Middle East crude oil exports in August down 39 percent, TankerTrackers says

Middle East crude oil exports in August were down 39 percent from the January and February baseline of 18.5 million barrels per day (mbpd), according to oil-tracking firm TankerTrackers. The firm reported that the current deficit is now 7.2 mbpd, compared with 12.4 mbpd in May.

The assessment covered Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, and Qatar. The sharpest fall of 67 percent below pre-war levels was recorded in May, as per TankerTrackers.

There is also discussion of a potential US strategy for the Middle East after an Iran war, with US President Donald Trump reportedly working on "something much bigger". The plan, still in development, involves building a regional alliance to contain Iran and deepening ties between Israel and its neighbours, according to sources cited by Axios and reported by Times of India, Gulf News, and Live Mint.

Brief written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye, Times of India, Gulf News, Live Mint — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.