The long-awaited resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region to international markets is on the horizon, with officials announcing that shipments will recommence through the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline (ITP) within the next 48 hours. This announcement marks a significant development after months of uncertainty surrounding the region’s oil trade.
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, emphasized the collaborative efforts leading to this momentous agreement. “Today’s agreement between the Kurdistan Region and international oil companies with the federal Ministry of Oil and the State Organization for Marketing of Oil is the result of tireless efforts and months of negotiation by teams on all sides,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of unity and negotiation among various stakeholders to achieve this milestone. “With this step, oil from Kurdistan Region’s fields will again enter the global market.
Today’s agreement between the Kurdistan Region and oil companies with the Federal Ministry of Oil and SOMO is the result of tireless efforts and months of negotiation by teams on all sides. With this step, oil from Kurdistan Region’s fields will again enter the global market.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) September 25, 2025
“I would like to commend the efforts of all parties, and in particular, to highlight the resilient people of Kurdistan, for on this historic day, a major obstacle has been removed in securing the financial entitlements of the people of Kurdistan. And with the resumption of the region’s oil exports, we affirm the necessity of fulfilling all constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani also expressed optimism regarding the agreement, calling it historic. “Today we reached a historic agreement under which the federal Ministry of Oil will receive crude oil produced from the fields in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and export it through the ITP. This ensures fair distribution of wealth, diversification of export outlets, and encouragement of investment. [It is] an achievement 18 years in the making.”
Today we reached a historic agreement under which the Federal Ministry of Oil will receive crude oil produced from the fields in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and export it through the Iraq–Türkiye pipeline. This ensures fair distribution of wealth, diversification of export…
— محمد شياع السوداني (@mohamedshia) September 25, 2025
Following the announcements by both Prime Ministers Barzani and al-Sudani, the reopening of the ITP reflects broader implications for the region. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the announcement that the government of Iraq has reached an agreement with the KRG and international companies to reopen the ITP. This deal, facilitated by the United States, is expected to bring tangible benefits for both Americans and Iraqis.
In a statement, the U.S. State Department said that it commends “the decisive efforts of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and senior officials of the government of Iraq, as well as KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and senior KRG officials, to make this progress possible.”
We welcome the announcement that the Government of Iraq has reached an agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government and international companies to reopen the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline. This deal, facilitated by the United States, will bring tangible benefits for both Americans…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) September 25, 2025
The State Department also emphasized that “this agreement will strengthen the mutually beneficial economic partnership between the United States and Iraq, encourage a more stable investment environment for U.S. companies throughout Iraq, enhance regional energy security, and reinforce Iraq’s sovereignty.”
The resumption of oil exports comes after a challenging period for the Kurdistan Region, which experienced a halt in shipments following a ruling by an international arbitration court on March 25, 2023. The court’s decision favored Baghdad against Ankara, leading to a stoppage of 450,000 barrels per day of crude oil exports. Despite ongoing negotiations between the Iraqi government, the KRG, and oil companies, a solution had seemed elusive until now. As the Kurdistan Region prepares to re-enter the global oil market, this agreement signals a renewed chapter for its oil industry, promising economic benefits and stability for the region and beyond.