Fuel shortages linked to the war in the Middle East have led to long lines at gas stations across Iraq, with some drivers waiting up to two hours without being able to refuel. The situation has been most visible in Baghdad and other provinces, where long queues are forming, especially at public gas stations. Despite being the second-largest oil producer among OPEC countries, Iraq imports much of its petroleum because its domestic refineries are unable to process enough crude oil to meet local demand. Recent regional conflicts have disrupted these imports, with the Ministry of Oil citing logistical challenges in maritime transport as a key reason for delayed fuel shipments reaching Iraqi ports. The average daily fuel consumption in Iraq is around 33 million liters, but this number can rise to 38 million liters when the public fears shortages. Ibrahim Hashem, a Baghdad resident, waited two hours at a gas station before giving up and returning the next day without success. He expressed frustration over the situation, calling it absurd that Iraq produces so many barrels of oil daily yet still struggles to meet domestic fuel needs. The Ministry of Oil has urged citizens to buy only what they need and to avoid rushing to stations for small quantities of fuel. Minister of Oil Bassem Mohammed Khudair assured the public that the ministry is working to resolve the "temporary fuel shortage" and that new shipments are expected to stabilize the supply soon. The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has had a ripple effect on Iraq, particularly affecting the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil trade. Iraq relies heavily on oil exports, which account for about 90% of its budget revenues. Before the war, which began in late February, Iraq produced around four million barrels of oil per day and exported an average of 3.4 million barrels daily, primarily through Hormuz. After a sharp decline in exports, Iraqi oil shipments have since risen to over 2.2 million barrels per day in August. According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, Tehran has allowed "a number of Iraqi tankers" to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in the past six months, helping to ease some of the pressure on Iraq's fuel supply.