Iraq Resumes US Dollar Shipments After Months-Long Halt

A deal has been reached between Iraq and the United States to restart shipments of US dollar banknotes to Baghdad, following a suspension that lasted several months. The agreement was made during Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi's visit to the US, according to Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi.

The renewed deliveries are intended to help satisfy domestic demand for foreign currency. A new shipment is expected to arrive in the coming days, although details on the amount or specific arrival date have not been provided.

The US had halted dollar cash deliveries to Iraq in April, including a shipment reportedly worth around $500 million, as it sought measures from Baghdad to limit the influence of Iran-backed armed groups. The agreement follows measures introduced by Baghdad to strengthen supervision of dollar distribution and expand electronic payment systems as part of its move toward a more digital financial system.