World Factbook
Iraq
Jumhuriyat al-Iraq/Komar-i Eraq
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the Takbir (Arabic phrase meaning "God is great") in green Arabic script is centered in the white band meaning: the colors come from the Arab Liberation flag and stand for oppression (black) overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white) history: the Council of Representatives approved this flag in 2008 as a compromise replacement for the Ba'thist SADDAM-era flag
note: similar to the flags of Syria (two stars but no script), Yemen (plain white band), and Egypt (a golden Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band)
Capital
name
Baghdad
etymology
the origin of the name is unclear; it may mean "gift of God," from the pre-Islamic words bagh (god) and dad (given)
time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
33 20 N, 44 24 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Iraq
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Constitution
history
several previous; latest adopted by referendum 15 October 2005
amendment process
proposed by the president of the republic and the Council of Minsters collectively, or by one fifth of the Council of Representatives members; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Council of Representatives, approval by referendum, and ratification by the president; passage of amendments to articles on citizen rights and liberties requires two-thirds majority vote of Council of Representatives members after two successive electoral terms, approval in a referendum, and ratification by the president
Country name
former
Mesopotamia, Mandatory Iraq, Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq
etymology
the name probably derives from Uruk ("Erech" in Aramaic), the ancient Sumerian and Babylonian city on the Euphrates River
local long form
Jumhuriyat al-Iraq/Komar-i Eraq
local short form
Al Iraq/Eraq
conventional long form
Republic of Iraq
conventional short form
Iraq
Independence
3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
note: on 28 June 2004, the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government
Legal system
mixed system of civil and Islamic law
Government type
federal parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
note
note: Federal Supreme Court jurisdiction limited to constitutional issues, application of federal laws, ratification of election results for the COR, judicial competency disputes, and disputes between regions or governorates and the central government
highest court(s)
Federal Supreme Court or FSC (consists of 9 judges); Court of Cassation (consists of a court president, 5 vice presidents, and at least 24 judges)
subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal (governorate level); civil courts, including first instance, personal status, labor, and customs; criminal courts including felony, misdemeanor, investigative, major crimes, juvenile, and traffic courts
judge selection and term of office
Federal Supreme Court (FSC) judges nominated by the High Judicial Council (HJC) president, the FSC chief justice, the public prosecutor's office chief, and the head of the Judicial Oversight Commission; FSC members required to retire at age 72; Court of Cassation judges appointed by the HJC and confirmed by the Council of Representatives to serve until retirement, nominally at age 63, but can be extended to age 66
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, approved by Council of Representatives (COR)
chief of state
President Latif RASHID (since 13 October 2022)
election results
2022: Latif RASHID elected president in second round; COR vote in first round - Latif RASHID (PUK) 157, Barham SALIH (PUK) 99; COR vote in second round - Latif RASHID 167, Barham SALIH 99; Mohammed Shia' al-SUDANI approved as prime minister 2018: Barham SALIH elected president in second round; COR vote in first round - Barham SALIH (PUK) 165, Fuad HUSAYN (KDP) 90; COR vote in second round - Barham SALIH 219, Fuad HUSAYN 22; Adil ABD AL-MAHDI approved as prime minister
head of government
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-SUDANI (since 27 October 2022)
most recent election date
13 October 2022
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by COR to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term)
National holiday
Independence Day, 3 October (1932); Republic Day, 14 July (1958)
National color(s)
red, white, black
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
6 (5 cultural, 1 mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (c); Babylon (c); Erbil Citadel (c); Hatra (c); Samarra Archaeological City (c); The Ahwar (Marshland) of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities (m)
Political parties
Al Fatah Alliance Azm Alliance Babiliyun Movement Imtidad Ishraqat Konun Kurdistan Democratic Party National Contract Party New Generation Movement Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Sadrist Bloc State Forces Alliance State of Law Coalition Taqadum Tasmim Alliance
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
329 (all directly elected)
electoral system
other systems
legislature name
Council of Representatives of Iraq
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
11/11/2025
expected date of next election
November 2029
percentage of women in chamber
28.9%
parties elected and seats per party
Reconstruction & Development Coalition, The Progress (Taqaddum) Party, State of Law Coalition, Sadiqoun Movement, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Badr Organization, National State Forces Alliance, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Azm Alliance, National Sovereignty, Ishraqat Kanun, Asas (Iraqi Foundation) Coalition, Tasmeem Alliance, Huquq Movement, National Resolve (Hasm)
National anthem(s)
title
"Mawtini" (My Homeland)
history
adopted 2004, after the ouster of SADDAM Husayn; popular Arab folk song that also serves as an unofficial anthem for the Palestinian people
lyrics/music
Ibrahim TOUQAN/Mohammad FLAYFEL
National symbol(s)
golden eagle
Administrative divisions
19 governorates ( muhafazat , singular - muhafazah (Arabic); parezgakan, singular - parezga (Kurdish)); 'Al Anbar; Al Basrah; Al Muthanna; Al Qadisiyah (Ad Diwaniyah); An Najaf; Arbil (Erbil) (Arabic), Halabjah; Hewler (Kurdish); As Sulaymaniyah (Arabic), Slemani (Kurdish); Babil; Baghdad; Dahuk (Arabic), Dihok (Kurdish); Dhi Qar; Diyala; Karbala'; Kirkuk; Maysan; Ninawa; Salah ad Din; Wasit
note: Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government administers Arbil, Dahuk, and As Sulaymaniyah (as Hewler, Dihok, and Slemani, respectively)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 462-8815
chancery
1801 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 483-7500
chief of mission
Ambassador Nazar Issa Abdulhadi AL-KHIRULLAH (since 30 June 2023)
consulate(s) general
Detroit, Los Angeles
email address and website
washington@scrdiraq.gov.iq https://www.iraqiembassy.us/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
Al-Kindi Street, International Zone, Baghdad; note - consulate in Al Basrah closed as of 28 September 2018
telephone
0760-030-3000
mailing address
6060 Baghdad Place, Washington DC 20521-6060
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Ambassador Joshua HARRIS (since 2 September 2025)
email address and website
BaghdadACS@state.gov https://iq.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ABEDA, AFESD, AIIB, AMF, CAEU, CICA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt