Kazakhstan, Astana, March 23 / Trend D. Mukhtarov /
Even in the case of Strait of Hormuz closing, Iraq will have several other alternative routes for oil supplies to world markets, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Iraq to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan Sabir Raja Abboud al-Moussaoui told Trend in an interview.
"I believe that the Strait of Hormuz will not be closed. But even, in the worst scenario, Iraq has several other alternative routes to supply its oil to the world markets. Thus our suppliers will not be affected in any case," Iraqi diplomat said.
According to the Ambassador, Iraq can deliver its oil via several pipelines running through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, as well as through the Turkish port of Ceyhan.
Iraqi government is in talks with Turkey on increasing its oil export through the Turkish port of Ceyhan, Sabir Raja Abboud al-Moussaoui said.
"So, even if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, we will use other routes of transportation, including Ceyhan," the Ambassador said.
Iraqi diplomat noted that oil production in Iraq amounted to 3 million barrels per day at the moment.
"There are plans to increase this figure up to 6 million barrels per day in the near future, and then up to 12 million barrels per day," the Ambassador said.
Earlier Iran - Iraq's neighbor - promised to block the Strait of Hormuz in response to economic sanctions on Iranian oil imposed by the EU.
The first incident between the U.S. and Iranian navies took place on January 6, after Tehran's threat to block this vital international artery.
According to the world media, the Iranian speedboats made the provocative maneuvers near to American amphibious transport ship-dock New Orleans passing through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. The Iranian boats approached the U.S. military vessel at high speed and did not react to warnings.
Another incident occurred on the same day near the coast of Kuwait. The Iranian boats approached the U.S. Coast Guard at the high speed.