US to send diplomat to Baghdad for Kurdish export of Iraqi oil
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An Iraqi oil ministry official confirmed that Washington had blatantly requested the diplomat's participation.
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An oil refinery is seen in the city of Beiji, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2014 (AP)
Reuters reported on Thursday, citing five sources, that a US diplomat will attend a meeting in Baghdad focused on resuming Iraqi oil exports through Turkey's Ceyhan pipeline. The talks, hosted by the Iraqi oil ministry, aim to resolve disputes between oil companies and the government that have stalled shipments.
An Iraqi oil ministry official confirmed that Washington had blatantly requested the diplomat's participation. "The presence of the US diplomat aims to help push the negotiations forward and reach solutions to the issues hindering the resumption of oil exports in a way that satisfies all parties," the official said.
The US has been pressing Iraq to allow Kurdish oil exports to resume, seeing it as a way to boost global supply while reducing Iranian oil revenues.
Last month, Reuters reported that Washington is increasing pressure on Baghdad to ensure exports through Turkey, aligning with efforts to offset losses from Iranian oil restrictions.
Oil shipments through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been halted since March 2023 following an arbitration ruling that favored Baghdad in a dispute over unauthorized Kurdish oil exports.
Turkey has since indicated its readiness to restart operations, but oil companies in northern Iraq have refused to resume shipments without agreements on payments and revenue sharing.
Read more: Iraq to supply 185,000 bpd via Iran-Turkiye pipeline: Reuters
Iraq, while engaged in negotiations with Washington, also maintains close economic ties with Iran, which sees Iraq as a crucial partner amid sanctions. At the same time, Turkey is looking to restore oil flows at full capacity, including supply routes to refineries in Kirikkale.
