IEA: Iran War Could Ground Flights Soon; Airlines Have 6 Weeks Fuel

European airlines have "maybe six weeks or so" of remaining jet fuel supplies, according to IEA head Fatih Birol, who warned of possible flight cancellations "soon" if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war. Birol stated the world faces "the largest energy crisis we have ever faced," stemming from efforts to choke oil, gas, and other vital supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to "higher petrol prices, higher gas prices, high electricity prices." Ryanair said earlier this week that its suppliers could only guarantee enough jet fuel through most of May.

Differences between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program remain the main obstacle to holding a second round of talks after negotiations last weekend in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that fundamental disagreements remain over nuclear issues, adding that "the fate of Iran’s highly enriched uranium and the duration of its nuclear restrictions remain unresolved." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said further talks "would very likely" be in the Pakistani capital.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said US forces were ready to resume strikes on Iran if Tehran "chooses poorly" and does not agree to a deal, maintaining the US will continue its blockade of Iran "for as long as it takes." Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Israel will launch "even more painful" strikes against Iran if it does not agree a deal with the US.

US Central Command said 14 ships have turned back since the US blockade of Iran’s ports and coastline began on Monday. Mohsen Rezaei, military advisor to Iran’s supreme leader, warned Tehran would sink US ships in the Strait of Hormuz if the US decided to "police" the waterway and threatened to take US soldiers hostage and "demand $1 billion each captive."