{
  "id": 225416,
  "title": "Tehran’s control over Baghdad may create conditions for more extreme protests, expert tells ‘Post’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/tehrans-control-over-baghdad-may-create-conditions-for-more-extreme",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-06T16:02:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-904785"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr. Ronen Zeidel, a researcher at the Moshe Dayan Center, warned that ongoing delays in paying Iraqi state employees could lead to more extreme protests in the country. Iraq's Finance Ministry reports that the nation spends about $6.5 billion monthly on public sector salaries, pensions, and social welfare payments, which have been delayed due to the oil export crisis resulting from Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Around 17.5% of Iraq's population lives below the poverty line, a figure likely to rise if wage delays persist. The country's economy heavily depends on oil, accounting for 90% of government revenue, 95% of export earnings, and more than 53% of its GDP. Zeidel explained that the US controls Iraq's oil revenues through the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) in New York, which enables Washington to influence Iraq's regulatory systems and its relationship with Iran. Despite US efforts to reform Iraq's banking system, progress has yet to be made, leaving Iraq unable to access dollars and pay its workforce. If the payments continue to be delayed, violent protests could escalate, similar to the demonstrations in Iran in December, driven by a combination of geopolitical issues, including Iraq's dependence on the US and Iran. The country's gas supply, primarily sourced from Iran, is crucial for maintaining electricity, as Iran supplies between a third and 40% of Iraq's gas and power needs. US-Iran tensions further complicate Iraq's situation, with Iraq caught between the two nations. Despite the signing of oil agreements valued at $200 billion with US companies during Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's visit to the US in July, Iraq failed to secure exemptions for Iraqi oil tankers or increase gas supplies during Zaidi's visit to Tehran, although several joint agreements on foreign affairs, finance, the economy, and energy were signed. Reports suggest Iran demanded a payment of around $11 billion for accumulated debts during Zaidi's visit, a demand Iraq rejected.",
  "summary": "Iraq’s failure to pay July salaries could trigger wider, potentially violent protests as oil export disruptions and US financial controls strain Baghdad, an expert said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "Ongoing delays in Iraqi state employee payments, driven by US-Iran tensions and Iraq's economic reliance on both countries, may fuel more extreme protests, further complicating Iraq's fragile situation.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/225416.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}