Iraq’s oil production remains far below pre-war levels as the country works to restore exports following disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war.

An Iraqi Oil Ministry spokesperson said crude production is currently between 500,000 and 1 million barrels per day, compared with more than 3 million barrels per day before the conflict. Iraq exported over 90 percent of its oil through southern ports before the disruption.

Following the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Iraq plans to increase sea exports while maintaining tanker exports from northern outlets. However, traffic through the strategic waterway has not yet returned to normal.

Baghdad is also exploring alternative routes, including increasing exports through the Kurdistan Region’s pipeline to Turkey and using overland routes through Syria. Officials said the Basra-Haditha pipeline has helped improve the movement of southern oil toward northern export routes, with plans to expand capacity further.