framework Agreement between the two countries. Between Mr. Nouri Al-Malki, the national forces are determined to complement the constitutional rights and within their constitutional timings, it states that building a strong and stable country requires confinement of weapons by the state and strengthening the rule of law. On his part, Mr. Joshua Harris expressed his eagerness to work to strengthen cooperation between Baghdad and Washington, which contributes to supporting security and stability in Iraq and the region. The media office of Mr. Nouri Alalki --- 14 / January / 2026 On December 3, the SLC member Zuhair Al-Jalabi told Shafaq News that if he returns to the premiership, Al-Maliki could negotiate the withdrawal of heavy weapons as he is the only one capable of taking this step, adding that the factions and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) trust him. Last week, the US Embassy in Baghdad told Shafaq News that “Iran-backed militias undermine Iraq’s sovereignty, threaten Americans and Iraqis, and pilfer Iraq's resources for the benefit of Iran.” The stance followed a US warning that incorporating these groups into the next government would hinder Washington-Baghdad relations. The issue extends beyond security concerns, placing armed factions under growing pressure to reassess the scope of their activities outside state authority, amid warnings that continued possession of medium and heavy weapons could weaken internal stability, invite external pressure, and accelerate efforts to curtail their military role. Read more: Tehran vs. Baghdad: Iraq’s armed factions face as trategic recalculation Washington also framed the integration of Iraq’s armed factions into state institutions as a central pillar of its Iraq policy. US Special Envoy to Iraq Mark Savaya has publicly called for unifying all armed forces under central government authority and preventing any groups from operating outside state control. Analysts say Washington fears regional escalation could spill into Iraq, pushing the US to press Baghdad to integrate armed factions under state authority while using sanctions and diplomacy to enforce a state-centered security framework. Read more: Integrating Iraq’s armed factions: The US vision and the risks ahead https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraq-s-Al-Maliki-urges-state-monopoly-on-weapons

US strike on Iran could come within 24 hours, officials say Middle EastUSiranProtests 2026-01-14 / 09:32 Shafaq News– Tehran/ Washington US military intervention against Iran could take place within the next 24 hours, European officials told Reuters on Wednesday, as Washington ramps up military preparations. The Pentagon has presented President Donald Trump with a range of target options inside Iran, including elements of its nuclear program and missile infrastructure. US officials told the agency that cyber operations and strikes on Iran’s internal security apparatus are currently viewed as more likely than broader kinetic attacks. According to Pentagon officials cited by Reuters, the United States has at least one submarine armed with cruise missiles in the region, alongside three missile-equipped destroyers, while the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt has recently entered the Red Sea, signaling a heightened military posture. The developments come as some US personnel have been advised to leave Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by today. Reuters said there were no signs of large troop movements from the base to nearby civilian locations, unlike the hours preceding Iran’s missile strike on Al Udeid in June 2025, which followed US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Qatar’s International Media Office later confirmed that the departure of some personnel reflects precautionary measures taken amid regional tensions. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran has warned neighboring states hosting US forces that they would be targeted if Washington attacks Iran, saying countries from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to Turkiye had been notified that US bases on their territory would be hit in such a scenario. Trump on Tuesday announced he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials “until the killing of protesters stops,” urging demonstrators to continue their protests and telling them that “help is coming.” Iran’s nationwide protests erupted on December 28 after the rial collapsed to a record low of about 1.45 million to the US dollar, driving sharp increases in food prices and inflation before spreading nationwide. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said at least 2,571 people have been killed so far, including 2,403 protesters, 147 government-affiliated individuals, 12 minors, and nine civilians not involved in demonstrations. Iranian officials have acknowledged an overall death toll of around 2,000. ( Greater than 12,000 murdered) Tehran has repeatedly accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating efforts to destabilize the country. Araghchi said the protests began peacefully and were constitutionally legitimate but turned violent after the “infiltration of armed groups,” portraying the unrest as a foreign-driven campaign against Iran’s sovereignty. Read more: Iran’s protests between economic crisis and political contestation https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/US-strike-on-Iran-could-come-within-24-hours-officials-say

