The US military said on Tuesday it had seized a tanker linked to Iran in international waters, its latest apparent action to enforce a blockade, with time running out on a ceasefire and the prospect of last-ditch further peace talks still up in the air, reported Reuters.
The Iran–US–Israel conflict is driving the worst global energy crisis, IEA head Fatih Birol said, calling it the biggest in history, worsened by Russia-related energy shocks and supply pressures global.
Tensions have escalated again in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran said it was tightening control over it warning mariners that the energy lifeline was again closed, as shipping sources said at least two vessels came under fire while trying to transit the waterway. It said this was in response to a continued US blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran has announced that commercial shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will remain fully open for the duration of the current ceasefire, signalling a potential easing of tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
Fresh diplomatic signals from Tehran and Washington have raised cautious optimism about a potential deal to de-escalate tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and end the war.
Oil prices extended their decline on Wednesday, as cautious optimism over a possible resumption of US-Iran talks eased immediate supply fears, even as underlying risks from the ongoing conflict continued to cap losses.
Talks aimed at ending the Iran war could resume in Pakistan within the next two days, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, raising cautious hopes for a breakthrough even as a fragile ceasefire nears its expiry in the coming days.
Oil prices fell below $100 a barrel this morning (April 14) over signs of new US-Iran dialogue to end their war. Brent crude was at $97.8 in early trade, while US WTI crude was at $96.83.
Iran expects to restore most damaged refining and distribution facilities to 70–80 per cent of their pre-attack capacity within one to two months, a senior oil official said, as authorities work to recover from a wave of strikes on energy infrastructure.
Israel's war with Iran incurred 35 billion shekels ($11.52 billion) in budgetary expenses, with 22 billion shekels of that going to defence, the Finance Ministry said on Sunday, citing a preliminary estimate.
