Iran allows Iraqi oil tankers to transit Strait of Hormuz after Baghdad request

TEHRAN, Iran — TEHRAN — Iran has approved the passage of Iraqi oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz following a request from the Iraqi government, the Iranian state news agency IRNA reported. The agency gave no further details on the number of tankers cleared, the nature of their cargo or the Iraqi official who made the request. Iraq had asked Tehran to allow Iraqi oil tankers to pass during the period when Iran was enforcing a maritime blockade. Iraqi Parliament Speaker Hibet al-Halbusi said he raised the impact of a Hormuz closure on Iraq and the need for special treatment of Iraqi oil exports during Friday's visit to Baghdad by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Halbusi said the Iranian parliament speaker pledged to take up the Iraqi oil export file after returning to Tehran. He noted there was concern in Baghdad and in public opinion that Iraqi oil should not be treated differently during the crisis, and said the Iranian side showed understanding of that concern. Shipping data showed vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz declined after talks between Iran and the United States stalled on Friday. Seven cargo ships transited out of the strait on Thursday, according to data from Kpler.