Official Statement
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Following the official visit of Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi and his meeting with the President of the United States, and as part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq held a series of high-level meetings with officials from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
These meetings resulted in a mutual understanding to restore restricted Iraqi banks’ access to non-U.S.-dollar correspondent banking channels, upon their fulfillment of the approved compliance and governance standards and requirements and completion of the first phase of the banking sector reform and relicensing program implemented by the Central Bank of Iraq. Banks that successfully complete the remaining reform and relicensing requirements will also regain their eligibility to conduct transactions in U.S. dollars upon fulfilling all relevant regulatory procedures and requirements.
This understanding comes within the framework of the Central Bank of Iraq’s comprehensive strategy to modernize the banking sector, enhance its efficiency, and improve its competitiveness, thereby supporting its full integration into the global financial system, reinforcing confidence in Iraq’s banking sector, and creating the conditions necessary for greater engagement with international financial institutions.
The Central Bank of Iraq also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the comprehensive assessment of all Iraqi banks and strengthening its regulatory and oversight framework to ensure sustained compliance with international standards and the requirements of governance, risk management, and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing.
The Central Bank will continue to take the appropriate regulatory and supervisory measures against any institution that fails to meet these standards, including restricting or suspending its access to international financial channels or revoking its license whenever necessary, in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq further stated that seven Iraqi banks are currently qualified to resume operations through non-U.S.-dollar correspondent banking channels (other foreign currencies). These banks will subsequently become eligible to conduct transactions in U.S. dollars after successfully completing the remaining stages of the compliance and governance requirements.
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Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 18, 2026
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Following the official visit of Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi and his meeting with the President of the United States, and as part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq held a series of high-level meetings with officials from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
These meetings resulted in a mutual understanding to restore restricted Iraqi banks’ access to non-U.S.-dollar correspondent banking channels, upon their fulfillment of the approved compliance and governance standards and requirements and completion of the first phase of the banking sector reform and relicensing program implemented by the Central Bank of Iraq. Banks that successfully complete the remaining reform and relicensing requirements will also regain their eligibility to conduct transactions in U.S. dollars upon fulfilling all relevant regulatory procedures and requirements.
This understanding comes within the framework of the Central Bank of Iraq’s comprehensive strategy to modernize the banking sector, enhance its efficiency, and improve its competitiveness, thereby supporting its full integration into the global financial system, reinforcing confidence in Iraq’s banking sector, and creating the conditions necessary for greater engagement with international financial institutions.
The Central Bank of Iraq also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the comprehensive assessment of all Iraqi banks and strengthening its regulatory and oversight framework to ensure sustained compliance with international standards and the requirements of governance, risk management, and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing.
The Central Bank will continue to take the appropriate regulatory and supervisory measures against any institution that fails to meet these standards, including restricting or suspending its access to international financial channels or revoking its license whenever necessary, in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq further stated that seven Iraqi banks are currently qualified to resume operations through non-U.S.-dollar correspondent banking channels (other foreign currencies). These banks will subsequently become eligible to conduct transactions in U.S. dollars after successfully completing the remaining stages of the compliance and governance requirements.
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Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 18, 2026
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi :
As we conclude our visit to Washington and return to beloved Baghdad, we extend our deep appreciation to President Trump’s Administration and the friendly American people for the warm welcome and generous hospitality.
We reaffirm our government’s determination to continue advancing the strategic economic partnership between our two friendly countries and strengthening mutual trust and our shared vision for the future, building on the agreements, memoranda of understanding, and cooperation frameworks we have concluded that will lead to a new phase of bilateral relations based on shared interests across a wide range of fields, as well as enhanced coordination to consolidate stability and the path of prosperity in Iraq and across the region.
https://x.com/alifalihalzaidy/status/2078581916278960168?s=46
As we conclude our visit to Washington and return to beloved Baghdad, we extend our deep appreciation to President Trump’s Administration and the friendly American people for the warm welcome and generous hospitality.
We reaffirm our government’s determination to continue advancing the strategic economic partnership between our two friendly countries and strengthening mutual trust and our shared vision for the future, building on the agreements, memoranda of understanding, and cooperation frameworks we have concluded that will lead to a new phase of bilateral relations based on shared interests across a wide range of fields, as well as enhanced coordination to consolidate stability and the path of prosperity in Iraq and across the region.
https://x.com/alifalihalzaidy/status/2078581916278960168?s=46
X (formerly Twitter)
علي فالح الزيدي (@AliFalihAlzaidy) on X
As we conclude our visit to Washington and return to beloved Baghdad, we extend our deep appreciation to President Trump’s Administration and the friendly American people for the warm welcome and generous hospitality.
