PM:11:11:25/08/2025
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The Iraqi Oil Ministry has strongly rejected allegations of crude oil smuggling, saying that such claims damage the reputation of the state and pose a serious threat to national economic security.
In a statement issued Monday, the ministry said it was "surprised” by the spread of what it described as false and misleading information about crude oil exports, stressing its full commitment to transparency and cooperation with monitoring and judicial bodies.
The statement clarified several key points:
- All marketing and export operations are carried out within a comprehensive regulatory framework, under the supervision of the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) and in coordination with top supervisory authorities.
- Referring to "unknown oil tankers” or alleged smuggling networks is a baseless and misleading accusation. Such tankers may belong to factories or other ministries, the ministry said.
- Dragging state institutions into smuggling allegations without evidence is an unacceptable defamation that harms Iraq’s sovereignty and threatens economic security.
- The ministry will take strict legal action against individuals or entities spreading false accusations.
- While reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the ministry said it welcomes any documented evidence from credible sources.
The ministry emphasized that it will continue to defend the integrity of Iraq’s oil sector against misinformation and protect the country’s economic interests.