Iraq has secured 48 agreements and partnerships with American companies during a visit to Washington by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, with a significant focus on the energy sector.

The deals, signed on Friday at a US-Iraq business summit, aim to bolster Iraq's economy and reduce its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial but often disrupted shipping lane.

The agreements include cooperation and partnerships involving Iraq's ministries of oil and electricity with major U.S. energy firms such as ExxonMobil, KBR, GE Vernova, Shell, and Halliburton. Additionally, several deals were finalized for the construction of a major crude oil pipeline connecting Iraq and Syria.

These developments are seen as a strategic move by Baghdad to diversify its export routes. The U.S. Department of State welcomed the plan to rehabilitate the Iraq-Syria pipeline, highlighting its potential to transport two million barrels of crude oil per day and serve as a critical energy corridor to Mediterranean markets.

The reconstruction of the Iraq-Syria oil pipeline, which has been defunct for years, is a centerpiece of the new agreements. According to Iraq's state news agency, U.S. energy company Chevron will lead this project. The U.S. Department of State indicated that a "US-led international consortium" would manage the technical and financial aspects of the pipeline's rehabilitation.

This initiative aims to provide an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping and oil exports have faced disruptions due to regional conflicts. U.S. Ambassador to Turkiye, Tom Barrack, suggested that the new pipeline agreements could eventually render the Strait of Hormuz "an afterthought" for oil transport.

Beyond the pipeline, Chevron also signed two other agreements with Iraq aimed at increasing oil production. The deals also extend to the technology sector, with Iraq signing an agreement with Starlink to introduce its satellite communication services to the country.

The series of agreements underscores Iraq's efforts to attract foreign investment and modernize its infrastructure, particularly in the vital energy sector, while navigating complex geopolitical challenges.