IMF, World Bank, others warn Middle East War is straining Energy Supplies
By Reuters
The heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, ​World Bank and World Trade Organization warned ‌on Friday that the war in the Middle East was straining global energy supplies and hitting vulnerable economies hardest.
The U.S.-Israel ​war on Iran has disrupted trade, rattled ​financial markets and raised concerns over global energy supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a ​key route for oil and gas shipments.
The global institutions ​said that the world economy remained resilient, but the conflict was disproportionately affecting poorer countries through higher fuel and fertilizer prices, ​increased uncertainty, and risks to jobs.
The heads of ​the groups met on Thursday to discuss how they should ‌respond to the economic impact of the war, they said in a joint statement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would decide Friday over a potential deal ​with Iran to ​extend their ceasefire that would need to include opening the waterway and dismantling Tehran’s capacity to ​make a nuclear weapon.
“If shipping flows do ​not return to normal, continued rapid depletion of global oil inventories ahead of peak summer oil demand in the Northern ​Hemisphere would present increasing risks ​for fuel security, market conditions, and broader economic resilience,” the institutions said.
Original source: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/imf-world-bank-others-warn-middle-east-war-is-straining-energy-supplies-2026-05-29/
