Eco
Sources from Basra Oil Company confirmed that the Indian tanker fired upon Saturday was carrying Iraqi oil and had been held in the Strait of Hormuz for weeks. The source noted that the vessel attempted to exit the strait immediately after receiving clearance to pass, only to be surprised by gunfire that prevented it from completing its journey to its final destination.
This field escalation deals a blow to efforts aimed at restoring regular oil shipping traffic, as targeting a "permitted" vessel raises questions about the current nature of military control over the strait. The Iraqi side is closely monitoring the safety of shipments and crews, as the region experiences conflicting operational decisions that directly impact crude flows from Basra to global markets.
