Iraq Ministry of Oil clarifies crude export rates

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil has issued a clarification regarding media reports claiming that crude oil exports reached 4 million barrels per day. The Ministry stated that this figure was recorded for only a single day.

This one-day peak occurred when the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) exported a quantity of Kirkuk crude oil outside the Strait of Hormuz, combined with other quantities loaded at southern ports and exports from the northern outlet.

The Ministry confirmed that the average daily export rate for September, up to September 21, 2026, has been approximately 2.6 million barrels per day. The Ministry noted that maintaining these rates is a significant achievement given the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and aims to secure necessary revenues for the national treasury.