Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zeydi proposed a significant increase in oil supplies to Turkey on Wednesday, offering to provide one million barrels per day during his first visit to Ankara since taking office.

The offer comes as Turkey seeks to reduce its reliance on established Gulf routes, which have faced considerable disruption amid an ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Zeydi held discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, where expanded energy cooperation was a central point, according to reports from Euronews.

Baghdad's proposal for one million barrels per day could significantly alter regional energy dynamics.

Turkey Seeks Energy Security Amid Hormuz Tensions

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a crucial chokepoint for a substantial portion of the world's crude oil supply. Disruptions in this vital passage can lead to price volatility and supply uncertainties for global markets.

Turkey, a major energy importer, has long aimed to diversify its supply sources to bolster its national energy security. Its geographical position makes it a strategic transit country for oil and gas from the Middle East and the Caspian region.

The proposed deal would represent a substantial increase from current Iraqi oil flows to Turkey, which have historically relied on pipelines such as the Kirkuk-Ceyhan route.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zeydi Turkish President Erdogan meeting

Potential Economic and Geopolitical Impact

For Iraq, the agreement would offer a stable and substantial revenue stream, alongside an alternative export route that bypasses the potentially volatile Gulf. Iraq is Opec's second-largest producer and seeks to maximise its oil exports.

Analysts suggest such a deal could cement stronger economic and political ties between Baghdad and Ankara, potentially reshaping regional alliances and energy distribution networks.

Any expansion of oil transport capacity would likely require significant investment in existing infrastructure or the development of new pipelines, a complex and costly undertaking that would form part of future negotiations between the two nations.