ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Baghdad is in talks with Erbil to export some of Kirkuk’s oil through the Kurdistan Region’s pipelines with Turkey, Iraq’s oil minister said Saturday, coming as the Iran war has severely disrupted exports through the Gulf. 

Iraqi oil minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani told The New Region that federal government is in talks with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to transfer oil from the Region’s pipelines to  Kirkuk’s Ceyhan pipeline, which flows into Turkey, to resume exports from the key conduit.

Since the US and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran in late February, Tehran in retaliation has targeted neighbouring countries and shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway responsible for one fifth of the world’s oil. 

Iraq has been severely affected by the disruption in oil transport through the Gulf.

“We are optimistic about reaching an agreement to transport oil through this method, until the ministry completes the renovation and repair works on the North Oil Company pipeline,” Abdul Ghani added.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that “many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe.”

Abdul Ghani said Thursday that oil production has diminished from over four million barrels per day to merely 1.4 million because of the war.

There have also been multiple attacks on tanker ships in the Gulf since the war started, including in Iraqi waters.

In the early hours of Thursday, two Marshall Islands- and Malta-flagged tankers were targeted within Iraqi territorial waters. One crew member was killed, and 38 others were rescued by Iraqi authorities, according to state media.

Baghdad has previously requested to export oil through the Kurdistan Region’s oil pipeline to allow for exports and cash access. However, Iraq’s continued trade embargo on the Kurdistan Region since the start of the year has prevented reaching a deal, according to a senior KRG official.

“Baghdad has enforced a complete trade embargo on the Kurdistan Region since January 1 this year. It has crippled our economy and finances and is existential for the Region,” the official told The New Region.

The official stated that the KRG would welcome Baghdad’s use of the pipeline, “but this embargo must be lifted too, even as temporary relief for the whole country until a long-term deal has been settled. We want to be helpful, especially to our US partners.”

“Iraq faces an unprecedented fiscal and economic crisis. Baghdad should be doing everything in its power to facilitate trade and exports — not stifle them,” they added.

The current disruption may also make it difficult for Iraq to pay civil servant salaries.

Iraq’s monthly oil revenues are deposited into its account at the US Federal Reserve, which are normally transferred back to the country accordingly.

In January and February, none of the revenue came through; a transfer was scheduled for the beginning of March, but after flights were suspended due to the US-Israeli war on Iran, the transfer route was cut off.