US dollar ticks up across Iraqi parallel markets near 169,500 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 edged upward across parallel exchange markets on Monday morning, November 9, 2026, with buying rates consolidating at the 168,000 IQD threshold across major commercial hubs after roughly a week of stabilizing around 167,000 IQD per $100. Retail selling rates in the capital, Baghdad, approached the 169,500 IQD barrier. According to morning monitoring data from major trading centers, physical cash rates stood as follows: Baghdad: Currency exchange counters posted retail selling rates at 169,450 IQD against buying bids of 168,000 IQD per $100. Erbil: Selling desks recorded 168,550 IQD, with purchasing offers settling at 168,000 IQD per $100. Basra: Foreign exchange bureaus quoted retail sales at 168,750 IQD alongside buying prices of 168,250 IQD per $100. This upward momentum further widens the spread between secondary physical cash markets and the Central Bank of Iraq’s (CBI) official benchmark rate, fixed at 152,000 IQD per $100 (1,520 IQD per dollar), underscoring persistent informal market demand for banknotes to finance regional trade flows outside official wire mechanisms.