Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Iran Allows Iraqi Oil Tankers Through Strait Amid Disruption
Iran has allowed some Iraqi oil tankers to travel through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iraq had asked for this permission several times.
The request was discussed through diplomatic channels and during Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf’s visit to Iraq.
Iraqi President Nizar Amedi said some vessels carrying Iraqi oil had recently passed through the strait.
He also said the issue was still complicated.
Shipping traffic in the waterway is much lower than before the war, and ships continue to face security threats.
Iran’s state news agency said some approvals covered the previous six months.
Iraq produced about four million barrels of oil each day before the war and depends heavily on exports.
It is therefore seeking other routes through Turkey, Syria, and Jordan.
Iran authorized several Iraqi oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after repeated requests from Baghdad.
The request was raised through diplomatic channels and during Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf’s visit to Iraq.
Iraqi President Nizar Amedi said Iranian officials had facilitated the passage of Iraqi oil vessels in recent days.
Traffic through the strait remains below pre-war levels, while vessels continue to face security threats.
Iraq is pursuing alternative export routes through Turkey’s Ceyhan, Syria’s Baniyas, and Jordan’s Aqaba ports.
- Who
- Iran, Iraq, Iraqi President Nizar Amedi, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
- What
- Iran granted special permission for a number of Iraqi oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- The permission was reported on Saturday, identified in one report as August 22; vessels reportedly passed in recent days, while IRNA referred to approvals over the previous six months.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz, with related discussions in Iraq and during Qalibaf’s visit to the country.
- Why
- Iraq sought to maintain crude-oil exports while traffic through the strait remains disrupted, insecure, and below pre-war levels.
Iranian and Iraqi Accounts
U.S. Position
Authority over the strait
Iranian and Iraqi Accounts
Iran says it controls passage through the Strait of Hormuz and has authorized certain Iraqi tankers after Baghdad’s requests. IRNA says vessels must obtain permission and pay transit fees.
U.S. Position
U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has total control of the strait and described it as American territory.
Cause of insecurity
Iranian and Iraqi Accounts
IRNA attributed heightened military activity and insecurity in the waterway to what it called hostile U.S. actions.
U.S. Position
The reports provide no detailed U.S. response to IRNA’s characterization.
Iraq’s dependence on Hormuz
Iranian and Iraqi Accounts
IRNA said Iraq remains heavily dependent on the strait and has no alternative for exporting most of its crude, while Baghdad is pursuing other routes.
U.S. Position
The reports do not provide a separate U.S. position on Iraq’s export alternatives.
- Permission-granting country
- Iran
- Affected vessels
- A number of Iraqi oil tankers
- Waterway
- Strait of Hormuz
- Reported source
- Iran’s state news agency, IRNA
- Iraq’s pre-war oil production
- Around 4 million barrels per day
- Alternative export routes
- Turkey’s Ceyhan port, Syria’s Baniyas port, and Jordan’s Aqaba port
- Reported timing
- Recent vessel passages; IRNA also described approvals over the past six months
Sources
Iran grants permission for Iraqi oil tankers to pass through Strait of Hormuz: Report
Iran Grants Permission for a Number of Iraqi Oil Tankers to Pass Through Hormuz
Iran clears passage for Iraqi oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz after Baghdad’s pleas - Telegraph India
