"US Ban on Iraqi Banks Sparks Protests as Iraqi Dinar Plummets"
Protests erupted in Baghdad as the Iraqi dinar plummeted against the US dollar following the US ban on 14 Iraqi banks due to suspicions of money laundering and funneling funds to Iran. The market rate of the dollar jumped from 1,470 dinar per dollar to 1,570 dinar per dollar in just two days. Bank owners called for official action to address the situation, warning that the ban would hinder foreign investment. The protesters also demanded government intervention to halt inflation. The central bank chief assured that legitimate transactions would still be provided with dollars at the official rate.