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    Saudi Arabia Denies Iraqi Claims of Oil Tanker Purchases Amid Rising Shipping Costs

    Section editor: ·Low4 articles covering this·4 news sources·Updated 10 days ago·MENA
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    Infographic depicting Saudi Arabia's denial of Iraqi oil tanker claims and the impact on shipping costs.

    What happened

    On September 22, 2026, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy officially denied Iraqi claims regarding the purchase of 25 oil tankers.

    The Context

    • Regional tensions: The clarification comes amid ongoing military escalations and security disruptions in the Persian Gulf, particularly affecting the Strait of Hormuz.
    • Cost implications: Iraqi officials linked the alleged tanker purchases to a spike in crude transport costs, which rose from $26 to $37 per barrel.
    • Sovereign rights: Saudi Arabia emphasized its right to make independent commercial decisions, distancing itself from the claims made by Iraqi officials.

    The Number

    $4.5 billion

    — the estimated cost of the alleged tanker purchases, highlighting the financial stakes involved in regional oil logistics.

    Takeaway

    Expect continued scrutiny of oil shipping costs as geopolitical factors evolve, potentially influencing market dynamics.

    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...

    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.

    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...

    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...

    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...