U.S. welcomes Syria-Iraq agreement to revive strategic oil pipeline
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The United States on Friday welcomed Syria and Iraq’s decision to move forward with the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Syria-Iraq crude oil pipeline, describing the project as a strategic step toward strengthening regional energy security and economic cooperation.
In a statement, the U.S. Department of State said it welcomed the governments of Syria and Iraq’s intention to prioritize the rehabilitation of the pipeline as a key infrastructure project of bilateral and regional strategic importance.
According to the statement, both countries aim to restore a critical energy corridor linking Iraqi oil production with Mediterranean export markets, enhancing regional connectivity and expanding export routes for Iraqi crude.
The State Department also welcomed the participation of a U.S.-led international consortium that will oversee the project’s technical and financial implementation.
Once rehabilitated, the pipeline is expected to have an initial transport capacity of two million barrels of crude oil per day, making it one of the region’s largest energy infrastructure projects.
The department described the announcement as “an important milestone” for Syria-Iraq relations, saying the two governments’ commitment to jointly rehabilitate and operate the pipeline, establish a legal framework, and work with the international consortium would contribute to regional security and stability through economic development.
The statement also credited U.S. President Donald Trump with supporting efforts to advance regional prosperity and cooperation.
The Syria-Iraq crude oil pipeline, commonly known as the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, was built in the 1950s to transport Iraqi crude from the Kirkuk oil fields to the Syrian Mediterranean port of Baniyas. The pipeline served for decades as one of Iraq’s main export routes before operations were repeatedly disrupted by regional conflicts and political disputes.
Large sections of the pipeline have remained inactive for more than two decades after suffering damage during the 2003 Iraq war and subsequent years of instability in both Iraq and Syria.
Reviving the pipeline would provide Iraq with an additional export corridor to the Mediterranean, reducing dependence on the Persian Gulf shipping route while potentially supporting Syria’s reconstruction through transit revenues and energy infrastructure investment.
The announcement follows growing regional efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between Baghdad and Damascus and comes amid broader US support for infrastructure projects aimed at promoting regional stability and expanding energy connectivity.