According to a Jin10 report, Syria is positioned to offer an alternative path for Iraqi crude exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, with plans to move tankers overland to Mediterranean ports.

Syria's state oil company chief, Yousef Qablawi, said Baghdad has asked Damascus to assist with crude exports, expanding cooperation beyond the current fuel-oil transport arrangement between the two countries.

Iraq is already moving some fuel oil by convoy overland to Syria's Mediterranean port at Baniyas, where the cargo is loaded onto tankers for overseas markets.