Iraq's Oil Exports Surge to Post-War High Amid Hormuz Disruption

Iraq's crude oil exports have surged to their highest level since the Iran-US war began, reaching an average of 2 million barrels per day in August. Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair attributed this increase to alternative export routes used during the disruption caused by the Hormuz shipping crisis.

The country has exported approximately 26 million barrels so far this month, a significant jump from pre-war exports of around 105 million barrels per month through the Strait of Hormuz. In July, Iraq exported about 35.5-37 million barrels via Hormuz and an additional 7 million barrels through the Ceyhan pipeline to Turkey.

The Hormuz disruption previously forced Iraq to limit production at most oil fields due to storage capacity constraints, highlighting the impact of the shipping crisis on one of OPEC's largest producers. By diversifying its export routes, Iraq has been able to mitigate some of this effect and increase its exports.