US dollar edges higher across Iraq near 169,000 dinars

Packs of US dollars and Iraqi dinars. Photo: Pukmedia Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the Iraqi dinar registered a slight upward tick across major parallel markets on Sunday morning, November 8, 2026, ending roughly a week of consolidation near 167,000 IQD per $100 and testing the 169,000-dinar ceiling in the capital. According to morning market data, physical foreign exchange counters across major commercial hubs traded as follows: Baghdad: Currency exchange desks recorded retail selling rates at 169,000 IQD against buying bids of 168,500 IQD per $100. Erbil: Selling rates settled at 168,500 IQD alongside purchase offers of 168,000 IQD per $100. Basra: Foreign exchange bureaus quoted retail sales at 168,750 IQD and buying rates at 168,250 IQD per $100. The slight upward adjustment widens the spread between parallel market trading and the official benchmark established by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), which remains fixed at 152,000 IQD per $100 (1,520 IQD per dollar). The modest shift highlights persistent friction in matching cash foreign currency supply with informal commercial demand across secondary markets.