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Iraq declares force majeure on foreign-operated oil fields

23 March 2026

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Iraq has declared force majeure on all oil fields developed by foreign oil companies as the US and Israel’s war with Iran disrupts navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The initial attack and Iran’s response have slashed Iraq’s exports.

Prior to the war starting on 28 February, Iraq was exporting between 3.3 and 3.5 million barrels a day of crude oil.

Oil sales account for nearly 90% of Iraq’s government revenues.

Earlier this month, two drone strikes hit infrastructure at Iraq’s Majnoon oil field, increasing security concerns in the country’s energy sector.

One of the drones hit a communications tower, and the other hit the office of the US engineering company KBR.

There were no casualties as a result of the attacks.

Foreign workers were evacuated from the site days after the US and Israel’s war with Iran started, and only Iraqi staff are currently working at the site.

Shortly before the war started, KBR announced that it had been awarded a “major contract” by Iraq’s state-owned Basra Oil Company to provide integrated field management services for the Majnoon oil field.

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Wil Crisp

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