The Iraqi government is facing a severe financial crisis that has prompted it to consider measures to rationalize spending, including cutting certain allocations and reducing the number of food ration card beneficiaries. The government is prioritizing the securing of salaries amid a sharp decline in oil revenues following the halt of exports through the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting the fragility of an economy reliant on a single resource. Estimates indicate a widening gap between actual revenues and state obligations, which may force the government to resort to internal and external borrowing. Proposed austerity plans include reducing the Ministry of Trade's allocations, scaling back food ration card distributions, as well as cutting wheat purchase volumes and downsizing diplomatic missions. This crisis has sparked widespread fears among employees and citizens regarding increasing living pressures and a declining standard of living.