Iraqi Dinar Loses Ground Against US Dollar Amid Parallel Market Premium

The US dollar exchange rates in major cities across Iraq remained stable on Saturday, September 5, 2026. According to monitoring data, the parallel market exchange rates for the US dollar against the Iraqi Dinar (IQD) were steady across wholesale bourses in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra.

Retail selling rates in Baghdad and Basra held firm at 154,750 IQD per $100 USD, while Erbil logged a modest uptick to 154,000 IQD per $100 USD. The parallel market exchange rates continued to trade at a premium over the Central Bank of Iraq's (CBI) official peg of 131,000 IQD per $100.

The persistent premium in Baghdad and Basra reflects an ongoing discrepancy of 23,750 IQD per $100 (~18.1%) over the official central bank rate. The regional spread between Erbil and other cities narrowed slightly, with Erbil rising by 500 IQD compared to mid-week rates.