Iraq and Syria Agree to Rebuild Oil Pipeline Offering Alternative to Hormuz Strait

Iraq and Syria signed an agreement on Friday to rebuild a crude-oil pipeline that runs from Kirkuk in northern Iraq to Syria’s Mediterranean coast. The line, which can transport up to 700,000 barrels per day, has been out of service since it was damaged during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. The signing took place at a Chamber of Commerce summit in Washington focused on U.S. investment in Iraq, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright overseeing the ceremony and CEOs of Basra Oil Company and Syrian Petroleum Company participating.

"There is so much room to drive improvement in Iraq, to raise oil production, to reduce dependencies on hostile neighbors, to bring freedom, prosperity and abundant energy to the nation of Iraq," Wright said.

The deal comes as Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visits the United States and met with President Donald Trump at the White House. Iraq, the second-largest OPEC oil producer, has faced reduced export capacity after tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted during recent U.S.–Iran tensions, forcing most of its oil to flow through the southern port of Basra.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the restored pipeline could help diversify Iraq’s export routes, which have been limited since the closure. Analysts note that while pipelines can mitigate some geopolitical risk associated with Hormuz, they do not eliminate broader security concerns in the region.