Iraq Oil Ministry Blames Foreign Company Exit for Gasoline Shortage

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Oil Ministry acknowledged Wednesday that a gasoline shortage affecting the country for roughly 10 days was caused by a foreign company withdrawing from a critical project at southern refineries due to security concerns. The ministry said in a written statement that the withdrawal resulted in a daily loss of 4 to 5 million liters of high-octane gasoline production. According to the statement, daily gasoline production now stands at approximately 30 million liters, while consumption has risen to 34 million liters. On Wednesday, consumption reached 35 million liters, a record high, the ministry noted. The ministry added that refineries were operating at full capacity Thursday and continuing to meet demand using existing stocks. After repeatedly denying the crisis, the ministry officially acknowledged the supply problem for the first time. Long queues at gas stations persisted as the shortage continued.