Paris/Geneva (Monitoring Desk): The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, has warned that if tensions between the United States and Iran do not ease and oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz do not return to normal, global energy security could face serious risks.
According to international media reports, Fatih Birol said while addressing an event organized by the Council on Foreign Relations that ensuring a secure supply of oil remains one of the world’s most critical challenges.
He stated that if the situation does not improve in the coming weeks, the international community should remain concerned, as the current circumstances could have major impacts on global energy markets.
According to Fatih Birol, the Strait of Hormuz is among the world’s most important maritime routes, through which around 20 percent of the world’s seaborne crude oil supply passes. Any disruption in this route could affect global oil prices and energy supplies.
The IEA chief’s statement comes at a time when tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate. Reports state that the United States has targeted various military sites in Iran for the sixth consecutive day, including areas such as Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, and Iran City.
The United States has also claimed an operation against a vessel accused of attempting to violate maritime restrictions imposed on Iranian ports.