Does Iraq's rerouting of oil exports make Turkey a big winner of the Iran war? - analysis

Iraq has increased oil exports to Turkey via the Ceyhan port from 350,000 to 500,000 barrels per day, a 43% rise, according to a Shafaq News report. The increase is seen as symbolic of Turkey's emerging role as a stable partner amid the Iran war. Iraq also signed a contract with Chevron for the West Qurna-2 oil field.

A new report from Iraq's Shafaq News indicates that Iraq has increased oil exports to Turkey through the Ceyhan port, rising from 350,000 to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd), a 43% increase. This development positions Turkey as a potential beneficiary of the ongoing Iran war, despite Turkey not being directly involved in the conflict. Turkey has already leveraged its position to cooperate with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The oil export increase is described as mostly symbolic. The report, citing a North Oil Company source, notes that around 200,000 bpd of Basra crude is transported by tanker trucks to collection stations before entering the northern pipeline system. The remaining shipments come from the Kurdistan Region and Kirkuk. This marks the highest export volume through the route since operations resumed in September 2025. Iraq has faced a major crisis since the war with Iran began in February, as it previously exported most of its oil via the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has forced Baghdad to seek alternative routes, including trucking oil to Syria's Baniyas port. Additionally, Iraq's Minister of Oil confirmed an agreement with Chevron for the West Qurna-2 oil field, previously operated by Russia's Lukoil, signaling continued cooperation with Western oil companies.