We reaffirm our government’s determination…
We reaffirm our government’s determination…
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Concludes His Visit to the United States, Securing Broad Agreements on an Effective Partnership Across Multiple Sectors
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Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi and the high-level delegation accompanying him concluded their official visit to the United States of America, which lasted five days.
The visit focused on launching a comprehensive and diversified economic partnership that supports Iraq’s economy, expands investment opportunities, revitalizes the domestic labor market, promotes the diversification of national revenue sources, opens new export routes for Iraqi crude oil, and enhances the country’s production and refining capacities.
The following are the key engagements and outcomes of the visit:
The Prime Minister visited the White House, held bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, and agreed on establishing a comprehensive strategic economic partnership.
The Prime Minister received President Trump’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Tom Barrack.
The Prime Minister visited the U.S. Department of War and held discussions on bilateral security and military relations, with agreement to further strengthen intelligence cooperation.
The Prime Minister met with the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury to discuss bilateral financial cooperation and banking sector reform.
The Prime Minister met with the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to discuss expanding financing partnerships and supporting the digital economy.
The Prime Minister met with a number of former U.S. ambassadors to Iraq and reviewed the evolution and key milestones of bilateral relations.
The Prime Minister received the Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs at his residence and received an invitation from His Majesty King Abdullah II to visit the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
The Prime Minister received members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Ted Budd and Senator Tim Sheehy.
The Prime Minister visited the U.S. Congress, including both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and met with the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Prime Minister met with Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The Prime Minister met with Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson.
The Prime Minister met with Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The Prime Minister received World Bank President Ajay Banga and International Finance Corporation Managing Director Makhtar Diop.
The Prime Minister visited Houston, Texas, and met with the leadership of Chevron Corporation.
The Prime Minister met with the leadership of KBR.
The Prime Minister attended the Economic and Investment Dialogue Forum in Houston, organized by the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce, where plans for the “Energy City” projects on the Al-Faw Peninsula were announced.
The Prime Minister met in Houston with representatives of Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Honeywell, and Weatherford to discuss partnerships in developing Iraq’s public and private sectors.
The Prime Minister met with the leadership of ExxonMobil.
The Prime Minister participated in the Business Conference organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Prime Minister met with representatives of HKN Energy, GE Vernova, Phontif, Google, and Commerce PLC.
The Prime Minister sponsored the signing of 48 agreements, memoranda of understanding, and economic cooperation arrangements between Iraqi public and private sector entities and various U.S. oil, industrial, technology, and financial sectors.
The Prime Minister met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright.
The Prime Minister received the Chief Executive Officer of Starlink.
The Prime Minister received the Chief Executive Officer of Excelerate Energy.
The Prime Minister received representatives of the BP–ConocoPhillips consortium.
The Prime Minister received representatives of JPMorgan.
The Prime Minister sponsored the agreement between the Central Bank of Iraq and the U.S.
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Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi and the high-level delegation accompanying him concluded their official visit to the United States of America, which lasted five days.
The visit focused on launching a comprehensive and diversified economic partnership that supports Iraq’s economy, expands investment opportunities, revitalizes the domestic labor market, promotes the diversification of national revenue sources, opens new export routes for Iraqi crude oil, and enhances the country’s production and refining capacities.
The following are the key engagements and outcomes of the visit:
The Prime Minister visited the White House, held bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, and agreed on establishing a comprehensive strategic economic partnership.
The Prime Minister received President Trump’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Tom Barrack.
The Prime Minister visited the U.S. Department of War and held discussions on bilateral security and military relations, with agreement to further strengthen intelligence cooperation.
The Prime Minister met with the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury to discuss bilateral financial cooperation and banking sector reform.
The Prime Minister met with the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to discuss expanding financing partnerships and supporting the digital economy.
The Prime Minister met with a number of former U.S. ambassadors to Iraq and reviewed the evolution and key milestones of bilateral relations.
The Prime Minister received the Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs at his residence and received an invitation from His Majesty King Abdullah II to visit the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
The Prime Minister received members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Ted Budd and Senator Tim Sheehy.
The Prime Minister visited the U.S. Congress, including both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and met with the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Prime Minister met with Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The Prime Minister met with Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson.
The Prime Minister met with Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The Prime Minister received World Bank President Ajay Banga and International Finance Corporation Managing Director Makhtar Diop.
The Prime Minister visited Houston, Texas, and met with the leadership of Chevron Corporation.
The Prime Minister met with the leadership of KBR.
The Prime Minister attended the Economic and Investment Dialogue Forum in Houston, organized by the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce, where plans for the “Energy City” projects on the Al-Faw Peninsula were announced.
