Global oil consumption is on course to shrink this year for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Energy Agency has said, as the war between the US and Iran throttled Gulf exports, though the IEA also noted supply increased in June.

The IEA forecasts the first annual decline in global natural gas demand since 2022 as the Iran conflict drives prices to their highest levels since January

Renewed escalation in the U.S.-Iran war could complicate matters and further cloud the outlook, the IEA warned Friday.