Trump administration has no plan to restrict oil and gas exports US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Thursday said in a post on X that President Donald Trump's administration has no plan to implement restrictions on oil and gas exports.
Iran's internet shutdown now longest in history: monitor Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Thu, 03/19/2026 - 14:50 Internet access has been restricted in Iran since Israel and the US began their ongoing assault on the country A girl watches a televised statement by Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei on a mobile phone on March 12, 2026 (AFP) Off The shutdown of the internet in Iran is now the longest in its history, according to a monitor. Internet freedom watchdog NetBlocks said that the blackout, imposed by the state following the beginning of the US-Israel attack on the country, reached its 20th day on Thursday. "The ongoing disruption in Iran is among the longest three internet shutdowns in our records.
Why Turkey is unlikely to face a gas crisis if Iran cuts supplies Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Thu, 03/19/2026 - 14:05 Iran war deepened concerns regarding the gas market, but Ankara's diversified resources put it in a safe position Turkey's first floating natural gas production platform, the Osman Gazi, passes through the Bosphorus in Istanbul on 29 May 2025 (Yasin Akgul/AFP) Off A sharp drop in Iranian gas flows to Turkey following Israel 's strike on the South Pars gas field and Tehran's retaliatory attacks across the Gulf has raised energy security concerns. But analysts say Ankara will likely be able to cushion the blow. The South Pars, which Iran shares with Qatar , is the largest gas field in the world.
US may ease sanctions on Iranian oil, says Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business that Washington may ease restrictions on Iranian oil. Bessent said that Russian and Iranian oil tankers that have left the Strait of Hormuz and are currently on the water could be used to provide temporary relief to stabilise global markets. “We will be using the Iranian barrels against the Iranians to keep the price down for the next 10 or 14 days as we continue this campaign”, Bessent told Fox.
China restricts fertiliser exports, further crimping war-tightened supply China is clamping down on fertiliser exports to protect its domestic market, a number of industry sources said, putting an additional strain on global markets that were already grappling with shortages caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran. China is among the largest fertiliser exporters - shipping more than $13 billion worth of it last year - and it has a history of controlling exports to keep prices low for farmers. Fertilisers are essential for plant growth and crop yields.
Iran lawmakers propose tolls on shipping through Strait of Hormuz, media reports say Iranian lawmakers have proposed a plan to impose tolls and taxes on ships passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, local media reported on Thursday. "We in parliament are pursuing a plan under which countries will pay tolls and taxes to the Islamic republic if the Strait of Hormuz is used as a secure route for transit, energy and food security," Tehran lawmaker Somayeh Rafiei was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.
Aid for 400,000 children in Sudan delayed by Hormuz disruption Medical supplies for around 400,000 children in Sudan are stuck in Dubai due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Save the Children said. The shipment includes antibiotics, antimalarial drugs, deworming treatments and injectable medicines. More than 90 primary healthcare facilities could run out of essential supplies as a result.
US VP Vance says ‘we know we got a problem’ with petrol prices US Vice President JD Vance has acknowledged that “we got a problem” regarding the rising petrol prices amid the US-Israel war on Iran. “Gas [petrol] prices are up. We know they’re up, and we know people are hurting because of it,” he said during a speech at a manufacturing facility in Michigan.
Russia says shipping can return to Strait of Hormuz through diplomacy Negotiations are the only way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for shipping, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said. It comes as maritime traffic through the key waterway is still suspended due to Iranian threats and attacks on ships following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Turkey proposes Iraq oil pipeline extension as Hormuz crisis bites Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Wed, 03/18/2026 - 15:45 Turkish energy minister says Iraq could transport half of its oil exports through Turkey if it extends Kirkuk pipeline to Basra A general view of the oil refinery at Zubair, southwest of Basra in southern Iraq, on 3 March 2016 (AFP) Off With Iran 's chokehold on exports through the Strait of Hormuz triggering an international energy crisis, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has proposed extending the oil pipeline that links Turkey and Iraq all the way to the southern port city of Basra. Turkey and Iraq have been connected by a 970-kms pipeline since 1976, linking Iraq’s oil-rich northern city of Kirkuk to the Turkish port city of Ceyhan. While a branch line carrying oil from Iraq’s Kurdistan region to Turkey has operated for years, the main Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline has remained largely idle since an Islamic State attack on the infrastructure in 2014.
