Iran exempts Iraq from Strait of Hormuz restrictions as oil exports rise

Ships anchored off the coast of Musandam governorate in Oman near the Strait of Hormuz Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iran has confirmed that Iraqi ships are free from its Strait of Hormuz restrictions, enabling them to transit through the crucial waterway despite the continuous interruptions caused by the regional strife. On Tuesday, Amir Moqaddam, Deputy Head of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, stated that Iraq, China, India, and Qatar had been given exemptions, enabling their vessels to pass the strait. The exemption is especially important for Iraq, which depends significantly on oil exports for government income and has had enormous difficulty since the Strait of Hormuz was essentially blocked with the commencement of the US-Israel war with Iran in February 2026. According to maritime analytics company Kpler, Iraq’s crude oil exports via the strait surged from 1.69 million barrels per day in August to 2.65 million barrels per day in October, showing that export volumes had recovered despite the continuing violence. Iran had earlier issued an exception for Iraqi vessels in April, citing Iraq as a neighboring nation with strong relations to Tehran. The most recent statement maintains that agreement. While Iran intends to collect transit fees from some nations, it is unclear if Iraqi vessels would be obliged to pay. The exception might bring significant relief to Iraq’s oil industry, allowing it to continue export profits while reducing economic pressures. However, there is still concern about maritime security in the area, since the US maintains a separate naval embargo targeting boats entering or departing Iranian ports. Although the Iranian exception permits Iraqi ships to pass through Tehran’s limitations, it does not guarantee safe passage in light of ongoing military tensions and assaults on commercial boats in the Gulf.