PARIS: The head of the International Energy Agency said Tuesday that “unconditionally” opening the Strait of Hormuz to Gulf tanker traffic was essential to ending the shock from soaring oil and gas prices to economies worldwide. “The single most important solution to this problem is the fully and unconditionally opening up of the state of Hormuz to shipping,” IEA chief Fatih Birol told a press conference.

A deal between the U.S. and Iran will reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, easing global energy supply concerns. However, unresolved disputes mean future flare-ups are possible.…

Shipping groups warned Monday it was too soon to safely resume sailing through the Strait of Hormuz following US and Iranian promises that the trade route would reopen under their…