Putin weighs shifting Russian energy away from Europe amid Iran war shocks Russia says it is considering redirecting its remaining energy supplies away from Europe as markets reel from the Israeli-US war on Iran. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin had instructed officials to study the possibility of shifting Russian oil and gas flows away from European buyers. Peskov added that Moscow has not received any signals from European governments about reopening discussions on energy supplies.
Iraq resumes Kirkuk oil exports to Turkey via Ceyhan pipeline Iraq has restarted crude exports from the Kirkuk oilfields to Turkey’s Ceyhan port after Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government struck a deal to resume flows. The state-run North Oil Company said shipments would begin with an initial capacity of about 250,000 barrels per day. The KRG confirmed the agreement and said a joint committee would oversee preparations and return revenue to Iraq’s federal treasury.
Austria cuts fuel tax as Israeli-US war drives up oil prices Austria’s government says it will temporarily cut fuel taxes and cap retailer margins to shield consumers from soaring oil prices linked to the Iran war. The three-party coalition announced on Wednesday that the petroleum tax on petrol and diesel will fall by five euro cents per litre while new limits will apply to fuel sellers’ profit margins.
By wresting control of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has turned the tables on US Iran spent a decade building up a shadow fleet of tankers untouched by western finance and insurance to evade US sanctions. Now, those vessels are snaking through the Strait of Hormuz while their western-affiliated counterparts are locked out of the key chokepoint. Whereas the US used its heft as the underwriter of the world’s finance system to box out foes like Iran and Russia, the Islamic Republic is using missiles and drones to do the same.
Spain to release 11. 5 million barrels from oil reserves Spain’s energy minister says the country will release up to 11. 5 million barrels from strategic oil reserves over 90 days as a result of the ongoing Israel-US war on Iran which has upened energy markets around the world.
Iran says it seized hundreds of Starlink devices Iranian intelligence says it has confiscated hundreds of Starlink devices across the country. The official Iranian Mehr news agency, citing the Ministry of Intelligence, reported that authorities seized the equipment sent by the “American-Zionist enemy. ” Officials said the devices formed part of foreign efforts to undermine Iran.
Bloomberg: Iran allows Turkish and Indian ships to pass through Hormuz Countries including Turkey and India have received specific approval from Tehran for vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to officials cited by Bloomberg, as Iran selectively allows limited transit amid the conflict. A Pakistan-bound oil tanker, the Karachi, was among the first to pass through the strait in recent days, marking one of the few successful crossings since war disrupted shipping. Meanwhile, the Iraqi oil minister said that Baghdad has an understanding with Tehran to allow its oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reported.
Iraq warns of legal action if Kurdistan blocks oil exports Iraq warned it may pursue legal action if authorities in the Kurdistan region block crude exports through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, the oil ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry added that resuming flows through the pipeline could help mitigate the impact of any potential disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. People walk near farmland by the Zubair oil field as gas flares rise in the distance, in Zubair Mishrif, Basra, Iraq, amid regional tensions following the recent disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the US-Israeli war with Iran, 9 March, 2026.
Thailand talking to Russia over oil supply during Hormuz crises Thailand is discussing with Russia the possibility of purchasing crude oil as supplies tighten amid the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, the country’s foreign minister said. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Moscow had expressed readiness to sell oil, adding the government is seeking alternative sources to secure energy supplies. He said Thailand has reserves for 95 to 100 days but warned of uncertainty over long-term flows.
South Korea warns of 'worst-case scenario' on energy South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned that the worst-case energy scenario must be considered if the Middle East conflict continues, calling for diplomatic efforts to secure stable alternative energy sources. Speaking in a televised address, Lee said South Korea may consider limiting energy exports if necessary and urged the country to accelerate the development of renewable energy. His remarks came as Seoul also declined to commit naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz despite US calls for allied support.
