Baghdad Orders Kurdistan Oil Companies to Resume Operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falah al-Zeydi ordered oil companies operating in the Kurdistan region to restart operations beginning Wednesday. The directive came during a meeting in Baghdad where Zeydi received a high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government, headed by Natural Resources Minister Kamal Muhammad Salih. Representatives from international oil companies also attended the discussions. The meeting addressed working conditions for firms following recent conflict in the region. Officials presented a framework for resuming activities as quickly as possible. Zeydi instructed authorities to address all requirements needed to safeguard oil company operations. The statement noted that the halt in oil exports via the Strait of Hormuz had caused significant damage to Iraq and that obstacles hindering increased production must be resolved. Earlier reports indicated that Baghdad would host talks on restarting and expanding Kurdistan's oil exports.