Iraqi MP warns public salaries could be delayed up to 45 days amid fiscal strain

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A member of the Iraqi parliament's Finance Committee, Mansur al-Bacayi, has warned that public sector salary payments could be delayed by up to 45 days as the government faces a major fiscal crisis. Al-Bacayi attributed the pressure to Iraq being among the parties most affected by the broader Iran–United States conflict, and said the country has suffered an estimated $150 billion in losses. Speaking about energy exports, the lawmaker said no oil barrels have been shipped through the Strait of Hormuz since February 28. He called on the government to form a political delegation and travel to Iran to negotiate the reopening of transit through the strait. Al-Bacayi noted that Iraqi civil servants' salaries are paid from Central Bank reserves and warned that the country is in an extremely dangerous financial position. He cautioned that without the resumption of oil exports via the Strait of Hormuz, salary disbursements could face serious delays. No further details on possible government action were immediately available.