Turkey to terminate oil pipeline agreement with Iraq by 2026
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a presidential decree, and the decision was published in the country's official newspaper.
According to the notice, the initial agreement, established in July 1973, will expire on July 27, 2026, together with any relevant protocols, annexes, and extensions.
The 1973 agreement paved the way for the Iraq-Turkey crude oil pipeline. This critical infrastructure project enabled the transit of millions of barrels of Iraqi oil to the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean.
This legal framework later played an important role in arbitration procedures sparked by the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) oil exports through the pipeline.
The KRG began exporting oil freely via the pipeline, forcing Iraq's federal government in Baghdad to pursue an arbitration action against Turkey in 2014. Baghdad alleged that the KRG's independent oil exports through the pipeline violated the Iraqi constitution.
Crude oil shipments through the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline have been suspended since March 2023. This pipeline previously accounted for approximately 0.5 percent of the world's oil supply.
After the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris ruled that Ankara had violated a 1973 treaty by permitting oil exports without the approval of the federal government in Baghdad, oil flows via the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline were stopped.
The ruling obligated Turkey to pay Baghdad $1.5 billion in compensation for losses caused by the KRG's illegal oil exports between 2014 and 2018.
Efforts to resume oil exports have gathered speed in 2025, with the Iraqi cabinet approving a new oil accord between Baghdad and the KRG in July.
With the 1973 agreement planned to expire in 2026, Ankara and Baghdad are expected to negotiate a new legislative framework for cross-border energy cooperation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
32 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Al-Sudani insists weapons must remain under state authority
Shafaq News – Babil On Saturday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reiterated that exclusive state control over arms is essential, stressing that no party has the right to usurp this authority. Speaking during a ceremony commemorating the 1920 Iraqi Revolution (Thawrat al-Ashreen) in Babil province, al-Sudani stressed that ' limiting weapons to the state is a cornerstone of a strong and respected nation,' according to a statement from the PM's media office. He also commended the Supreme Religious Authority for its contributions to state-building, particularly through its guidance on preserving the state, fighting corruption, and ensuring that weapons remain under state control. Both the government and the people must remain acutely aware of the dangers and challenges facing the region, he stated, pointing out, 'We have exercised great caution in preserving Iraq's interests and avoiding involvement in any war that others seek to drag us into.'
Shafaq News
32 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi lawmaker: Finance Minister unaware of budget details
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami lacks knowledge of the 2025 federal budget tables, an Iraqi MP claimed on Saturday, criticizing parliament's approval of the three-year Budget Law as a mistake. The Member of Iraq's Parliamentary Finance Committee, Faisal al-Naeli, told Shafaq News that the three-year budget experiment was flawed, adding that it burdened the Iraqi people and government employees, depriving them of financial and career entitlements. The finance minister informed the committee that the ministry is currently paying obligations related to the 2023 budget, Al-Naeli stated, noting, 'Everyone is looking for the 2025 budget tables, yet no one knows where they are or when they will be sent to parliament.' Earlier, fellow committee member Saad al-Toubi told Shafaq News that Sami informed members during a session that a special committee—formed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani—had been tasked with drafting the tables. Finance Committee Chairman Atwan al-Atwani criticized the government last Sunday for failing to send the tables to parliament, warning that the delay has negatively impacted wide segments of the Iraqi population.
Iraqi News
2 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Seven international airlines return to Iraq's airspace
Baghdad ( – The General Company for Air Navigation Services, part of Iraq's Ministry of Transport, announced on Monday (July 28, 2025) that seven international airlines have returned to Iraqi airspace. This development reflects increasing international confidence in the navigation services provided by the company and its full commitment to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, said Abbas Sabbar Al-Baydhani, Director General of the General Company for Air Navigation Services. He added that the return of these airlines indicates the rapidly evolving relationship between Iraq and global air transport companies. Prominent international airlines that have returned to Iraqi airspace include German Cargo, Swiss Air, Lufthansa AirX, Qantas Airline, Giant Cargo, LOT Polish Airlines, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. Al-Baydhani emphasized this growth reflects increasing trust in the competence of Iraqi air traffic controllers and the technical and operational capabilities of the company. The company continues to implement development and modernization plans for infrastructure and navigation equipment. Its goal is to provide top-tier services to airlines and strengthen Iraq's position as a crucial regional and international air corridor. This achievement comes with direct support from Minister of Transport Razzaq Muhaibas Al-Saadawi, who has directed the enhancement of Iraq's navigational standing and the development of its technical services since assuming his duties. It also highlights the diligent efforts of the General Company for Air Navigation Services and Iraqi air traffic controllers to elevate performance and ensure the highest levels of safety and fluidity in air traffic management.
