Iraq Seeks Permanent Passage through Strait of Hormuz Amid Regional Tensions

Iraq is seeking to secure uninterrupted passage for its oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, engaging in direct talks with both the US and Iran. According to Zainab al-Khazraji, a member of parliament's oil and gas committee, different shipping routes through the strait are controlled by US and Iranian forces. The goal is to achieve permanent passage for tankers carrying Iraqi crude, shielding exports from regional security disruptions.

Iraq's oil exports have seen significant growth since the start of the war, rising by 60 percent to reach over two million barrels per day. Shipments had fallen below one million bpd at the beginning of the conflict but have now surpassed that figure. OPEC member Iraq produced over four million bpd before the Iran war erupted on February 28.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway, carrying about 20 percent of global energy supplies. In July, Iraq exported around 49 million barrels of crude, with more than 30 million of those passing through the Strait of Hormuz.