Oil tankers and Iranian speedboats in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Oil Minister Basim Khudair said on Tuesday that discussions are taking place with Iran regarding the transit of oil tankers via the Strait of Hormuz, with an anticipated agreement in the near future.
In a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Khudair stated that the economic and political discussions held during Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s visit to Tehran addressed approaches to expand cooperation and resulted in signing several agreements.
The Iraqi delegation held talks with Iranian counterparts to ensure the safe transit of vessels across the Strait of Hormuz and protect oil shipments, according to Khudair.
The oil minister stressed that the policy of the Iraqi government is based on building communication channels and partnerships with neighboring countries to support the national economy.
The two parties’ discussions aim to avert future interruptions to Iraqi oil exports amid growing regional maritime concerns.
As Baghdad depends heavily on the Strait of Hormuz, it seeks to secure a deal for the safe passage of oil shipments through the waterway.
While Iran has previously shown a willingness to make exceptions for friendly or non-hostile neighbors, practical implementation and approval processes remain a primary focus of continuing discussions.