In a decisive step to keep energy supplies flowing despite the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Iraq has begun importing gasoline through Syria’s Baniyas port. The first shipment arrived on Thursday, marking the start of a three‑month agreement between the two neighboring nations.
Why the new route matters
The Hormuz waterway, which once carried roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas trade, has been blocked as hostilities continue between Iran and the United States. The disruption sent shock waves through global markets, pushing fuel prices higher and prompting countries to scramble for alternative supply lines.
For Iraq, a country already dependent on imported refined products, the Baniyas corridor offers a vital lifeline. By trucking gasoline from the Syrian port inland via al‑Tanf in southeastern Syria, Iraq can bypass the closed strait and meet surging domestic demand.
Details of the agreement
Under the deal, Qatar‑based conglomerate UCC purchases the gasoline, while the Syrian government handles transportation and collects transit fees. Iraqi officials say the arrangement will bring in up to 200 tanker loads daily, according to Ahmed Qubbaji, deputy head of the state‑run Syrian Petroleum Company.
“We are thinking of setting up pipelines from Iraq to Syria via the sea through other countries,” Qubbaji told the Associated Press, emphasizing that the current effort is not a stop‑gap but part of a longer‑term strategic vision.
U.S. diplomatic effort
The Trump administration has been actively mediating between Iran and the United States to restore safe passage through Hormuz. While the negotiations remain ongoing, the administration’s focus on diplomatic resolution aligns with the broader goal of stabilizing global energy markets and protecting American consumers from volatile fuel prices.
President Trump’s team has repeatedly stressed the importance of a swift diplomatic solution, noting that a reopened strait would benefit not only the Middle East but also the United States and its allies who rely on affordable energy.
Regional implications
Syria, now led by interim president Ahmad al‑Sharaa after the ouster of Bashar Assad in December 2024, sees the Baniyas port as an economic boost. The port has already been used by markets in the United States and Europe as an alternative export route, and the new gasoline imports further cement its role as a critical logistics hub.
By facilitating the flow of fuel across borders, the agreement also underscores a rare instance of cooperation between Iraq and Syria amid a broader regional conflict.
Looking ahead
If the partnership proves successful, both nations may explore expanding the corridor to include additional refined products or even establishing permanent pipeline infrastructure. Such developments could provide a more resilient supply chain for the region and reduce reliance on the volatile Hormuz passage.
For now, the immediate priority remains ensuring that Iraqi motorists have access to gasoline at reasonable prices while diplomatic talks continue to seek a lasting resolution to the Hormuz shutdown.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
