Senior Iraqi officials confirmed that the United States has resumed air shipments of U.S. dollars after suspending them earlier this year.
The suspension began in April under President Donald Trump's administration, when Washington temporarily blocked Iraq's access to portions of its oil revenues held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Washington's actions reflected growing concern over Iranian influence inside Iraq, particularly allegations that U.S. currency was reaching sanctioned entities, criminal organizations and Iran-backed armed factions.
Iran-Backed Armed Groups
Al-Zaidi ordered that every armed faction operating inside Iraq be placed under direct state authority.
Several of Iraq's most powerful Iran-aligned militias, including Kataib Hezbollah, have rejected the government's efforts.
The group has claimed responsibility for attacks targeting U.S. personnel in Iraq and has also acknowledged involvement in several high-profile kidnappings, including that of an American journalist in Baghdad earlier this year.
Oil Revenue Crisis
Iraq faces one of its sharpest declines in oil export revenues in recent years as a result of the Trump-Netanyahu war on Iran beginning in February.
According to the Ministry of Oil, January exports totaled 107.6 million barrels, but by April exports were just 4.6 million barrels.
Oil revenues fell from $6.8 billion in February to $1.9 billion in March and $1.1 billion in April, despite benchmark prices climbing to approximately $110 per barrel.
A Defining Test
For Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, the campaign represents more than a law enforcement operation.
It is an early test of whether Iraq's new leadership can confront entrenched patronage networks, stabilize an increasingly fragile economy and balance competing pressures from Washington and Tehran-- all while convincing Iraqis that accountability can finally reach the highest levels of power.
Journalist Steven Sahiounie Interviewed Dr. Mahmoud Al-Hashemi, the Director of the Union Center for Strategic Studies, of Iraq.
1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): The Iraqi government has launched a major anti-corruption campaign and has arrested dozens of members of parliament and government officials. In your opinion, is the government genuinely serious about this campaign, or is it merely a regional political purge, as some have suggested?
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