Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Amman
A shipment carrying 44,000 tons of US rice designated forIraq arrived at Jordan's Aqaba Port on Sunday despite shipping disruptions andmaritime restrictions affecting regional trade routes, Iraq's Ministry of Tradestated.
Lama Hashem Al-Moussawi, Director General of the StateCompany for Foodstuff Trading, noted that the company continues to implementits 2026 distribution plan for the food basket and social welfare programs,ensuring the uninterrupted supply of essential food items. She added that “thecompany is closely monitoring shipping and unloading operations whilecoordinating with relevant authorities to ensure the timely delivery ofsupplies to warehouses and distribution centers across Iraq.”
On May 22, Mahmoud Khalifat, Director General of the AqabaPorts Corporation, announced that five cargo ships carrying food and industrialgoods for Iraq had docked at Aqaba Port. Jordanian authorities also reportedreceiving 100,000 tons of vegetable oils destined for Iraq, while additionalshipments carrying rice, corn, sugar, iron, and timber were awaiting unloading.
Regional shipping routes have faced sustained disruptionsince the US-Israeli war on Iran began on Feb. 28, which prompted Iranianmissile and drone attacks against Israel and US military facilities across theMiddle East. Tehran subsequently declared a full closure of the Strait ofHormuz to international shipping, forcing traders and importers to relyincreasingly on alternative routes.
: Hormuz lockdown: Iraq’s economic lifeline under threat