Iraqi president says oil tankers facilitated through Hormuz

Strait of Hormuz shipments

Iraqi President Nizar Amidi said Saturday that some vessels carrying Iraqi oil are being facilitated through the Strait of Hormuz, acknowledging the transport challenges facing Baghdad amid heightened regional tensions. "There is facilitation for some ships carrying Iraqi oil in the Strait of Hormuz," Amidi said during the eighth Baghdad Dialogue conference in the Iraqi capital, without providing further details on the arrangement.

Speaking at the gathering of officials and diplomats, the Iraqi leader noted that his country faces significant difficulties transporting its crude due to the absence of a national tanker fleet. "The Strait of Hormuz has an impact on the entire world, not just Iraq," he said, stressing that developments in the strategic waterway carry consequences beyond Baghdad's borders.

Neutrality amid regional conflict

Amidi emphasized that Iraq remains determined to avoid becoming entangled in the ongoing war between Iran and the United States, noting that Baghdad ranks among the nations most affected by the conflict and that he has conveyed messages to Tehran regarding a review of bilateral relations. He stated his belief that Washington seeks an agreement with Tehran to end the hostilities, adding that the US-led international coalition against Daesh/ISIS — originally invited to fight the terrorist group — is scheduled to withdraw by September 30.

Security and sovereignty

On domestic security, the president said Iraq's constitution requires weapons to remain under state control, adding that the religious authority in Najaf supports this position, and called for dialogue with armed groups to bring arms under state authority through what he described as an Iraqi national solution. Amidi stressed that Baghdad would not accept its territory being used to attack other countries, declaring that "Iraq comes first" and that "there is no security in the region without Iraq's security and stability," according to the Iraqi News Agency. The eighth Baghdad Dialogue conference opened Friday with the participation of regional officials and diplomats, coming days after Baghdad asked Tehran to give Iraq "special consideration" regarding oil exports during Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf's visit to the capital.