Iraq dinar holds at 154,500 against US dollar on parallel market

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi dinar remained steady at 154,500 against the US dollar on the country's parallel market on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Exchange offices and non-bank outlets across major commercial hubs including Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Basra, Najaf and Mosul reported flat trading, with no notable speculative activity recorded during the session. Market participants said dollar supplies offered through the Central Bank's foreign currency auction have been sufficient to balance demand and prevent sharp swings. The Central Bank reiterated that the official rate is fixed through bank-mediated transactions. Traders and small-scale importers said the current level continues to weigh on import costs and that longer-term measures are needed to stabilize the local currency. Officials are monitoring the market, according to the report, while the Central Bank continues steps aimed at maintaining stability. Daily transaction volumes in bazaars and markets were described as normal, with no significant fluctuations observed.