The organization of oil-producing countries has highlighted the “crucial importance of protecting international waterways to ensure uninterrupted energy flow,” as Gulf states are unable to export their production due to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Published on April 5, 2026 at 17:53, updated at 18:33, estimated reading time: 2 min.
Smoke rises from the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates on March 14, 2026, after a drone strike. (AFP)
Even if the conflict in the Middle East ends quickly, global oil supply will be significantly affected, according to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies (OPEC+). In a statement released on April 5 after a meeting of some members including Saudi Arabia and Russia, they warned that restoring damaged energy facilities in Gulf countries would be “costly” and take “a lot of time.”
In light of this, OPEC+ has once again increased its production quotas. Starting in May, they will implement a production adjustment of 206,000 barrels per day. This decision follows a similar increase in production quotas on March 1, three days after the start of the Middle East conflict.
This announcement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to target Iranian infrastructure 24 hours before the deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Since the joint U.S. and Israeli operation against Iran began on February 28, Tehran has blocked most traffic through this strategic passage, disrupting Gulf neighbors’ exports and allowing only a few ships to pass through.
India, a major importer of oil and gas, stated on Saturday that it had negotiated the passage of some immobilized boats with Iran since the war’s onset. The same day, the spokesman for the Iranian armed forces command stated on state television that Iraq was not subject to the restrictions imposed on the Strait of Hormuz, which only applied to “enemy countries.”
In their statement on Sunday, OPEC+ reiterated the “crucial importance of protecting international waterways to ensure uninterrupted energy flow.”
