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SMS and WhatsApp business messaging in Iraq

Reach customers across Iraq on SMS, WhatsApp and voice from one platform, with sender IDs registered with Zain Iraq, Asiacell and Korek, direct operator routes and Arabic-first content. BroadNet is licensed in every country where it operates.

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SMS verification code and payment alert in Arabic from a sample Iraqi payments app. Sender name and messages are sample data.

Short answer

Updated

Business SMS in Iraq uses sender IDs registered through the licensed operators Zain Iraq, Asiacell and Korek, under the Communications and Media Commission (CMC). Iraq is heavily affected by grey routes, so direct operator routes matter for delivery and for keeping your sender ID intact. OmniChannels.ai, powered by BroadNet, handles registration and sends Arabic and English SMS, WhatsApp Business API messages and voice OTP from one platform.

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What you can send in Iraq with OmniChannels.ai

What to know before sending in Iraq

A practical summary, not legal advice. CMC and operator requirements change, so we confirm the current position for your traffic during onboarding.

ItemDetails
Sender IDRegister your sender ID with each operator before sending. Approval can take longer than in the Gulf, and some operators have their own commercial conditions per ID.
RoutingGrey routes and SIM boxes are common in Iraq and lead to lost messages or replaced sender IDs. Use direct operator routes for OTPs and alerts.
Restricted contentPolitical and religious content is subject to CMC rules. Share sample messages during onboarding if your content is near these topics.
Promotional messagesSend marketing only to customers who agreed to receive it and give them an easy way to opt out.
LanguagesArabic is the main language, with Kurdish widely used in the Kurdistan Region. Both use Unicode for SMS, which fits 70 characters per segment.
OTP trafficKeep OTPs on their own sender ID, and use WhatsApp or voice as fallback when an SMS code does not arrive.

How to launch business messaging in Iraq

  1. 1

    Define use cases

    Separate OTPs and alerts from promotions, and note which regions and languages you serve.

  2. 2

    Register with the operators

    Share your company documents, an authorization letter and brand proof. We submit to Zain Iraq, Asiacell and Korek and tell you about any operator-specific conditions.

  3. 3

    Connect WhatsApp

    Onboard through Meta Embedded Signup and submit Arabic templates.

  4. 4

    Integrate and set fallback

    Connect through the REST API or SMPP and set WhatsApp, SMS and voice fallback per use case.

  5. 5

    Test on each network

    Send test messages to numbers on all three operators, check delivery reports and launch.

Is this the right setup for your Iraq traffic?

A good fit when

  • You send OTPs or payment alerts to Iraqi numbers and cannot afford lost codes.
  • You need your brand name to arrive intact on every network.
  • You serve customers in Arabic and Kurdish.
  • You want WhatsApp, SMS and voice OTP with fallback on one platform.

Good to know before you start

  • Sender ID approval in Iraq can take longer than in the Gulf, and conditions vary by operator.
  • We do not use grey routes, so lower-cost offshore routing is not an option.
  • Delivery can vary by region and network, so check delivery reports per operator.
  • Rules change, and we confirm current CMC and operator requirements at onboarding.

SMS list rates in Iraq

Indicative price per SMS segment by monthly volume tier, averaged across operators, from BroadNet's published rate card. The more you send, the lower the rate.

SMS list rates in Iraq
$0.0468
$0.0412
$0.0347
$0.0281
Up to 100,000100,000 to 1 million1 to 5 million5 million and more

Indicative list prices in USD before taxes and sender ID fees, reviewed September 24, 2026. Your quote confirms the final rate.

List rate by operator
OperatorUp to 100,000
Asiacell$0.0483
Zain Iraq$0.0472
Korek$0.0450
Estimate your monthly cost

Iraq business messaging questions

Who regulates business SMS in Iraq?

The Communications and Media Commission (CMC) regulates telecom and media in Iraq, including content rules. Sender IDs are registered through the licensed operators Zain Iraq, Asiacell and Korek.

Why do OTPs fail or arrive late in Iraq?

Often because the traffic travels on grey routes or SIM boxes, which drop messages or replace the sender ID. Sending over direct operator routes with a registered sender ID, and using WhatsApp or voice as fallback, keeps sign-in codes arriving.

How long does sender ID registration take in Iraq?

Usually longer than in Gulf markets, and it varies by operator. Some operators also set their own commercial conditions for each sender ID. We confirm timelines and conditions when we submit your registration.

Can I send SMS in Kurdish?

Yes. Kurdish written in Arabic script is sent as Unicode, like Arabic, which fits 70 characters per segment. Check the preview for segment count, and confirm your templates with us if you also send WhatsApp messages in Kurdish.

What content is restricted in Iraq?

The CMC enforces rules around political and religious material, and operators filter content they consider unsuitable. If your messages touch on these areas, share samples during onboarding so we can check them.

Can I use WhatsApp for customer service in Iraq?

Yes. With the WhatsApp Business API, agents and Arabic-speaking chatbots answer customers in the shared inbox, and business-initiated messages use approved templates.

Sources

Guides on this topic

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Plan your Iraq messaging with us

Tell us your use cases, regions and sender IDs. We'll walk you through operator registration, direct routing and WhatsApp onboarding for Iraq.

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