Iraq calls for the ‘protection of maritime routes’ after deadly attack on tankers

Iraq calls for the ‘protection of maritime routes’ after deadly attack on tankers Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has called for “the protection of maritime routes” after deadly attacks that set two tankers ablaze off the coast of Iraq overnight. “The security and safety of navigation in international maritime routes and energy supply lines must remain separate from regional conflicts and rivalries,” the ministry said in a statement carried by the Iraq News Agency. The comments came after Iraq shut down port operations after the attacks.