Saudi Arabia Refutes Claims of Purchasing 25 Oil Tankers

Sep 22, 2026

60 min

Sep 22, 2026 16:30

Saudi Arabia denies buying 25 oil tankers after Iraqi claims

## Saudi Arabia Denies Tanker Purchase

Saudi Arabia has officially denied claims that it purchased 25 oil tankers, a statement made in response to allegations from Iraqi officials. The Saudi Ministry of Energy clarified that the Kingdom did not acquire the tankers mentioned during a session in Iraq's parliament.

## Iraqi Allegations

The allegations were linked to comments by Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al Abadi and Ali Nizar Al-Shatari from Iraq’s State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO). They suggested that the supposed purchase by Saudi Arabia was responsible for increased costs in transporting Iraqi crude.

## Saudi Response

The Saudi Ministry of Energy stated that the rise in transportation costs was due to regional military tensions, Iranian attacks on vessels, and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. These factors have led to increased shipping risks and insurance costs, reducing the number of tankers willing to operate in the area.

## Impact on Freight Costs

The ministry emphasized that these conditions have driven regional freight costs to exceptionally high levels, and attributing the increase to Saudi Arabia does not reflect the true causes. The Kingdom maintains its right to make commercial decisions based on its interests.

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