International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol warned that if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen to shipping, the amount of crude oil and refined products lost in April will be double the amount lost in March. Even after the conflict ends, it will take a long time to return to normal. “We are monitoring all critical energy assets in the region hourly,” he said, referring to oil and gas fields, pipelines, refineries, and liquefied natural gas terminals. “Currently, 72 energy assets have been damaged, and one-third of them are severely or very severely damaged,” he added. Birol praised Saudi Arabia’s swift response to the crisis, noting that the country diverted more than two-thirds of its oil exports via a pipeline to the Red Sea. Birol said that Saudi Arabia’s highest authorities assured him that the critical pipeline was well protected. However, Birol pointed out that if this route were attacked, the consequences for the global economy would be extremely severe. (Jinshi)