Iraq's oil ministry has confirmed that it is reviewing a range of options to diversify the channels through which its petroleum reaches international buyers, citing recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz as a key driver. The narrow waterway, which handles a significant share of the world's oil shipments, has experienced heightened geopolitical friction and occasional attacks on commercial vessels, prompting Baghdad to consider ways to reduce its exposure to such risks.
Among the alternatives under study are existing pipeline networks that could channel Iraqi crude to ports on the Mediterranean Sea. One possibility involves expanding the Kirkuk‑Ceyhan line, which already carries oil to Turkey's southern coast, allowing shipments to bypass the Persian Gulf entirely. Officials are also assessing the feasibility of linking Iraq's southern oil fields to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, where established export terminals could serve as additional outlets.
The government is also exploring the prospect of constructing a new pipeline that would transport oil across Jordan to the Red Sea, providing a direct route to Asian markets without transiting the Hormuz corridor. While such projects would require substantial investment and coordination with neighboring states, Iraqi authorities argue that the long‑term benefits of a more resilient export system outweigh the costs.
Industry analysts note that Iraq produces roughly 4.5 million barrels of oil per day, with the majority traditionally shipped through the Hormuz strait via the Persian Gulf ports of Basra and Kuwait. Any shift in export logistics could have implications for global oil supply dynamics, especially if alternative routes prove viable and attract additional volume.
The ministry has indicated that decisions on new infrastructure will be guided by a combination of security assessments, economic calculations, and diplomatic negotiations with regional partners. In the meantime, Iraq continues to monitor developments in the Hormuz area closely, maintaining its current export schedule while preparing contingency plans for potential disruptions.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/9/28/iraq-looks-for-oil-export-alternatives-to-the-troubled-strait-of-hormuz?traffic_source=rss.