Oil output of Iraq, Kuwait set to return to pre-war levels

​Iraq and Kuwait, two major oil producers in the Middle East, are gradually restoring their output to pre-war levels as the Strait of Hormuz has reopened under an interim peace agreement between the United States and Iran.

Kuwait announced on Thursday plans to raise its crude oil production above 2 million barrels per day within a week, signaling a major step toward restoring energy operations after months of conflict-related disruptions.

According to a statement made by the state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), the move came as Kuwait lifted force majeure notices imposed during the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, citing improved security conditions, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of international commercial shipping.

KPC said it has completed repairs to damaged infrastructure and is working with customers to ensure a smooth return to full contractual supply volumes.

The announcement follows a precautionary reduction in oil production and refining operations introduced in March amid repeated attacks targeting Kuwait’s energy infrastructure and transport networks.

As one of the Gulf’s major oil producers, Kuwait has been seeking to gradually restore normal energy operations after the conflict disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil exports.

Meanwhile, neighboring Iraq is also restoring output as the Strait of Hormuz has reopened.

Iraqi Oil Minister Basim Mohammed Khudhair said the country’s oil fields are ready to resume production operations, with output gradually returning to the pre-war level.

The United States expects a “complete ceasefire on all fronts,” U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday, urging “everyone in the Middle East” to adhere to their commitments.

“We expect a complete Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

“The United States is committed to PEACE, and we encourage everyone in the Middle East region to maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold,” he said.

Trump signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday with Iran in France, launching a 60-day negotiation period beginning Thursday aimed at reaching a final agreement.

The MoU calls for “the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”

However, Israel has said it does not intend to withdraw its forces from Lebanon.