Iraq Says Gasoline Shortage to End Next Week

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Petroleum announced Thursday that a nationwide gasoline shortage will be resolved next week, with new shipments expected to arrive shortly. The ministry said the supply disruption was caused by one of the main production units at the Shuaiba Refinery in Basra going offline. Foreign personnel had been required to leave the area due to security standards, according to the ministry. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, linked to regional conflict, complicated efforts to replace lost production through imports, the ministry stated. The ministry said it is working to import high-octane enhanced gasoline from neighboring countries, with shipments expected to arrive next week. Some state-run fuel stations have been ordered to operate around the clock. The ministry called on citizens to remain calm and avoid crowding at fuel stations until the supply situation normalizes.