Iraq has opened talks with Iran to secure safe passage for its oil tankers through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, as disruptions continue to affect global energy flows.
Iraq’s oil minister, Hayan Abdel Ghani, disclosed that discussions are ongoing with Iranian authorities to allow selected tankers to pass through the waterway and resume exports.
“Communications are underway with the relevant authorities to authorise the passage of certain oil tankers… in order that we can resume our exports,” he said during an interview with local television station al-Sharqiya.
According to the minister, Iraq is required to provide detailed information about the vessels, including their names, ownership, and affiliations, as part of the approval process.
A founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Iraq relies heavily on crude oil exports, which account for about 90 per cent of its national revenue.
Before the outbreak of the current conflict on February 28, Iraq exported approximately 3.5 million barrels of oil per day, primarily from the southern Basra oil fields via the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Iran has since restricted access to the vital shipping route, which typically handles nearly a fifth of global oil supply, allowing passage only for limited vessels.
The continued closure has raised concerns over supply disruptions and economic strain, not only for Iraq but also for global oil markets dependent on the narrow waterway.
Efforts by Baghdad to negotiate access highlight the growing urgency among oil-producing nations to maintain export flows amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the region.
