Iran grants permission for some Iraqi oil tankers to pass through Hormuz | US-Israel war on Iran News
Iraqi President Affirms Country Will Not Tolerate Attacks from Its Territory
Iraqi President Nizar Amidi stated on Saturday that Iraq’s territory will not be used for launching attacks against any other nation. His remarks were made during the Baghdad Dialogue policy conference, where he emphasized the country’s commitment to avoiding involvement in regional conflicts.
Amidi’s statements come in the context of a recent visit by Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to Baghdad, during which discussions about the export of Iraqi oil through the strategic Strait of Hormuz took place. The Iranian government has reportedly granted permission for several Iraqi oil tankers to navigate this critical waterway, responding to repeated requests from the Iraqi government.
The Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that facilitating the passage of Iraqi tankers was one of Baghdad’s primary interests during Ghalibaf’s visit. Amidi confirmed that Iran has enabled “some ships carrying Iraqi oil” to cross the Strait in recent days and reaffirmed ongoing discussions between Iraqi and Iranian officials about oil exports.
“Everyone is keen to prevent Iraq from being dragged into the ongoing war in the region,” Amidi said. He noted that previous attacks launched from Iraq against neighboring countries “have no justification,” and the consequences of such conflicts have deeply affected Iraq.
Highlighting the broader significance of the Strait of Hormuz, Amidi remarked, “It affects the whole world, not only Iraq,” while reiterating Baghdad’s determination to address “complex problems” related to the waterway in discussions with Iran.
Mostafa Khoshcheshm, an analyst and professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Tehran, suggested that Iran’s decision to allow Iraqi tankers through the Strait may be influenced by Iraq’s historical resistance to U.S. presence in the region. He also proposed that Iran aims to display solidarity with Iraq, viewing it as a “friendly state” in contrast to Gulf nations that host U.S. military operations.
As tensions persist, Iraq has faced significant challenges due to reduced maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen levels drop significantly below pre-war benchmarks. Attacks on vessels in the region continue to pose risks to shipping.
Prior to the onset of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, Iraq was producing approximately four million barrels of oil daily. Amid these tensions, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced efforts to diversify export routes, including plans to export oil through Turkey’s Ceyhan port, as well as Syria’s Baniyas port and Jordan’s Aqaba port.
