The IEA’s Fatih Birol on ‘the greatest energy security threat in history’

The war in Iran continues with no clear end in sight, fueling economic turbulence and concerns of a global energy crisis. International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol spoke at an AC Front Page event on April 13th and argued the conflict is the greatest energy security threat in history. He warned that oil prices will soon “converge” with the on-the-ground reality, knocking the global economy further into disarray.

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Event Recap Apr 14, 2026

The IEA’s Fatih Birol: Oil prices will soon begin ‘reflecting the severity’ of the energy crisis

By Katherine Golden

At an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Birol argued that oil prices, while high, are “not reflecting the severity of the problem” posed by the Iran war’s damage to infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

AC Front Page harnesses the convening power and expertise of the Council’s sixteen programs and centers to spotlight the world’s most prominent leaders and the most compelling ideas across sectors. The premier platform engages new audiences eager for nonpartisan and constructive solutions to current global challenges. This widely promoted 45-minute program features the Council’s most important guests and content serving as the highlight of our programming.

Image: FILE PHOTO: Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, April 24, 2026. REUTERS/File Photo