Iraq Oil Ministry Pledges Priority Action on Gasoline Shortage

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Oil Ministry has designated the ongoing gasoline shortage as its highest priority, according to the ministry's newly appointed spokesman Selim er-Rikabi. Er-Rikabi said the ministry issued an official statement on the matter Thursday, with relevant departments directly monitoring the situation. His remarks mark his first official assessment since taking over the post following his predecessor's removal. The previous spokesman had attributed long lines at fuel stations to seasonal demand spikes and heat, dismissing reports of a supply crisis. The ministry later acknowledged that daily high-octane gasoline production had fallen by 4 to 5 million liters due to regional developments and a foreign company's security-related withdrawal from a southern refinery project. Ministry figures show daily production at approximately 30 million liters against consumption of 34 to 35 million liters.