Kuwait halts crude exports in April as Strait of Hormuz blockade bites

Kuwait halted crude oil exports in April for the first time since the end of the Gulf War due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade. The country diverted its oil production towards storage and refining instead of exports, reflecting the disruption to global markets caused by the maritime corridor restrictions. This disruption is exacerbated by the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, forcing major producers to reroute shipments or reduce exports.