Iraq requests financial support from the International Monetary Fund

[RJG]

Iraq requests financial support from the International Monetary Fund

economy

2026-05-15 | 03:07

 

 

 

1,941 views

 

Alsumaria NewsAn economist
revealed a source close to theInternational Monetary FundIraqi officials contacted the fund for financial assistance in the aftermath of the ongoing war in the Middle East.

And it was reportedAsharq Al-Awsat newspaperThe source said that "initial talks took place last month during the spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank inWashingtonHe noted that "discussions are ongoing regarding the amount of funding he wants."Iraqand how to structure anyloan"According to Reuters

 

 

 

 

The war that erupted on February 28th sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East, causing widespread damage to infrastructure and economies.
Iraq was particularly hard hit, as the majority of its oil exports, which accounted for almost all of the government's revenue, were halted due to the blockade.Strait of HormuzPreviously, about 20 percent of the world's crude oil supply passed through it.  https://www.alsumaria.tv/news/economy/564072/العراق-يطلب-دعماً-مالياً-من-صندوق-النقد-الدولي

 

 

 

[RJG]

Iraq requests financial support from the International Monetary Fund

economy | 10:46 - 15/05/2026

 

 

 

 

 

Mawazin News - Economy 

A source close to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revealed that Iraqi officials have contacted the Fund seeking financial assistance in the wake of the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The source told the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that "initial talks took place last month during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington," adding that "discussions are ongoing regarding the size of the financing Iraq seeks and how any loan would be structured," according to Reuters.
The war, which erupted on February 28, has sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East, causing damage to infrastructure and economies.
Iraq has been particularly hard hit, with the majority of its oil exports, which represent almost all of the government's revenue, halted due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20 percent of the world's crude oil supply previously passed.

 

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=281115

 

 

 

[RJG]

economy Yesterday, 11:09 | 665

+A-A

 

 

A potential legal crisis: An expert comments on the government borrowing without an approved budget.

 

Baghdad Today - Baghdad

On Saturday (May 16, 2026), economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi sparked controversy regarding the government's legal powers in the matter of borrowing in the absence of a federal budget.

Al-Marsoumi said, in a clarification on the Facebook platform followed by “Baghdad Today”, that “there is no text in the Financial Management Law No. 6 of 2019 that allows the government to borrow in the event that the federal budget law is not enacted, and Article 13 of the law only stipulates that: (In the event that the approval of the federal general budget is delayed until December 31 of the year preceding the year of preparing the budget, the Minister of Finance shall issue a circular according to the disbursement mechanism at a rate of (1/12) (one/twelve) or less of the total actual expenditures for current expenditures for the previous fiscal year, after excluding non-recurring expenditures, on a monthly basis until the federal general budget is approved).”

He added, “Looking back a little, we find that the collapse of oil prices during Al-Kadhimi’s time in 2020, and the inadequacy of public revenues to cover salaries, prompted Al-Kadhimi’s government to resort to Parliament to legislate a law that would allow it to borrow. The first was the Borrowing and Financial Deficit Treatment Law No. 5 of June 2020, in which the Minister of Finance was authorized to borrow locally and externally, not exceeding $5 billion for external borrowing, and 15 trillion dinars for internal borrowing.”

Al-Marsoumi continued, “The second borrowing law and the treatment of the financial deficit was issued on 11/12/2020, to secure the salaries of employees and retirees for the last months of 2020, with a value of 12.5 trillion dinars, after the state treasury reached a stage of being unable to pay salaries.”

He pointed out that “all the internal and external borrowing operations that the Sudanese government resorted to, which exceed 10 trillion dinars this year, lack the legal cover represented by the absence of a general budget in 2026, and the absence of any other law that allows it to borrow, and that any other borrowing operations that the Al-Zidi government will resort to, without the availability of legal cover, are also considered a legal violation and an overstepping of its powers specified in the Iraqi laws.”  https://baghdadtoday.news/299337-.html

[RJG]

The International Monetary Fund comments on reports that Iraq has requested financial assistance.

 

Money and Business

   

 

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Economy News — Baghdad

The International Monetary Fund said it continues to discuss the possibility of providing financial support to countries affected by rising energy and commodity prices due to the war in the Middle East, without confirming reports that Iraq had requested financial assistance.

Reuters quoted the IMF spokeswoman, Julie Kozak, as saying during a press conference that the Fund continues to discuss potential financial assistance for member countries suffering from high energy and commodity costs, but she did not provide details on specific countries, and declined to comment on a report that Iraq had requested financial support.

Kozak added that a number of countries are asking the Fund for support in the area of economic policies and advice on how to respond to economic shocks according to the circumstances of each country.

Media reports had indicated that Iraq had requested financial assistance from the Fund as a result of the repercussions of the war in the Middle East and rising energy prices, at a time when the Fund’s Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, had previously indicated that about 12 countries might need financial support ranging between $20 billion and $50 billion.

https://www.economy-news.net/content.php?id=69157

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Added 2026/05/17 - 9:16 AM

[Laid Back]

Iraq asking the IMF for financial support means no RV in the near future.

 

Just my opinion.!

[Fimum]

Yes. Not a good look.

[Dinarrock]

Iraq is asking in order to funnel this money to Iran period!! Iraq really isn’t an independent Iraq they are controlled by Iran!! Hopefully we completely take out Iran leadership and finish the job than maybe Iraq can stand on its own two feet and RV their damn currency!!

[WheresmyRV?]

With all the money they are making off $100+ for each barrel of oil, Iraq isn't even close to hurting for cash.  This has to be a request for money from their brother country of Iran.

[keylime]

Hopefully the IMF says, "Nope. RV boys."