International Energy Agency head warns: The Strait of Hormuz remains persistently closed, and April crude oil and refined products losses will double

Gate News message, April 5, the Director-General of the International Energy Agency, Birol, warned that if the Strait of Hormuz (one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes) does not reopen shipping, the volume of crude oil and refined products lost in April will be twice that of March. Birol said that even if the conflict ends, it will take a long time to return to normal. He revealed that the International Energy Agency tracks, hour by hour each day, all of the region’s key energy assets, including oil and gas fields, pipelines, refineries, and liquefied natural gas terminals. At present, 72 energy assets are damaged, including one-third that are damaged severely or very severely. Birol praised Saudi Arabia’s swift response to the crisis, saying the country rerouted more than two-thirds of its oil exports through a pipeline to the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia’s top authorities assured him that this critical pipeline is well protected. But Birol pointed out that if this route is attacked, the consequences for the global economy would be extremely serious.