Iraq central bank denies reports of new banknotes with three zeros removed

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Central Bank on Saturday denied reports that it had printed new banknotes from which three zeros had been removed, calling the claims inaccurate. In a statement, the bank said that banknote issuance and monetary policy procedures are conducted only through official channels. The bank urged the public to rely solely on announcements from authorized institutions and disregard information from other sources. It added that no changes have been made to the value or circulation of the national currency, and that authority over the dinar rests exclusively with the central bank. Officials warned that speculative reports could create unnecessary uncertainty in the market and that the spread of unfounded information may undermine economic stability. No further details were immediately available on the origin of the circulating claims.