Iran grants permission for Iraqi oil tankers to pass through Hormuz

Iran has permitted several Iraqi oil tankers to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA. The permission was granted following multiple requests from Baghdad, as stated in reports on Saturday. Obtaining special authorization for Iraqi tankers was a key demand during Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf's visit to Iraq.

Iraqi President Nizar Al-Maliki confirmed that Iran had enabled the passage of vessels carrying Iraqi oil through the strait in recent days. However, the issue remains complex, as Baghdad has discussed the export of Iraqi oil through Hormuz with Iranian officials, highlighting the ongoing complications. Iraq's oil exports have been severely impacted by Iran's blockade, with traffic in the strait at a fraction of pre-war levels.

Iraq's oil production was around 4 million barrels per day prior to the Iran-Iraq war. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi mentioned on Friday that Baghdad is exploring alternative routes to expand oil exports, including through Turkey's Ceyhan port, Syria's Baniyas port, and Jordan's Aqaba port.