White House official said Russian officials will attend next week's G20 energy meeting in Houston.

SOUTH KOREA'S LEE said the country's reliance on Middle East crude has fallen to about 50% from as high as 70% within months after sending oil envoys, stepping up crude diplomacy, diversifying import sources and subsidising long-haul transport. Seoul has used strategic reserve swap arrangements to keep crude flows stable without drawing down stocks. Domestic refined fuel prices and supply remain stable, aided by a maximum-price limit and export volume controls. The government will continue import diversification and work to keep shipping lanes open and vessels and crews safe, but dependence still sits near 50% and the conflict in the Middle East remains a source of market risk.

On Sept. 11 in India ahead of the BRICS leaders' meeting, Iranian President Pezeshkian said Iran will "never bow to bullying" and will not yield to the United States and Israel. He accused them of "talking about human rights while committing massacres," of labeling Iran a terrorist while bombing schools and targeting scientists and civilians, and of striking infrastructure and cutting water, food and internet as a "slow-kill" tactic to force popular revolt. He asked who the real terrorists are and said Iran will not submit to oppression or bullying.