Iraqi President Says Some Oil Shipments Facilitated Through Strait of Hormuz

BAGHDAD, Aug 22: Iraqi President Nizar Amidi said Saturday that some vessels carrying Iraqi oil are being facilitated through the Strait of Hormuz, while warning that developments in the strategic waterway affect not only Iraq but the entire world.

Speaking during the eighth Baghdad Dialogue conference in the Iraqi capital, Amidi said Iraq faces difficulties transporting its oil due to the absence of a national tanker fleet, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

"There is facilitation for some ships carrying Iraqi oil in the Strait of Hormuz," he said, without elaborating further.

Amidi stressed that developments in the strait carry repercussions far beyond Iraq's borders.

"The Strait of Hormuz has an impact on the entire world, not just Iraq," he said.

Iraq seeks to avoid Iran-US conflict

The Iraqi president said Baghdad is determined to avoid becoming involved in the ongoing war between Iran and the United States, noting that Iraq is among the countries most affected by the conflict.

Amidi also said he believes the United States wants an agreement with Iran to end the war.

Weapons restricted to state control

On domestic security, the president said Iraq's constitution requires that weapons be restricted to state control, adding that the religious authority in Najaf also supports that position.

He called for dialogue and understanding with armed groups to bring weapons under state authority through what he described as an Iraqi national solution.

Amidi stressed that Baghdad would not accept Iraqi territory being used to attack any other country.

Relations with Iran

Amidi revealed he had spoken with the Iranian parliament speaker and conveyed messages to Tehran regarding a review of relations between the two countries.

International coalition no longer needed

On the US-led international coalition against Daesh/ISIS, Amidi said the force originally entered Iraq at Baghdad's request to fight the terrorist group but is no longer needed, adding that its withdrawal is scheduled for September 30.

'Iraq comes first'

The president said Iraq makes its regional decisions according to its national interests, stressing that "Iraq comes first."

"There is no security in the region without Iraq's security and stability," he added.

Earlier request for 'special consideration'

On Wednesday, Iraq asked Iran to give the country "special consideration" regarding oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz during Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf's visit to Baghdad.

The request was raised during Qalibaf's talks with Iraqi officials amid concerns over the impact of restrictions in the strategic waterway on Iraqi oil exports.

The eighth Baghdad Dialogue conference opened Friday in the Iraqi capital with the participation of officials, political figures, diplomats, and academics to discuss regional and international developments and the political, security, and economic challenges facing the region.