Iran Grants Passage to Iraqi Oil Tankers Through Strait of Hormuz

Iran has granted exceptional passage for Iraqi oil tankers to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz, amid severe maritime insecurity caused by regional conflict. This decision comes after repeated formal requests from the Iraqi government, which had been seeking to secure safe transit permits for its crude shipments.

The agreement was reached following a recent high-level visit by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to Baghdad. As part of this visit, securing safe maritime passage for Iraqi crude exports formed a core agenda item. The talks resulted in the authorization of special security permits for designated Iraqi oil tankers, allowing them to traverse the vital chokepoint.

The Strait of Hormuz remains the single most critical export conduit for southern Iraqi crude originating from the offshore terminals of Basra. With regional maritime hostilities threatening international shipping lanes and driving up maritime insurance premiums, securing coordinated transit permits helps Baghdad maintain baseline crude export volumes and fulfill international supply commitments.