Tishwash: Strategic partnership between the Iraqi and German banking sectors to enhance financial integration
The Association of Iraqi Private Banks announced on Friday a strategic partnership between the Iraqi and German banking sectors to enhance financial integration.
In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Association said it had renewed its cooperation agreement with the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, a strategic step reflecting both sides’ commitment to strengthening professional integration between the banking sectors in Iraq and Germany and supporting institutional development according to best practices and international standards.
The statement added that the agreement was signed by Ahmed Al-Hashemi, Deputy Executive Director of the Association of Iraqi Private Banks, and Econ Döse, Director of the International Consulting Department at the university, confirming both parties’ keenness to expand cooperation to include areas with a greater impact on banking performance, governance, and financial innovation.
The Association noted that the renewal of the agreement is a continuation of cooperation in the areas of specialized banking training, consulting, strategy development, institutional capacity building, exchange of technical expertise, support for digital transformation, compliance, and risk management, which will contribute to raising the readiness of Iraqi banks and enhancing their competitiveness.
According to the statement, both sides affirmed that “the next phase will witness a more active role for both parties as an institutional and professional link between the Iraqi and German banking sectors, through the establishment of direct communication channels, the organization of joint dialogue and cooperation platforms, and the facilitation of knowledge and expertise exchange between financial institutions in both countries.”
They emphasized that “this partnership will support enhancing the Iraqi banking sector’s access to German institutions and markets, and stimulate the interest and investments of German banks and companies in Iraq, by providing a supportive professional environment, enhancing understanding of regulatory frameworks and investment opportunities, and building mutual trust, thus paving the way for launching sustainable financial and economic partnerships.”
The statement indicated that “this step is in line with the Central Bank of Iraq’s directions for banking reform and enhancing institutional and digital efficiency, which will strengthen the integration of the Iraqi financial sector into the international financial system and open broader horizons for economic integration between Iraq and Germany.” link
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Tishwash: US outlines 7 demands for Iraq’s next PM in diplomatic letter
The letter places heavy emphasis on reducing Iranian influence in Baghdad’s political and security affairs amid ongoing US-Iran tensions and Iraq’s prolonged government formation process following the November 2025 elections
The letter underscores how Iraq’s government formation has become a key arena in the larger US-Iran contest for regional dominance
The United States delivered a pointed diplomatic message to Iraqi leaders, outlining seven specific demands for the selection and performance of the country’s next prime minister.
The letter, reported by Al-Monitor on Thursday, places heavy emphasis on reducing Iranian influence in Baghdad’s political and security affairs amid ongoing US-Iran tensions and Iraq’s prolonged government formation process following the November 2025 elections.
The seven demands
According to sources familiar with the correspondence, the US letter specifies the following conditions for the incoming prime minister and the government they lead:
Elect a prime minister who prioritizes Iraqi national interests above external alignments, particularly those tied to Tehran.
Institutionalize and bring the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) — a coalition of mostly Shia militias, many backed by Iran — fully under state control, limiting their independent operations.
Reduce corruption and combat money laundering, with a focus on disrupting illicit financial networks that benefit Iranian-aligned groups.
Limit or exclude Iranian-backed militias from key positions in the new cabinet and security apparatus.
Strengthen Iraq’s sovereignty by curbing foreign interference, especially from Iran, in domestic governance and decision-making.
Enhance cooperation with the United States on security, counterterrorism, and economic matters as a partner rather than a conduit for regional rivals.
Implement reforms to promote inclusive governance, economic diversification away from oil dependency, and accountability to prevent sectarian divisions.
The demands reflect the Trump administration’s broader strategy to weaken Iran’s regional proxy network, particularly in Iraq, where Tehran has long exerted influence through political parties, militias, and economic ties.
Context amid government formation deadlock
Iraq remains without a new government more than three months after parliamentary elections, with the Shia Coordination Framework — the largest bloc — initially nominating former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in late January 2026. Maliki, who served from 2006 to 2011, is widely viewed in Washington as closely aligned with Iran and responsible for sectarian policies that fueled instability and the rise of ISIS.
President Donald Trump publicly rejected Maliki’s candidacy on Truth Social in late January, warning that the US would “no longer help Iraq” if he returned to power. Subsequent reports indicated threats of severe measures, including restrictions on Iraq’s access to oil revenues held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York — a lifeline accounting for roughly 90% of the federal budget.
The US letter, delivered amid these pressures, appears to formalize Washington’s red lines. It builds on earlier warnings, including potential sanctions against Iraq’s Central Bank, Oil Ministry, and officials linked to Iranian-backed groups if Maliki’s nomination persists.
Some Framework factions have since signaled willingness to reconsider Maliki, with reports suggesting a possible extension of caretaker Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani’s term or selection of a compromise figure acceptable to both domestic stakeholders and Washington.
Broader geopolitical stakes
The demands arrive as US-Iran indirect negotiations continue, with Washington pushing Tehran to curb its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for proxies — including Iraqi militias. Iraq sits at the heart of this rivalry: US forces maintain a presence for counter-ISIS operations, while Iranian-aligned groups have targeted American interests in the past.
By conditioning future cooperation — and implicitly threatening economic leverage — on compliance, the US seeks to reshape Iraq’s political landscape.
Analysts note that success could enhance Iraqi sovereignty and stability, but failure risks deepening divisions or triggering financial crisis. link
Tishwash: Iraq has no alternatives if Hormuz is closed… we have no option but “divine solutions”.
Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi warned on Friday of catastrophic repercussions for the Iraqi economy if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that Iraq would practically lose its ability to export its oil through its southern ports, which would reduce its exports from about 3.4 million barrels per day to about 210,000 barrels only, with 200,000 barrels through the Turkish port of Ceyhan and 10,000 barrels per day to Jordan by tankers.
Al-Marsoumi explained that a potential rise in oil prices to $150 per barrel would not compensate for the loss, as monthly revenues would decline from about $7 billion to less than $1 billion, an amount that covers only 14% of salaries. He pointed out that Iraq, unlike Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran, does not currently have alternative outlets ready for exporting oil, making it the most vulnerable to any potential closure of the Strait.
Al-Marsoumi asked in a post followed by 964 Network , “What would happen to Iraq if Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz?” He pointed out that “if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, Iraq will be prevented from exporting its oil south by sea, and Iraq’s oil exports will decrease from 3.4 million barrels per day to 210,000 barrels per day, of which 200,000 barrels will be from the Turkish port of Ceyhan and 10,000 barrels per day to Jordan via tankers.”
He added that “even if the closure of the strait leads to oil prices rising to $150 a barrel, Iraqi oil revenues will decrease from about $7 billion a month to less than $1 billion, which is only enough to cover 14% of salaries. All of this will happen because Iraq, unlike Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran, does not currently have alternative routes ready for exporting oil.”
He concluded by saying: “Therefore, we have no solutions other than those from heaven that might prevent war or prevent the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.” link
