Oil loading operations at Iraq’s Basra oil terminal briefly paused on Thursday after a drone struck an oil tanker near the country’s main export hub, according to multiple Iraqi oil and security sources. Operations later resumed after officials confirmed the incident caused no significant damage.

The temporary disruption raised fresh concerns over the security of Iraq’s vital energy infrastructure as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.

Drone Hits Oil Tanker Near Basra Export Terminal

According to Iraqi oil and security officials, a drone hit an oil tanker near the Basra terminal on Thursday, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend crude loading operations as a precaution.

Despite the impact, officials confirmed that the drone did not trigger a fire or cause structural damage to the vessel. Authorities also said it remains unclear who was responsible for launching the drone.

The brief suspension allowed security teams to assess the situation before export activities resumed.

Iraq Says Oil Exports Were Never Fully Halted

Iraq’s Oil Ministry rejected reports suggesting that crude exports from the country’s southern ports had been suspended because of the incident.

The ministry stated that loading operations continued normally after investigators determined the tanker had only reported a foreign object nearby. Officials said inspections found no fire, no damage, and no threat to ongoing export operations.

Ali Nazar, head of Iraq’s state oil marketing company SOMO, also dismissed claims that the Basra Oil Terminal itself had been targeted.

According to Nazar, the drone’s intended target was elsewhere, and oil loading continued based on vessel availability rather than security concerns.

Tankers Moved as Precaution

As part of emergency safety procedures, the affected tanker was towed away from the port. Another tanker anchored nearby was also relocated as a precaution while authorities completed their assessment.

Officials stressed that the measures were preventive and were not the result of damage to the port’s infrastructure.

Basra Drone Incident at a Glance

Incident	Details
Location	Basra oil export terminal, southern Iraq
Date	July 16, 2026
Incident	Drone struck an oil tanker
Damage	No fire or structural damage reported
Oil exports	Briefly paused before resuming
Suspected attacker	Unknown
Official assessment	Basra terminal was not directly targeted

Khor Mor Gas Field Suspends Operations Over Security Threats

In a separate development, Iraq’s energy sector faced another setback after production facilities at the Khor Mor gas field were shut down due to mounting security concerns.

Dana Gas Halts Production at Major Gas Facility

Energy company Dana Gas announced that it had suspended operations at the Khor Mor gas field following what it described as credible security threats linked to escalating regional tensions.

The company said it is closely monitoring developments before deciding when production can safely resume.

Power Generation Takes a Hit

The shutdown has already affected electricity generation across Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

According to the Kurdistan Regional Ministry of Electricity, gas supplies to power stations have dropped by approximately 2,500 megawatts, reducing electricity generation capacity.

Officials described the disruption as temporary and said efforts are underway to restore gas deliveries to affected power plants as quickly as possible.

Impact of the Khor Mor Shutdown

Category	Status
Facility	Khor Mor Gas Field
Operator	Dana Gas
Reason for shutdown	Security threats and regional tensions
Power loss	About 2,500 MW
Current status	Operations suspended temporarily
Restoration efforts	Ongoing

Earlier Drone Incident at Faw Port

The Basra tanker incident came just one day after another drone reportedly crashed at Iraq’s Faw Port.

State media said the drone caused no damage, and port operations continued without interruption. Authorities released few details about the incident.

The back-to-back security events have increased concerns over the safety of Iraq’s critical oil and gas infrastructure.

Regional Conflict Continues to Pressure Iraq’s Energy Sector

Iraq’s energy industry has been operating under increasing pressure as regional conflict continues to affect transportation routes and energy infrastructure.

The ongoing Iran-related conflict has disrupted oil exports from Iraq’s southern terminals, largely because shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has become increasingly difficult.

Iraq, the second-largest oil producer in OPEC, relies heavily on the strategic waterway for crude exports.

According to Iraqi Oil Minister Basim Mohammed, Iraq exported around 10 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz in April, a sharp decline from the roughly 93 million barrels per month shipped before the conflict intensified.

Oil officials also reported that Iraq’s total crude exports for June stood at approximately 24.5 million barrels, highlighting the continued impact of regional instability.

Iraq Expands Alternative Export Routes

To reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, Iraq has been increasing exports through alternative routes.

The country continues shipping crude through Turkey using the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline while also pursuing additional export opportunities through Syria.

These efforts are aimed at protecting Iraq’s oil revenues and maintaining stable export volumes despite ongoing geopolitical challenges.

Baghdad Walks a Diplomatic Tightrope

The latest incidents underscore Iraq’s increasingly delicate position as it attempts to balance relations with both Iran and the United States.

While Baghdad seeks to avoid being drawn deeper into regional conflicts, tensions remain high. Iran has previously carried out operations against Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in northern Iraq, while Iran-backed militias operating inside Iraq have launched attacks targeting neighboring Gulf states.