Iran allows Iraqi oil tankers to transit Strait of Hormuz

Iran has granted permission for several Iraqi oil tankers to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. This permission followed multiple requests from Iraqi officials, including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, during his visit to Iraq. Iraqi President Nizar Al-Maliki confirmed on Saturday that Iran had enabled the passage of vessels carrying Iraqi oil through the Strait in recent days.

However, Baghdad has expressed ongoing discussions with Iranian officials regarding the export of Iraqi oil via Hormuz. The situation remains complex, with Iraq among the nations significantly impacted by Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait. Traffic in the strait is far below pre-war levels, and attacks on ships persist in the area.

Prior to the Iran-Iraq war, Iraq was producing approximately 4 million barrels of oil daily. In response, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced on Friday that Baghdad is striving to enhance exports through Turkey’s Ceyhan port and is exploring the possibility of exporting oil through Syria’s Baniyas port and Jordan’s Aqaba port.