Ministry of Oil and Ports Confirm Ongoing Exports Following Tanker Drone Incident

The Ministry of Oil confirmed that crude oil loading and export operations from southern ports are proceeding normally, denying media reports regarding a halt in exports due to an unidentified object hitting a tanker. The ministry’s spokesperson stated that the national oil marketing company is investigating the nature of the object that landed on the vessel, promising to release the findings upon completion. Meanwhile, the General Company for Iraqi Ports clarified that the drone incident occurred outside the geographical jurisdiction of Iraqi ports and berths, emphasizing that operations remain unaffected. Conversely, some energy and security sources noted a temporary precautionary suspension of operations at the Basra terminal without reports of significant damage, amid heightened regional tensions focused on securing maritime corridors and energy facilities.