Iraq is establishing a new route via Syria to secure its oil exports. Tensions between Iran and the US in the Strait of Hormuz and shipping disruptions have forced Baghdad to diversify its export routes.
Strait crisis hits Iraq
The restrictions imposed in the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Israel war that began on February 28, 2026, severely affected Iraq's oil exports. Although the strait was reopened under an agreement signed in June 2026, Iraqi expert Asim Cihad stated that his country lost approximately 3.5 million barrels of oil per day during this period.
Baniyas port in focus
The Iraqi Oil Ministry has prioritized increasing shipments via Turkey's Ceyhan port among alternative routes. Cihad said that current Ceyhan exports are 150,000-200,000 barrels per day and could be increased to 250,000-300,000 barrels.
Another important step is the Syria route. Cihad noted that the ministry shipped black oil to Syria's Baniyas port in April, May, and June and is now preparing to transport 50,000 barrels per day of Basra oil by tanker to Baniyas for export to world markets.
Experts call for pipeline
Ali Naci, head of the independent research platform 'Eko Iraq', said that starting exports via Syria would give Iraq an alternative route and increase export flexibility. Naci stressed that the project would strengthen economic cooperation between Baghdad and Damascus.
However, Naci pointed out that tanker transport is costly, quantities are limited, and security risks on land routes remain. Asim Cihad also stated that the existing Iraq-Syria oil pipeline is unusable and that the long-term solution is to build new pipelines.
Iraq still exports the majority of its crude oil via the southern ports of Basra and through the Strait of Hormuz. Disruptions in maritime traffic in the region continue to push Baghdad to find alternative exit points.