The Prime Minister met in Houston with representatives of Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Honeywell, and Weatherford to discuss partnerships in developing Iraq’s public and private sectors.
The Prime Minister met with the leadership of ExxonMobil.
The Prime Minister participated in the Business Conference organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Prime Minister met with representatives of HKN Energy, GE Vernova, Phontif, Google, and Commerce PLC.
The Prime Minister sponsored the signing of 48 agreements, memoranda of understanding, and economic cooperation arrangements between Iraqi public and private sector entities and various U.S. oil, industrial, technology, and financial sectors.
The Prime Minister met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright.
The Prime Minister received the Chief Executive Officer of Starlink.
The Prime Minister received the Chief Executive Officer of Excelerate Energy.
The Prime Minister received representatives of the BP–ConocoPhillips consortium.
The Prime Minister received representatives of JPMorgan.
The Prime Minister sponsored the agreement between the Central Bank of Iraq and the U.S.
Department of the Treasury to restore seven Iraqi banks to foreign correspondent banking channels.
The Prime Minister sponsored the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Oil and the Syrian side on the construction of a crude oil export pipeline to the Mediterranean Sea through Syrian territory.
The Prime Minister received International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
The Prime Minister met with members of the Iraqi community in the United States from across various states and cities, as well as Iraqi business leaders, investors, and scholarship students.
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Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 19, 2026
The Prime Minister sponsored the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Oil and the Syrian side on the construction of a crude oil export pipeline to the Mediterranean Sea through Syrian territory.
The Prime Minister received International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
The Prime Minister met with members of the Iraqi community in the United States from across various states and cities, as well as Iraqi business leaders, investors, and scholarship students.
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Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 19, 2026
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Arrives in Doha to Offer Condolences to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, on the Passing of His Father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 19, 2026
Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 19, 2026
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Holds Official Talks with the Emir of the State of Qatar
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Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi held official talks today, Sunday, in Doha with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed his condolences to His Highness Sheikh Tamim on the passing of the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (May Allah have mercy upon him). He also expressed his appreciation to His Highness for the warm welcome and generous hospitality, and reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation with the brotherly State of Qatar and advancing bilateral relations in a manner that serves the shared interests of both countries and their brotherly peoples.
During the talks, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation across various fields in a manner that serves their mutual interests. They also discussed the most prominent regional and international issues of common concern, foremost among them the latest developments in the region.
The two leaders underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing crises and stressed the need to implement what was agreed upon under the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a manner that contributes to strengthening regional security and stability, ensures freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and serves the security and stability of the region.
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Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 19, 2026
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Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi held official talks today, Sunday, in Doha with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed his condolences to His Highness Sheikh Tamim on the passing of the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (May Allah have mercy upon him). He also expressed his appreciation to His Highness for the warm welcome and generous hospitality, and reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation with the brotherly State of Qatar and advancing bilateral relations in a manner that serves the shared interests of both countries and their brotherly peoples.
During the talks, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation across various fields in a manner that serves their mutual interests. They also discussed the most prominent regional and international issues of common concern, foremost among them the latest developments in the region.
The two leaders underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing crises and stressed the need to implement what was agreed upon under the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a manner that contributes to strengthening regional security and stability, ensures freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and serves the security and stability of the region.
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Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 19, 2026
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Returns to Baghdad Following the Conclusion of His Official Visit to the United States
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Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 19, 2026
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Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 19, 2026
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Meets the Iranian Ambassador to Iraq
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Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi met today, Monday, with the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Iraq, Mr. Mohammad Kazem Al Sadeq.
The meeting discussed ways to further develop bilateral relations between the two countries and enhance cooperation across various fields in a manner that serves the mutual interests of the two friendly peoples and contributes to regional security and stability.
The meeting also reviewed the ongoing preparations for the Prime Minister’s official visit to Tehran at the end of this week, including the agenda and key issues to be discussed, with the aim of advancing bilateral cooperation and expanding the horizons of partnership and coordination between the two countries on matters of mutual interest.
Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 20, 2026
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Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi met today, Monday, with the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Iraq, Mr. Mohammad Kazem Al Sadeq.
The meeting discussed ways to further develop bilateral relations between the two countries and enhance cooperation across various fields in a manner that serves the mutual interests of the two friendly peoples and contributes to regional security and stability.
The meeting also reviewed the ongoing preparations for the Prime Minister’s official visit to Tehran at the end of this week, including the agenda and key issues to be discussed, with the aim of advancing bilateral cooperation and expanding the horizons of partnership and coordination between the two countries on matters of mutual interest.
Media Office of the Prime Minister
July 20, 2026