Israel-US-Iran War Live Updates: IEA Announces To Release 400 Million Barrels Of Oil To Address Global Shortage

India announced on Wednesday its readiness to support global oil markets in coordination with the International Energy Agency’s release of a record 400 million barrels of oil. This move is intended to rein in prices that have soared following the US-Israeli war with Iran.

"India stands ready to take appropriate measures, as necessary, to support global market stability in alignment with the efforts of the International Energy Agency," the Indian government stated in a statement.

Lebanon’s UN envoy, Ahmad Arafa, told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that Israel is persisting in its attacks on Lebanon with "no respect for the laws of war." He simultaneously noted that Hezbollah continues its military operations despite a government ban on the group's illegal security activities.

Arafa emphasised that the Lebanese people do not want war and stated, "We will not accept a return to the past." He affirmed that the Lebanese government is committed to implementing its decisions and will not backtrack on asserting its authority.

Dylan Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, announced that more than 43,000 US citizens have successfully returned to the United States from the Middle East since February 28.

He noted that under the leadership of Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, the US State Department has orchestrated over three dozen charter flights, facilitating the evacuation of thousands of individuals from the region.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that temporary airspace restrictions have hampered the movement of medical supplies from its global logistics hub in Dubai, UAE. This disruption has impacted more than 50 emergency supply requests intended to assist over 1.5 million people across 25 countries.

The agency noted that the restrictions have led to significant backlogs in the delivery of essential health materials. These delays are affecting critical humanitarian aid and emergency responses in multiple regions as regional tensions continue to impact key transportation corridors.

An Iranian military spokesperson has issued a warning that any attack on Iran’s port facilities will be met with counterstrikes against ports throughout the region. The official stated that if Iranian maritime infrastructure is targeted, Iran will respond by striking the ports of its regional adversaries, Al Jazeera cited.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that national authorities in Iran have reported more than 1,300 deaths and 9,000 injuries since the escalation of the conflict. The agency noted that the violence is severely impacting essential health services, verifying 18 targeted attacks on healthcare facilities in Iran since February 28, which have claimed the lives of eight health workers.

The Israel Foreign Ministry stated that the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah has launched unprovoked rocket strikes from Lebanese territory. According to the ministry, these attacks were specifically directed at Israeli civilians.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has addressed reports of an attack on the Thai-flagged vessel Mayuree Naree within the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. The ministry noted that the ship was en route to the port of Kandla in India at the time of the incident.

In an official statement, the Indian government condemned the targeting of commercial shipping amidst the escalating West Asia conflict. New Delhi reiterated its stance that strikes on civilian vessels, actions that endanger crew members, or any interference with the freedom of navigation and international commerce must be avoided.

South Korea has committed to releasing 22.46 million barrels from its emergency oil reserves as part of a historic, 400-million-barrel global drawdown led by the International Energy Agency (IEA). This contribution accounts for approximately 5.6 per cent of the total IEA release, marking Seoul’s largest strategic deployment since the 1990 Gulf War.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has formally welcomed the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) landmark decision to release 400 million barrels of emergency oil reserves, the largest coordinated drawdown in the organisation's history.

In a statement on Wednesday, Motegi emphasised that the move demonstrates the collective resolve of IEA member states to secure energy supplies and protect the global economy from the shocks of the ongoing conflict.

Japan, which relies on the Middle East for roughly 95 per cent of its crude oil, has pledged to "act first" by releasing 80 million barrels from its own national and private stockpiles starting next week.

US crude oil inventories rose by 3.824 million barrels in the latest reporting period, significantly outpacing market expectations of a 2.5 million-barrel increase. This follows a previous build of 3.475 million barrels, signaling a consistent upward trend in domestic stockpiles even as geopolitical instability continues to rock global energy markets.

The unexpected surplus provides a critical buffer for the US as the conflict in the Middle East threatens traditional supply routes. While analysts closely monitor these levels for signs of demand shifts, the current buildup suggests that domestic supply remains robust despite the high-stakes regional tensions.

In a recent phone interview with Axios, President Donald Trump suggested that the military campaign against Iran is rapidly approaching its conclusion, asserting that there is "practically nothing left to target" within the country.

Trump expressed high satisfaction with the operation's progress, stating that US and allied forces have inflicted significantly more damage than early assessments projected. He noted that the military is currently running "way ahead of the timetable," achieving more in the opening weeks than was originally expected for the entire initial six-week phase of the conflict.

Michael Eisenberg has called on the Iranian people to capitalise on current regional shifts to reclaim their sovereignty, characterising the present conflict as a rare window for systemic change. He stated that a core objective of the ongoing war is to empower citizens to dictate their own future, moving away from what he labeled an "evil death cult regime."

He asserted that coordinated efforts by Israel and the United States have effectively lowered the "cost of freedom" for the Iranian public. When questioned on the lack of an alternative strategy should an internal revolt fail to materialise, Eisenberg noted that no "Plan B" is currently being weighed.

Omani state media and maritime security firm Ambrey confirmed that explosive drones targeted oil storage facilities at the Salalah port on Wednesday. The strike specifically hit fuel tanks within the strategic hub, marking a significant expansion of regional hostilities into Omani territory.

