Saudi Arabia told OPEC a temporary ceasefire window in the Iran conflict allowed
Gulf producers to restore flows, lifting its July crude output by more than 1
MBD to 8.2 MBD from 7.1 MBD in June. Saudi production remains several million
b/d below pre-conflict levels. The IEA estimates Saudi domestic crude stocks
rose by early August to at least their highest since 2016. The U.S.-Iran
ceasefire has collapsed and renewed hostilities heighten risk to two key export
routes—the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb—though Middle Eastern producers
are still quietly exporting large volumes. Among seven OPEC members reporting
directly to the secretariat, combined output rose 1.88 MBD, with most of the
increase from Iraq and Saudi.