Iran warns neighbors hosting US forces as Qatar confirms Al Udeid drawdown Middle EastUSiranqatarProtestsAl Udeid 2026-01-14 / 07:34 Shafaq News– Tehran/ Doha (Updated at 19:34) Iran warned neighboring countries hosting US forces that they would be considered legitimate targets if Washington launches attacks on Tehran, a senior Iranian official said on Wednesday, as the United States began pulling some personnel from military bases across the Middle East amid escalating tensions. According to a report by Reuters, three diplomats said some personnel had been advised to leave the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by today. The diplomats stressed there were no immediate signs of a large-scale evacuation similar to that seen ahead of Iran’s missile strike on the base in June 2025. One diplomat described the move as a “posture change rather than an ordered evacuation.” Reuters reported no indication that troops were being relocated to nearby civilian sites, such as a football stadium or shopping mall, as occurred last year before Iran retaliated against US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Qatar’s International Media Office confirmed the reports, saying the departure of some individuals from Al Udeid reflects precautionary measures taken amid regional tensions. In a statement, the office said Doha continues to prioritize the safety of citizens and residents, including measures to protect vital and military facilities, adding that any developments would be announced through official channels. X Qatar's International Media Office @IMO_Qatar Statement from the International Media Office of the State of Qatar regarding media reports circulating about the departure of certain personnel from Al Udeid Air Base. https://imo.gov.qa/media-centre/press-releases/statement-from-the-international-media-office-of-the-state-of-qatar-regarding-media-reports-circulating-about-the-departure-of-certain-personnel-from-al-udeid-air-base An Israeli official cited by Reuters said Israeli assessments indicate US President Donald Trump has decided to intervene against Iran, though the scope and timing of any action remain unclear. The senior Iranian official said Tehran has urged US allies in the region to prevent Washington from attacking Iran, warning that American bases in countries ranging from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to Turkiye would be struck if the United States targets Iran. Direct contacts between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have been suspended, the official added. The escalation follows repeated threats by Trump to intervene amid anti-government protests in Iran. In an interview with CBS News, he warned of “very strong action” if Tehran executes protesters and urged Iranians to continue demonstrations, saying “help is on the way.” Al Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East, hosting around 10,000 troops and serving as the forward headquarters of US Central Command (CENTCOM). Iran’s nationwide protests erupted on December 28 after the rial collapsed to a record low of about 1.45 million to the US dollar, driving sharp increases in food prices and inflation before spreading nationwide. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said at least 2,571 people have been killed so far, including 2,403 protesters, 147 government-affiliated individuals, 12 minors, and nine civilians not involved in demonstrations. Iranian officials have acknowledged an overall death toll of around 2,000. (Actually over 12,000) Tehran has repeatedly accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating efforts to destabilize the country. Araghchi said the protests began peacefully and were constitutionally legitimate but turned violent after the “infiltration of armed groups,” portraying the unrest as a foreign-driven campaign against Iran’s sovereignty. Read more: Iran’s protests between economic crisis and political contestation https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-warns-neighbors-hosting-US-forces-as-Washington-pulls-personnel-from-regional-bases