Despite the intensity of the aerial assault, Ambrey reported that no merchant vessels in the vicinity sustained damage.

In their second high-level dialogue since the outbreak of the Iran conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held urgent talks on Wednesday to address the worsening instability in West Asia.

According to the Kremlin, both leaders expressed deep concern over the "dangerously deteriorating" security landscape, warning of severe repercussions for Iran and neighboring Arab states.

Global maritime watchdogs have confirmed a sharp rise in regional instability, with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recording at least 12 significant incidents involving merchant vessels since the onset of the conflict. According to IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, these maritime strikes have already proven fatal, resulting in the deaths of at least seven seafarers.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has documented an even higher volume of activity, tracking 17 separate reports across the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. 

The Khatam al-Anbiya military command has issued a stern warning that Iran may escalate its military strategy from retaliatory "reciprocal hits" to a campaign of uninterrupted strikes against its opponents.

"We won’t allow even one litre of oil to reach the US, Israel and their partners," Zolfaqari asserted, emphasising that the era of controlled escalation may be coming to an end.

"Get ready for the oil barrel to be at USD 200 because the oil price depends on regional security which you have destabilised," he added.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a new requirement for vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, stating that all ships must now secure formal authorisation before entering the critical maritime chokepoint.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said," There have been reports of some casualties. We have two Indian nationals whom we have lost, and one is missing. These three Indian nationals died or are missing. It happened when they were on merchant vessels which came under attack. A few Indians who have suffered injuries in the GCC region are being treated. Our consulate is in touch with them. Today, in the morning, you would have seen reports that the Indian National was injured in Dubai. This gentleman, our consulate is in touch with him. He is also receiving treatment at the hospital, and we are in regular touch with him to ensure his welfare and well-being."

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that he spoke with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on the West Asia conflict.

“Appreciate the exchange of assessments today with FM Jean-Noël Barrot of France on the West Asia conflict,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, said the US-Israeli attacks violate international law.

Iranian military said it will target sections in the Middle East which have economic and banking interests. A spokesman for Iran’s Khatam ol Anbia joint command said the strikes were decided in response to the attack on an Iranian bank by United States and Israeli forces.

News agency AFP reported that multiple blasts were heard across Doha on Wednesday as Iran continues strikes on Gulf nations. Meanwhile, residents in Qatar have been advised to stay indoors amid the escalating situation. 

Two Iranian drones hit near Dubai International Airport, injuring four people on Wednesday, AP reported quoting officials. As per officials, flights operations from the airport continue as normal. 

The Israeli military on Wednesday stated that several Iranian soldiers died in a recent drone attack, reported Al Jazeera.

Iranian president's son has asserted that new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "safe and sound". His statement came amid questions on his whereabouts.

National police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan on Wednesday said that the protestors demanding a regime change would be treated like enemy. "If anyone comes forward in line with the wishes of the enemy, we will no longer see them as merely a protester, we will see them as an enemy," Radan said.

Iranian officials on Wednesday stated that a US-Israeli drone was shot down over central Kerman.

As per the Iranian news agency Defapress, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, Iranian armed forces spokesperson, has asserted that Tehran will retaliate against the joint forces of Israel and US.

At least six people died in US-Israeli strikes near Resalat Square in Tehran, reported Al Jazeera.

US President Donald Trump has asserted that the recent attacks has affected the defence capacity of Iran, reiterating that unconditional surrender is the only option left for Tehran.

Lebanon's state media on Wednesday reported that an Israeli strike has hit central Beirut, leading to chaos among the residents.

Israel has launched fresh attacks in the southern parts of Beirut, targeting the operating sites of Hezbollah, a terror organisation allegedly backed by Iran.

Amid the ongoing war in the West Asia, Pope Leo has expressed "profound sorrow for all the victims of the bombings" in the region.

Kuwait's National Guard on Wednesday stated that it intercepted 8 Iranian drones as part of security operations. The war in the Middle East region has led to chaos in several countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.

In its latest statement, the United Nations' trade and development agency, UNCTAD, warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would lead to surge in food prices across the world.

Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry on Wednesday stated that it intercepted five Iranian drones that were heading toward the Shaybah oilfield.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in its latest statement, said it targeted a US base in Kuwait as the war between Iran and the joint forces of Israel and US entered its 12 day on Wednesday.

In its statement, Russian foreign ministry informed that its consulate in Isfahan city was damaged after an Israeli attack targeted a nearby government building.

Israel on Wednesday launched fresh wave of attacks on Beirut's southern region, targeting the terrorist group Hezbollah, reported Lebanese state media.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have urged the residents to take shelters as fresh attacks were launched by Iran. "A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the Israeli military said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in a post on X, claimed that several cities of Israel witnessed heavy damage due to the attacks. "Netanyahu doesn’t want you to see how Iran’s Powerful Armed Forces are punishing Israel for its aggression," he stated.

As per Lebanon’s National News Agency, fresh strikes fro Israel killed at least six people in the southern region of the country.