By John Lee. At a press briefing on Thursday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller (pictured) said the United States has issued another 120-day waiver to allow Iraq to continue importing electricity from Iran. Addressing a question from the floor, Miller said: "... these are waivers that have been regularly issued to Iraq going back […]
Tag Archives | United States
Tehran, Baghdad "Keen to Expand Banking Ties"
From Tasnim, under a Creative Commons licence. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The chairman of the Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce said banking officials from the two countries are keen to expand the monetary and banking relations. There is not any […]
US Firm Wins Aviation Maintenance Contract in Iraq
By John Lee. Maryland-based Amentum Services Inc. has been awarded a $8,626,048 modification (P00335) to contract W58RGZ-19-C-0025 for aviation maintenance services. Work will be performed at Fort Liberty, North Carolina; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2024. Amentum was created by the sale of AECOM's Management Services business […]
Strategic Communications Firms to support Iraqi Embassy in US
By John Lee. Valcour LLC, described as "a global public strategy firm specializing in government relations and strategic communications," has won a contract to support the Iraqi Embassy in the United States. In a statement made pursuant to the US's Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the company said it and its owner and controller, Matthew […]
KRG Hires Consultant in Washington
By John Lee. The American Kurdish Committee, Inc. (AKC), and its President, Abdulmajeed Abdulmajeed, have been engaged to provide services to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in the United States. According to a statement made pursuant to the US's Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA): "Mr. Abdulmajeed will engage in activities to raise awareness of the […]
Iraq's US Embassy hires Squire Patton Boggs
By John Lee. Washington DC-based lobbying and legal services firm Squire Patton Boggs has reported that it, and partner Edward J. Newberry, will perform work on behalf of the Iraqi Embassy in the United States. In a statement made pursuant to the US's Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the company said it may: " ... […]
Iraq urges US to Reconsider Sanctions on Iraqi Banks
By John Lee. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has called on the US Treasury Department to reconsider its recent imposition of sanctions on Iraqi banks. During a phone call from the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Minister Hussein explained that these banks have, "an important and major role in financing ration card expenses and […]
Why Iraq's Dinar is Trading Below Official Rate
By Adam Lucente for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Why Iraq's dinar is trading below official dollar rate amid new restrictions A top US official visited Iraqi officials last week to discuss countering illicit finance and strengthening Iraq's […]
Two Tough Scenarios for U.S.-Iraq Relations
By Bilal Wahab for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Two Tough Scenarios for U.S.-Iraq Relations Washington's ever-narrowing Iraq policy has left it with unpalatable choices, but muddling through is a better short-term option than […]
Why a US withdrawal from Iraq is off the table
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Deep Dive: Why a US withdrawal from Iraq is off the table An important letter was delivered to Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein last week. In a Jan. 24 meeting, US Ambassador Alina […]
US Sanctions Iraqi Bank; $6bn Fraudulently Transferred
By John Lee. The US Treasury Department has sanctioned Iraq's Al-Huda Bank, and its owner and Chairman, Hamad al-Moussawi. On Monday, the Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) said the bank, "serves as a conduit for terrorist financing, as a foreign financial institution of primary money laundering concern." Along with its finding, FinCEN proposed imposing […]
US President announces New Ambassador to Iraq
By John Lee. US President Joe Biden has announced his intent to nominate Tracey Ann Jacobson (pictured) as Ambassador to Iraq. If approved by the Senate, Ms Jacobson will take over the role from Alina L. Romanowski, who has served in the post since June 2022. In a statement from The White House, Tracey Jacobson […]