By Rhiannon Hoyle
At least 40 energy assets have been severely damaged across nine countries since the Middle East conflict began, International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said, as the agency consults with governments on whether more emergency oil reserves should be released to shore up supply.
Speaking in Australia on Monday, Birol cautioned that it would take some time to return supply from oil and natural-gas fields, refineries and pipelines in the region to levels before the conflict began. A further release of oil from emergency stocks could help reduce economic pain, but it wouldn't solve the energy crisis, he said. The single most important solution was reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Birol said.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 23, 2026 00:01 ET (04:01 GMT)
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