Baghdad, March 12 (QNA) - The Iraqi Ministry of Oil affirmed today that the security and safety of navigation in international maritime corridors and energy supply routes must remain insulated from regional conflicts and tensions.

In a statement, the ministry expressed deep concern over the recent developments in the Gulf region, particularly incidents involving several oil tankers in maritime corridors. It noted that Iraq views these developments as a worrying indication of escalating tensions in a region vital to the global economy and energy supplies.

The ministry stressed the importance of maintaining the security and safety of navigation in international maritime routes, given their direct impact not only on the countries of the region but also on the stability of the global economy and energy markets.

It called on all parties to exercise restraint and to keep maritime corridors and energy infrastructure outside the sphere of conflict in order to safeguard energy markets and preserve the stability of both the regional and global economy.

The ministry’s statement followed an attack on two oil tankers while they were at a side-loading point within Iraqi territorial waters, according to an earlier statement issued today by the Iraqi State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO).

The company confirmed that the attack negatively affects Iraq’s security and economy and poses a threat to maritime safety and oil-related activities in Iraqi territorial waters.

For its part, the Iraqi Ports Company announced that it had succeeded in rescuing the crew of one of the tankers, numbering more than 20 people. (QNA)