Also available in Persian — نسخه فارسی EN فا
❓ Unknown

Iraq Halts Oil Exports for One Month

Feb 13, 2026 February 13, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Iraq is stopping its oil exports for one month in protest against Israel's actions towards Palestinians, as declared by President Saddam Hussein. This move aims to target the U.S. and Israel, while other oil producers have distanced themselves from using oil as a political tool. The situation could impact global oil prices and geopolitical dynamics in the region.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Iraq's oil export halt is a politically motivated action that could have wide-ranging implications for oil prices and regional geopolitics.

👥 Key Players

Saddam Hussein MENTIONED
President of Iraq
"As the leader of Iraq, his decisions significantly impact regional stability and oil markets."
Israel MENTIONED
Country involved in the conflict with Palestinians
"Israel's actions are central to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, influencing regional alliances and tensions."
United States MENTIONED
Key ally of Israel and major global oil consumer
"The U.S. plays a significant role in Middle Eastern politics and global oil markets."
Other Oil Producers MENTIONED
Countries that produce oil
"Their response to Iraq's actions can influence global oil supply and prices."

📰 What Happened

Iraq has announced a one-month halt to its oil exports in protest against Israel's actions towards Palestinians. This decision is intended to pressure the U.S. and Israel while rallying support from other Arab and Islamic nations.

  • Iraq exports about two million barrels of oil daily, representing roughly four percent of global oil supply.
  • Oil prices initially rose following the announcement but later stabilized.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Iran may view Iraq's actions as a potential rallying point for anti-Israel sentiment, aligning with its own political stance.
🌍 Regional: The halt in oil exports could exacerbate tensions in the Middle East, affecting relationships among Arab nations and their responses to Israel.
🌐 International: Global oil prices may be affected, influencing economies dependent on oil imports and potentially straining U.S.-Iraq relations.

📚 Background

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has long been a source of tension in the Middle East, with various countries taking sides based on political and religious affiliations. Oil has historically been used as a tool for political leverage.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict Global oil market dynamics
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
As a state announcement, it may reflect the government's political agenda and should be interpreted with caution regarding its implications.

Iraq will halt its oil exports for 30 days in protest against Israel's aggression towards the Palestinians, according to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Following the announcement, oil prices for May delivery rose by more than a dollar per barrel, but later fell and stabilized. Saddam Hussein stated that by cutting off Iraq's oil, he aims to target the United States and Israel, hoping that Arab and Islamic countries will support this action. Other major oil producers, except for Iran, have rejected the idea of using oil as a political weapon. Iraq was exporting about two million barrels of oil daily, which is approximately four percent of the world's oil supply.

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

📰 Related Coverage

⚖️ Independent Platform — Artesh.com is not affiliated with any government, military, or political organization. Editorial Policy →