The Iraqi Ministry of Oil has strongly refuted rumors of the detention of an Iraqi oil tanker by US forces in the Strait of Hormuz, reassuring markets that all national shipping operations remain fully compliant with international law.

In a formal statement, the ministry reassured international markets that the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO), the state-owned entity responsible for Iraq's oil exports, strictly adheres to all international maritime laws and trade regulations.

Origin of the Maritime Rumor

The ministry's intervention follows a wave of unverified reports alleging that an Iraqi oil shipment had violated international sanctions protocols. According to the rumors, Iraq had reportedly paid customs duties and transit taxes directly to the Iranian government to secure safe passage through the vital waterway.

The speculation culminated in specific reports claiming that a Chinese-flagged supertanker, loaded with two million barrels of crude oil from the oil terminals in Basra, was intercepted and blocked by the US military while attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz.

Commitment to Global Compliance

The Ministry of Oil categorically dismissed the narrative, emphasizing that SOMO operates under a strict framework of transparency and global compliance. Officials clarified that all crude oil and petroleum product exports undergo rigorous legal vetting to ensure total alignment with international standards, ruling out any illicit financial transactions with sanctioned regional entities.

Warning to Media Outlets

In response to the rapid spread of the misinformation, the ministry issued a stern warning to local and international media organizations. The government urged journalists and news agencies to exercise journalistic integrity and verify security or energy-related reports through official, verified channels before publication.

The ministry emphasized that spreading unsubstantiated rumors risks undermining market stability and misrepresenting Iraq’s standing in the global energy sector.