Iran Approves Passage for Iraqi Tankers Through Strait of Hormuz

Iran has approved Iraqi oil tankers' passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil exports. The decision follows a request from Iraqi leadership during a visit by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf to Baghdad earlier this week.

Iraqi President Nisar Amedi informed Ghalibaf that Iraq had suffered substantial financial losses due to the strait's closure. He emphasized that the Iraqi government would struggle to pay public sector salaries if the strait remained inaccessible for oil exports. The report from IRNA does not specify how many tankers have passed or if the special permission is permanent.

Iraq holds significant importance for Iran, with a shared border of approximately 1,600 kilometers and strong political, religious, and economic ties. The U.S. Treasury Department claims Tehran systematically uses its cooperation with Iraq to circumvent sanctions. Methods allegedly include cross-border smuggling and mixing Iranian crude oil or fuel oil with Iraqi oil, then reclassifying it as Iraqi oil using forged documents for sale on the world market.

According to U.S. media reports, China, India, and Pakistan have also negotiated special permits with Iran for oil tankers. The approval for Iraqi tankers highlights the complex geopolitical and economic dynamics surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for international trade.

“

Iraq suffered great financial losses and the Iraqi government will not be able to pay public sector salaries while Hormuz Strait is closed for Iraqi oil exports.