[Iraq Plans to Increase Oil Tanker Rentals to Strengthen Control Over Hormuz Strait Transportation] According to a report by Jinse Finance on October 5, citing foreign media, Iraq is preparing to increase oil tanker rentals, with at least two tankers expected to be in place in the coming days. The country is seeking to strengthen its control over the transportation of its oil through the highly contested Hormuz Strait. Iraq's state-owned company, the Iraqi Oil Tanker Company, is expected to lease at least one Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) and one smaller Suezmax tanker in the coming days. It also plans to reissue tenders to lease additional tankers. This move marks a shift in Iraq's strategy. Iraq has been particularly affected by conflicts in the Middle East, as it does not own any oil tankers and has had to sell crude oil at significant discounts to attract customers willing to take on the risks of sending ships deep into the Gulf to load oil. According to informed sources, domestic Iraqi companies have already purchased at least two supertankers, one of which cost approximately $200 million in a transaction last month. Relevant data indicates that this price will set a historical record for such vessels. The sources also revealed that the lease term for the tankers rented by Iraq will last until the end of this year.