Officials confirm financial shipments restart while some restrictions remain
The United States has resumed shipments of US dollars to Iraq after a months-long suspension that Washington reportedly imposed to pressure Baghdad to curb Iranian influence, according to The New York Times, citing Iraqi officials.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s spokesperson, Haider al-Aboudi, confirmed that the transfers had restarted, saying the issue had been resolved. Financial adviser Mudhar Muhammad Salih also confirmed the resumption of dollar shipments. However, an Iraqi official, speaking anonymously, said some US measures remain in place, including the suspension of certain funding and security cooperation.
According to the report, Washington halted the transfers in April, including withholding proceeds from Iraqi oil sales. Iraqi Kurdish officials reportedly linked the decision to concerns that Iran-backed militias were smuggling US currency out of Iraq.
The US State Department did not immediately comment on the report.
Government intensifies anti-corruption campaign
Meanwhile, the Iraqi government has expanded its anti-corruption drive, with authorities detaining politicians, senior officials and business figures from across the political spectrum.
Reports said investigators recovered approximately $15 million in cash from the residence of Iraqi lawmaker Alia Nassif. Her son reportedly worked with former Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani.
Separately, security officials seized around $4 million in cash from a vehicle at a checkpoint between the Saladin and Diyala provinces, according to local media reports.
Authorities continue nationwide investigations
Iraq’s state news agency published the names of several individuals arrested during the ongoing crackdown, including civil servants, directors general, politicians and businessmen.
The investigations form part of a broader campaign launched by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to strengthen financial oversight, improve transparency and restore public confidence in state institutions.
Although the resumption of US dollar transfers signals progress in financial relations between Baghdad and Washington, some restrictions reportedly remain in effect as both countries continue discussions over security cooperation and measures aimed at preventing illicit financial activities linked to regional armed groups.
