- US issues E15 fuel waiver -

The US Environmental Protection Agency issued a temporary emergency waiver Wednesday to allow countrywide sales of higher-ethanol E15 fuel in the summer, Administrator Lee Zeldin said, easing smog controls amid government concerns about adequate supply.

The government has issued similar waivers in recent years under both the Trump and Biden administrations.

- Fuel costs hit US Post Office -

The US Postal Service announced an eight-percent rate increase for some retail and commercial products, with the "transportation-related" move coming as global oil prices spiral due to the war on Iran.

- WTO warning -

As World Trade Organization ministers prepared to meet in Cameroon, the head of the International Chamber of Commerce warned that the Mideast conflict could cause the "worst industrial crisis" in decades.

"The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that the world is facing an energy crisis more severe than the oil shocks of the 1970s," John Denton said. "From a business perspective, we believe this could yet become the worst industrial crisis in living memory."

- Red Sea shipping threat -

Iran will target shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial conduit for global oil and other goods leading up to the Suez Canal, if the United States launches a ground invasion, a military official told local media.

Shortly after, Iran's powerful parliament speaker warned of a possible invasion of an Iranian island with the support of an unnamed country.

"Based on some intelligence reports, Iran's enemies are preparing to occupy one of the Iranian islands with support from one of the regional states," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted on X.

One target could be Kharg Island, which handles almost all of Iran's crude exports.

- Iran says key strait 'closed only to enemies' -

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz was "closed only to enemies", with the Middle East war having all but shut the vital oil and gas shipping route.

Iran had informed the International Maritime Organization on Tuesday that "non-hostile vessels" could transit the strait if they meet safety and security regulations in coordination with the relevant authorities

- Oil drops -

Crude oil prices dropped back on hopes of de-escalation after US President Donald Trump voiced optimism about ending the nearly month-old war and Iran indicated ships from countries not party to the conflict could pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

After rising on Tuesday, Brent crude was down 2.2 percent at $102.22 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was off 2.2 percent at $90.32 a barrel.

- WTO sounds fertiliser warning -

Disruptions to fertiliser supplies caused by the Middle East war pose a double threat to global food security through scarcity and high prices, a top World Trade Organization official warned.

Iran's de facto closing of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit route for oil and gas, has also impacted fertiliser shipments, with a third of the global supply normally transiting the Gulf strait.

- IEA ready for another oil stocks release -

The head of the International Energy Agency said he was "ready to move forward" with an additional release of oil reserves "if and when necessary".

Fatih Birol's comments in Tokyo came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi asked the agency "to prepare to implement an additional release in case the situation drags on" with the war in the Middle East.

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