Iraqi economy faces threat as US closes oil revenue account
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – In a recent development that has raised concerns over the stability of the Iraqi economy, the United States has closed the account through which Iraq collects revenue from its oil sales.
This revelation came to light through a letter addressed to the Finance Committee of the Iraqi Parliament, dated March 18, 2024.
The letter, signed by Ammar Khalaf, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, outlines the closure of the account known as the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI), which has been operational since 2003.
The DFI, under the supervision and protection of the United Nations and the United States, served as a crucial mechanism for Iraq to collect and manage its oil revenues.
According to the letter, Iraq maintained this account with the US Federal Reserve Bank, allowing it to receive oil revenues in dollars and utilize them to cover essential expenses in accordance with agreements with the United States.
However, with the closure of the DFI account, Iraq's oil revenue is now being directed to a new account, referred to as IRAQ2. This transition raises concerns among experts, including finance and banking specialist Kamaran Qadir Yaqub, who warns that the protection previously afforded to Iraq's revenue may no longer be guaranteed.
Yaqub emphasizes the risk that IRAQ2 could be vulnerable to potential interference or manipulation by the United States, posing a significant threat to Iraq's financial stability.
In addition to the closure of the DFI account, the letter also sheds light on a contractual arrangement between Iraq and a US company for the transportation of dollars from the United States to Iraq. Under this contract, Iraq paid a security deposit of $441,000, with a transportation fee of $216,310 for each convoy of dollars.
The closure of the DFI account and the implications for Iraq's financial security highlight the complex dynamics of international financial relations and the vulnerability of countries reliant on oil revenue. As Iraq navigates these challenges, stakeholders closely monitor developments to assess the impact on the country's economic stability and future prospects.