US freezes visas for 75 countries, including Iraq InternationalbreakingUSAvisa 2026-01-14 / 09:24 Shafaq News- Washington DC The US State Department has temporarily suspended all visa processing procedures for citizens of 75 countries as part of a new policy aimed at tightening scrutiny of applicants who may be deemed a “public charge” on US government welfare programs. According to an internal State Department memo revealed by Fox News, US consulates worldwide have been instructed to refuse visa applications under existing laws until a comprehensive review of screening and vetting mechanisms is completed. Including Russia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Thailand, Yemen, Somalia, Brazil, and others, the suspension is set to take effect on January 21 and will remain in place for an unspecified period while a broad reassessment of visa issuance procedures is underway. The move follows increased federal focus on alleged misuse of public assistance programs in several US states, alongside stricter enforcement of the “public charge” provision in US immigration law. This provision allows authorities to deny visas to applicants who are likely to rely on public benefits. Factors such as health status, age, financial situation, English language proficiency, and the likelihood of requiring long-term medical care are considered in the assessment. Fox News cited a spokesperson for the US State Department who said the policy aims to prevent the entry of individuals who may depend on government assistance, noting that exemptions will be extremely limited. The report noted that the “public charge” provision has existed for decades, but its enforcement has varied across administrations. In 2019, US President Donald Trump’s administration expanded its scope to include a broader range of public benefits, while the Biden administration later scaled back those measures. https://www.shafaq.com/en/World/US-freezes-visas-for-75-countries-including-Iraq

REMEMBER, no one really knows what will happen, or when. They're simply stating their opinions based on what they perceive to be happening in Iraq... So, take everything with a grain of salt ... RON 1-14-2026 Clare Article: "The Central Bank Governor discusses with Oliver Wyman ways to improve Iraq's sovereign and credit ratings" 1-14-2026 Jeff The central bank is completely autonomous. They can change the rate whenever they want. What we don't know is do they perceive or deem the formation of the government as a level being completed. Is that a level of stability regarding the rate change? We'll never know. We can't confirm. We have no way to verify that...It does make sense for them to change the rate before the government is done formed and completed. Reason why is they still have quite a bit of things they have to do after the rate changes. They have to approved 150+ laws. One of those would be the '26 budget. 1-14-2026 Sandy Ingram Very disturbing news for you. Sudani suspended his bid for a second term as prime minister of Iraq. This is being reported by major news stations, but Sudani himself has not shown up to confirm this information. My hesitation is because it looks like Maliki is the top contender to be the next prime minister of Iraq. 1-14-2026 Frank26 The monetary reform is constipated. Who did I say is the clog? Alaq. Haven't you wondered why it is that Sudani is not just getting in? Makes you think. I support Sudani until my leader tells me not to support him.

Precious metals surge to historic milestone Economy & BusinessbreakingGoldGold pricesSilverprecious metal 2026-01-14 / 05:45 Shafaq News Gold climbed on Wednesday to again hit a record, while silver surpassed the never-before-seen $90 mark, as softer-than-expected U.S. inflation readings cemented bets on interest rate cuts amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Spot gold rose 1% to $4,633.40 per ounce as of 0525 GMT, after hitting a record high of $4,639.42 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures for February delivery rose 0.8% to $4,640.90. Spot silver jumped 4.2% to $90.59 per ounce after breaching $90 for the first time, having shot up nearly 27% already this year. "U.S. CPI figures showed that inflation remained relatively contained at 2.6% (year-on-year), and risk assets may be hoping for a similarly benign PPI reading to keep expectations alive for further monetary policy easing," said Tim Waterer, KCM Trade's chief market analyst. The U.S. core Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% month-on-month and 2.6% year-on-year in December, falling short of analysts' ⁠expectations of a 0.3% and 2.7% increase, respectively. U.S. core Producer Price Index data for December is due later in the day. U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the inflation figures, reiterating his push for the U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates "meaningfully." Global central bank chiefs and top Wall Street bank CEOs lined up in support of Powell on Tuesday after news of the Trump administration's decision to investigate him drew condemnation from former Fed chiefs as well. Analysts say worries ⁠around Fed independence and ⁠trust in U.S. assets added to safe-haven demand for the yellow metal. Investors expect two 25-basis-point rate cuts this year, with the earliest in June. Non-yielding assets tend to do well in a low-interest-rate environment and during geopolitical or economic uncertainty. ANZ expects gold to trade above $5,000/oz in the first half of 2026, the bank said in a note on Wednesday. For silver, the next big figure was the $100 mark and high two-digit percentage gains for the metal seem likely this year, said GoldSilver Central managing director Brian Lan. Elsewhere, spot platinum climbed 4% to $2,415.95 per ounce, a one-week high. It hit a record $2,478.50/oz on December 29. Palladium was up 3.3% at $1,899.44 per ounce. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Precious-metals-surge-to-historic-milestone

