Iraq to Lebanon: Wheat and Oil Supply Talks to Begin Strengthen Ties
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Roshan Amiri
- . May 8, 2025
- . Update: May 15, 2025 6:32 pm
Iraq and Lebanon are in serious negotiations to improve economic ties with wheat and oil supplies. After having met with Iraqi officials in Baghdad, Lebanese Finance Minister Yassin Jaber told reporters the Iraqi government will be exporting 320,000 tons of wheat to Lebanon. These wheat shipments are primarily made due to the existential food security situation in Lebanon, as well as the political desire of the current Lebanese government to improve relationships with neighboring states.
Iraq and Lebanon are also in discussions to revive the Iraq – Lebanon oil pipeline which was left dormant when it was used to supply crude oil to the northern Tripoli refinery in Lebanon.
The pipeline was closed after a period of regional unrest; however, the two nations have a dialogue, there has been progress on the creation of a pipeline agreement, and they are both committed to the discussions with a view to possible re-opening. Finally, the re-opening of this pipeline would enable Lebanon to fulfill its oil needs directly from Iraq, and stabilize its energy sector.
Another key element of the conversations involves the possibility of rehabilitating Lebanon’s northern refinery, but that will depend on resolving the issue of security in Syria, since the pipeline will cross through there.The two have also been talking about how to potentially address Lebanon’s debt to Iraq for unpaid fuel supply contracts.
