Iran central bank governor Hemmati met Iraq’s prime minister in Baghdad on
Monday. Tasnim News Agency, citing the Iran‑Iraq Joint Chamber chairman, said
talks covered Iran’s claims on Iraq — about $12 bln — and ways to facilitate use
of Iranian foreign‑exchange funds currently held in Iraq. The reported $12 bln
figure may fluctuate with trade and payments. Excluding energy, bilateral trade
has risen roughly 15% YTD and could expand toward about $20 bln given current
potential.
