Iraq oil exports resume from Basra ports, economist says

BASRA, Iraq — Oil exports from Iraq's Basra ports have resumed at scale after a recent maritime disruption, economist Ziyad al-Hashimi said on Wednesday, citing satellite imagery. In a social media post, al-Hashimi said seven crude oil tankers anchored at the port on August 24, the first such arrival following the latest shipping interruptions. Al-Hashimi added that around 20 tankers have transited the Strait of Hormuz as maritime security has been restored, allowing loading of roughly 10 million barrels per day. He said the movement reflects a clear improvement in sea traffic and signals that shipping companies and buyers are preparing to return to Iraqi waters. The economist dismissed circulating claims that any state had been paid transit fees. He attributed the tankers' return to renewed maritime security arrangements, which he said allow companies to send vessels to load Iraqi crude without fear of attack.