New Delhi, April 18: Iraq is set to restart oil exports from all fields within days. The announcement was made by Iraq’s Oil Ministry, as reported by the state news agency INA on Saturday.
According to four energy sources, Iraq resumed southern oil exports on Friday after a halt of over a month due to disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, a tanker has begun loading crude oil.
Approximately 90% of Iraq’s crude oil is transported through the Strait of Hormuz. The export stoppage had filled Iraq’s storage tanks to maximum capacity, forcing a production cut of up to 80% in its southern oil fields, such as Rumaila. The closure of the Strait, attributed to tensions between Iran and the United States, significantly impacted Iraq’s oil exports.
On the other hand, Iran’s military has stated that restrictions on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz are being reinstated. The Iranian military accused the U.S. of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement between the two nations.
Iran’s joint military command announced on Saturday that control over the Strait has returned to its previous state. They warned that as long as the U.S. naval blockade remains in effect at Iranian ports, passage through the Strait will be restricted.
On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on social media platform X, indicating that the Strait was open for traffic. However, within hours, Iranian state media confirmed that “the Iranian military is closely monitoring the movement of vessels.” Furthermore, Iran warned that if the U.S. naval blockade continues, the Strait would be closed.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized that the naval blockade at Iranian ports would remain until a complete agreement with Tehran is reached. Last week, the first round of talks between the two countries in Islamabad failed, leaving uncertainty about when and where they will meet again.
An Iranian military spokesperson indicated that Tehran had allowed a limited number of oil tankers and commercial ships to pass through the Strait.
According to the semi-official Fars news agency, the spokesperson stated, “Unfortunately, the Americans have repeatedly broken trust, which is part of their track record, engaging in piracy and maritime theft under the guise of a blockade.” He added that until the U.S. lifts restrictions on vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports, control of the Strait will remain under strict management by security forces.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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