An Iraqi government spokesperson has announced that the United States has agreed to resume sending cash dollar shipments to the country after a pause of several months.

Haider al-Aboudi, spokesperson for the Iraqi government, told the country’s official news agency on Sunday, September 28, that this agreement was reached during the Iraqi Prime Minister’s trip to the United States and will help meet the country’s domestic need for foreign currency.

He added that a new shipment of dollar banknotes will arrive in Iraq in the coming days; however, he did not provide details about the value of the shipment or the exact time of its delivery.

Al-Aboudi said this agreement was reached after the Iraqi government’s measures to tighten oversight of dollar distribution, combat misuse of foreign currency, and expand electronic payments.

This comes as the United States had halted cash dollar shipments to Iraq in April amid concerns about currency smuggling to Iran and with the aim of exerting pressure on Iran’s proxy groups in Iraq.