Long queues formed outside petrol stations in Baghdad on Saturday as disrupted tanker movements delayed fuel imports, adding pressure to supplies in Iraq despite its status as one of OPEC’s largest oil producers.

The shortages have been particularly visible at government-run stations in Baghdad and other provinces, where queues have reappeared in recent weeks.

Ibrahim Hashem, a Baghdad resident, told AFP he waited for two hours outside a petrol station on Friday without managing to fill his car before returning early on Saturday.

“It is unreasonable that we produce so many barrels of oil a day, yet still do not have enough gasoline to meet our daily needs,” Hashem said. “We already suffer from traffic congestion because of the roads and lack of services. Now, it has become worse due to the gasoline shortage.”

Iraq consumes about 33 million litres of petrol a day, according to authorities, with demand rising to roughly 38 million litres when concerns about shortages trigger additional buying.

The oil ministry said on Friday that regional events and the continuing conflict had created logistical difficulties for tanker movements, delaying vessels reaching Iraqi ports. It urged motorists to buy only what they need and avoid crowding stations.

Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudhair Al-Abadi said the temporary petrol shortage was being addressed and that additional shipments would arrive soon. Iraq’s Oil Exploration Company identifies him as the country’s current oil minister.

The immediate problem is a gap between domestic production and consumption. Iraq imports refined petroleum products because its refineries do not produce enough petrol to meet domestic demand.

The disruption is linked to the wider conflict affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, although Iraq’s crude oil exports have partially recovered. Reuters reported that Iraqi oil exports rose to about 2.34 million barrels per day in August, up from 1.35 million bpd in July, after Iran allowed some Iraqi tankers to pass through the strait.

Shipping through Hormuz nevertheless remains far below normal levels. Reuters reported that only four commodity vessels crossed the strait on Thursday, compared with a 10-day average of about 15; before the war, roughly 125 large commercial vessels passed through the waterway each day.

The fuel disruption comes as the regional conflict continues to affect energy shipping. Reuters reported on Saturday that US forces struck three Iranian crude-oil tankers after Iran launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships, according to US Central Command.

For Iraqi motorists, the government says the petrol shortage is temporary and that additional shipments are expected to ease pressure on stations.