CBI Currency Exchange Rates Wednesday - 1/14/2025 Currency Converter US dollar USD 1310,000 Euro EUR 1526.674 Pound Sterling GBP 1764.767 Canadian Dollar CAD 943.396 Swiss Franc CHF 1640.987 Swedish krone SEK 142,500 Norwegian krone NOK 129,864 Danish krone DKK 204.304 Japanese yen JPY 8.279 Chinese Yuan CNY 187.776 UAE Dirham AED 356.705 Jordanian Dinar JOD 1850.282 Australian Dollar AUD 879.141 Saudi Arabian Riyal SAR 349.333 Omani Rial OMR 3407.022 Indian Rupee INR 14.512 Turkish Lira TRY 30,360 Special Drawing Rights SDR 1788,949 Gold for a 24-ounce GOLD 5,963,607,000

USD/IQD exchange rates climb in Baghdad, Erbil on Closure Economy & BusinessiraqerbilbreakingBaghdadUS dollarIraqi dinar 2026-01-14/ 06:10 Shafaq News– Baghdad/ Erbil The US dollar strengthened against the Iraqi dinar on Wednesday in the markets of Baghdad and Erbil at closing. According to a Shafaq News survey, Baghdad’s Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya central exchanges registered a rate of 148,100 IQD per $100, up from 147,500 IQD earlier in the day, and up from 146,400 dinars recorded on Tuesday. Selling prices at local exchange shops in Baghdad reached 148,500 IQD per $100, while the buying rates stood at 147,500 IQD. In Erbil, the dollar posted similar gains, selling at 148,400 IQD per $100 and buying at 148,350 IQD. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/USD-IQD-exchange-rates-climb-in-Baghdad-Erbil-6-7-2

CBI foreign currency reserves decline Economy & BusinessbreakingCBIIraqi dinarForeign currencyreserves 2026-01-14 / 03:03 Shafaq News– Baghdad Iraq’s foreign currency reserves declined by the end of October 2025, according to figures released by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) on Wednesday. Official data showed the reserves stood at 126.857 trillion Iraqi dinars ($97.582B) as of October 31, easing from 127.601 trillion dinars ($98.155B) at the end of September. Despite the monthly decline, the data showed an increase compared with August, when reserves totaled 123.033 trillion dinars ($94.641B). The figures also pointed to a broader downward trajectory from the same period in 2024, when reserves stood at 130.347 trillion dinars ($100.267B), as well as from 2023, when they reached 145.257 trillion dinars ($111.736B). https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/CBI-foreign-currency-reserves-decline-8 They've been buying Gold like crazy...! Their Gold reserves increased.

Iran missile stockpile grew after Israel war, IRGC says Middle EastbreakingiranIsraelProtests 2026-01-14 / 05:53 Shafaq News– Tehran Iran has expanded its missile stockpile and repaired damage from its 12-day conflict with Israel last year, Iranian media outlets cited Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) aerospace commander, Majid Mousavi, as saying on Wednesday. The remarks come amid nationwide protests in Iran since Dec. 28, sparked by economic strain, before spreading nationwide. Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said at least 2,571 people have been killed. Iranian officials have accused the United States and Israel of seeking to destabilize the country. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said protests began peacefully but turned violent after the “infiltration of armed groups.” US President Donald Trump has warned Tehran against using “lethal force” against protesters, saying there would be “serious consequences” if demonstrators were killed. Read more: Iran’s protests between economic crisis and political contestation https://www.shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-missile-stockpile-grew-after-Israel-war-IRGC-says