Economic Expert Warns Against Claims That Iraq Pays Iran for Oil Passage Through the Strait of Hormuz

mesoiraq - Economic expert Ziad Al-Hashemi warned on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, against circulating statements claiming that the Iraqi government pays Iran in exchange for the passage of Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz. He said such statements could mislead public opinion and place the government in inaccurate positions. Al-Hashemi stated that, according to his assessment, there is no payment mechanism linking the Iraqi government with Iran for transferring funds in any currency. He also noted that oil revenues in US dollars do not directly reach the Iraqi government but remain in Federal Reserve accounts before being transferred to external entities under applicable procedures and controls. He added that Iraqi oil is sold with price discounts for loading from Basra terminals, describing this as one of the measures used to encourage vessels to pass through the strait and reach Basra for loading.