ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's oil ministry on Saturday denied reports that a tanker carrying Iraqi crude was stopped by US forces in the Strait of Hormuz for allegedly paying transit fees to Iran.
"What has been circulated regarding the stopping of a tanker loaded with Iraqi crude oil near the Strait of Hormuz by US forces - as a result of paying sums to the Islamic Republic of Iran in exchange for transit - is completely baseless,” the oil ministry said in a statement.
The ministry stressed its adherence to “all international laws, regulations, and approved rules” in exporting oil, urging media outlets to rely on official sources and avoid “the circulation of inaccurate information.”
Earlier on Saturday, Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji also rejected the reports, saying on X that claims of “Iraq paying transit fees is a false and entirely baseless allegation.”
“Iran had previously announced that Iraq is exempted from transit procedures in the Strait of Hormuz,” he noted.
The allegation was first reported by the Riyadh-based Al Arabiya on Friday, citing “sources” claiming that a “collection of vessels transporting Iraqi oil” had been stopped by the US due to alleged compliance with Iranian restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Following the six-week war with the US and Israel, Iran imposed what US officials describe as “tolling fees” on vessels passing through the strategic waterway.
Tehran has also been accused of tampering with vessel tracking signals, attacking ships, and in some cases boarding vessels that did not seek its “permission” to transit the strait. However, in April, Iran's military command announced that Iraq would be exempt from any restrictions or transit tariffs in the waterway.
Despite the exemption, Iraq’s oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz - the primary route for its crude shipments - have fallen sharply. Iraq exported around 10 million barrels through the strait in April, compared with an average monthly export volume of approximately 93 million barrels during peacetime.
The US and Iran continue to impose competing restrictions in and around the waterway.
On Friday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had redirected 127 commercial vessels and disabled six others attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports as part of its ongoing maritime blockade, measures that have significantly strained Iran’s already weakened economy.
