Long queues have returned to fuel stations across Iraq as ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt fuel imports, creating shortages in the oil-rich nation.
Despite being the second-largest oil producer in OPEC, Iraq still relies on imported fuel products because local refineries cannot produce enough gasoline to satisfy domestic demand. As a result, disruptions to tanker shipments have left many motorists struggling to access fuel.
On Saturday, drivers lined up for hours outside fuel stations in Baghdad and several other provinces. Residents reported that queues have become a recurring sight in recent weeks as concerns over fuel availability continue to grow.
Baghdad resident Ibrahim Hashem said he spent two hours waiting at a fuel station on Friday without success and returned early the following day hoping to fill his vehicle.
“It is unreasonable that we produce so many barrels of oil every day, yet still do not have enough gasoline to meet our daily needs,” he said.
Hashem added that the fuel shortage is worsening daily life in a city already plagued by heavy traffic and inadequate infrastructure.
According to Iraqi authorities, the country consumes about 33 million litres of gasoline per day under normal conditions. However, demand can surge to as much as 38 million litres daily when motorists rush to buy fuel out of fear of shortages.
In a statement, Iraq’s Oil Ministry attributed the supply problems to ongoing regional tensions and conflict, saying logistical challenges have delayed fuel tanker arrivals at Iraqi ports.
The ministry urged citizens to purchase only the fuel they require and avoid unnecessary crowding at filling stations.
Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair described the situation as a temporary shortage and assured the public that additional fuel shipments are expected soon to stabilize supplies across the country.
The crisis highlights Iraq’s vulnerability despite its vast oil wealth. The country remains heavily dependent on oil exports, which account for roughly 90 percent of government revenue.
The ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict has significantly affected regional energy transportation, particularly through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key route for Iraqi oil exports.
Before the conflict escalated in February, Iraq produced approximately four million barrels of oil per day and exported an average of 3.4 million barrels daily, most of which passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Although exports dropped sharply during the conflict, Iraqi oil shipments recovered to more than 2.2 million barrels per day in August, according to official figures.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported last month that Tehran had allowed several Iraqi oil tankers to transit through the Strait of Hormuz over the past six months, helping ease some of the pressure on exports.
As authorities work to restore fuel supplies, many Iraqis remain concerned about the impact of prolonged regional instability on the country’s economy and daily life.
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