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Data shows that Gulf crude exports increased in July, but that shipments slowed down due to renewed hostilities.

Shipping data shows that Gulf countries increased crude oil and condensate exports to their highest level since?before the Iran War began in late Febuary, although the flow through the Strait of Hormuz is now slowing down as the fighting escalates.

Kpler data shows that crude and condensate imports from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates increased by about 16% compared to the entire June daily average, reaching?12million barrels per day in the first half July.

Vortexa estimated that exports during the period were even higher at 13.06 million bpd.

Kpler reported that Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq led the increase in the first half July. Vortexa estimated Iraq had the largest increase month-on-month, while UAE exports declined from record levels?in June.

Oil prices fell as supply concerns eased following the U.S. The United States and Iran agreed to an interim agreement in mid-June that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the most important shipping route on the planet for oil and natural gas.

Early July, disagreements over the administration of the waterway led to the collapse of an interim agreement.

RED SEA CONCERN Shipping data shows that shipments through the strait have already declined as strikes on both sides have re-escalated. On Thursday, there were only three commodity tankers, the fewest transits per day since May. Kpler analyst Johannes Rauball stated that "we're experiencing a slowdown of activity. This means that countries have to reduce their output which will decrease the amount of crude that is shipped."

Exports were still 32% lower than February's prewar peak of 17,6?million Bpd.

Iran has reportedly told Yemen's Houthis that they should be ready to disrupt the traffic in the Red Sea, if the United States attacks Iranian energy infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia diverted the majority of its energy exports via Yanbu, its Red Sea port. Kpler data shows that 75% of Saudi Arabia's 5.29 million barrels per day (bpd) crude and condensate have been exported through Yanbu so far this month. (Reporting and editing by Alex Lawler, Emelia Sithole Matarise, and Ahmad Ghaddar)

(source: Reuters)