Iraq Expands Oil Shipments Through Syria to Reduce Reliance on Strait of Hormuz

Iraq is increasingly transporting fuel oil through Syria by truck, creating an alternative export route that reduces dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg News reported.

Exporters are diversifying routes away from the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo: Iraqi News Agency)

According to Bloomberg, thousands of trucks are carrying Iraqi fuel oil to Syria's Mediterranean ports, with each journey taking approximately four days.

In just a few months, Syria has gone from exporting virtually none of Iraq's fuel oil to handling more than one-quarter of Middle Eastern fuel oil export volumes, underscoring how the conflict involving Iran has reshaped regional energy flows.

Countries across the Persian Gulf have been exploring ways to reduce their reliance on the Strait of Hormuz by expanding pipelines and port infrastructure outside the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about 20% of the world's oil supply, making alternative export routes increasingly important amid renewed regional hostilities.

The shift also reflects broader efforts to reintegrate Syria into the global economy following the easing of U.S. sanctions and increased international engagement.

Fuel oil, commonly used for shipping and power generation, remains Iraq's principal refined petroleum export.