IEA Issues Stern Warning: Gulf Region Oil and Gas Supply Recovery May Take Six Months

Odaily News The International Energy Agency (IEA) issued a stern warning on Friday: the ongoing conflict involving Iran could trigger the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market, and it may take up to six months for the normal flow of oil and natural gas in the Gulf region to be restored. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol stated that both policymakers and the market are underestimating the severity of this crisis, which could drive up energy prices and put pressure on global supply chains. The IEA emphasized that relying solely on supply-side measures is insufficient to stabilize the market. In a detailed set of recommendations, the agency outlined a series of demand-side actions that could be implemented immediately to alleviate pressure on consumers and ensure energy security.

Given the risk of prolonged supply disruptions, the agency's recommendations highlight the importance of immediate collective action—combining energy efficiency improvements, behavioral changes, and industrial adjustments—to address what it describes as "the largest supply disruption in the history of the oil market." (Jin10)