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Khor al-Zubair
Nation / PlaceIQ

Khor al-Zubair

Deep-water port in southern Iraq near Basra, a key oil export terminal on the Persian Gulf.

Last refreshed: 18 June 2026

Key Question

Why is Iraq sourcing fuel from Fujairah if Hormuz has partially reopened?

Timeline for Khor al-Zubair

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Background

Khor al-Zubair is a deep-water port and industrial terminal on the Khor Abd Allah waterway in southern Iraq, approximately 50 km south-east of Basra and adjacent to Umm Qasr. The terminal handles petroleum products, general cargo, and petrochemicals; it is one of Iraq's principal facilities for exporting refined products and receiving fuel imports. Its location on the approach to the Persian Gulf places it within the Basra port cluster that includes the deep-water offshore oil export terminals at ABOT/KAAOT.

In June 2026, Khor al-Zubair emerged as relevant through the Fujairah fuel-oil drain. Fujairah residual fuel-oil stocks fell to a multi-year low of 2.05mb with zero fuel-oil imports and exports surging to 228kbd; Iraq absorbed 73% of those Fujairah exports, suggesting Baghdad was rebuilding bunker and fuel supply behind the Hormuz blockade. Khor al-Zubair's role in Iraq's southern products network makes it a likely destination for those shipments.

Common Questions
Where is Khor al-Zubair port in Iraq?
Khor al-Zubair is a deep-water port on the Khor Abd Allah waterway in southern Iraq, about 50 km south-east of Basra, near Umm Qasr. It handles petroleum products and general cargo and is part of Iraq's main southern port cluster.Source: Geographic and port authority records
Why is Iraq importing fuel oil from Fujairah in 2026?
With Hormuz restricted by the blockade, Iraq has been rebuilding its domestic bunker and fuel supply via Gulf of Oman routes. In June 2026 Iraq absorbed 73% of Fujairah's 228kbd fuel-oil export surge, reflecting Baghdad's effort to secure fuel supply independently of the closed strait.Source: FOIZ/S&P Global data via IndexBox, June 2026
What happened at Khor al-Zubair during the Iran conflict?
In March 2026 a boat struck an oil tanker at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, one of several physical security incidents affecting Iraq's near-shore Energy infrastructure during the Iran conflict's early stages.Source: Iran-conflict-2026 reporting