Vienna: OPEC Secretary General Haitham al-Ghais called for an end to questioning the reliability of Middle Eastern oil producers amid the current crisis in the region.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Ghais emphasized the importance of the Strait of Hormuz as a vital waterway for global trade and highlighted the consistent role of OPEC oil-producing countries in the Gulf region as dependable suppliers of oil and petroleum products to consumers worldwide.

Al-Ghais stated that assessing the long-term performance of producers based on a temporary crisis does not accurately reflect the situation, noting that the region has historically maintained energy supplies during numerous global and regional crises. His comments were a response to International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol’s remarks to The National newspaper, which urged Gulf oil exporters to restore their reputation as reliable suppliers.

The OPEC Secretary General highlighted significant investments made by Middle Eastern oil producers in developing production capacities, refineries, export terminals, pipelines, and storage facilities to ensure a stable supply of crude oil to global markets. He also mentioned that these producing countries have maintained spare production capacities, utilized during previous crises, which have aided in protecting consumer interests and stabilizing markets.

Al-Ghais concluded by arguing that questioning the reliability of oil producers shortly after a crisis caused by the temporary closure of a waterway is counterproductive and serves no one’s interests.