Iraq\u2019s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) said Tuesday that it has reached an understanding with Baghdad to resume oil exports through the region to T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s port of Ceyhan.<\/p>\n
In a statement on the US social media company X\u2019s platform, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said the region decided to allow oil to flow again through its pipeline \u201cas soon as possible,\u201d citing \u201cthe extraordinary circumstances facing the country and the responsibility we all share to get through this difficult chapter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barzani said discussions with the federal government in Baghdad will continue \u201cwith urgency to lift the restrictions on imports and trade\u201d into the Kurdish region and to secure guarantees for oil and gas companies so they can safely resume production.<\/p>\n
He also thanked the US for its role and support in facilitating the process.<\/p>\n
Iraq\u2019s Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani said crude exports through T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Ceyhan port will resume Wednesday at 10 a.m., according to the Iraqi News Agency.<\/p>\n
The development comes as the Strait of Hormuz has been at the center of global energy concerns since Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced its closure to most vessels in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks that began on Feb. 28.<\/p>\n
Before the conflict, around 20 million barrels of oil passed through the strait daily. Its disruption has pushed oil prices higher.<\/p>\n
Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to T\u00fcrkiye and special envoy for Syria, expressed gratitude to Erbil and Baghdad on reaching the agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany thanks to Erbil and Baghdad for their work to reach agreement at this critical time to resume energy exports and improve prosperity for the region,\u201d he wrote on X, adding their \u201ccourage, steadfast cooperation and commitment to the diplomatic path have been truly invaluable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe United States remains fully committed to supporting these important efforts in this time of crisis,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Separately, Barzani also received a phone call from Barrack, according to a statement by the KRG.<\/p>\n
During the call, the two sides discussed developments in the Kurdish region, Iraq and the wider region.<\/p>\n
Barrack conveyed US President Donald Trump\u2019s greetings and praised the KRG prime minister\u2019s willingness to cooperate with the federal government to resume oil exports via T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n
Barzani said talks with Baghdad were ongoing and that he had instructed the KRG\u2019s negotiating team to provide all necessary facilitation to restart exports in a way that \u201cserves citizens\u2019 interests amid the current circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also called on the US to continue its role as a monitor and supporter of ongoing negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad, particularly on customs and trade restrictions.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Iraq\u2019s Oil Ministry said in a statement that it was ready to resume crude exports through the northern pipeline toward the Turkish port of Ceyhan amid disruptions to southern export routes linked to the regional crisis and navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
However, the ministry said the Kurdish Regional Government\u2019s Ministry of Natural Resources had previously refused to restart the export pipeline, putting forward a number of conditions that Baghdad said were \u201cunrelated to crude oil export operations.\u201d<\/p>\n
The oil ministry added that it had told the Kurdish side that those conditions could be discussed later in parallel with the resumption of exports, warning that continued suspension would deprive Iraq of significant financial resources that could partially offset losses from halted southern exports.<\/p>\n
It renewed its call on the Kurdish region\u2019s Natural Resources Ministry to immediately resume exports \u201cin line with the higher national interest and in accordance with the constitution and the federal budget law.\u201d<\/p>\n
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since March 1 following the launch of joint attacks by Israel and the US against Iran on Feb. 28, which have so far killed around 1,300 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hostilities have since escalated.<\/p>\n
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries, which it says are targeting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.<\/p>\n
By Mohammad Sio and Tarek Chouiref<\/p>\n
Anadolu Agency<\/p>\n
energy@aa.com.tr<\/p>\n
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