Iraq in talks with Tehran to open Strait of Hormuz for its oil tankers – report

Iraq’s government is negotiating with Tehran to allow some Iraqi oil tankers to access the Strait of Hormuz, the country’s official news agency Iraqi News Agency (INA), reported.

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Iraq’s oil minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani said that Baghdad is “in contact” with the Iranian government to allow Iraq-flagged vessels to transit the vital chokepoint – currently facing a de-facto blockade amid the ongoing conflict.

“There is communication with Iran regarding allowing the passage of some Iraqi oil tankers,” INA quoted Ghani as saying.

Iraq has no alternative route to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the OPEC producer to cut output as storage facilities and tankers in the country reach capacity.

Iraq was producing about 4.3 million b/d before the war broke out on 28 February, INA said. Crude oil production has since declined to about 1.2 million b/d, as the country faces significant export hurdles amid ongoing disruptions to its export route, INA reported.

Hormuz blockade: Which vessels are still being allowed through?

Iran has allowed a limited number of vessels to pass through the region, according to media reports.

Tehran has said earlier that the strait is open to all countries, except Israel, the US and its allies. About a fifth of the world’s oil flows through the strait.

Over the weekend, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers passed through the strait, special secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Rajesh Kumar Sinha said at a news briefing in New Delhi, Al Jazeera reported.

Another Pakistani-flagged tanker, Karachi, crossed the Persian Gulf through the strait on Sunday, MarineTraffic data showed.

A Turkish-owned ship also passed through the strait after getting permission from Tehran, Reuters reported citing Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu.

China is in talks with Tehran to allow crude oil tankers and Qatari LNG carriers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported quoting three sources.

France and Italy have opened talks with Iran about allowing safe passage through the strait, Financial Times (FT) reported.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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