Japan plans to start releasing oil from joint stockpiles held by producing nations in the country by the end of March, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a post on social media website X on Tuesday.
Oil prices rose in early trade on Tuesday on supply fears, as Iran denied it had held talks with the United States to end the war in the Gulf, contradicting President Donald Trump, who said a deal could be reached soon.
Oil futures rose in early trade on a likely technical recovery after WTI and Brent crude futures fell sharply overnight.
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of the UAE's state-owned oil company, said Iran is committing "economic terrorism" by attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's attacks in the Strait are an act of aggression against every nation in the world, Al Jaber said.
Global oil prices edged higher in after-hours trading Monday to recoup portion of the nearly 11% lost during the regular session, as traders geared up for what's likely to be another day driven by developments in the Iran conflict.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Monday said he has sued the U.S. Department of Energy over its decision to restart the long-disputed Sable Offshore pipeline system linking the Santa Ynez offshore platform to California refineries.
Asian allies are looking to the U.S. for secure oil and gas supplies during the Iran war, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said. Japan relies on the Strait of Hormuz for for 90% of its oil imports, said Takehiko Matsuo, a vice minister at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Oil prices tumbled on Monday after President Trump said he would postpone imminent attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure amid "productive conversations" aimed at resolving the three-week-old U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. (Iranian officials denied the existence of talks.)
Gasoline prices were close to $1 a gallon higher than a month ago.
Wright said the rise in prices was a signal to capable producers to increase output, but that prices haven't gone high enough to generate significant demand destruction.
Traders have offered Iranian oil to Indian refiners at a premium to ICE Brent after Washington temporary removed sanctions to ease the energy crisis caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, three industry sources said.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says oil from the US strategic reserve started flowing on Friday afternoon. "Prices have not risen high enough yet to drive meaningful demand destruction,” Wright said during a discussion at CERA Week in Houston.