Turkey is promoting its own solution to the energy crisis caused by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, proposing the extension of the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline to Basra. The Turkish government aims to establish an alternative energy corridor for Iraqi oil, reducing reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.

Specifically, Turkey’s Energy Minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, suggested in an interview today with the NTV television network that the existing pipeline connecting Turkey and Iraq be extended to the southern port city of Basra.

“We also proposed the following: To extend this pipeline, which currently reaches Kirkuk, all the way to Basra,” said the Turkish Energy Minister.

Capacity to transport up to 50% of Iraqi exports
Ankara believes the plan could cover a significant portion of Iraq’s exports and open up new markets.

Bayraktar noted that the pipeline could initially transport 170,000 to 250,000 barrels per day, emphasizing the broader potential of the project.

“Today, Iraq exports about three million barrels of crude oil per day. About 1.5 million barrels of this, nearly 50%, could actually be transported via this pipeline, with the potential to reach new customers, particularly in the Mediterranean basin,” he stated.

The new energy crisis
The Turkish proposal comes in response to the severe disruption caused by the stoppage of oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has effectively blocked transit through the Strait, severely impacting global energy trade, as around 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products passed through it daily.

The Turkish minister emphasized that Ankara has long warned of the need for alternative routes.

The existing pipeline
The proposal relies on existing infrastructure, which has largely remained inactive in recent years.

The Iraq-Turkey pipeline, about 970 kilometers long, has linked Kirkuk with the Turkish port of Ceyhan since 1976. Despite some operational lines from the autonomous Kurdish region, the main pipeline has been largely inactive since 2014 following attacks by the Islamic State.

Baghdad announced that restoration work is nearing completion, and an agreement has already been reached with the Kurdistan Regional Government to resume exports via Turkey.

Connection with broader regional plans
The potential extension to Basra is linked to the “Development Road” plan, which envisions a transport and energy network from the Persian Gulf to Turkey and Europe. However, political disagreements within Iraq are delaying progress, and the project is expected to require years and significant investments to complete.

Energy cooperation with Saudi Arabia
At the same time, Ankara is exploring other energy interconnections, strengthening its role as an energy transit hub.

Bayraktar revealed that discussions are underway with Saudi Arabia to create an electricity transmission line to Turkey and, through it, to Europe.

“We are working on an electricity transmission line from Saudi Arabia to Turkey and on the transmission of electricity to Europe via Turkey. Therefore, Turkey is now a country where this value chain can be built,” said Alparslan Bayraktar.