The Council also decided to require private universities, colleges, and institutes subject to tax settlement procedures to pay the principal amount of their outstanding income tax and withholding tax liabilities. Institutions that settle the principal tax and complete their tax settlement procedures within four months from the date of the Council of Ministers’ decision will receive a 100 percent exemption from penalties and additional charges. Those completing settlement during the subsequent four-month period will receive a 50 percent exemption. Taxpayers failing to complete settlement and payment within the specified periods will not benefit from these exemptions and will be subject to the applicable penalties and legal procedures. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research will take the necessary legal and administrative measures against non-compliant private universities, colleges, and institutes. In the energy sector, the Council exempted the Heads of Agreement signed with ExxonMobil, together with all contracts and agreements arising therefrom, from Council of Ministers Resolution No. (48 of 2018), while directing the Ministry of Oil to continue independently pursuing the arbitration proceedings before the relevant international tribunal to safeguard Iraq’s financial rights. In the same sector, the Council approved the recommendation of the Central Review and Endorsement Committee regarding the award by the Basra Oil Company / Ministry of Oil of the Integrated Field Management and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management contracts to Halliburton – Iraq Branch for a contract term of five years, with an optional three-year extension, with payments to be made based on actual completed work. The Council also approved awarding the development contract for the Himreen Oil Field to HKN Energy and authorized the commencement of petroleum operations in accordance with the procedures submitted by the Ministry of Oil. In the environmental sector, the Council authorized the Ministry of Environment, subject to Council of Ministers approval, to propose exemptions for certain facilities from the Environmental Standards for Project Establishment and Safety Monitoring Instructions No. (3 of 2011), in accordance with criteria and standards established by the Ministry. In the health sector, the Council approved the allocation of IQD 30 billion to the Ministry of Health to finance pharmaceutical contracts. The Council also approved the Ministry of Planning’s establishment of a new component within the School Construction Project to cover contracts verified by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, with payments to be made from the surplus funds allocated to the 1,000 Schools Project after deducting 15 percent of the amount, to be deposited into a special account at the Ministry of Finance. The Council of Ministers also approved the issuance of the Maritime Collision Prevention Regulation, as reviewed by the State Council, pursuant to the Constitution and the Iraqi High Maritime Authority Law No. (18 of 2019). ••••• Media Office of the Prime Minister June 29, 2026