Iran Authorizes Iraqi Oil Tankers to Transit Strait of Hormuz

Iran has allowed a number of Iraqi oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz after Baghdad repeatedly sought permission through multiple channels, Reuters reported, citing Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

The authorization was among Iraq’s key demands during Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf’s visit to Baghdad, according to IRNA.

Iraqi President Nizar Amedi said that Iran had facilitated the passage of vessels carrying Iraqi crude through the Strait in recent days. He added that Baghdad had held discussions with Iranian officials over maintaining its oil exports through the strategic waterway.

Iraq has been among the countries hardest hit by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with traffic still well below pre-war levels and vessels continuing to face attacks in the area.

Before the outbreak of the Iran war, Iraq produced around 4 million barrels of oil per day (mmbbl/d).

With exports through Hormuz severely constrained, Baghdad is pursuing alternative routes. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said Friday that the government was working to increase oil shipments through Türkiye’s Ceyhan port, while also seeking to begin exports via Syria’s Baniyas port and Jordan’s Aqaba port.

The developments highlight Iraq’s heavy dependence on the Strait for moving its crude to international markets and Baghdad’s efforts to secure alternative export channels amid continued disruption to shipping through Hormuz.