Official clarification:
Iraq’s Ministry of Oil clarified that the 4-million-barrel level was recorded on a single day, while the average crude oil exports during September stood at approximately 2.6 million barrels per day.
Nevertheless, the figure remains an important indicator of Iraq’s ability to restore a substantial portion of its oil flows following the sharp decline in exports during the period of maritime disruptions.
This is where Iran’s role becomes important
This development cannot be separated from the nature of Iraq-Iran relations and coordination between the two countries.
According to recent reports, Iran allowed Iraqi oil tankers to transit through the Strait of Hormuz following repeated diplomatic requests from Baghdad. This provided Iraq with a practical channel for maintaining part of its exports at a time when maritime traffic through the strait was facing significant disruption.
This was more than temporary cooperation.
The figures reveal the depth of the interdependence between the two countries:
▪️ Iraq’s average seaborne oil exports exceeded 3.2 million barrels per day in 2024, with virtually all of its seaborne exports leaving through southern terminals on the Gulf.
▪️ In August 2026, Iraq’s exports increased to approximately 2.34 million barrels per day, up from around 1.35 million barrels per day in July, as access to maritime routes through Hormuz improved.
▪️ Before the maritime disruptions, Iraq’s exports exceeded 3.3 million barrels per day, before falling sharply as shipping routes were disrupted.
▪️ The energy relationship is equally significant. Iraq’s electricity system relies heavily on Iranian gas. International Energy Agency estimates indicate that Iranian gas accounts for approximately 40% of Iraq’s gas supply, while other data indicate that imported Iranian gas has covered more than 40% of the fuel used for power generation in Iraq.
▪️ Under a 2024 agreement, Iraq and Iran agreed on the potential supply of up to approximately 50 million cubic metres of gas per day, reinforcing an energy relationship extending over several years.
Oil and electricity… a relationship that crosses borders
Therefore, Iraq’s oil exports cannot be viewed solely through the lens of Baghdad’s production capacity.
There is also a broader network of economic, energy and logistical ties between Iraq and Iran that has practical implications for Iraq’s ability to manage disruptions and maintain energy flows.
With regard specifically to oil exports, the authorization of Iraqi tankers to transit through waters and maritime routes associated with Iran was an important factor in maintaining commercial flows during the period of maritime disruption.
The strategic equation
Iraq holds enormous oil reserves of approximately 145 billion barrels and is the second-largest crude oil producer in OPEC after Saudi Arabia.
But production capacity requires secure export routes and regional relationships capable of supporting the continuity of trade.
This is where the significance of Iraq-Iran relations becomes apparent:
At a moment when Iraq’s export routes were facing exceptional pressure, Baghdad was not dealing with Tehran simply as a political neighbour, but as a regional partner with direct relevance to energy flows and maritime access.
Bottom line:
The 4-million-barrel figure is not simply a one-day export record. It also illustrates how regional relationships, particularly Iraq-Iran relations, can become a practical factor in maintaining oil flows and commercial activity when export routes come under pressure.