Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s financial adviser, Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, firmly rejected a bizarre rumor that 62 trillion Iraqi dinars had been destroyed by rodents. He called the claim baseless, misleading, and economically impossible.
Saleh addressed the issue in a statement. He said, “Some social media platforms recently circulated unreasonable claims about the destruction of massive amounts of currency due to ‘rats and mice.’” He stressed that these reports lack credibility, logic, and any factual basis.
According to Saleh, Iraq’s total currency supply—including both circulating and reserve cash—does not exceed 100 trillion dinars. Therefore, the claim that rodents destroyed 62 trillion Iraqi dinars is not only inaccurate but also defies all financial reasoning. No economic or environmental event could cause such extensive damage.
He also explained that the public holds most of Iraq’s money—roughly 88%—outside the banking system. People keep that cash in many different locations, not in one central place. As a result, rodents cannot damage it on such a large scale.
Additionally, Saleh said officials follow strict procedures when handling Iraqi currency. They inspect and control every phase, from printing to storage. The Central Bank regularly replaces and audits currency using regulated systems. Therefore, no one leaves 62 trillion Iraqi dinars unprotected or unattended.
He warned that such rumors aim to confuse people and stir panic. These fabricated stories exploit gaps in financial literacy and seek to undermine public trust. Saleh urged citizens not to fall for such disinformation. He encouraged everyone to verify facts through official channels.
In conclusion, Saleh described the viral story as an insult to public intelligence. He emphasized Iraq’s commitment to protecting its financial integrity and maintaining transparency. Moving forward, the government plans to monitor misinformation more closely to prevent similar false claims from spreading.
