Iran to allow Iraqi tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz

Iran has reportedly granted special permits to Iraqi oil tankers to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains closed to most vessels under Iranian control. The move comes amid ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, with both sides continuing to assert claims over the strategic waterway. According to reports from German and French news agencies, the decision was made during a visit by Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, to Baghdad. During this meeting, Iraqi President Nayef al-Mouqaddasi reportedly informed Ghalibaf that Iraq had suffered severe financial losses due to the continued closure of the strait to its exports, and that the government would be unable to pay salaries to state officials unless access was restored. The Iranian media agency IRNA reported that despite “the strictest military measures and uncertainties caused by hostile actions by the United States,” Tehran has approved the passage of several Iraqi tankers through the strait in the past six months. However, the number of tankers that have successfully transited remains unknown, and there is no clarity on whether the special permits apply permanently to all Iraqi vessels. This arrangement appears to be part of broader efforts to ease economic pressures on Iraq, which has been significantly impacted by the prolonged blockade. Iraq and Iran share a 1,600-kilometer border and maintain close political, religious, and economic ties. However, U.S. officials have accused Tehran of exploiting its relationship with Baghdad to circumvent sanctions. Reports suggest that Iran may be mixing its crude oil or fuel with Iraqi crude and using falsified documents to label the blended product as Iraqi, thereby selling it on international markets. In response, American media outlets have noted that countries such as China, India, and Pakistan have also sought special permissions for their vessels to pass through the strait. The U.S. has maintained a firm stance on the issue, with former president Donald Trump repeatedly asserting that the Strait of Hormuz is effectively American territory. Speaking at a campaign rally in South Carolina, Trump claimed he had “complete control” over the area surrounding the strait, including its broader regions and landmasses. He expressed doubts about whether the U.S. had achieved victory in the conflict, stating that he still viewed the strait as “American soil.” Trump also hinted at potential further attacks on Iran, suggesting that he might resume bombing operations if necessary. In contrast, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Kazem Gharibabadi, dismissed Trump’s remarks as “childish.” The U.S.-Israel strikes on February 28 marked the beginning of the war in the Middle East, and prior to the attack, the strait accounted for roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. Since then, the U.S. military has reportedly helped ensure an average of eight million 159-liter oil tanks per day passed through the strait in the last seven days, though this figure fell sharply after the initial strikes. Despite the damage inflicted by the U.S. attacks, Iran continues to retain sufficient missile and drone capabilities to disrupt oil shipments and target regional rivals. Meanwhile, Trump announced plans for new, “the toughest sanctions in history” against Iran, with his financial advisor Scott Bessent set to present these measures at a press conference. Chinese officials, who purchased over 80% of Iran’s oil exports in 2025, have called for diplomatic solutions. Iran’s foreign ministry has criticized the proposed sanctions as an infringement on the sovereignty of UN member states, arguing they lack legal basis under international law.