Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Parallel market exchange rates for the U.S. dollar against the Iraqi Dinar climbed across major domestic trading centers on Monday, August 17, 2026, reaching 154,500 IQD per $100 across Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra.
The parallel market rate reflects an expanding spread over the Central Bank of Iraq’s (CBI) official fixed exchange rate of 131,000 IQD per $100 (1,310 IQD per $1 USD).
Daily Exchange Rates by City (per $100 USD)
- Baghdad (Al-Kifah & Al-Harithiya Bourses):
- Selling Price: 154,500 IQD
- Buying Price: 153,500 IQD
- Erbil (Kurdistan Region Main Exchange):
- Selling Price: 154,500 IQD
- Buying Price: 154,000 IQD
- Basra (Southern Commercial Hub):
- Selling Price: 154,500 IQD
- Buying Price: 154,000 IQD
The uptick across Iraq’s principal currency hubs indicates sustained liquidity demand for physical cash dollars in parallel market trading and cash-based merchant supply chains.
While documentary trade and official corporate transactions clear through the Central Bank’s electronic wire platform at the pegged official rate, cash exchange windows across Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra saw the market premium widen to nearly 18% over the official baseline.
