Baghdad: The Ministry of Oil confirmed today that all black oil marketing and export operations are subject to a precise and comprehensive regulatory system, under the direct supervision of the Oil Marketing Company. It also expressed its surprise at the circulation of inaccurate information related to export operations.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry issued a statement affirming its full commitment to professional transparency and cooperation with regulatory and judicial bodies, while expressing deep surprise at the spread of inaccurate and misleading information regarding black oil export operations. The statement emphasized that all marketing and export activities are conducted under a strict regulatory framework, overseen by the Oil Marketing Company. These operations are carried out in accordance with officially announced contracts and are coordinated with the country’s highest regulatory bodies, including the Financial Supervision Bureau, the Integrity Commission, the General Authority of Customs, and security agencies.
The Ministry highlighted that every shipment is subject to both field and electronic monitoring from the moment of allocation until it departs the port, making any claims of “smuggling” or “organized violations” unsubstantiated. Assertions regarding ‘unknown tankers’ or ‘smuggling networks’ were described as dangerous and misleading slander. The Ministry clarified that these tankers, described as unidentified, might belong to other factories or ministries. Iraqi ports, the Ministry stated, operate within a strict regulatory system that ensures no shipment passes without official and documented approvals from relevant authorities. Each tanker is tracked via maritime tracking systems, with data electronically documented around the clock, leaving no room for breaches or ambiguities.
The Ministry further indicated that involving state institutions in smuggling allegations without evidence constitutes unacceptable public defamation and poses a direct insult to the reputation of the Iraqi state and its sovereign institutions, exposing national economic security to serious threats. It affirmed its intent to protect its reputation and legal standing, pledging to take firm legal action against individuals and entities promoting these false allegations, which are considered acts of incitement and harm.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, welcoming any documented and evidence-based information from any source. It called on all media outlets to adhere to professionalism and objectivity, urging them to ensure accuracy before publishing or adopting allegations that could affect national and economic security without consulting official authorities.