Syrian Oil Company CEO says the company hopes to begin construction of an Iraq-to-Syria oil pipeline in Q1 2027.

Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Oct. 6 responded to Philippine claims on Oct. 4 that Chinese forces had harassed Philippine aircraft and vessels in two South China Sea areas. Guo said China has sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Island and the Spratly Islands, including Zhongye Island and Tiexian Reef, and that those features are not part of Philippine territory as defined by international treaties. He said Philippine aircraft and ships recently entered Chinese-controlled sea and airspace without permission, interfered with Chinese law enforcement, seriously violated China’s sovereignty and jurisdiction, and deliberately undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea. Chinese military and coast guard took lawful and appropriate measures in response.

Kpler data show average crude transits through the Strait of Hormuz were 10.3 mln bpd over the past seven days, about 76% of the pre-war baseline. Refined product flows (gasoline and diesel) totaled only 1.3 mln bpd, roughly 11% of shipments versus >20% pre-war, signalling sustained diesel tightness. Sources say U.S. oil industry executives have urged the U.S. Navy to prioritise escorting product tankers carrying diesel over crude tankers because crude prices are roughly half those of diesel. So far most U.S.-escorted vessels have been VLCCs (~2 mln-barrel capacity), about double the capacity of the largest product tankers.