Iraq’s oil exports continue to flow to international markets, reaching around 3 million barrels per day through its various sea and land export routes. This comes as global oil prices rise due to growing tensions in the region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Economic expert Dr. Safwan Qusay explained that Iraq has not yet returned to its full export capacity of 3.3 million barrels per day and is currently exporting about 3 million barrels daily. He noted that Basra crude is being sold within Iraq’s export system before reaching final buyers, with discounts that can reach up to $25 per barrel.
Qusay said that recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz, the growing tensions around Bab al-Mandab, and attacks on some regional oil facilities have all contributed to higher global oil prices.
He also pointed out that Iraq has opportunities to increase exports through alternative routes, including Türkiye’s Ceyhan port, Syria’s Banias port via tankers, and the Kirkuk-Türkiye pipeline.
Meanwhile, Mansour Al-Baiji, Deputy Head of the Parliamentary Reconstruction and Development Bloc, rejected reports claiming that Iran had imposed taxes or fees on Iraqi oil shipments. He described such reports as inaccurate and said oil and economic cooperation between Iraq and Iran continues under official agreements between the two countries.
Al-Baiji stressed the importance of relying on official sources when discussing energy-related issues and avoiding the spread of unverified information. He reiterated that claims about fees or taxes being imposed on Iraqi oil exports are not based on factual information.
In a related statement, Qaisar Al-Jurani, a member of the Parliamentary Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee, confirmed that coordination exists between Baghdad and Tehran regarding the safe passage of Iraqi oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized the strategic importance of the waterway for Iraq’s oil exports.
According to Al-Jurani, Iraqi oil exports from southern ports and the Kurdistan Region exceed 3 million barrels per day, with the majority coming from southern oil fields. He noted that oil revenues remain the primary source of funding for Iraq’s state budget.
He added that Iraqi crude prices in international markets are determined according to approved pricing mechanisms and are influenced by global market conditions and commercial discounts. Any increase in export volumes or global oil prices, he said, would positively affect government revenues and strengthen the national budget.
Al-Jurani stressed that maintaining uninterrupted oil exports through maritime routes is essential for protecting Iraq’s economy, given the country’s heavy dependence on oil income. He also highlighted the importance of securing export routes and ensuring stable navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
