Exxon Evacuates Non-Essential Staff; IEA Eyes Record Reserve Release

ExxonMobil evacuated non-essential employees from its Middle East operations as the conflict disrupted regional energy flows. The company also scaled back some activities to manage swelling oil inventories. The International Energy Agency is reportedly considering the largest emergency release of strategic petroleum reserves in its history to help stabilize global oil supplies. G7 finance ministers announced they are prepared to release energy stockpiles to stabilize markets.