Iraqi Oil Minister: Full Oil Export Operations Resumed in Basra

Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloom, the Iraqi Oil Minister, announced that full oil export operations in Basra have resumed. The Basra oil terminal, which is the most important pumping facility in Iraq, was shut down last Saturday following attacks by suicide bombers using small boats. This pumping facility is vital for the post-war Iraqi economy, as at least 85% of the country's total oil exports—currently around 1.6 million barrels per day—are sent abroad through this terminal. After the explosion of three small boats filled with explosives near the Basra terminal on Saturday evening, it was initially thought that the facility had not been damaged. However, it later became clear that the power generation and transmission equipment had been damaged due to the explosions, necessitating a halt in pumping operations. Today, the Iraqi Oil Minister told reporters in Baghdad that normal operations of all equipment have resumed and export levels have returned to previous levels. Despite the fact that the Basra oil terminal was previously heavily guarded, additional security measures have been implemented following the recent attack.