Trending

    Saudi Arabia Denies Iraqi Claims Linking Tanker Purchases to Oil Shipping Cost Increases

    Section editor: ·Low4 articles covering this·4 news sources·Updated 3 hours ago·MENA
    Share:
    Infographic showing Saudi Arabia's tanker purchases and Iraqi oil shipping cost increases.

    What happened

    On September 22, 2026, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy denied Iraqi claims linking its purchase of 25 oil tankers to increased oil shipping costs.

    The Context

    • Geopolitical tensions: The clarification comes amid heightened military escalations and security threats in the Persian Gulf, affecting shipping routes.
    • Cost implications: Iraqi officials claimed transport costs for Iraqi crude surged from $26 to $37 per barrel, attributing this to Saudi actions.
    • OPEC dynamics: Despite the public disagreement, Saudi Arabia and Iraq generally maintain cooperative relations as leading OPEC producers.

    The Number

    $4.5 billion

    — the estimated value of the 25 tankers Saudi Arabia allegedly purchased, highlighting the scale of investment in the oil sector.

    Takeaway

    Expect ongoing scrutiny of oil shipping costs as geopolitical factors continue to influence the energy market.

    4 Articles
    Okaz

    «الطاقة»: السعودية لم تشترِ ناقلات النفط الـ 25.. «معلومة غير صحيحة»

    The Saudi Ministry of Energy has denied reports that the country purchased 25 oil tankers, a claim made by Iraqi Oil Minister Bassim Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi and Ali Nizar Al-Shatari, the director general of the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company (SOMO), d...

    16 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    RT Arabic

    السعودية ترد على إدعاءات عراقية بشرائها 25 ناقلة نفط

    The Saudi Ministry of Energy has denied claims made in the Iraqi Parliament regarding the purchase of 25 oil tankers by the Kingdom, linking these allegations to rising costs of transporting Iraqi oil.

    16 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    Al Watan

    السعودية تصحح ادعاءات عراقية وتكشف الأسباب الحقيقية لارتفاع تكاليف شحن النفط

    The Saudi Ministry of Energy issued an official clarification in response to statements made by Iraqi officials regarding the alleged purchase of 25 oil tankers by Saudi Arabia, which was linked to rising oil shipping costs. The ministry firmly denie...

    16 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    Saudi Gazette

    Saudi Arabia denies buying 25 oil tankers, rejects link to Iraqi shipping costs

    Saudi Arabia has denied allegations of purchasing 25 oil tankers and rejected claims that these purchases contributed to increased costs for transporting Iraqi oil. The Ministry of Energy clarified that the information presented by Iraqi officials du...

    16 hours ago
    Read Full Article
    Saudi Gazette

    Saudi Arabia denies buying 25 oil tankers, rejects link to Iraqi shipping costs

    Saudi Arabia has denied allegations of purchasing 25 oil tankers and rejected claims that these purchases contributed to increased costs for transporting Iraqi oil. The Ministry of Energy clarified that the information presented by Iraqi officials du...

    16 hours ago
    Read Full Article