Iraq Trucks Fuel Oil Via Syria, Bypassing Hormuz Strait

Syria has dramatically emerged as the Middle East's top export hub for fuel oil, now responsible for over a quarter of regional volumes. This significant shift is driven by Iraq's extensive use of thousands of trucks to transport fuel oil through Syria, rerouting flows away from the Strait of Hormuz.

The overland transport, which can take up to four days to reach Syria's Mediterranean ports, underscores the impact of regional hostilities on energy flows. This development also highlights efforts to reintegrate Syria into the global economy, particularly after the US lifted sanctions.

As tensions persist in the Persian Gulf, Iraq's reliance on alternative routes is critical to prevent refinery storage from reaching capacity and halting operations. Besides Syria, Iraq is also sending fuel oil via trucks through Jordan, with small volumes of crude oil reportedly following a similar path.

These new transit routes are vital for Syria's post-civil war recovery. The nation is increasingly viewed as a strategic gateway for energy flows, potentially weakening Iran's control over the vital Hormuz waterway.